Issuu

FRIDAY 7th DECEMBER, 2018

No.105481

US$11.6B IDB loan to bolster oil sector PAGE

State-of-the-art trauma centre for GPHC

‘Strategic catch’ …US Ambassador says ‘Big Head’, others were under surveillance …DEA, CANU, police hail for successful collaboration 03 PAGE

PAGE

Biker killed in Non Pareil crash PAGE

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock on Thursday displayed the various products being manufactured by Indigenous Peoples across the country under the government’s Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme (Adrian Narine photo)

'We're on firm ground'

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

…Ministers Harmon, Ally make light of PPP no-confidence motion

By Alva Solomon AS the budget debate continued on Thursday, government ministers maintained that the coalition is strong and committed to defeat the No Confidence motion tabled in the National Assembly by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party. To this end, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally told the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon that the government has a “clear vision” as she noted that in the 2019 budget, the administration is prioritising investments that will rebuild the critical, physical, and social infrastructure in the country. “Budget 2019 is our attempt to achieve the greatest

possibilities for the good of the country,” she said as she noted that it is one for the people. In her usual confident mode, Ally responded to Opposition MP Nigel Dharamlall who said earlier in the debate that the budget will be the last of the current government. “I wish to let the honourable member know that this Coalition government stands on firm ground,” she said, as she noted that the foundation is embedded in its achievements and projections. Ally told parliamentarians that the electorate is happy since they have begun to enjoy the “good life” and that they look forward to even “better days” under the APNU+AFC administration. As she highlighted the programmes under the Ministry

of Social Protection, she said that many indigenous communities across the country have benefitted from the agency’s programmes. ”We will continue to traverse the road of development because we believe in being a government for all the people and not a few cronies,” she said. As she made her case, Ally said the government’s Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme and other similar projects will continue to provide opportunities for funding for targeted beneficiaries for various business ventures across the country. Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during his presentation, said that there appears an “underlying

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally as she spoke during the 2019 budget debate on Thursday in the National Assmbly. (Adrian Narine photos)

current” in the Opposition in which that side of the National Assembly is of the opinion that the government is afraid of its no-confidence motion. He told the National Assembly that “32- could never be more than 33” as he noted that all that is being championed by the Opposition is aimed at “spoiling people Christmas.” He mentioned the “Grinch” during his descriptive sentence. He said that the Opposition knows its motion will be defeated since he noted that in the final analysis, it is the government who has the majority. During his clarification mode, the Minister

Minister of State Joseph Harmon as he spoke in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon.

of State made reference to a $10,000 cash grant being peddled by the Opposition in its messages to the population ever since the government changed in 2015. It was reported in July 2015 that then Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, announced that APNU+AFC government discontinued the PPP administration’s $10,000 school grant initiative. He said the move was made on the grounds that the initiative was “fiscally unsustainable”. Minister Harmon said on Thursday that even before the new government assumed office in May 2015,

the PPP administration had ceased the programme. “ So this question about bringing back cash-grant; what are you asking for, bring back something that you stopped yourself ?” Harmon asked. He said that a call for the return of the grant is all the Opposition has in mind, in the face of “a stellar performance “by the Education Ministry under the current administration. Harmon also TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

‘Strategic catch’

…US Ambassador says ‘Big Head’, others were under surveillance …DEA, CANU, police hail for successful collaboration By Lisa Hamilton THE fact that businessman Shervington Lovell aka “Big Head” and two others were arrested in Jamaica on drug trafficking charges, having been on law enforcement’s radar for years, was no coincidence but the fruit of strategic planning to catch them all at once. This is according to outgoing United States (US) Ambassador Perry Holloway who, at the time, was providing an assessment of the involvement of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which set up an office here years ago. On October 26, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) confirmed that Lovell, said to be part-owner of the Tower Suites Hotel and a posh facility in Berbice, was arrested along with Surinamese Steven Antonius and Venezuelan Agimero Castro. According to court documents, the businessman was part of a ring of drug traffickers who were conspiring to ship 624 kilos of cocaine to the Netherlands via the Azores Islands, an operation US investigators said was planned and partly funded with money from South Africa. They were hauled in by the authorities in Jamaica for violating US maritime drug enforcement laws in Guy-

success in a really concrete, analytic way, it’s still very early. One of the things I said when I got here is the investigation of narcotics crime and the related crime of money laundering; these investigations take years, not weeks or months. So, if you’re going to bring down an organisation or a kingpin-type person, you don’t do that in a week or two weeks.”

try’s size, population and porous borders. “I have seen no evidence that trans-shipment has gotten worse since I got here…but I will also tell you that it hasn’t ended of course, there’s still drugs going through Guyana, there’s still drugs going through every country in South America. Guyana is not alone in being a trans-shipment point; most countries in the region are. But I do think that government, the police and some of the other forces here have worked hard and are trying to do what they can with their resources, but there’s always more to be done,” the Ambassador said. Noting the improvements further, he said: “In some ways Guyana was a black hole. No one really had any clue what was going through, where it was going, how it was going, who was moving it. So now, after three years of the DEA here, we’re beginning to develop some ideas, but I think in the next two or three years you’re going to see a lot more positive actions coming from your law enforcement entities and them cooperating with international law enforcement.”

LARGE RESOURCES He added that nabbing certain criminals in Guyana often requires a large amount of resources and time, considering the coun-

EXTRADITION Also, with the recent development of persons being extradited from the US to Guyana, Ambassador Holloway spoke on this change

Outgoing United States (US) Ambassador, Perry Holloway (Delano Williams photo)

ana, Jamaica, Colombia and elsewhere. The men were later extradited to the US from Jamaica at the end of November for trial and it is reported that Lovell has since pleaded not guilty to charges brought before him. He is now in a US jail pending the outcome of the trial. Speaking on the case, Ambassador Holloway said: “That came about as information developed here between the DEA, CANU, the Guyana Police Force [and] it just so happens that he was arrested in Jamaica, but there was a lot of reasons for that.

'We're on ... debunked statements made by former Minister of Amerindian Affairs , Pauline Sukhai , whom he noted mentioned, during her presentation, that the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs is not receiving government’s support. He said in the same breath, she bemoaned the fact that there are two ministers and several advisers at the ministry. “Don’t make these noise and try to sound good, and then you leave,” he said as he noted that the two ministers, Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe, are not “bogus” and they do not present “bogus titles” to village leaders, as he noted that

It was also because he was meeting up with some other guys who were arrested and extradited. So, it was a way to get everybody at one place at one time; so that worked out quite well.” The DEA office in Guyana was officially declared open by Ambassador Holloway in 2016. In assessing its contributions over the years, Holloway said: “The DEA, I think, has done a great job here, remember they’re not policemen in Guyana, they’re just liaison; they’re here to share information, develop information, talk to people.” “It’s hard to gauge the

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he has seen such documents. Harmon said that budget 2019 has the Opposition “disheveled“ He said opposition MPs are firing “scatter shots” at the budget during their presentations, as he posited that the government’s 2019 financial plan “is so good “that the Opposition is searching for faults. The Minister of State told parliamentarians of the government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), which he noted is significant to the administration’s approach to governance.

whereby it is less challenging for those accused or convicted of a crime to be returned to the country. “Extradition is normally done through a bilateral treaty which we had with the United Kingdom before Guyana became a country and when a new country is formed, it takes on the treaty obligations of its mother country -- for lack of a better word,” he said. “We’ve certainly made our effort. These treaties take a long time; you’ve noticed how many appeals, both to the United States, Mr. Bisram has had and I think Troy Thomas has had a lot of appeals. They may still have a few more left but I think they’re both getting to the end of their appeal process.” “I think it sends a message to everyone that not everyone gets away with it…it is true that they are people that regularly try to flee Guyana and go to the states or someone else, but if the request is not in a proper way with the right legal documents attached to it and we think that there’s a [likelihood] of a fair trial in the country that is requesting it, we will extradite people, it shouldn’t be that hard. So, I think once those two guys go back and forth, I think you’ll see more [extraditions] in both directions.”

Gov’t about to make 11,390 people’s day ––with $375M investment in ICT hubs in hinterland communities THE government will be bridging the information gap between the hinterland and the coast with an investment of $375M. The money, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock told the House on Thursday, will be used to equip hinterland communities with

ICT hubs, via satellite, and by so doing bring a wealth of benefits to over 11,390 residents. He said that another $38.5B has been earmarked for the expansion and maintenance of key infrastructure in those communities. “This will result in improved movement of people and goods,

enhanced resilience of the coastal and riverine communities, and the bridging of the divide between hinterland and coast,” Minister Allicock said. He explained that Budget 2019 will see approximately $101M being TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Exclusive: U.S. probe of China’s Huawei includes bank fraud accusations: sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s [HWT.UL] chief financial officer was arrested as part of a U.S. investigation into an alleged scheme to use the global banking system to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran, according to people familiar with the probe. The United States has been looking since at least 2016 into whether Huawei shipped U.S.-origin products to Iran and other countries in violation of U.S. export and sanctions laws, Reuters reported in April. More recently, the probe has included whether the company used HSBC Holdings Plc to conduct illegal transactions involving Iran, the

people said. Companies are barred from using the U.S. financial system to funnel goods and services to sanctioned entities. If the mobile phone and telecoms equipment maker conducted such transactions and then misled HSBC about their true nature, it could be guilty of bank fraud, experts say. Huawei declined to comment, but said in a statement after the arrest that it complies with all applicable export control and sanctions laws and other regulations. An HSBC spokesperson declined to comment. HSBC is not under investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn,

which Reuters has reported is the office investigating Huawei, also declined to comment. In 2012, HSBC paid $1.92 billion and entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the same U.S. prosecutor’s

fell as much as 6 percent on Thursday after Reuters reported the bank’s link to the Huawei case. They ended down 3.6 percent. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei’s founder, Ren

A woman walks by a Huawei logo at a shopping mall in Shanghai, China December 6, 2018. REUTERS/Aly Song

office for violating U.S. sanctions and money-laundering laws. As part of that deal, HSBC was required to be monitored for five years to review its efforts to prevent money laundering and sanctions violations. HSBC’s U.S.-listed shares

Friday, December 7, 2018

Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1. She will appear in court on Friday and faces extradition to the United States. The news broke on Wednesday, roiling global stock markets over fears the move could escalate the Sino-U.S. trade dispute. Huawei

said it has been provided little information of the charges and that it was “not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng.”

public that showed ZTE’s misconduct and also revealed how a second company, identified only as F7, had successfully evaded U.S. export controls. In a 2016 letter to the Commerce Department, 10 U.S. lawmakers said F7 was believed to be Huawei, citing media reports. In April 2017, lawmakers sent another letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asking for F7 to be publicly identified and fully investigated. U.S. authorities also subpoenaed Huawei in 2016 seeking information related to possible export and sanctions violations, sources have said. In January 2013, Reuters reported that Hong Kong-based Skycom Tech Co Ltd, which attempted to sell embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran’s largest mobile-phone operator, had much closer ties to Huawei than previously known. Meng, who also has used the English names Cathy and Sabrina, served on the board of Skycom between February 2008 and April 2009, according to Skycom records. Several other past and present Skycom directors also appear to have connections to Huawei.

SHADES OF ZTE The probe of Huawei is similar to one that threatened the survival of China’s ZTE Corp, which pleaded guilty in 2017 to violating U.S. laws that restrict the sale of American-made technology to Iran. ZTE paid a $892 million penalty. Earlier this year, the United States said ZTE made false statements about disciplining some executives responsible for the violations and banned U.S. firms from selling parts and software to the company. After ceasing major operations as a result, ZTE paid another $1 billion as part of a deal to get the ban lifted. In an incident similar to Meng’s case, ZTE’s chief financial officer was stopped at Boston’s Logan Airport during the U.S. investigation of that company, according to sources familiar with the case. U.S. authorities seized a laptop that contained a “treasure trove” of evidence of ZTE’s illegal business in Iran, one of the sources said. In 2016, the Commerce Department made documents

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Major drug bust with alleged Former Dominican Republic Bank owner jailed in foreign connections in TT US for bribing Venezuelan Government officials

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad ( Trinidad Guardian/ Caribbean 360 News) – Four of the five people who were arrested in connection with a $15 m drug bust in the upscale residential district of Westmoorings on Tuesday, will be charged for possession of illegal drugs with the intent to traffick. They are due to make an appearance in court today. Police made the multi-million-dollar drug, firearm and ammunition bust at an apartment in an upscale residential area and arrested five people. And according to media reports, intelligence had revealed that there was a Venezuelan/Mexican drug cartel link to the seizure which is valued at approximately TT$15 million (US$2.2 million). Acting on intelligence, the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith went to the residence in Westmoorings, Diego Martin, west of the capital Port of Spain, around midday, and discovered the large quantities of drugs and firearms. Two men and two women were arrested at the house, while a fifth suspect who fled the scene in a BMW was intercepted by police not too far away. Krystiana Sankar, the former step-daughter of National Security Minister Stuart Young, will face additional charges of possession of a loaded .38 revolver which was recovered from a safe in her bedroom at the Regents Gardens apartment. Commissioner Griffith explained that the sting was set up after police received information the day before about possible drug activity in the area.

He said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) was going after all those responsible for the drug trade, no matter where they were. “What I am doing is cutting the food chain, cutting the drug trade. The more drugs that I seize the more it is they are going to make mistakes. The more mistakes they make, the more I’m going to keep pegging them back,” he told reporters. “I intend to cripple the drug trade. I intend to cripple the trade of gangs and others who continue to bring in guns and drugs into this country.” Asked by a reporter to give, in one sentence, a message to drug traffickers and drug dealers in the twin-island republic, the Top Cop replied: “happy hour over.” The investigators have meanwhile launched a dragnet to catch more suspects believed to be linked to Tuesday’s event. Among those being hunted is a businessman from north Trinidad believed to be a high-ranking member of a drug trafficking ring behind major transhipments of drugs into and out of the country. However, the police have said that the investigations had reached a highly sensitive stage and as such they would disclose no further information to the public until charges are laid against the five people Police were up to late Wednesday sorting out the packages that were seized from the posh apartment at Regents Gardens. Some were packaged compressed marijuana and some cocaine. By the markings on the packaging, police initially said there was a link to both Mexican and Venezuelan drug cartels. However, criminologist

Daurius Figueira has ruled out the Mexican link, saying that the Mexicans are more organised and their packaging is “more distinct and classy.” He suspects more of a Colombian and Venezuelan link and drew reference to the drug bust at North Valsayn recently, where police outrightly pinpointed a “Colombian link.” Figueira described what he saw on Tuesday from the drug bust as “floppy.” “That was totally a floppy organisation, which goes against all the rules that Mexican traffickers abide by,” he said. “Colombian products are moving through Venezuela to here. The drugs are banded in brown paper and put in black garbage bags. These drugs are being moved from Colombia throughout Venezuela in small amounts on the floor of cars and inside fenders.” Figueira said he believes that a “dime dropped” from within the business. “The information went directly to the police from someone inside for them (the police) to take out the trafficking cell and that now leaves a lot of speculation on the ground.” He added that he strongly believes that with the three recent drug and weapon seizures will come to a “wave of violence,” including murders, to follow. “The three incidents showed exactly three dimensions of the illicit trade in T&T— one automatic weapons with marijuana on the side...the next ganja and with this third one, we are still waiting to hear how much cocaine and ganja seized. This is an idea of how dynamic the trade is in T&T and it is a wake-up call,” Figueira said.

