Guyana Chronicle E-paper 12-21-2018

FRIDAY 21th DECEMBER, 2018

No.105495

Welcome to Guyana!

Staff of the Guyana Tourism Authority on Thursday welcome hundreds of visitors and Guyanese returning for the holidays at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The passengers were treated with black cake and steel pan music (DPI photo)

‘Worthy investment’

…Guyana spent US$3.7M so far in legal fees for border case

Guyana economy to grow by 4.6%

Gov’t ready to crush no-confidence motion PAGE

…ECLAC says amid uncertain international climate PAGE

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…pegs overall growth for Caribbean at 1.7%

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–– Prime Minister Nagamootoo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

UG Council makes headway on salary imposition

THE University of Guyana (UG) Council has made some progress on deliberations regarding the recent contention on salary increases allotted to the institution’s staff and the manner by which these were given. On Thursday, the Council concluded a meeting on the matter, but the outcome has not been disclosed. In November 2018, the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) in a release to the media, had

described the situation as a “crisis” waiting to happen. Their discomfort was in relation to the university’s administration “imposed increases” of three per cent for all eligible UA (Academic) staff and four per cent for all eligible UB (Support) staff who were set to be paid by Thursday, for the Christmas break. The unions had contended that the decision is a violation of labour principles for the awarding of salary increases which ought to be negotiated and not imposed. Furthermore, they stated

that since January 2018, they had made several attempts to prioritise the discussion of wages and salaries for staff for 2018 with the administration to no avail. In responding to the announced increases, the unions also made known their disappointment that the Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC) of the university had given its stamp of approval to the decision. In a letter to the media, they vowed to fight the “deeply disrespectful” actions.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, UGSSA President, Dr. Jewel Thomas said while she cannot yet reveal the meeting’s conclusions, she is personally pleased by the manner in which deliberations are now being held. “The decisions that Council made today are ‘embargoed’ until the new year because Council would like to see the written documentation so that all parties can agree on what is the outcome. We have to wait until [this is done] so that there’s no opportunity for interpretation, so that the words that are written there are the ones that we agree upon,” she said. Dr Thomas added: “From my personal perspective, I am contented with the deliberations. But, I am waiting to see the written documentation of the meeting before I say definitively that we will accept totally what has occurred, but the manner of the discussion I am contented with how that went,” she said. The UGSSA President said that some of the executives on the Council who were absent are also to be brought up to speed on matters deliberated before the

conclusion is made public. Prior to Thursday’s meeting, another was also held on Tuesday to discuss a similar but separate matter. “It was two separate but related issues. One of our contentions was that an increase should not have been imposed but it should be negotiated with the union. So, essentially, the matter should not have been brought before F&GTC in the first place, at least not without first engaging and consulting the unions and seeing if we would have a discussion with the administration about it, but instead, it was brought directly to the F&GTC, that was the first issue of discussion,” she said. The second issue dealt with the amount of money offered to workers which Dr. Thomas said would see deliberation continuing into 2019. “[Regarding] the amounts offered, the way in which the eventual decision of F&GTC was worded does allow for there to be additional negotiations on the amounts offered and so... this is a separate issue in the sense that they have asked us to renegotiate further on 2018. So we hope to meet them early in the

New Year. We hope that there should be a meeting to discuss the outstanding matters for 2018 early in the New Year,” she stated.

Water Street extended The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has announced that there is an extension to Water Street, in the city of Georgetown. An official gazette publication, dated November 30th 2018, states that the schedule of the Act amended by the addition of the list of public roads appearing under the “City of Georgetown” now allows for the road known as Water Street will commence from Battery Road where it intersects with Water Street and extend in a southerly direction to Princes Street for a distance of 1.5 miles or 2.4 km. The order was made by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, under whose portfolio, such orders can be made.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Guyana economy to grow by 4.6% in 2019