FLORIDA, United States – A former owner of the Banco Peravia bank in the Dominican Republic has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a US$1B money-laundering scheme involving currency exchange. Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray, a 50-year-old Venezuelan residing in Chicago, Illinois and former owner of Banco Peravia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robin Rosenberg last week in Florida, following his guilty plea on March 20, to one count of conspiracy to commit mon-

ey laundering. Jimenez admitted that, as part of the scheme, he conspired with Raul Gorrin Belisario, 50, and others to acquire Banco Peravia,

JAILED: Gabriel Arturo Jimenez Aray (Caribbean 360 photo )

through which he helped to launder bribe money and scheme proceeds. Jimenez and his co-conspirators used the bank to pay bribes to Venezuelan government officials in exchange for contracts to conduct currency exchange schemes and to launder the money obtained from running those currency exchange schemes. He admitted that he facilitated illegal transactions and bribe payments to foreign officials and others via bank-issued credit cards, cash disbursements, wire transfers and other financial transactions.

Cubans get access to Internet on their cell phones HAVANA, Cuba, – Starting yesterday, Cubans were for the first time able to browse the Internet on their cell phones. Before, Cubans only had access to state-run email accounts on their mobile phones. But President of the Cuban state telecom monop-

oly ETECSA, Mayra Arevich, announced that from yesterday, people would have been able to begin contracting a 3G service. The new service was scheduled to come online in stages from yesterday through Saturday. It will cost about 10

cents per megabyte, with packages ranging from 600 megabytes for about US$7 to four gigabytes for about US$30. Cuba currently has 5.3 million mobile lines and 1.3 million landlines, according to ETECSA. ( Caribbean 360)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Closing the gap between coast and hinterland

NE of the stated, primary goals of the administration is the provision of equal opportunities for a good life for all Guyanese, regardless of where a citizen may live. The APNU+AFC government inherited a situation in which many opportunities were available to coastal residents, while hinterland-based Guyanese were neglected, abandoned, and impoverished, with few prospects for self-development. It follows then, for equality and equity to be achieved, that the gap between coastal developmental prospects and those of the hinterland must be closed. Government policies, currently being pursued, indicate that the administration is making good on that promise to close that gap, and allow all Guyanese equal access to opportunities for improvement and advancement towards a good life. Last Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, stated in the Chamber of the National Assembly that indigenous peoples, who form the majority of hinterland residents, are equitably represented in Budget 2019. Minister Garrido-Lowe underscored that almost $60 million has been allocated to hinterland development. That money, she said, is not a handout, instead, it is an investment in green, innovative, and sustainable income-generating projects. The minister said, “Since this government took office, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs has been focusing on building the capacity of our indigenous and hinterland people. Your government does not believe in handouts. We believe in empowering people and giving them the economic support required so they can create successful and meaningful lives for themselves.”

The minister said that the projects – set within the framework of a green developmental trajectory – are intended to create jobs, promote self-sufficiency, foster sustainable development, and stimulate economic advancement. Those projects will be undertaken in several villages, including Paruima in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, Santa Cruz and Tobago Hill in the Barima-Waini region, and Maruwanau and Bina Hill in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. The initiatives all reflect government’s commitment to raising the standard of living in Guyana’s hinterland regions, thereby closing the gap between the quality of life of coastal residents and that of hinterland-based Guyanese. The minister said too that in addition to those projects, Barima-Waini will benefit from a $16 million investment in a cassava flour processing factory at Kwebana; Smith Creek will be further developed by the instillation of a $6 million solar farm at its crab processing facility, and Santa Rosa will get a brand new ground-coffee processing plant, at a cost of $15 million. Potaro-Siparuni’s lapidary project will be supported with the injection of $3 million. Empowering young people has always been a cornerstone of this administration’s philosophy. And young Guyanese in the hinterland are being given the attention they deserve. Under the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme, 3,795 youths from 222 villages have benefited from one-year training courses in 2017 and 2018. Those young persons have used their newly acquired skills to establish 2,054 small businesses in villages as far as Karasabai, Tipiru, and Achwib in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region, as well as in Monkey Mountain and Red Creek in Potaro-Siparuni.

As part of government’s programmes to make education accessible to hinterland students, two rest shelters will be built at a cost of $4 million to allow students who travel the great distance from Chenapau and Karisparu to their school in Paramakatoi, to rest. This temporary measure will ease the burden of long-distance travel until a permanent solution is implemented. As government continues to work on closing the gap, work is evidently being done within President Granger’s 10 Point Plan of Action for Hinterland Development. Those ten points are the: 1. Hinterland Education Support Programme 2. Hinterland Poverty Reduction Programme 3. Hinterland Infrastructure Extension Programme 4. Hinterland Energy Development Programme 5. Hinterland Employment and Youth Service 6. Hinterland Happy Household Programme 7. Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples Land Commission 8. Hinterland Language, Cultural, and Sports Commission 9. Hinterland Tourism and Development Service, and the 10. Hinterland Public Services Provision Scheme President Granger had said that he is “president of all the people of Guyana,” as such, all Guyanese may expect to have equal opportunities as this is a constitutional right. Hinterland residents, therefore, may look forward to the day when government declares that the gap between standards on the coast and those of the hinterland is closed.

Guyana’s global potential keeps improving Dear Editor,

uyana is increasingly making waves on the international energy market. With Monday’s announcement from the Department of Energy that a 10th find offshore has raised our proved reserves to 5 billion barrels of oil equivalent our remarkable run of discoveries is gaining international attention. That number has risen

from around 3 billion to 5 billion in less than a years’ time—an astonishing and almost unprecedented leap for a new producer that could mean billions and billions of dollars for Guyana’s over the next decade. According to data from the U.S. Energy Department, our reserves now far surpass those of Colombia and Ghana and we are rapidly closing in on famous oil producers like Mexico (6.6 billion barrels), Oman (5.4 billion bar-

rels), and Norway (6.4 billion barrels). A look at what oil revenue has done for the development of any of these countries should be heartening even to the harshest critics here in Guyana. Surely everyone now realizes that Guyana made the right choice in prioritizing a fast development schedule and establishing incentives that enticed one of the world’s biggest companies to take a chance on an unproven region. The

series of discoveries in the Stabroek doesn’t just offer the potential for wealth. If carefully managed and well spent it could mean real security for Guyana. The size of the block, stretching from the maritime border with Venezuela all the way to the edge of Surinamese waters is an asset in itself—staking a strong and clear claim to our territorial integrity. Already, Guyana has more international support than ever before in

our case against Venezuelan territorial aggression. U.S. policymakers are clearly watching closely for any sign that could spell trouble form our western border and Brazil recently pledged to support us in any territorial conflict with Venezuela. The possibility of a gas-to-power plant could also free our power supply from global disruptions and give us energy independence. The government might even consider spending

a portion of our oil revenues on enhancing border security to further deter aggression from neighbors. Seemingly overnight, Guyana is staring at a level of wealth and development that was unimaginable just a few years ago. If we manage this abundance wisely we can secure our nation for generations to come. Regards Clement Smith

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

AFC says ...

Four new towns is a Thanks Linden, major accomplishment

Kwakwani

Dear Editor,

uch has been written about voter apathy, disinterest, or lack of confidence in the Local Government Elections voting process based on the low percentage of turn out on November 12, 2018. It is assured the voters of Linden and Kwakwani who cast their ballots on Election Day is a reflection of people who took the process seriously, made certain that it worked, and did their best to aid everyone who took the time to show up. The voters have spoken; a big win for local de-

mocracy and the Alliance For Change Region #10 is grateful for their support despite not winning the majority. It is on this premise that the AFC Regional Management Committee express heartfelt thanks to them for their vote of confidence in aid of securing two seats at the Linden Municipality and three seats at Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council. In the months leading up to the election, the AFC spoke to many at their doorsteps and heard clearly their concerns: it was noted and this party reaffirms its commitment on delivering on priorities for the constituents. To the

staff and many volunteers who came forward to assist with campaign, AFC say a big thank you! It couldn’t have succeeded without you. To the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) congratulations on your regional victory; rest assure as the Coalition Government both will work cohesively at the local levels to deliver on the good life for all. We look forward to working with you as a team to advance issues of importance to our communities. Regards Devin Sears - Chairman AFC RMC #10 (ag)

Dear Editor,

he fact that there are four new hinterland towns has gone unnoticed. These four new towns, Bartica (Region Seven), Mabaruma (Region One), Lethem (Region Nine) and Mahdia (Region Eight) were, prior to the APNU+AFC coalition government taking office, considered villages. Now, these four towns can provide vital services to the people who reside therein. This is a major accomplishment as for years residents of our hinterland were compelled to travel to other parts of the country to register their businesses or to renew their passports, to name a few. Many of these essential services will soon be decentralised thereby allowing residents to conduct their businesses within their environs; their home. The quartet is no longer labelled based on their economic

and social activities. They are no longer termed “mining community”, “bush” or “backdam”. They are towns, managed by the people who live there. The very people who now have the power to chart the course of development. There are Mayors, Deputy Mayors, councillors and Town Clerks to manage the affairs of these newly minted towns. The people of Bartica experience daily, President David Granger’s vision for “Capital Towns”. This government has spared no effort to demonstrate that they are prepared and ready to decentralise essential services. For instance, by 2020 the township of Bartica will see the construction of an immigration office and a magistrate’s court. The construction of these essential edifices will significantly reduce the town’s dependency on Georgetown for related procedures. Bartica has become Guyana’s green model town, attracting in-

ternational attention as it pushes ahead with its green mandate. However, the construction of a power station at Dagg Point, Region Seven, the construction of the Bartica Ferry Stelling, and the resurfacing of the Four to Five Miles Road, will see in excess of GYD $1billion being spent to further develop the town. These investments are in addition to the billions of dollars already spent throughout the hinterland, aimed at bettering the lives of the citizenry and empowering our towns. Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem are no longer ‘bush’ or interior villages. They are pristine capital towns, governed by councils elected by the residents and supported by a democratic government. Regards Gifford Marshall Mayor, Municipality of Bartica

Imbalance on regional subcommittees in Region Two Dear Editor,

he idea of Shared Governance makes interesting readings, although a different model or various systems can be adopted or embraced. The talk about inclusiveness at all levels and to what extent is debatable but should be implemented but when the boot is on one foot persons advocated for a change and when on the other foot they forget what they were advocating for. I honestly believe that signs of this inclusiveness must start at the bottom, or to be more precise at the Regional Democratic Levels, and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council. The standing Committees of the Region Two R.D.C. the Chairman and Vice Chairman are all from the People Progressive Party and the same can be said of the ad-hoc committees, while Section 32(1) and (2) of the Local Democratic organs, Act 12 of 1980 clearly states that the Chairman of these Committees must be a Councillor, it looks very obvious that all the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen

are from the P.P.P. it is not a case that the Councillors from other parties do not have the experience and ability or want to serve in that capacity, it is certainly that the Chairman who is according to the Act, is integral to appointing councilors

to serve on committees as well as appointing Chairmen of Committees. So all this talk of shared governance and inclusiveness means nothing according to Bob Andy “In Games People Play” people never mean what they say and never say what they

mean. It is important to note that inclusiveness be applicable in all other

regions irrespective which party have the majority of seats.

Regards Archie W. Cordis

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

Armed bandits beat, rob businessman, family …two suspects in custody By Nafeeza Yahya A 33-year-old father of two and his pregnant relative are nursing injuries after they were attacked by armed bandits on Wednesday evening. The bandits also threatened to kill the man’s teenage daughter. At approximately 20:00hrs, five men, armed with guns and cutlasses, attacked the proprietor of the Prakash Supermarket at Lot 37, Number 19 Village, before escaping with approximately $700,000 in cash, $50,000 worth of phone cards, and several items belonging to the customers. The bandits also carted off GYD$15,000, US$1000, two gold chains valued at $230,000 and a ring worth $45,000 from the pregnant relative who was spending time at the family. According to the proprietor, Dewan Ramdeo, he was inside the shop with his daughter when two of the men entered and held them at gunpoint, demanding they hand over cash and valuables. “I see an individual with a mask on coming in with a gun and shout everyone get down! Get down! This is a stick-up, as he was coming my daughter try to run to safety, then he shout ‘don’t run me gon shoot you’.

So I called her back and try to comply”. He explained that the customers, who were outside of the shop, were forcefully brought into the shop and placed to lie on the floor where they were beaten and trampled on. Ramdeo’s daughter was also assaulted. He went on to explain that any attempt made by anyone to raise their head was met with kicks about their bodies.

Proprietor Dewan Ramdeo

Items thrown from the Upper flat onto the stairway

The businessman recalled that during the ordeal there was a window of opportunity to escape but he was grabbed by one of the bandits who tore

his tee shirt off as he ran for his life. “Two of the bandits were standing over the customers, and I heard my family was upstairs screaming and her son that was lying next to me begging them to not beat her, that she is pregnant, but they still continued …I see the door was clear, so I tried to run but one of them quickly grabbed me, but my shirt tear off and I continue running to the street where I see one of my neighbours.” Meanwhile, 39-year-old Shamdeo Inderjeet, the pregnant relative of Bloomfield Village, was spending a few days at the Number 19 resi-

The Supermarket that was robbed by armed bandits

dence with her two teenage children when she was brutally beaten. In recounting the traumatic experience, Inderjeet said she was unwell, so she retired to the upper flat late in the afternoon. She stated that she fell asleep and was awakened by a loud sound coming from the door, then a voice instructing her to get up. “I saw a young person masked who had a cutlass in his hand. I asked what happened and was about to get up when he hit me with the cutlass in the middle of my head. I fell over the bed and

just run to catch the bathroom. When I push the door he hit me another time in my head with the cutlass. I feel like blood run down and I fall in the bathroom. I still try to lock the door but was overpowered. He then stripped out my clothes, held on to my hair and kicked me about my body”. She related that while being beaten, she questioned what she was being beaten for, since she was unclear whether the man was a bandit. However, the man only proceeded to drag her by the

hair to the room where he demanded cash and continued beating her until she lost consciousness. “He continue to broadside my head and hand and then carry me to the living room and he still continue to beat me with his hands. He grabbed a gun from his partner and beat me behind my neck; during that time I blackout”. Meanwhile, Commander of ‘B’ Division, Paul Langevine, told the Guyana Chronicle that two persons have been arrested as the investigation continues.

It’s not what oil can do for us

--but rather what we do with the profits, Allicock warns House THERE’S nothing stopping Guyana from prospering long after the oil is gone, says Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock. She has a wealth of opportunities and alternative industries at her disposal, from coconuts, to coffee, to tourism, and there are many options available to ensure the economy remains diversified and resilient in the aftermath of oil production, he said Thursday while members of both sides of the House tried to outdo each other in debating the merits and demerits of the 2019 Budget. “I wish to remind everyone listening that the principles of the SDGs, GSDS and the ten-point plan will be also reflected in the use of proceeds from the oil towards the continued protection of the natural environment;

through the development of educational facilities to impart to the nation and the world; the opportunity to discover undiscovered education of the hinterland by its teachers.” He also made the telling observation that when it comes to oil, Guyanese ought not to be thinking in terms of what it can do for us, but rather how the country can position itself to make good use of the profits. Noting that his ministry prides itself on having an open-door policy, Minister Allicock said it is this same principle that is applied whether dealing with Indigenous NGOs or the National Toshao Council (NTC), and continuously reflected in every successive Budget since the Coalition took office. “This open-door policy is

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock in action on Thursday

a huge part of the ministry’s daily work,” he said. “We’ve accommodated countless off-schedule meetings, because my ministry remains committed to assisting our hinterland people who are our priority... “Just last month, a lease was presented to the NTC for a plot of land for their

secretariat. This was done despite misconceptions by less than untainted leaders of the previous NTC, and despite lash-outs by the same on the government.” With reference to a promise President David Granger made to the NTC, and his propensity to keep his word, Minister Allicock said:

“We promise; it came to realisation. We are working on even identifying a larger plot of land for the establishment of a complex that will enable the NTC to grow and achieve more during their tenure. “That is the work of a government with a vision; a government that commits and follows through, despite political affiliations.” He also spoke of the proposed Village Improvement Plans (VIPs) which seek to ensure that the government and other development agents deploy transformational investments that enable local and Indigenous Community-driven development. These plans, he said, are essential to planning the paths to development and are designed to support Indigenous Peoples to improve their

wellbeing by decentralising ‘green’ development to the local level. Minister Allicock said that each Indigenous community will seek to develop their 10-year VIPs as well as their annual village plan, outlining their overall community vision, and their goals and targets under each programmatic area for the achievement of their vision. Currently, he said, there are 38 villages that have completed their VIPs, 36 of which are in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) alone. He said that come next year, 25 additional villages will be completing their VIPs in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine.

‘Not about your oil’

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

…New US position on border controversy was not influenced by oil find …Ambassador says matter was under consideration prior to 2015

By Lisa Hamilton OUTGOING United States (US) Ambassador Perry Holloway has assured that the US’ shift in position on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy urging all parties to respect the 1899 arbitration decision was not influenced by Guyana’s oil find. The announcement on was made on November 16, 2018 by Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Guyana, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, during a farewell reception hosted at the ambassador’s residence. “Previously, we had simply supported the timely resolution of the Venezuela-Guyana border controversy. In large measure because of Ambassador Holloway, the US Government now calls on all parties to respect the 1899 arbitration decision,” Steers-Gonzalez had stated. This week, Holloway clarified that the shift had to do with the current freefall of Venezuela’s economy than Guyana’s discovery in 2015. “We were working on

changing the stance before the oil was discovered. I was in Washington and I was one of the people working on this stance, it’s too conservative. It was a very lawyerly stance in the sense that we encouraged both sides to resolve this controversy peacefully, which is not a bad statement to say, but it didn’t go further than that.” “Even before oil was discovered, in fact, when oil was discovered no one knew it was going to be a big thing. It was important, but it wasn’t a big thing. So, the discovery of oil I think had very little to do with the change in our public talking points on the border controversy,” he said. The ambassador then added: “I will say, what had more to do with that is what we have seen as, slowly, Venezuela’s democratic institution has been disintegrating before our eyes. People are starving, people can’t get medicine, that’s been concerning us for like four or five years and I think that was more driving the change in our talking point on the

AMBASSADOR: Outgoing United States (US) Ambassador Perry Holloway discusses the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy at the US Embassy (Delano Williams)

issue rather than the oil was.” International newspapers such as the BBC have reported that “hyperinflation, power cuts and food and medicine shortages” are driving millions of Venezuelans out of the country primarily to neighboring states. Many, in and out the country are blaming President Nicolás Maduro and his government for the nation’s crisis worsening since 2010 under the presidency of Hugo Chávez, succeeded by

Maduro. When US oil giant Exxon Mobil discovered oil off Guyana’s coast, an age-old dispute, once presumed settled, was resurrected by Maduro who issued a decree claiming sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the heart of the find. They country with one of the world’s largest oil suppliers contended that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was null and void. The possible conflict

which loomed caused the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, in keeping with the 1966 Geneva Agreement, to announce that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be the next means of resolution. The ICJ had then fixed November 19, 2018 and April 18, 2019 as the respective time-limits for the filing of a Memorial by the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and a Counter-Memorial by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela respectively, although the latter objected. Ambassador Holloway also spoke contrary to the rumored belief that US relations with Guyana is geared primarily towards protecting ExxonMobil’s interest in the country. “If I were to ask US people in the US Government what our number one interest in Guyana is, I think that it still hasn’t changed. It has always been for the last 20 years in some form, good governance,” he began. “That is included of focus at times on human rights, at

times on LGBTI rights [or] on local elections.” The ambassador stated further that ExxonMobil continues to be treated just the same as any other local company with no special provisions besides the similar assistance provided to any American company seeking to do business in the country. “The US government certainly has always been a staunch supporter and help and advocate for US companies doing business in any country, Guyana included, but all that we advocate for is a level playing field and equal treatment. In Guyana I don’t see that US companies—ExxonMobil or any US company—is treated any worse than Guyanese companies. They may all be treated bad some days and they may all be treated good some days but they’re not singling out American companies because they’re an American company and treating them bad. So, that’s our primary view,” Holloway said.

ECLAC drives debt adaptation initiative across the Caribbean The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) sub-regional headquarters for the Caribbean has taken steps recently to advance its Debt for Climate Adaptation Swap Initiative. A mission led by Deputy Director, Dr. Dillon Alleyne, met with senior government officials and policy makers in Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to discuss progress and to build support for the initiative. ECLAC has long

argued that the high debt burden and debt servicing costs of many Caribbean economies have continued to constrain the ability of governments to meaningfully confront their development challenges. The Caribbean’s debt dilemma, it is argued, should not be viewed simply as the result of policy missteps. Rather, it should be considered a consequence of the increased expenditures required to address the impact of extreme climactic events, such as hurricanes, as well as negative shocks.

ECLAC advances its debt swap proposal as a strategy that the Caribbean can assist economies in, with financing, adaptation and mitigation projects, and in jump starting economic growth, while at once easing the burden of debt. Between November 20 and 22, 2018, the ECLAC team held meetings in Antigua and Barbuda with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with Prime Minister

Gaston Brown. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, meetings were held with the Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour, Camillo Gonsalves, together with representatives from the planning, budget and debt management departments of the finance ministry and the Sustainable Development Unit. Prime Minister Brown and Minister Gonsalves both reaffirmed their continued

commitment to pursuing the debt swap initiative with ECLAC. The mission addressed modalities for the sharing of critical data required to fully understand the debt challenges of these countries. The meetings also offered an opportunity to update the governments on progress being made on shaping the initiative, including recent discussions advanced by ECLAC Caribbean Director, Diane Quarless, with the Green Climate Fund during its

structured dialogue with the Caribbean, held in Grenada during 6th-9th November 2018. As part of the continuing mission to advance the initiative, Ms. Quarless met with representatives from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) on the 28th November, 2018 to discuss the next steps. The ECCB is a member of the task force set up to facilitate strategic engagement leading to the successful launch of the Debt for Climate Adaptation Swap Initiative.

US$11.6B IDB loan to bolster oil sector …development of oil and gas governance, clean energy sources targeted THE Inter-American Development Bank has approved a US$11.6M loan to Guyana to help it prepare to transition towards becoming a major oil and gas producing state. The policy-based loan will fund a project designed to support the strengthening and the sustainability of the energy sector in Guyana by contributing to the institutional development of oil and gas governance and the development of cleaner energy sources for electricity generation, the IDB said in a release. The specific objectives of this loan programme are: first, to develop a management and planning framework for Guyana’s oil and gas sector; and second, to contribute towards the development of a policy framework so that Guyana may diversify its electricity generation matrix using cleaner or renewable sources. Guyana’s new energy scenario, which will likely yield significant revenues for the government, represents a transformative shift in Guyana’s development trajectory, the IDB said, adding that it embodies a crucial and unprecedented opportunity for economic growth and sustainable development. “The conversion of short-term oil wealth into long-term, well-being hinges on the capacity of the Guyanese Government to adequately manage this new sector and enact productivity-enhancing reforms. If handled well, it can boost the overall standard of living for the country.” However, the bank said there is considerable work to be done so that Guyana can enjoy the benefits of its recent—and potential—oil and gas wealth. “Too often resource-rich countries have become or remained poor as a result of inadequate resource management. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve the governance of

Guyana’s oil and gas sector ahead of the start of production in 2020.” The agreed-upon policy commitments of the first tranche of the program are as follows: (1) creation of the Department of Energy (DE) within the Ministry of the Presidency to take over responsibilities related to the governance and development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector; (2) approval by the DE of a draft roadmap to develop Guyana’s oil and gas institutional framework, and; (3) design of a model contract for future Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) by the DE and presented to Guyana’s Ministry of the Presidency. The agreed-upon policy commitments for the second tranche are: (1) a DE functions manual establishing its organisational structure, budget and staff allocation, approved by the Ministry of the Presidency; (2) a PSA set of protocols and mechanisms for contract management; and (3) an oil and gas depletion policy designed by the DE and presented for approval to the Ministry of the Presidency. Finally, the programme will aid the Government of Guyana with the development of a policy framework to diversify and promote the sustainability of Guyana’s electricity generation matrix. The loan is funded in two components totalling US$11.64 million. The first component will total US$5.82 million from the IDB’s Ordinary Capital, disbursed within two years with a grace period of 5.5 years, and an interest rate based on LIBOR. The second component will total US$5.82 million from the IDB’s Concessional Ordinary Capital, disbursed within two years with a grace period of 40 years, and 0.25 per cent interest rate. The executing agency will be Guyana’s Ministry of Finance (MoF). On Monday last, ExxonMobil announced that it has made its 10th discov-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

Donald Ramotar to testify

–– when Nandlall law-books trial resumes Jan. 25

ery offshore Guyana and increased its estimate of the discovered recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to more than five billion oil-equivalent barrels. The resource estimate, up from the previous estimate of more than four billion oil-equivalent barrels, is a result of further evaluation of previous discoveries and

approximately 17 miles (27 kilometres) south of the Turbot-1 well. The Noble Tom Madden will next drill the Tilapia-1 prospect located 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of the Longtail-1 well. “Together with the government and people of Guyana, we are continuing to grow the value of the Stabroek Block for Guyana, our partners and ExxonMobil with successful exploration investments,” said Steve Greenlee, president “The conversion of of ExxonMobil Exshort-term oil wealth into ploration Company. long-term, well-being “Our ongoing work hinges on the capacity will evaluate deof the Guyanese Governvelopment options ment to adequately manage in the southeastern this new sector and enact portion of the block, productivity-enhancing potentially combining Pluma with prior reforms. If handled well, Turbot and Longtail it can boost the overall discoveries into a mastandard of living for the jor new development country.” area.” The Liza Phase-1 developincludes a new discovery ment is expected to begin at the Pluma-1 well, the producing up to 120,000 company said in a state- barrels of oil per day by ment. “The discovery of early 2020, utilising the a resource base of more Liza Destiny floating storthan five billion oil-equiv- age, production and offalent barrels in less than loading vessel (FPSO). As four years is a testament of previously announced, our technical expertise and Liza Phase-2 is expected rigorous evaluation and to start up by mid-2022. pursuit of high-potential, Pending government and high-risk opportunities in regulatory approvals, Liza this frontier area,” said Neil Phase-2 project sanction Chapman, ExxonMobil is expected in early 2019 senior vice-president. “We and will use a second FPSO will continue to apply what designed to produce up to we’ve learned to identi- 220,000 barrels per day. fy additional exploration Sanctioning of a third deprospects and potential velopment, Payara, is also future discoveries that will expected in 2019 with start deliver significant value to up as early as 2023. The Guyanese people, our part- Stabroek Block is 6.6 milners and shareholders.” lion acres (26,800 square The Pluma-1 well en- kilometres). ExxonMobil’s countered approximately 121 affiliate, Esso Exploration feet (37 metres) of high-qual- and Production Guyana ity hydrocarbon-bearing Limited, is the operator and sandstone reservoir. Pluma-1 holds 45 per cent interest in reached a depth of 16,447 the Stabroek Block. Hess feet (5,013 metres) in 3,340 Guyana Exploration Ltd. feet (1,018 metres) of water. holds 30 per cent interest The Noble Tom Madden and CNOOC Nexen Petrodrillship began drilling on leum Guyana Limited holds Nov. 1. The well is located 25 per cent interest.

Former Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

COME next year, former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall will lead his defence in relation to the alleged larceny of over $2M worth of law books from the Ministry of Legal Affairs. The former minister is on trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the alleged theft, between May 8 – 29, 2015, of some $2M worth of LexisNexis law reports on Commonwealth matters. The reports at reference, some 14 in all, are the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the charge contends. Although Nandlall was expected to lead his defence on Thursday, Magistrate Azore has adjourned the matter to January 25, 2019. In November, a prima facie case was made out against Nandlall, whereby Magistrate Azore ruled that Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Patrice Henry has so far proved his case, based upon the evidence. His lawyer, Glen Hanoman told the court on Thursday that his client will give a sworn testimony when the matter resumes in January, while former President, Donald Ramotar is expected to be called as a defence witness in support of Nandlall’s case.

Over the years since the matter was made public, Nandlall has repeatedly insisted that the law books were bought for him while he was AG by the State, with the approval of the then president, who was Ramotar. Nandlall has said time and again that the law books are in his possession, and that he has no intention of returning them to the State. He’d subsequently secured an order in the High Court, barring the police from seizing the books. Nandlall had stated that the books were acquired during his term in office as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs; that he’d begun subscribing to LexisNexis, the British firm which publishes such reports, sometime in 2003; and that the arrangement was that the reports were to be shipped to him along with an invoice. He’d also made the point that long before his appointment as attorney-general and minister of legal affairs, he’d requested that as a condition of his service, the State should stand this expense and this was agreed. The items were taken with him when his party demitted office in May 2015. This, he said, was communicated to the relevant authorities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

Greater order in extractive sector

…Broomes says miners now have a voice By Lisa Hamilton JUNIOR Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes says that under the coalition government, small miners in the extractive sector have been given a voice as they are being included in decisions regarding their protection, training and financial benefit. Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday during the continuation of the 2019 budget debates, Broomes said: “From the outset the extractive industry was in a mess. Between miners of themselves, Mr. Speaker, [there was] the exploitation of women, men, big miners, small miners, it was all over the place [there was] no level of transparency. “But Mr. Speaker, where we’re at now, is that all these miners have come together and are negotiating with government and even formed themselves into a group called ‘the MOB’. That is to show where the sector was, where it is at now and where it is headed.” The National Mining Syndicates; the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) are whom Brooms said now have seats on the decision-making board for the very first time. Broomes said that while the opposition wishes to speak about the concessions that were available to miners under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), what is left out is that in fact they were also largely exploited in the process. She stated that miners

had to make payments at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Natural resources. “The amount of money you had to spend because those were the days of corruption and bribe. It was more than the taxes that you would have had to pay!” she enlightened. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Pauline Sukhai in addressing the ministry had also contested: “We have seen the heavy stick being used by the regulating commission, Mr. Speaker, Miners in Mahdia need to see the government or the commission as a body and as a government that wants to help them...investments to ensure that small miners are allowed to be empowered, that there is more sensitisation carried out, because these small miners cannot afford to do it one their own.” When Broomes stood up to speak, she went against the notion that miners are being left to fend for themselves highlighting the active role of the syndicate initiative and the presence of two syndicates for small miners in Mahdia alone. TRANSPARENCY “Transparency is what this government is all about. We’re happy Mr. Speaker that where we were, where small miners were punishing, today they have a voice. They are mobilised, the government is working with them, we will continue to work with them, they’ve benefitted from every single thing in the sector. Transparency is what you call

BROOMES: Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes (Adrian Narine)

that,” she affirmed. Prior to Broomes’ address, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira had objected that with Budget 2019 added to the other four budgets of the coalition, it would bring the total expenditure to 1.3 trillion dollars. Sticking a pin, she questioned what it is that the country has benefitted from during this period of time and with the accumulated amount. “Where is the proof of the pudding? Where do we see the progress? Where are the big transformation projects? Where is it that we can say as Guyanese that we are going somewhere that the country is moving forward?” she asked. In a candid response, Broomes said: “We are not

running, we’re trying to clean up your corruption. For 23 years this opposition is coming to the house…I’m no economist but how can you measure 23 with 3?” She later continued: “Where we were when we came in, in terms of our natural resources and our minerals, Mr. Speaker we were nowhere. In fact, there were ?exploration projects that were done, billions expended but you know what, when we took office the information was missing…now in the 21st century it is this government that is looking at our natural resources to know where the minerals are, the quantities and to have information. We are talking transparency!” She said this as she add-

ed that by 2020 Guyana would be able to tell where all its minerals lie in country. During her presentation, Broomes openly pointed out that it has been observed that some of the regulations and acts guiding the ministry possess loopholes and in 2019 several of these will be up for review. GOLD BOARD She stated: “In the new year the ministry will be looking at a full review of all these acts, the Mining Regulation; the Gold Board Act and we’ll be looking at forestry to see how we can better manage the extractive sector and to look at these loopholes so that, in terms of transparency and better governance, we have it from the end of our acts and policies.” Coming too will be the restructuring the commission to further improve service provision. Regarding the environment, Broomes said that while the ministry will be looking into the phasing out of mercury, the “big stick approach” will not be taken as government will instead be working with miners to provide alternative extraction options and training. There will also be the reclamation of mining pits, which the junior minister said were left hollow and spotted all about the county when the coalition took office. “There were big open pits all over from bauxite to mining, all over the place. Sand, loom, quarry all over the place! Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will be looking at land reclamation and revegetation. “Mr. Speaker we’re not

Gov’t about to make 11,390 ... allocated to continue and extend the electrification programme in Orealla, Kwakwanu, Siparuta and Waramouri among other hinterland communities, as well as the drilling of wells in well over 200 Indigenous communities. “The situation left by the previous administration is one of distrust, dependency and political manipulation of Guyana’s heartland people,” Minister Allicock said, adding: “We have had to rebuild a foundation of trust, and teach growth. This is an ongoing exercise that we remain true to.”

In order to build that trust, approximately $1B was injected into 154 communities and villages through the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), and funding projects in agricultural production and processing, village infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, village business enterprise, and transportation amongst other initiatives. This fund, Minister Allicock said, exemplifies how even in extra-budgetary resources, the government, through his ministry, is committed to the development of villages.

Through it, a number of projects were successfully executed to the tune of $5.8B, and in 2019, he said that the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs will continue to provide training in financial accountability, leadership and capacity building to overcome challenges some villages face in these projects, while strengthening the positives such as knowledge of project implementation and business management among the beneficiaries. Minister Allicock said his ministry is firm in its partnership within the Bina

Hill Green Enterprise Development Centre, a laudable initiative that has as its core the holistic development of hinterland youths. The Centre, he said, is being constructed at a cost of $200M, and comes equipped to accommodate and train 120 youths from across the country annually who will benefit from training in ‘green skills’ such as Natural Resource Management, Community and Village Rangers, Ecosystem Management, Forest Rangers, Village mapping and eco-tourism guides among others: all in readiness of the

only looking at it from the miner’s standpoint but the communities in which mining is taking place next to them. We’ll be looking at nurseries; working with women; working with youths in these communities; the planting of trees and they will be part of this process so that we can ensure that after mining the land the livelihoods of our people is well protected,” she said. Other projects for 2019 include $1B allocated for new roads in the extractive sector; a new Puruni bridge and the construction of a health post at the Puruni Landing among others. Speaking on safety, Broomes continued: “On the day of His Excellency’s swearing in, Mr. Speaker, there was a pit cave in, ten persons died. Ten persons died. Mr. Speaker, in my 30 years in that sector I have seen and witnessed firsthand pit cave-ins but, Mr. Speaker, it was never addressed. I want to say to all Mr. Speaker that with the matter of safety, we’re looking at prevention. One death is one too many.” She also noted that under the ministry, deforestation this year stands at the lowest since the Norway Partnership Agreement and there is a reduction of the deficit the ministry inherited. She stated: “It is this government that brings governance to the ground. I want to put in notice that the opposition will remain opposition because this government, we are ready! We are mobilised and we are in order!”

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development to come in that Region. “The Centre provides our Indigenous out-of- school youth with skills and academic training in areas which are in demand within their respective communities, thereby reducing the need for relocation in search of jobs and other economic opportunities,” he said. “It also provides youth the option to pursue higher levels of training, or to market their skills in the world of work,” he added. Minister Allicock said that the Bina Hill Green En-

terprise Development Centre will enable hinterland youths to become more competitive and productive in the national workforce and increase the number of young entrepreneurs within the villages and communities who are geared for success like never before. “Budget 2019 provides these young people greater scope and improved opportunities through the Green Centre, to be fully involved and prepared for the transition from the ‘business as usual’ path into the good life within our future Green State,” Minister Allicock said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

State-of-the-art trauma centre for GPHC

By Alva Solomon GOVERNMENT will next year open a trauma centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence told the National Assembly on Thursday. She was at the time making her contribution to the 2019 budget debates. Lawrence noted that the facility will see an increase in the number of in-patient ward space, with the number of beds increasing from 483 to

1000, more outpatient clinic space and an increase in the number of theatres from 5 to 12, including two separate theatres for Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She said government is working to secure funding for the project. “In order to eliminate the inadequacies of the 18-bed Emergency Unit that exists at the Georgetown Hospital, the construction of a state-of-the-art Trauma Centre will be built in an effort to control patient flows, and to accommodate more patients

seeking medical attention,” the minister said. Meanwhile, Lawrence said too that in 2018, the National Transfusion Service of the Ministry of Public Health acquired an Apheresis machine, a device which receives blood removed from a patient or donor's body and separates it into its various components. Today, patients who suffer from leukemia are benefitting significantly from the machine. This is one of several key successes of the ministry which were high-

lighted by the minister during her presentation on the 2019 budget debates in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon. She explained to parliamentarians that originally, it was necessary to have 264 donors to provide 44 oxygenated platelets. However, with the acquisition of the Apheresis machine, only 22 donors are needed to provide the same output. “The platelets generated from the Apheresis machine are of a higher quality and quantity,” Lawrence said. She said that the transfusion Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence holds two photographs which indicate that facilities at the New Amsterdam Hospital are in working order. She was at the time responding to claims made by Opposition MP, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo. (Adrian Narine photo)

service collected 4881 units of blood to date and she noted that it is estimated that over 5000 units will be collected by the end of this year. MORE TRAINED NURSES As the minister highlighted the successes by the ministry this year, she said a total of 448 qualified nurses entered the health system. Of this figure, 251 nurses were trained at the Georgetown School of Nursing , 90 at the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden, and 107 came out successful at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing. Lawrence noted too that this year, for the first time, the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have jointly sponsored a Master’s and Doctoral programme in Nursing. She said that eight students are benefitting from the Master’s while five are pursuing the Doctorate in Nursing. “This will further enhance our Human Resource Capacity, and provide the platform for the building of sustainable healthy communities,” the minister said. On Thursday, Minister Lawrence updated parliamentarians on the boosting of the human capacity of the country’s health sector. During her presentation, the minister also spoke of the performance of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPC) and among the feats she highlighted of that medical institution is the provision of post graduate training to health care professionals. She said that thirty-nine graduates benefitted from specialised programmes which include Master’s in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Nurse Residency Programme, Family Medicine, Paediatric Medicine, Psychiatry and Surgery. “It is important to note that the post graduate

training of doctors in Family Medicine has boosted our Primary Health Care system, allowing for earlier diagnosis, better treatment of pregnant women, especially high-risk mothers,” she pointed out. WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE? Minister Lawrence also utlised a few minutes of her time to respond to claims from Opposition MP, Dr Frank Anthony, whom she noted told parliamentarians of the rental of storage space in Princes Street and hotel rooms by the MoPH for the storage of drugs.” I call on the honourable member to lay in this House the evidence,” Lawrence said. The Public Health Minister also responded to claims that there were variations of works under the ministry which were carried out without approval. “I wish to inform this House that this matter was not swept under the carpet as was the custom of the previous administration; I have letters here attesting to the staff being written to and the Financial Secretary and Auditor General being copied for action,” she said. She also noted that Anthony can peruse the requisite documents at his leisure. On Thursday, Opposition MP, Dr Vindiya Persaud, who spoke after Minister Lawrence, said that she worked in the public sector for many years and that she was happy that there is an increase in public services being offered in the health system. As regards the GPHC, she said she also worked in the trauma section for many years and according to her, she was also happy that the institution was being discussed during the budget debates.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

President says receiving best medical care in Cuba PRESIDENT David Granger, who is currently in Cuba for medical attention, has said that he is receiving “the best medical care in the world”. This is the message he sent through Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed to the ceremony to mark Cuba/CARICOM Day, commemorating the 46th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and four CARICOM member states—Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. This is President Granger’s second visit to Cuba over the past six weeks for a second round of medical treatment for cancer. In a release by Wesley Kirton, Ambassador Majeed who delivered the feature address at the ceremony at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs is said to have conveyed Granger’s “warmest greetings to this distinguished assembly,” with the full knowledge that he is receiving the best medical treatment in the world. Majeed recalled that Granger, having suffered some physical discomfort a few weeks ago believed “of his own volition that he should seek medical examination and evaluation in Cuba” and discussed this with Cuba’s ambassador in Georgetown, the Guyana capital. According to Majeed, the Guyanese leader

President David Granger

received a positive response within 24 hours and was advised that all arrangements had been put in place to receive him. “So, we are graphically reminded of that popular Cuban maxim: We do not give what is left over; we share what we have. Indeed, this is the abiding philosophy that has guided Cuba/ CARICOM relations for over four decades,” Majeed told the gathering of senior government and party officials, diplomats and participants in a current International Ca-

ribbean Studies conference taking place here. Addressing the ceremony on behalf of Cuba was Cuban Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Rogelio Sierra Diaz. Among the high level Cuban officials in attendance at the ceremony were Esteban Lazo Hernandez, President of the National Assembly, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Jose Ramon Balaguer, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Seeraj called out for misleading House THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has slammed an Inews Guyana report in which the General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj is reported to have told the National Assembly that farmers had complained of failed germination of GRDB Seed Paddy. Seeraj was quoted as saying that, “Seedlings granted to the farmers from the GRDB are not germinating causing farmers to now have to re-prepare and re-plant their crops” However, General Manager of the GRDB, Mr. Nizam Hassan has called this an absolute fabrication on the part of the RPA General Secretary. To compound matters, the identified farmer, Mr. Pameshwar Ramdatt well known as ‘blackberry’ has denied these claims. The farmer who sowed 160 acres

in total planted GRDB 12 and not 10 as was mentioned in the article. “Today our extension officers visited the farmer in question who denied speaking with members of the RPA with regards to failed germination of his seed paddy. Apart from this, the farmer himself didn’t even purchase seed paddy from the GRDB for this crop,” Hassan pointed out. Apart from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), farmers also purchased seed paddy from other farmers, the RPA and the Golden Fleece Rice Investment. Ironically, the farmer in question has also informed that he only completed sowing his crop on Thursday hence germination couldn’t be an issue at the moment. To ensure accountability, the GRDB said it has a system in place whereby purchases of

seed paddy are documented, and based on records, the farmer at the center of these report didn’t make any purchase of seed paddy for this crop. In addition, the seed paddies are packaged and carefully labeled in batches according to its variety. This is to show clear distinction between seed paddy produced and sold by GRDB and other seed paddy suppliers in the market. As such, Hassan is questioning the motives behind these allegations and has called for political maturity and a true representation of realities on the ground. During the last crop, Guyana’s farmers received in excess of $17B from sale of paddy to millers across the country. It is anticipated that farmers would have earned almost the same amount this crop.

Copa Airlines set to increase Guyana flights COPA Airlines has announced that it will be adding another flight to its Guyana-Panama route with onward connections effective December 9, 2018. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has approved a request by the airline to add the new flight to what is becoming an increasingly busy Guyana route, the airline said in a release. According to the release, Copa will operate the additional flight on Fridays, adding to existing flights on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Its decision to add an additional flight day is based on increasing demand and is part of the airline’s ongoing plans to expand and improve its service to the people of Guyana. Copa doubled its flights in 2015 to four in response to increased requests from passengers to expand the service.

Bernardo Ordas, Copa’s Regional Sales Manager, said, “The airline is very proud to be serving Guyana. The additional flight will cater to the growing demand and will also provide a way by which Guyana’s tourism product could be further enhanced. We are also cognisant of the increase in traffic associated with Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry and would like to continue playing a role in national development.” Nadine Oudkerk, Copa Airlines Sales Manager in Guyana, said adding yet another flight day is a significant accomplishment and the airline is extremely happy to be offering more options to Guyanese. “The addition of a fifth flight to Guyana is part of our ongoing expansion efforts in the country and demonstrates that Copa is here to stay. We have

been able to build strong partnerships with a number of groups, companies and individuals and remain committed to further developing these valuable relationships.” The airline has been a strong supporter of programmes in Guyana geared towards community development, sport, medical services and care for youth and the elderly. Copa offers flights to over 78 destinations in 32 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean from the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Copa Airlines—a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, is a leading passenger and cargo airline in Latin America. It currently serves 80 destinations in 32 countries across North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2018

FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE , FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2018

FRIDAY DECEMBER 7, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

Alternatives to drug addicts incarceration being sought By Rabindra Rooplall THE human, social and economic loss associated with simply locking away offenders whose petty crimes are associated with or driven by drug addiction, causes prisons to become overcrowded and alternatives to incarceration is a better way forward. This is according to Beverly Reynolds, Coordinator, Health and Human Development of CARICOM Secretariat, during her remarks on Thursday at the Drug Treatment Court Awareness Workshop held at the Felix Austin Police Training College, Camp Road Georgetown. The Health and Human Development coordinator said several years ago, the secretariat presented a position paper to the legal affairs committee of CARICOM advocating for the implementation of alternative sentencing for persons addicted to using drugs. She explained that the call was grounded in the substantive evidence from research which indicated that drug addiction is a treatable medical condition. Of concern then, Ms. Reynolds said the human, social and economic loss associated with simply locking away offenders whose petty crimes are associated or driven by drug addiction causes prisons to become overcrowded. “Incarceration of juvenile offenders with older and sometimes harden offenders and the lack of treatment and rehabilitation programmes being offered to the incar-

cerated youngsters have very clearly highlighted the need for a strategy with a proven record of successfully addressing its developments,” she said. Such a strategy, she said, should not only provide structured, consistent, monitored and supported intervention to offenders whose petty crimes are associated with drug addiction. The Health and Human Development Coordinator said it is important to provide an ethical and human rights response to a medical condition, “we believe that a drug treatment court is one such strategy viewed globally as one of the critical components of a comprehensive move towards alternatives to incarceration and it embraces a public health approach.” She explained that article 36 (1) (d) on the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 states when abusers of drugs commit offences, the parties may provide, as an alternative to conviction or punishment, measures of treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation and social reintegration. As such, Ms. Reynolds also said the Drug Treatment Court also addresses a critical dilemma facing persons with a problematic past. “Reliance on criminal sanctions as a major response to illicit drug use invariably results in denial of human rights for this population, as drugs remain defined as law enforcement rather than a health problem, poor health outcomes in this population follows because health care and health services are more

Beverly Reynolds, Coordinator, Health and Human Development of CARICOM Secretariat.

OAS Representative Jean Ricot Dormeus

Ontario High Court Judge, Justice Kofi Barnes addressing participants of the workshop. (Samuel Maughn Photos)

difficult to provide to a now stigmatised and underground population,” she said Further, she explained that the promotion of rights is an essential precondition to addressing these problems and improving the health of individual drug users and improving the public health of the community. Adding that the Judiciary, other criminal justice partners, civil society and policy makers must provide an integrated and

multi-sectorial approach, Ms. Reynolds said this allows for the crafting of interventions that is in the best interest in the group of offenders, the community and the society at large. Organisation of American States (OAS) Representative Jean Ricot Dormeus, said that the workshop gives participants an opportunity to make a real contribution to the improvement of society. “Just imagine we can

reduce the number of people addicted to drugs, having an impact on the levels of crimes and violence in our society, turning those people into productive citizens would be a wonderful achievement for Guyana,” he said. Acknowledging the difficulties with the prison system in Guyana, Dormeus said when a prison is overcrowded, issues with prisoners result in negative consequences. “But because of pro-

grammes such as drug court treatment, we can achieve the kind of goal and at the same time stick to the idea of justice because when the drug court treatment is established, you may have an issue with the application of justice and human rights, but actually, these kinds of programmes allow you to make an impact on the issue and at the same time stick to the vision of human rights and justice,” the OAS representative said. Ontario High Court Judge, Justice Kofi Barnes, said there are two sides of an individual and the justice system usually deals with one side and there is a major cost for a drug addict that continuously revolves around prison. Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had said drug offenders are clogging up the streets, courts and prisons and “we want to shut that revolving door, which brings these drug offenders back to court again and again and our existing regime sees them not having an alternative to prosecution, leading to over 50 per cent back to jail.” A 2016 Household Drug Survey in Guyana has revealed that 66.5 per cent of the respondents believe that drug use has increased in Guyana over the past few years, while 40.9 per cent believe that it is easy to access marijuana. According to the survey, 40.9 per cent of the respondents believe that it is easy to access marijuana in Guyana although the substance is still an illegal one, while 46.7 per cent opined that drug use will get worse in the coming years.

Gov’t received highest possible price for Stockfeeds shares THE Government of Guyana received the highest price possible for its shareholding in Guyana Stockfeeds Inc. This is according to Robert Badal, the CEO of Guyana Stockfeeds. In a letter which appeared in another section of the media on Thursday, Badal said at $25 per share, it is way over the $15 he was initially prepared to offer. “It is way over the local stock exchange last sale price,” he said.

He said that the total value for these shares was more than what he paid for 35% of the company when he first took over its management. Badal said that the fact that no other buyer made any bid during an open tender, suggests that no one was interested in a minority stake in the company and that its value to a rational buyer was not there. “Regardless of what valuation was done and by whom means nothing without a

willing buyer,” he said. Following the administration’s advertisements in 2017, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had accused the coalition government of being “in bed” with Badal who had secured a court order validating the reduction of government’s shares in GSL from 38 per cent to the current seven per cent. The reduction, which occurred under the former PPP-administration, was first nullified by an order

of the court which was later challenged and upheld by the High Court. Badal pointed out in the letter that he is not affiliated with any political party.” I received no favour from the government, all negotiations were above board and at arm’s length. All due process was followed. The government must be congratulated for negotiating this price on behalf of all Guyanese,” he said. He added that “This is in

stark contrast to the fire sale prices at which state assets were sold to cronies and friends under the former administration.” Recently, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed at a post-cabinet press briefing that the offer to purchase government’s holdings of 5,437 ordinary shares at $25 per share, by Badal, the CEO of the Guyana Pegasus, was the only response to two separate requests for proposals; the last being published over the

period October 29 to December 7, 2017. “Cabinet approved the sale of the shares as proposed and authorised NICIL to complete the sale transaction,” Minister Harmon said. National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) serves as a holding company and carries out the role as a custodian and overseer of the government’s shares and interests in subsidiaries and affiliate entities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 7, 2018

Travis Chase matter referred to DPP ––in police’s quest for legal advice

THE police file on the involvement of HGP Nightly News anchor, Travis Chase in the shooting of a Kitty resident has been reportedly sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Chase, a licensed firearm holder, reportedly shot Jimmy Ramgobin, 28, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty in self de-

‘Sadam’ walks

Cop on ‘ammo’ charges –– after main witness fails to show granted bail PRINCIPAL Magistrate Faith McGusty on Thursday released a 30-yearold police constable on $100,000 bail for two ammunition charges. Romel Cato, of West Bank Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the two charges which alleged that on December 1, 2018 at Brick-

HGP’s Travis Chase

Jimmy Ramgobin

fence on the night of Monday December 3, 2018 outside his girlfriend’s home on DeAbreu Street, Newtown. According to the police, Chase alleged that on pulling up in his vehicle with his girlfriend outside her home, he saw Ramgobin loitering there. The newsman reportedly told the police that upon exiting his vehicle and approaching Ramgobin, the latter began hurling bottles at him from a bag he was carrying, causing him to have to pull out his weapon and discharge a round at him.

When the Guyana Chronicle spoke with Ramgobin on Monday, he explained that the reason he was outside Chase’s girlfriend’s house was because he was drunk and had fallen asleep there. He said he was in a deep sleep when Chase attacked him. “In my sleep, I felt a person kicking me in my ribs,” Ramgobin said. “And when I open my eye and look up, this person had a gun in their hand. I felt frighten, and I get up and run,” he added. He said that it was as he was running away that Chase opened fire on him. “When I meet by Garnett Street, Kitty,” Ramgobin said, “I feel a burning behind my foot and I stop and feel; is then I saw a set of blood on my hand.” Ramgobin is claiming that he was shot innocently, and that he did nothing to warrant it. “I want justice! I’m not looking for compensation!” he said.

Romel Cato

dam, Georgetown he had 18 rounds of .223 ammunition and 1 round of .38 ammunition in his possession at a time when he was not a licensed to do so. Though Police Prosecutor Sergeant Seon Blackman was opposed to Cato being granted pre-trial liberty, given the seriousness of the charge, Magistrate McGusty went ahead and released him on $50,000 bail on each of the two charges and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for December 14.

MURDER accused Naresh Ramjohn, a.k.a ‘Sadam’, on Thursday walked out of the Berbice Assizes a free man into the waiting arms of relatives and friends amidst screams of joy. The elation was as a result of Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry ordering the mixed jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused. Ramjohn, 44, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was accused of killing 28-yearold Anthony Samaroo on July 2, 2008, at Levi Dam, Mount Sinai, a squatting area on the eastern fringes of New Amsterdam. Early into the trial, Ramjohn’s lawyers, Arudranauth Gossai and Surihya Sabsook had submitted that the prosecution had failed to present a case against the accused, and that the only evidence that was laid in the matter was that of Bryan Ghanpat, who said he had seen the accused among others at the scene of the incident. Said Gossai: “All the evidence revealed was that the accused was a mere bystander.” As to the particulars of the case which stated that Ramjohn and others had unlawfully killed Antony Samaroo, Gossai contended that there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that there was a pre-arranged plan or a joint enterprise. The case for the prosecution, as stated by State Prosecutor Mondel Moore, was that on July 2, 2008,

Four Guyanese face ‘life’ in St Croix jail –– for possession of some US$71M worth of cocaine FOUR Guyanese men, who were found on board a vessel off the coast of Suriname with approximately 3,769 kilograms of cocaine, have pleaded guilty to the offence on the island of St Croix. According to a release from the US Department of Justice, Mohamed Hoseain, 70, and Richard La Cruz, 51, both of Guyana, pleaded guilty on November 28, 2018 in federal court to possession of cocaine on board a vessel. US attorney, Gretchen C.F. Shappert also announced on Monday that Neville Jeffrey, 66, and Mark Anthony Williams, 32, also of Guyana,

pleaded guilty on November 29 and December 3, 2018 respectively, in federal court to the same offence. According to plea agreements filed with the court, the US Coast Guard Cutter, Napier, on February 16, 2017 intercepted a suspicious vessel in a joint operation with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard approximately 70 nautical miles north of Paramaribo, Suriname, in international waters. The report stated that the vessel, later identified as the Lady Michelle, was located in a known drug-trafficking route and registered with St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Members of the US Coast Guard boarded the vessel pursuant to a bilateral agreement between the United States and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “They discovered 185 bales containing numerous rectangular shaped packages of cocaine in the vessel’s fish hold weighing 3,769 kilograms,” the release said. The drugs had a street value in the U.S. Virgin Islands of approximately US$71M. Reports are that Hoseain was identified as the captain of the vessel, and claimed that they were in search of a missing vessel for two months. La Cruz was

identified as the engineer, and Jeffrey and Williams as crew members. Hoseain, La Cruz, Jeffrey and Williams reportedly face as much as life in prison for the offence, and a fine of up to US$10M. Sentencing dates for Hoseain and La Cruz have been set for March 28, 2019 and March 29, 2019 respectively, while the date for Jeffrey and Williams was set for April 3, 2019. The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the report stated.

Ryan Samaroo was walking along Levi Dam when he was confronted by Ramjohn. But rather than responding, Samaroo reportedly continued walking, and as he did so, he saw his brother, Tajepaul, coming up the road. And as the two talked, they saw Ramjohn and his two brothers, all armed to the teeth, approaching. Knowing they were outnumbered, the Samaroo boys reportedly hurried home and awoke another brother, Anthony, and told him what had transpired. Shortly after, the three brothers returned to Levi Dam and a fight broke out. Ryan and Tajepaul Samaroo were able to escape unscathed, but not Anthony. According to Ryan, he was standing some distance away when Anthony was stabbed. He and Tajepaul reportedly ran home and told their mother what happened, but by the time they returned to the scene, Anthony was lying on the ground in a pool of blood. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds. What weakened the prosecution’s case during the just-concluded hearing was that one of the State’s main witnesses, Tajepaul Samaroo, the deceased’s brother, told the court that he could not remember much, and doesn’t know anything about how his sibling was killed. The witness also said that

he did not know who killed his brother; just that he was “bored up” by someone. While giving evidence, Samaroo failed to answer questions put to him by the State Prosecutor; all he kept saying was that he could not recall or did not see anything. He also denied taking his injured brother to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Eight witnesses were called by the State, among them were the deceased’s mother, Meena Persaud; Government Pathologist, Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan; Inspector Michael Newland; Detective Corporal Denesh Baichu; and Sergeant Dexter Brandt. The prosecution failed to have the deposition of Ryan Samaroo read into evidence, after the Court was dissatisfied with the interventions of the state. Ramjohn faced a murder retrial, which was ordered by the Appellate Court. At his initial trial in 2014, the witnesses had supported the State’s case, resulting in a unanimous verdict of guilty. Consequently, Presiding Judge Navindra Singh had imposed a 55 ½-year jail term, after listening to the evidence of Probation and Welfare Officer, Ms. Claudia Munroe, who had revealed that Ramjohn and Samaroo were involved in illegal activities, such as abusing drugs and theft, which eventually led to murder.

Biker killed in Non Pareil crash A motorcyclist was killed on the Non Pareil Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursday after he collided with a minibus, BRR 9843, at the intersection with the main access road. Dead is David Aulder, 26, of Lot 254 Section 'A' Non Pareil, ECD. The minibus driver is in police custody assisting with the investigation. When contacted, police said a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and he was found above the legal limit. Reports indicate that the minibus was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the Non Pareil Public Road

while the motorcyclist was proceeding north along the Coldingen Access Road, reportedly at a fast rate of speed. On approaching the intersection, the motorcyclist failed to stop, turned east and proceeded along the southern side on the Non Pareil Public Road when he collided with the front left side of the minibus. Eyewitnesses said that as a result of the collision, the motorcyclist lost control and fell onto the roadway and received injuries. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

s n o ti ti e p m o c o tw , TcwenosoNreigd h10tsset for December 29 and

Odessa Primus in her winning performance at Uncensored 9 last year

roducers of the annual standup comedy competition Uncensored 10 are going to be shaking things up this year, and instead of the usual one competition will be hosting two competitions on December 29 and 30 at the National Cultural Centre. Over $1 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs over the two nights. The first night will feature the regular competition that the public has come to know and love, where the comedians will each be given 12-minute time slots to put on their best performances for the judges, after which an ultimate winner is declared.

The reigning champion is Odessa Primus, who represented the sisterhood when she went on to win after being the only woman in the competition. However, on December 30, things are going to get a little interesting. That night is going to feature a stand-up clash, with eliminations at each round. All of the comedians will be paired off and battle it out against an opponent. The losing opponents will continue to be eliminated, while those remaining will then be paired off until there’s the last man (or woman) standing. The comedians will know who they are paired within the first round,

however for each successive round opponents will be selected by a random draw. Producer for the show Maria Benschop said this new change is a move to keep the show relevant and ever improving. “After a time when you’re doing something one way all the time the crowd would tend to get bored with it, so we have to find new ways to reinvent it,” she explained. “Once we market it well it will raise the interest of the people.” In addition to revamping the show, the new format is also a way to challenge the comedians to really bring that A Game. “They will have to

show their versatility,” Benschop said. However, despite the change, the show promises to continue in its stride of delivering unbridled comedy in it’s raw, uncut version. And, as always, the public is advised: Adults ONLY! The first night of competition will utilise a judging panel, while for the second night, the winners are going to be determined mostly by the audience, something Guyanese are always ready, willing and able to do. Over the years, the Uncensored fans have proven that they are not unafraid to show it when they are unsatisfied. And comedians have in the past been

sent packing to the chorus of “boos” when their act does not deliver. Aside from Primus returning to defend her crown, this year will of course also feature several of the show’s stalwarts including last year’s second-place finisher Michael Ignatius as well as Kirwyn Mars and Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson. Famed promoter Marlon Jacobs and Paul Burnette, who both performed for the first time at the show last year will be returning to sharpen their stand up skills a little more. This year the newbies will be social media comedians Ron “Kunchi” Reynolds of Kunchi.tv and Anasticia “Ann3ie”

Shako, a University of Guyana (UG) student who does comedy on the side. Shako is really looking to the competition to bring her own brand of comedy to the stage. “I saw it as an opportunity to promote what I already do and make inroads for the type of comedy I do; it’s not as vulgar as the others,” Ann3ie expressed. Some of the competitors will perform both nights, while others will only perform in either the Saturday or Sunday night competition. The placements are still being ironed out, but no matter how it works, patrons can expect two nights of pure laughter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

THE SCIENCE THAT ENVELOPES US IS IT DRAGGING US ALONG?

E LIVE in a remarka b l e and frightening time; mankind has mastered leaps and bounds in machine development, medicine and industry. Dazzling declarations confuse populations as to the reality between the tested, with us in a commercial laboratory and the proven workable. The method of us-

in the European theatre of events, with specific relevance to the concentration camps of both colonial South West Africa (Shark Island) then with the usage of cyclone B in the battlefields of WWI and some 21 years later, most notably in Nazi Germany. Where specific variations of humanity were regulated to less than human and subject to experimentation through the pre-

release of the drug Thalidomide by a company with roots to the Nazi past. That drug was proposed to aid pregnant women; instead, it produced a generation of physically deformed children from among its users. The next star or herald of advertised misery came luring the world was the cigarette, every Hollywood star in the noir era shouted that it was wise, cool and tough to smoke.

of treatment of vegetables and fruit in the past that had lethal effects on persons. Years ago I managed a farm in Kamuni Creek off the Demerara River. There were other holdings, one well cultivated with avocado. The boatman who managed it assured me that there was a way to produce pear out of season with a certain chemical sprayed. I asked to see the magic chemical, but we never got around

buy the packet at...” he informed me. How’s this happening? It seems that the authority at the Ministry of Health has gazed into Medusa’s face. I can remember in the early 90s during the past administration one of their parliamentarians, a doctor/businessman had imported artificial ‘milk’ for the local market. He was exposed by an independent source. Another area of dangerous goods

that they had forwarded the letter to the relevant authorities, but I have received no reply after months. I was told by a pharmacy staff that the products contain DDT or DEET, same thing. This cannot be safe to spray on one’s body. All the references point to an effective external agent for insect control, but not without environmental consequences. Dr. Giglioli used it to fight malaria in

ing botanicals (herbs) and metals for healing is thousands of years old. Though much of the early remedies were entangled in what we call superstitions, this did not prevent them from being effective enough to be adopted in our modern world of mega pharmaceutical industries. The use of the coconut is one such case study. I find it amusing to buy a book in 2018 that instructs me of the uses of the coconut to be applied as an integral part of my menu. The dark side of biological experimentation emerged in the 19th Century, predominantly

meditative contamination of concentration camp inmates by Nazi doctors using every infectious disease, to test the human reaction to their onslaught, also experimentations on food like a special nutritional sausage that was first tested on inmates; with fatal effects, this macabre descent led to much of the medical data that the west and Russia secured, even sparing from prosecution many of the active SS Doctors involved, the information was indeed presumed too valuable to commerce. That assessment and its collaborations were tested in the early 1950s with the

Romantic wisps filled cinema screens in too many satisfying movies and the list of lung cancer stars rose. Growing up we were told that cancer “was a white people sickness” and when our own people died without a precise diagnosis, it was “somebody wuk pon he.” Nowhere was nicotine mentioned on either side of the Atlantic. Last week, I came home with some cucumbers. My wife informed me that it tasted bitter. I bought it at Bourda market. It really doesn’t matter where it was bought. I told her to throw it away. I had memories of this kind

to that. So far there are no laws known to me to address this type of practice. In India, a high court judge in 2015 referred to fruit traders who ripened fruit with the carcinogen calcium carbide as “worse than terrorists”. Over the past few years, vendors have been offering the Guyanese public ‘seedless limes’. This is a highly suspicious product that refers to why there have been protests worldwide especially in Europe against Genetically Modified Crops (GMO). How do you replant a fruit without its seed? I asked a vendor-farmer. “Yuh got fuh

are toys banished by first world markets because of lead content. It’s very possible that some quick raise importer could land that stuff here. Are there guidelines among our customs officials to intercept such? I would hope so. A serviceman just finished some repairs on a crucial piece of kitchen equipment. In conversation, he informed me that ‘asbestos’, a confirmed cancer giving material, is still used by some servicemen at Linden. I wrote a letter to the media concerning the strange outcome of local repellents. The Stabroek News editorial attachment indicated

the 1940s. This chemical was banned in most countries; it is a ‘cancer’ producing agent. Why is it casually used in this country? Are we ready for worlds that seek out lapse regulated countries like ours as a platform for experimental drugs and organ harvesting? These pharmaceutical creatures test the mettle of countries with watchdog institutions. Are we using the very information technology that will be used against us via social media rather than allowing ourselves to be caught in the hype and our evil twin, procrastination?

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

96.1 Voice FM app to be launched later this month

General Manager of 96.1 Voice FM, Maria Benschop

HE 96.1 Voice FM app for IOS and Android phones will be launched later this month at the comedy show, ‘Uncensored.’ The Buzz understands that the owners are promising lots of giveaways to the first 25 persons who download the app. Through the app, persons will be able to view podcasts, daily radio schedules, and enjoy what’s playing at any given time. “And you know we play a lot of music,” General Manager Maria Benschop told The Buzz

on Thursday. The app will especially be useful for many who do not have a radio and would, therefore, need to go through the internet in order to tune in. Furthermore, the app will also come in handy for persons who may become fed up of their playlist; listening to one collection of music over and over. Meanwhile, after submitting at least 10 radio license applications over a 20-year period, Blackman and Sons Inc. is happy that the company has finally been able to secure a license; and was able to launch 96.1 Voice FM last August. “We’re happy; upset and happy at the same time,” Director Nigel Blackman had told the Buzz, adding, “Because we see no reason the license shouldn’t have been granted.” B l a c k m a n ’s f a t h e r, Noel Blackman, started off Blackman and Sons Inc. in the late 1990s and shortly thereafter submitted the first application for a radio license. DSI Communications has been running the company. According to Blackman, it has been found that many critical issues are left unaddressed when various forums are held. The new station, therefore, seeks to provide a platform for those issues to be addressed. “What we want to get out there are issues critical to any citizen. As broadcasters, we have such a responsibility. We will be dealing with a lot of human rights issues; women’s rights, legal issues. We will provide a platform for those who need one,” Blackman explained. He continued that the new station will focus more on ‘talk’ as opposed to mostly music and entertainment. “We’re looking for full involvement with the public and we want to touch on everything. Nothing is to be too taboo,” he said.

Popular designer Sonia Noel hosts ‘Living with Intention’ every Sunday

‘De Facto’ is one of the programmes featured on the station which is hosted by Nigel Blackman, with moderator Kingsley Bryan. The public is allowed to call in and benefit from free legal advice and to have legal questions answered. ‘The Bare Naked Truth’

is hosted by Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell at 18:00hrs on Thursdays; while from Monday to Friday at 20:00hrs, Handel Duncan and Kingsley Brian promise to share the latest news, and give an informed and

Turn to page 23

Lunch Date is hosted by Surida Nagreadi

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

IT’S time for the weekend again, people! And Christmas is in the air so there are a few events to help you to usher in the season, so take the kids out to see Santa if you can on Saturday and there’s a Christmas fest on Sunday. The Guyana Carnival is also launching this weekend and that’s going to be a big one, and you should definitely be there if big crowds and lots of music are your kind of thing. There are also a few charitable events thrown into the mix. So don’t stay cooped up at home. TODAY The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant & Lounge presents “Latin Night” Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1,000 Tower Suites presents Poolside Happy Hour from 17:30hrs to 19:30hrs. Enjoy a number of combos for just $1,000. Have a beer and burger combo, enjoy a margarita or any of their beer specials, or cutters platters, for that unbeatable cost. You don’t want to miss it. TOMORROW Are you ready to discover the unknown? Are you ready Guyana for the 2019 Guyana Carnival Band Launch Party? Well HJ Entertainment is launching it at the Giftland Parking Lot under the theme “Genes 2019: the Lost World”. Get a preview of how it’s going to go down next year when the four bands and 15 sections hit the streets. Tickets: $2,000 MM Entertainment presents an Old School Party at the Gravity Lounge in aid of fundraising for the You Are Not Alone NGO. Tickets: $2,000 It’s here again folks “Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Village” at the Demerara Park. Take the kids out to see Santa and enjoy entertaining games, participate in storytelling, partake in our face painting, play in our bouncy castles and trampolines and much more activities. And of course, Santa will be giving gifts to those lucky boys and girls. Admission: $500 for Adults and children over 12 years old (Children under 12 free.) Ticket to see Santa and receive a gift is $500 The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant & Lounge presents Saturday Fete & Karaoke. Ladies get one free cocktail. Enjoy soca, chutney, reggaeton, dancehall and electronic mixes. SUNDAY Shades Women’s Club presents an Everything Christmas Fest from 14:00hrs at the Promenade Gardens. Head out and enjoy local business displays, cake and drink competitions, performances by local artistes, Santa’s village, FREE cake and ginger beer and FREE gifts. Tickets: $200 (Children), $500 (Adults) The second stage of Guyana’s first ever Go Kart Grand Prix the “KFC Mega Cup” continues this Sunday. The three-hour event will take place at the GMRSC Ground with points posted in real time online, with races in four exciting categories. To add to the excitement and flair they will host two (2) Foreign Competitors per event. Head down to the Herdmanston Lodge for a chill afternoon of fashion, art and wine at “Orange The Runway Vol 1”. The event’s colour being in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Come out and see pieces from Andrea Wilson from the British Virgin Islands, Isaiah Luther from Guyana and Rhoda Dox from Nigeria. Tickets: $2,000 (general), $5,000 (VIP) Party Sundays continue at Club Privilege. Everybody free before 22:00hrs. Drink specials all night, free Bacardi shots on entry. Music by fusion DJs, Stereo Sonic DJs, Boom DJs and other DJs passing through.

Two-day Christmas Festival and Business Fair to be held in Rosignol

T W O - D AY Christmas Festival and Business Fair will be held at Rosignol Village West Bank Berbice in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) today and tomorrow The event is being staged by the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC). President of the CIC, Imran Saccoor said that it aims at ushering in the festivity of the season in West Berbice. It is also intended to give Rosignol and the neighbouring community of D’Edward a jump start in commercial activities for the season and at the same time provide an opportunity for consumers in West Berbice and further afield to enjoy bargain prices and discounts from the businesses in the area. The event is slated to open with a ceremony tonight at 18:30 hrs at the Rosignol Mall Square with a christmas Concert. There will also be a Christmas parade moving through the community af-

96.1 Voice FM app ... From page 22 highly debatable commentary on what’s trending and what’s hot in the news. E v e r y S u n d a y, a t 15:00hrs, popular designer Sonia Noel hosts ‘Living with Intention.’ “Intentional Living is about giving the world the best version of you. You know your story better than anyone else. I do believe that self-discipline, faith, focus and consistency can make any dream a reality; and I am a testimony to that. I encourage you to join me…to celebrate, as we continue this beautiful journey called life,” said Noel about her show. ‘Lunch Date’ is hosted by Surida Nagreadi and according to Benschop, lots of breaking news will be featured on the station.

terwards to offer children entertainment, goodies and to “excite the atmosphere”. There will be a food zone, a children’s play zone vending and music and much more to enjoy. The commercial activities will commence today and continue until tomorrow. Stores will be offering massive discounts from 10-

40 percent off selected items. Promotional offers will also be available from various companies. Saccoor said that the Region Five CIC is inviting interested persons and companies to get on board with the upcoming Christmas Festival and Business Fair since vending booths and spots are still available.

Interested persons can contact any chamber member of the Region Five CIC or alternatively call 6110055. A similar Christmas Festival and Business Fair was held at Rosignol during the Christmas season of 2017 and was declared a success by both vendors and consumers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

National Sports Policy a ‘priority’ in 2019 - Minister Norton DURING the 2019 National Budget Debates on Wednesday in the National Assembly, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton, revealed that the implementation of the National Sports Policy will be a priority in 2019. Earlier this year, the policy was released in draft form

and circulated among sports federations, organisations and online in a bid to garner feedback and recommendations. However, the minister noted that come 2019, consultations and sensitisation initiatives will continue towards the continued growth and development of the sports sector. This will be done by way of programmes consisting of outreaches and the wider circulation of documents, including brochures, flyers and posters. According to the minister, one of the main areas of focus is anti-doping. He said; “The policy provides the basis for a structured pathway towards incentives, press coverage, international exposure and sports tourism, as well as issues of clean

sport and anti-doping education. Guyana remains World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliant”. After repeated calls for a National Sports Policy, something which had previously been dismissed as ‘not needed’, the Ministry finally drafted a Sports Policy. However, a lot of work is needed to produce an efficient and beneficial Policy geared towards the development of all athletes and the sports sector as a whole, Once completed, the policy is expected to, among other things, address the structures, programmes and infrastructure required for recreational and high-performance sport and how best to facilitate and support the achievement of the sports objectives over the next ten years.

Singh, Pestano put Jaguars in control against Volcanoes on Day 1

IN their opening day/night match of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four Day competition at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia, the Guyana Jaguars lost the toss and were put in to bat by the Windward Islands Volcanoes. The Jaguars were bowled out for 223 off the back of a responsible 74 (4x6s) from vice-captain Vishaul Singh who received valuable support from Romario Shepherd who made 47 (3x4s, 1x6). In response, the Volcanoes were on 32-2 at the close of play. The Volcanoes made early inroads into the Jaguars batting as Tajenarine Chanderpaul was the first to go from the final delivery of the first over for just two runs; He was bowled by pacer Delorn Johnson. This brought the skipper, Leon Johnson to the crease and he, along with opener Trevon Griffith, added 21 before Johnson was run out by Shane Shillingford. Griffith soon followed, caught off the bowling of Ray Jordan. Newcomer Tevin Imlach then fell to Shillingford, caught and bowled for 8 to leave Guyana in a spot of bother at 56 for 4. Christopher Barnwell and Singh then added 31 before the former holed out to Shillingford off the bowling

of Johnson with the score at 87. The ever reliable Anthony Bramble came to the crease but was unable to put together an innings of substance as he fell to the bowling of Josh Thomas for just four runs. At 101-6 and looking in danger of being bowled out for under 200, Singh and Shepherd combined for a seventh wicket partnership of 95 to ensure the Jaguars had a respectable total on the board. Singh fell to Shillingford at 196 and Sheperd soon followed via a run-out; in all the remaining three wickets tumbled for 27 runs. Shillingford was the pick of the Volcanoes’ bowlers, ending with 4-61 off 24.1 overs while Johnson took 2-34 (8 overs); Thomas and Jordan snared one wicket each. The Jaguars’ bowlers were then made to labour for 14 overs before Clinton Pestano comprehensively bowled opener Tyrone Theophile for 18 and trapped Kirk Edwards LBW for 7. Taryck Gabriel and Kavem Hodge then saw the Volcanoes safely to the close of play with their side on 32-2. Pestano ended the day with figures of 2 for 4 off five overs, including two maidens to put the Jaguars in a good position. Play will resume today.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Williamson’s unbeaten century puts Kiwis on top (REUTERS) - Skipper Kane Williamson cracked an unbeaten century as New Zealand took a valuable 198-run lead against Pakistan on day four of the third and final Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Williamson was not out on 139 off 282 balls having batted through the day, with middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls keeping him company on 90, as New Zealand reached 272-4 at stumps to swing the deciding Test in their favour. The teams are tied 1-1 in the three-match series. Resuming on their

overnight score of 262, New Zealand lost nightwatchman William Somerville in the seventh over of the morning as the debutant was trapped in front of the wicket by leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Shah’s fifth wicket of the contest in his 33rd Test saw him replace Australian Clarrie Grimmett as the fastest man to claim 200 Test victims. Grimmett, also a leg-spinner, had reached the 200 mark in his 36th Test against South Africa 82 years ago. Pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi then had Ross

Kane Williamson registered his 19th Test ton to frustrate Pakistan.

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Taylor caught at square leg as the veteran batsman looked to pull one away, but that was as much joy as Pakistan would have on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium track that has steadily improved for batting. After coming together

at 60-4, Williamson and Nicholls rode their luck to put on an unbroken 212-run stand for the fifth wicket. Shah in particular was guilty of poor fielding, dropping Williamson on 80 and 106, while Imam-ul-

Haq missed a sharp catch after left-hander Nicholls reached his fifty. Pakistan tightened up to lower the scoring rate but could not stop Williamson from completing his 19th Test century and Nicholls from inching closer to his

third. New Zealand won the opening Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs before Pakistan squared the three-match series with victory in the second Test in Dubai by an innings and 16 runs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Pujara ton rescues India after superman Kohli falls By Ian Ransom ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters) - An Indian rescue mission seemingly tailor-made for Virat Kohli instead fell to Cheteshwar Pujara who took his captain’s ‘Superman’ cape and struck a vital

century to save the tourists on day one of the series-opening Test against Australia. After Kohli was swept away for just three runs in a maelstrom of dismal shot-making, Pujara carved out a sparkling 123 to guide India to 250 for nine at stumps on a scorching hot day at Adelaide Oval.

Battling a hamstring strain in the final session, the 30-year-old Saurashtra player produced a masterclass in game management through his 246-ball knock. Watchful early against Australia’s vaunted pace attack, he then hammered them around the game with an assault India’s Cheteshwar Pujara looks on after playing a shot during day one of the first Test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, December 6, 2018. APP/Dave Hunt via REUTERS

on the second new ball late in the day. It took a brilliant piece of fielding by Pat Cummins to remove Pujara with the last ball of the day, the paceman finding the energy to swoop in and throw down the stumps despite bowling 19 overs in the stifling conditions. Though disappointed, Pujara strode off to a standing ovation in the terraces having steered India to a defendable total after they were reduced for 41 for four in a disastrous first session. “It was one of my top innings in Test cricket, I could say top five,” the Indian number three told reporters after a knock of seven fours and two sixes. “I can’t rate whether it was one of the best but the team mates who were appreciating said that this is one of the best. “I think it was tough considering the weather, it was quite hot, we are used to it in India but still it was hot and humid.” Tim Paine’s Australia will have felt hugely relieved to see the back of Pujara on this day at least. The batsman has been a thorn in the side since his 2010 debut against Ricky Ponting’s team in Bangalore, when he

scored a second-innings 72 to steer India to a seven-wicket victory. He has since feasted on a string of Australian teams, scoring 204 against Michael Clarke’s side in the 2013 Hyderabad Test and 202 in Ranchi against Steve Smith’s men last year. But his first ton on Australian soil may feel the sweetest, especially after his disappointing first tour in 2014/15, when India lost 2-0 despite a mountain of runs from Kohli. India’s talisman Kohli was also removed by inspired fielding, with Usman Khawaja pinching a stunning one-handed catch with a fullstretch leap in the gully. Kohli was among five of India’s top six batsmen to give up their wickets with loose shots, leaving Pujara to salvage a total from the rubble. “To be honest we should have batted better but they also bowled well in the first two sessions,” said Pujara. “And I knew that I had to stay patient and wait for the loose balls but the way they bowled, they bowled in the right areas. “I also feel our top order should have batted better but we’ll learn from the mistakes and put up a better show in the second innings.”

Argentine hooligan denied entry to Spain for River-Boca final MADRID (Reuters) - A member of Boca Juniors’ football hooligan gang was deported from Spain ahead of Sunday’s Copa Libertadores showdown against River Plate in Madrid, police said on Thursday, amid a massive security operation for a game rescheduled due to violence. Spanish police said “one of the most significant” hooligans, with a long criminal record, was spotted at Madrid’s international airport on Wednesday night ahead of the South American club final showdown between the Argentine arch-rivals. “This person has been returned to Argentina. There is no place for violence in football,” they added via Twitter. The second leg of the final was scheduled for Nov. 24 in Argentina but was postponed, then moved to Madrid, after several Boca players sustained injuries when rocks were thrown at their team bus as it arrived at River’s Monumental stadium. One of those involved in the violence was banned from River Plate’s stadium for two years and four months, Argentinian law enforcement officials announced on Thursday. Under the terms of the ban, Matias Firpo cannot go near River’s stadium or any other football ground. He must complete 180 hours of community service and ask for police permission before leaving Argentina, officials said. Spanish police are calling the security operation for Sunday’s match the biggest ever for a game in Madrid. More than 2,500 officers are expected to be on duty for the match, known as the ‘Superclasico’ and regarded as one of the world’s fiercest football rivalries. The first leg, played at Boca’s Bombonera stadium, ended 2-2.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Britton cops T&T’s Super-Singles Men’s Open Table Tennis Title G U YA N A’ S r e c e n t l y crowned Caribbean U-21 Men’s table tennis champion, Shemar Britton, continues his upward progression by winning the Trinidad and Tobago Open Super-Singles Men’s Open Singles title when that championship concluded on Wednesday (December 5) at the National Racquet Centre, Orange Grove Main Road, Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago. Britton, a scholastically inclined and immensely talented as well as disciplined table tennis player, who is currently pursuing a Law degree at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, T&T, represented and played under the Queen’s Park Table Tennis Club banner. He defeated all-comers in the men’s singles round-robin final involving Trinidad and Tobago’s

national champion Curtis Humphreys of the WASA Table Tennis Club, Arun Roopnarine of the Arima Hawks, American-based Dayanand Maharaj who plays for the Solo Crusaders Club, former Caribbean junior champion Luc O’ Young and Aaron Edwards, another Queen’s Park Table Tennis Club player to win the prestigious title which pits the crème de la crème of Trinidad and Tobago’s table tennis players. Britton’s task was even more arduous in winning the championship, given that he is a player without a Trinidad and Tobago ranking. It meant that he had to play in the qualification event to get a ranking, before playing in group stages in order to advance to the knockout stage. In a very compact format of competition which

Shemar Britton receives his prize from Mr O. Young

had over 100 players, Britton and the other gladiators advanced into round-robin ‘Big Six’ finals from the knockout phase held

last Sunday (December 2). National men’s champion Curtis Humphreys of the WASA Table Tennis Club beat N’kosi Rouse in three

straight sets (11-7, 11-2, 118) to move forward to the final. Arun Roopnarine of the Arima Hawks did the same to Joshua Manswell (11-8, 11-8, 11-3). Despite a little trouble in the third set, Britton took out former national champion Reeza Burke (11-5, 11-6, 13-15, 11-9) to move forward. American-based former national champion and national men’s team representative Dayanand Maharaj, who plays for the Solo Crusaders Club, fought hard to recover from two sets down, to beat child prodigy Derron Douglas in a gruelling fiveset clash (13-15, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9). Luc O’ Young moved past Everton Sorzano (1412, 12-10, 11-9) to go to the final, and Aaron Edwards, another Queen’s Park Table Tennis team member, beat Andrew Alexander

(12-10, 11-7, 11-6). In the round-robin finals Britton defeated Arun Roopnarine by a 3-0 margin, Arron Edwards 3-1, Luc O Young 3-1; Dayanand Maharaj by 3-0 and Curtis Humphreys 3-2 to secure the title. Britton, who will be doing battle for Guyana in the 2019 Senior Caribbean Table Tennis championships, scheduled for March 9-17 at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Guyana, will be sacrificing his holiday season to commence intensifying his preparation for this critical championship with a training camp in China. The 2019 Caribbean Championships will be the qualification event for the Caribbean to select one male and one female to represent the Caribbean Region at the 2019 Pan American games in August 2019 in Lima, Peru.

UDFA/GT Beer year-end Tamim, Sarkar centuries flatten Windies in warm-up football starts Sunday … Launch set for today

DEFENDING champions Botofago have drawn the bye into the semi-finals while the contesting other nine clubs will battle it out in three group stages round-robin encounters, as the Upper Demerara Football Association’s UDFA/GT Beer year-end football championship kicks off on Sunday. New entrants Capital FC will face the recently-crowned senior football league champions Eagles United, from 19:00hrs in the first game and Net Rockers, who placed second, will take on Silver Shattas in the second game from 21:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The UDFA will launch its GT Beer football championship today from 14:00hrs at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) on Republic Avenue, Mackenzie Linden. In a release, the UDFA has placed the nine clubs in three groups. Group One has Eagles United, Capital FC and Hi Stars, Group Two comprises Net Rockers, Silver Shattas and Blueberry Hill United and Group Three consists of Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Winners Connection and Topp XX. The draw catapults the reigning champions Botofago into the semifinal where they will face the winners of Group Two in the second game on December 26 from 21:00hrs. The other at 19:00hrs brings together the winners from Groups One and Three. The playing dates are December 9, 12, 16, 25, 28 with the semi-finals and the final on January 1, 2019.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) – Hundreds by Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar trumped half-centuries from Shai Hope and Roston Chase, as West Indies lost their tour match by 51 runs under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern here yesterday. Defending an impressive 332 at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No. 3 Ground, West Indies found themselves put to the sword by Tamim who struck 107 and Sarkar, who made an unbeaten 103, as the Board XI raced to 314 for six at the end of the 41st over. Fading light then forced players from the field with the hosts ahead of the DLS par score. Earlier opting to bat, the Windies produced an encouraging display to reach 331 for eight off their 50 overs, with the stylish Hope carving out a top score of 81 and Chase chipping in with 65. Rookie Fabian Allen struck 48 and opener Kieran Powell, 43, while in-form left-hander Shimron Hetmyer hit 33 and the returning Darren Bravo, 24.

Hope and Powell gave the tourists a rollicking start, posting 101 from 92 balls to dominate the early stages of the encounter. While the right-handed Hope counted six fours

RESULTS: Enterprise: Satish Udit, ShonnaSeusingh, and Rahul Miaram (10th Kyu to 9th Kyu) David Mangru, Nickolas Rampersaud, Nirel Ramrattan and Alesha Paul (9th Kyu to 8th Kyu) Wales: Junior Shilchand,

Ganesh Persaud and Sharada Sookwah (9th Kyu to 8th Kyu) Marcus Chowtie, John Brown and Christian Freeman (5th to 4th Kyu) Enmore: Dharshanie Ahmad, and Shahid Shah (10th Kyu to 9th Kyu) Ronald Ramkissoon, Mark Sue-Poi, Antonio Kumar, Anthony Gouveia and Jefferson Jaikissoon (9th Kyu to 8th Kyu) Naveed N. Emamally and Mohamad Yasin (6th to 7th Kyu) Avinash Somwaru and Totaram Jainarain, Govindanath Persaud (6th to 5th Kyu) Chief Instructor Kelvin Walcott, Senior Instructor Maranda Bennett, Junior Instructors Umisha Parasram and Vikash Som-

waru, Sampais Govind Ramkur and Bhudesh Shilchand have completed their 1st Dan Kobudo Weapons exams and to complete their ‘D’ level Refereeing and Judging exams this weekend at the Yearend Inter-club Bragging Rights Championship. Dr Nazim expressed happiness with the progress of his students and their discipline. He noted that they worked very hard for their exams. The karatekas will now look forward to the End-of-year Inter-club Bragging Rights Championship, this weekend at the Enmore Community Centre. Contact can be made with the Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Acad-

lifted through key partnerships. First, Chase anchored a 39-run sixth-wicket stand with Hetmyer, who lashed a couple of fours and sixes in a 26-ball cameo. Then, Chase paired with Allen to add 78 for the seventh wicket, a partnership which put the Windies within touching distance of the 300-

run mark. Chase faced 51 balls and struck six fours and a six while Allen needed just 32 balls as he belted eight fours and six. At the end, Chase and Sunil Ambris (10 not out) added a quick-fire 35 off 15 deliveries to give the innings a rousing finish. The BCB XI rattled the Windies early as Tamim and Imrul Kayes (27) put on 81 from a mere 54 deliveries to take control of the match. Tamim, who missed the Test series through injury, showed no signs of lack of fitness as he slammed 13 fours and four sixes off 73 balls. He added a further 114 for the second wicket with Sarkar who clobbered seven fours and six sixes in an 83-ball innings. When Chase (2-57) had Tamim stumped in the 23rd over, Bangladesh lost five wickets for 70 runs but Sarkar and Mashrafe Mortaza (22 not out) added 49 off 35 balls in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand, to make their side safe.

emy by calling SOKE Nazim Yassim on 592-662-7211, 592654-2789 or by visiting their

Facebook page: Kyokushinkai Guyana for details on joining the organisation.

Tamim Iqbal

and three sixes in an 84-ball knock, Powell was more patient in his 49-ball stay at the crease striking three fours and a six. Powell fell in the 16th over but Hope found an ally in Bravo to add 58 for the second wicket, the experienced lefthander facing 33 deliveries and hitting three fours.

GIKMAA final Karate grading of the year a success THE Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA) concluded its final Grading Exercise of the year last weekend when 34 students took part in a Karate Exam under the tutelage of Dr Nazim Yassim. Students from Enmore (18), Wales (9) and Enterprise (7) participated in the exercise.

Both fell within the space of 20 balls, however, prompting a slide which saw four wickets tumble for 17 runs, leaving the Windies on 176 for five in the 32nd over. The innings was then

Some of the graduating students along with SOKE Nazim Yassim

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

Law says win over England at Leeds - the highlight of his tenure

Former West Indies head coach, Stuart Law

LONDON, England (CMC) - Three months after he announced his resignation as West Indies head coach, Stuart Law has been reflecting on his tenure at the regional side, pointing to the Windies’ first Test victory over England in 17 years as the highlight of his tenure. Law’s last series in charge was the tour of India last month when West Indies lost the Test, ODI and T20 series. “Not just winning it, but getting the boys back up into a mental space after the first Test where we got absolutely walloped, and then to come

out and outplay England in all facets was an amazing achievement,” Law said of the team’s five-wicket win over England in the second Test at Leeds last year. “I didn’t have to do a hell of a lot. The boys were hurt; and I just highlight certain things that were being said back home, and by certain people in the media in England. I said, ‘These people don’t think you’re good enough. “You’ve just got to go out there and prove you are. I believe you are. Everyone in this room thinks you are good enough. So get out there and show them.’”

West Indies were hammered in the first Test at Birmingham by an innings and 209 runs but then chased down 322 on the final day to pull off an astonishing victory in the second Test. Law succeeded Phil Simmons as head coach two years ago after the former was sacked by West Indies administrators over “differences in culture and strategic approach”. Simmons led the team to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in India in 2016, and prior to that he played a key role in Ireland’s rise as a nonTest-playing nation. However, clashes with Windies bosses over selection, as well as his views challenging the Board, resulted in his demise after 18 months on the job. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Law noted that one of his challenges was effecting a cultural change within the team. “It was quite evident that there was a cultural change that needed to take place. The hardest thing to change is culture,” the Aus-

tralian pointed out. “In my first couple of months in charge, you could realise that the players aren’t fit. Niggling injuries were preventing players from performing at their very best on the ground. Our work ethic probably wasn’t where we needed it to be. That was the first change: to try and get the mindset around that.” Law said he prioritised discipline and stressed the importance of communication. “From the outset I said, I want to see us as a family, and in a family, if someone’s not doing what they should be doing, they should get told,” he explained. “An open, honest conversation is not to hurt; it’s to help you get better. That’s the first thing I tried to instil – the family aspect to it. From there, it was just installing a little bit of discipline here and there. I didn’t want to go in and change ten things in the first week, but one thing in ten weeks. “Then add another thing.

And then all of a sudden, one thing leads to three and another in the next week.” He continued: “For me, it was to find something that’s working. The first step was try to get the boys fitter and stronger; to cope with the amount of cricket that they’re playing; then try and install that underneath the (international) level, so when they come up to us, they’re already fit and strong, so that they’re not doing their fitness and strength work on the road while playing cricket.” Law acknowledged that the foundation in the Caribbean needed to be laid at the junior level. However, some schools have stopped their cricket programmes as they prioritise education over sport. Nevertheless he remained hopeful. “If they can still instil the love of it back in the juniors and the young kids, it would help. There has to be a system in place,” he said. “It would be nice to get an academy up and running, whichever island it’s on. An

academy where young players of note can come and do a three-month programme for fitness and strength, first and foremost, rather than cricket skill. “They’ve all got cricket skill. They’re natural athletes. But to get the functional strength and anaerobic capacity is what made the great West Indian team stand out from the rest. They were fitter than everyone else. Now the rest of the world has caught up and gone past. Now everyone knows that if you’re not fit, you’re not going to play.” At the time of his appointment Law was given a mandate to improve the results of the West Indies, but he endured a difficult period with the team. He won only six of his Tests in charge, and picked up series wins against minnows Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the six tours he has overseen. Law will take up the new post of head coach at Middlesex CCC in the New Year.

Sinclair’s century leads RHT Gizmos South Africa call on uncapped and Gadgets to Pepsi 50-over title batsman Hamza for Pakistan series

The RHT Gizmos and Gadgets team celebrate their 50-over Pepsi title.

A CENTURY from Kevin Sinclair propelled the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos and Gadgets to a crushing 202-run win over Young Warriors in the final of the Pepsi 50over tournament over the weekend. The 21st successful cricket tournament completed by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) was played in front of a sizeable crowd under lights at the Albion Community Centre ground. RHT Gizmos and Gadgets stormed to 318 all out in their allotted overs with Sinclair hitting 130 (16x4,

2x6). Support came from Kevlon Anderson with 76 (5x4) and Clinton Pestano with 59 (5x4, 5x6). Young Warriors in reply were routed for 116 in 38 overs after captain Shawn Pereira, Anderson and Eon Hooper combined for seven wickets. Pereira took 3-26, while Anderson grabbed 2-5 and Hooper 2-16. Linden Austin led Young Warriors with 24.runs. BCB president Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony expressed gratitude to DDL and Pepsi for their investment into Berbice cricket.

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) South Africa have named uncapped middle-order batsman Zubayr Hamza and fast bowler Duanne Olivier in their squad for the three-Test home series against Pakistan starting in Pretoria on Boxing Day. Cape Town-born Hamza, 23, averages almost 50 in first class cricket but has had a modest domestic season to date with two fifties in nine innings and an average of a little over 31. The right-hander, who bats at number three for his provincial Cape Cobras side, has been rewarded for his excellent form over the last 18 months though and his potential as a future regular in the team.

“Zubayr has been one of the standout cricketers in domestic cricket over the past year and carried that form into the South Africa A tour to India where he averaged over 50 in the four-day series against tough opposition and under tough conditions,” Cricket South Africa national selection panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi said in a media statement on Thursday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday December 6, 2018)

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) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Dublin, Ireland, 1999 Brian Lara & Aminul Islam

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: How many ODIs have been contested between the WI & Bangladesh to date? What is the scorecard? Where have these matches been contested?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis

“Before that, he had an outstanding season in the four-day franchise competition where he scored 823 runs, including three centuries, at the impressive average of 69. “His selection is part of our vision for the future as we start to feed new players into the system. It is inevitable that some of our senior players will start thinking of retiring in years to come and it is vital that we have

a good succession plan in place.” South Africa have also recalled Olivier as a replacement for the injured Lungi Ngidi, who will miss the entire Pakistan tour that also includes five OneDay Internationals and three Twenty20 fixtures. The Proteas have retained experienced batsman Hashim Amla despite a poor run of form that has seen him top-score with 31 in his last nine test innings and continually fail in domestic cricket, with the selection of Hamza possibly much to do with Amla’s struggles. Fast bowler Dale Steyn will hope to get the one wicket he needs to pass Shaun Pollock as the country’s highest test wicket-taker and has been in excellent bowling form in domestic cricket. The second Test will be played in Cape Town from Jan 3-7, with the series finale in Johannesburg from Jan 11-15. SQUAD: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 7, 2018

The winners at the 2018 DCC Awards ceremony.

Van Lange, Singh, Beaton, Nedd and Barnwell cop DCC Player-of-the-Year Awards JONATHAN Van Lange, Sachin Singh, Nkosi Beaton, Ashmead Nedd and Christopher Barnwell received the Clive Lloyd Player-of-the-Year Awards at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Awards ceremony which was held on Wednesday night at the historic Queenstown club. Van Lange, who is away on table tennis duties, won for both U-13 and U-15 divisions, while Singh won the U-17 division, Beaton the U-19 division, Nedd the second division and Barnwell for the first division. Barnwell, who is away on national duties with the fourday cricket team, was well represented by his wife Dionne Cush-Barnwell. Dozens of trophies were presented to the club members for their outstanding performances on and off the field.

POSITIVE MESSAGE

Prior to the presentation of prizes, Dr Vincent Adams, in his feature address, imparted his knowledge and experience to the gathering, including a number of young cricketers. The former national cricketer, who is now head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related his life experiences and challenged the young cricketers to have an alternative to cricket. He reminded them that they must always be prepared for the challenges of life and that they should learn from every experience. The energy expert and scientist implored the young cricketers to stay humble and pointed to the importance of sports in his overall development. He declared

Aubrey Bishop Award, for being the club’s top CSEC student of 2018, while fast bowler Qumar Torrington took the Frederick Wills Award for his outstanding achievements at CAPE. Second Division captain Lyndon Lyght was the recipient of the William Whyte Award for his sterling contribution and leadership of his squad.

Gibbs Award for outstanding bowling performances. Beaton also captured the Garvin Nedd’s most improved Youth player Award, while Garrick Persaud was voted as the most improved wicketkeeper and he got the Derwin Christian Award (which was sponsored by Rawle Blyden). Mahiem Khan (junior) and

Dionne Cush-Barnwell receives three of Christopher Barnwell’s many awards from Dr Vincent Adams. that no child should be denied access to education and sport. Dr Adams, who has a PhD in Environmental Engineering, also challenged them to keep learning and highlighted the importance of education and humility. The 106-year-old club, which is currently the most dominant in the Georgetown Cricket Association, had several victories this year and Chairman of the Cricket Committee Mark Harper highlighted all with pride. He pointed out that this year the Awards focused on outstanding cricketers who would have represented the club, among them was current president Roger Harper.

The former West Indies great told the youngsters who missed out to keep striving. “Tonight I say to the other players who missed out, don’t just say I wish it was me, set your goals and work towards them. Nothing is accomplished without hard work.”

EDUCATION AWARDS

Shalom Ault received the Dr Vincent Adams Award for being the club’s top Grade Six student for the year. He also copped a special award from the new partner of the DCC - the International SOS. Beaton also collected a special award from SOS - the Justice

Three of the five cricketers-of-the-year from left: Sachin Singh, Ashmead Nedd and Nkosi Beaton. Van Lange (U-13), Jaden Campbell (U-15), Singh (U-17 and second division), Beaton (U19) and Barnwell (first division) all received the Roy Fredericks Award for outstanding batting performances during the year. Romeo Deonarine (U-13), Gustavo Hutson (U-15), Daniel Mootoo (U-17), Torrington (U-19), Xaviee Smith (second-division) and Totaram Bishun (first-division) were all presented with the Lance

Trevon Griffith (senior) received the Roger Harper’s Best Fielder Award, while Singh, Raymond Perez (twice), Alphius Bookie, Beaton, Griffith, Joshua Persaud and Barnwell (thrice) copped the Keith Semple Award for centuries scored in 2018. Smith (twice), Nedd (thrice), Carlton Jacques, Mootoo, Hutson, Barnwell and Bishun were all rewarded with the Carlyle Miller Award for five-wicket

hauls. Barnwell and Nedd gained two additional awards - the Andrew Lyght Sr Award for the most centuries (sponsored by the Brown family) and the Philbert Blair Award for the most five-wicket hauls in 2018 (sponsored by former Guyana and WI A team fast bowler, Leslyn Lambert, now of the USA) Singh, who was outstanding in both the U-19 and U-17 divisions, was worthy of the Mark Harper Award for being the most outstanding Youth player for Guyana, from the DCC, while national all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford collected the Linden Joseph Award for being the most outstanding senior player for Guyana in 2018. Nedd, West Indies player Keemo Paul (twice) and Rutherford were awarded the Berkeley Gaskin Award for five-wicket hauls for Guyana. Paul, who is on duties overseas, and Rutherford also added the Robert Christiani Award for first class/list A centuries in 2018. Garvin Nedd received the Colin Wiltshire Award for his outstanding performance and success as Club coach in 2018, while the MP Fernandes Award for leadership and discipline went to Lawrence Smith. Rawle Rodney collected the Lennox Hunte Memorial Award for being the DCC Club memberof-the-year, while Dennis Squires received the Executive-of-the-Year Award for his hard work and dedication to the club. Perez was the recipient of the Travis Dowlin Award for the Most Impacting Performanceof-the-Year (32 runs in the final over in the T20 semi-finals).

Yasir Shah fastest to 200 Test wickets, breaks 82-year-old record ON the fourth morning of the final Test in Abu Dhabi against New Zealand, Yasir Shah did not merely break an 82-year-old record, he smashed it. By dismissing William Somerville roughly half-anhour into the morning, he picked up his 200th Test wicket in just his 33rd Test. That breaks the record for the fastest to 200 Test wickets, so long held by another leg-spinner, Clarrie Grimmett who reached the mark in his 36th Test. The wicket came in trade-

mark Yasir style, the key to it - the pace at which it was bowled, breaking a little but hurrying onto Somerville’s pads. The batsmen had a discussion, but ultimately decided not to take a review. By then Yasir had already been engulfed by his team-mates, performing the sajda in the process of acknowledging the landmark. As has been the case with so many of Pakistan’s greatest moments in the UAE, barely a handful of people were present at the ground to witness it.

Given his form in this series it was inevitable Yasir would break the record at some point during the Test. And on the first day it looked as if he would have it wrapped by the afternoon. He took three quick wickets in the hour before lunch, as New Zealand slipped from 70 for 1 to 72 for 4. But he was to pick up no more in that innings, Bilal Asif instead ending up with a five-for. Already his 27th wicket of the series, with more batsmen to come, he could also break another Pakistan

record for most wickets in a three-Test series. That

Yasir Shah

has been held by another leg-spinner Abdul Qadir who took 30 wickets against England in 1987-88. This series has been an especially rich one for Yasir, and a welcome return to the wickets after an unusually quiet start to the season. Returning from a hip injury that forced him to miss the tour of Ireland and England earlier this year, Yasir looked understandably rusty against Australia last month. A relatively small haul of eight wickets in two Tests included the first time he

had gone wicketless in an innings in the UAE. But he has looked like the old Yasir again at times in this series and indeed in the second Test in Dubai he bowled as good a spell as he has ever bowled. He ended with 14 wickets in the Test, only the second Pakistani to take as many, after Imran Khan. As well as being the quickest to 200, Yasir was the joint second-fastest to 100 Test wickets (in 17 Tests) and the fastest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets (in nine Tests). (ESPN Cricinfo)

Barbados gives ‘hope’ to Guyana Gold Cup dreams

CONCACAF deems Hope, Pearce ineligible; awards game to Guyana By Rawle Toney IN a ruling by CONCACAF that could hear Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ roar at the 2019 Gold Cup, Barbados will have to forfeit their Nations League qualifying tournament win over Guyana for fielding Hallam Hope and Krystian Pearce. Barbados and Guyana played to a 2-2 draw at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on September 6, with Hope netting both goals for the Bajans. However, it was later revealed that the Carlisle United and former Bury FC forward did not have the proper clearance from FIFA and the English FA to represent the Land of the Flying Fish. In a release yesterday, the Confederation of North, Cen-

National Sports Policy a ‘priority’ in 2019 - Minister Norton

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tral America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced its Disciplinary Committee has decided to sanction the Barbados Football Association, by declaring as a forfeit the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying match played against Guyana, on September 6, 2018. According to CONCACAF, “after due examination of the evidence, the Committee determined that the Barbados Football Association infringed the applicable articles of the Tournament Regulations and the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes, in relation to the eligibility of players to play for representative teams by fielding ineligible players Hallam Hope and Krystian Pearce.” In accordance with Articles 55 and 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Barbados Football Association is considered to have lost the match against Guyana by a score of 3-0.

Hallam Hope

The result of the match played against El Salvador on October 13, 2018 is upheld in accordance with Article 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, with a score of 3-0 in favour of El Salvador.” Curacao (1), Haiti (2), Cuba (3), Canada (4), Jamaica (5) and Martinique (6) are the top six teams in the tournament, having picked up full points from their three matches. Bermuda (7), St Kitts and

Nevis (8), Dominican Republic (9) and Nicaragua (10) are the other teams in the top 10; all having six points, picking up one loss from three games. Guyana are positioned behind French Guiana (11), their next opponents Belize (12), El Salvador (13) and Montserrat (14) who are all on six points. Guyana will play Belize at home next March. A win will more than likely cement their place in the CONCACAF GOLD CUP.

WICB-PCL Four-Day

Singh, Pestano put Jaguars in control against Volcanoes on Day 1 Page

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton

Vishaul Singh top-scored for the Jaguars with 74.

Van Lange, Singh, Beaton, Nedd and Barnwell cop DCC Player-of-the-Year Awards » 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

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2018