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…ECLAC says amid uncertain international climate …pegs overall growth for Caribbean at 1.7% The Guyana economy is projected to grow by some 4.6 per cent next year, according to a new report released on Thursday by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). During his recent budget speech Finance Minister, Winston Jordan announced that the economy is projected to grow by 3.4 per cent this year, a significant improvement on the 2.1 per cent it recorded last year. He told the House that the target for real growth in the economy for 2018 was 3.8 per cent, but at the end of the first quarter, the outlook for the year was revised to 3.4 per cent, given the lower-than-expected performance in gold and sugar. However, by the end of the first half of the year, economic activity had picked up in several other sectors, resulting in robust half-year growth of 4.5 per cent, and an upward revision of the projected annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent, for 2018. “I wish to report that the latest projection for real growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), for 2018, is 3.4 per cent, a significant improvement on the 2.1 per cent recorded in 2017,” Jordan told the House to loud thumping of the desks by government MPs. ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY Meanwhile, ECLAC in its economic outlook for the region said the year 2019 looks to be a period in which

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

global economic uncertainties, far from waning, will intensify and will arise from different fronts. This will have an impact on the growth of the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean, which, on average, are seen expanding 1.7 per cent, according to new projections released today by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The United Nations regional organisation unveiled its last economic report of the year, the Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2018, at a press conference led by its Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, in Santiago, Chile. According to the document, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean

Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena

will confront a complex global economic scenario in the coming years, in which less dynamic growth is expected, both for developed countries as well as emerging economies, along with increased volatility of international financial markets. On top of this, there is a structural weakening of international trade, aggravated by trade tensions between the United States and China. The economic growth projection for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2019 is 1.7 per cent, slightly below what ECLAC released last October (1.8 per cent), while the estimate for the current year (2018) was also trimmed to 1.2 per cent (from the 1.3 per cent forecast in October). The greatest risk to the region’s economic perfor-

mance in the run-up to 2019 continues to be an abrupt deterioration in the financial conditions for emerging economies, the report adds. During 2018, emerging markets, including Latin America, showed a significant reduction in external financing flows, while at the same time sovereign risk levels increased and their currencies depreciated against the dollar. The text indicates that new episodes of deterioration in future financial conditions cannot be discounted, and that the consequences for countries will depend on how exposed they are in terms of their external financing needs and profiles. “Public policies are needed to strengthen sources of growth and cope with the scenario of uncertainty at a

global level,” Alicia Bárcena indicated. “The active role of fiscal policy in the Region in terms of revenue and spending must be bolstered. In this sense, it is essential to reduce tax avoidance and evasion and illicit financial flows. At the same time, direct taxes and also health-related and ‘green’ taxes must be strengthened. In terms of expenditure, in order to stabilise and invigorate growth, public investment must be reoriented toward projects that have an impact on sustainable development, with emphasis on public-private partnerships and on productive reconversion, new technologies and ‘green’ investment. All of this while protecting social spending, above all in periods of economic deceleration, so that it is not affected by cutbacks,” the senior UN official added. Bárcena also warned that public debt profiles must be taken care of in light of the uncertainty that could increase their cost and levels. As in previous years, in its Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC projects a growth dynamic with varying intensities between countries and sub regions. This reflects not only the differentiated impacts of the international context on each economy, but also the dynamics of spending components – mainly consumption and investment – which have been following different patterns in economies of the north and of the

south. In this vein, it is forecast that Central America (excluding Mexico) will grow 3.3 per cent in 2019, South America 1.4 per cent and the Caribbean 2.1 per cent. On a country level, the Caribbean island of Dominica is seen leading regional growth with a 9.0 per cent expansion, followed by the Dominican Republic (5.7 per cent), Panama (5.6 per cent), Antigua and Barbuda (4.7 per cent) and Guyana (4.6 per cent). At the other extreme, Venezuela will suffer a -10 per cent contraction in its economy, Nicaragua -2.0 per cent and Argentina -1.8 per cent. The Region’s biggest economies, Brazil and Mexico, are seen growing 2.0 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively. In its stocktaking of the current year, 2018, ECLAC’s report indicates that economic growth was led by domestic demand. Fixed investment showed a dynamic of recovery, while private consumption remained the main source of growth, even though its growth rates moderated since the second quarter of 2018. In terms of fiscal policy, consolidation deepened in 2018 and the process of fiscal adjustment led to a reduction in the primary deficit (from 0.7 per cent of GDP in 2017 to 0.6 per cent of GDP in 2018), although this was accompanied by a small increase in public debt.

02:00am entertainment curfew relaxed

The Public Security Ministry has announced a temporary relaxation of enforcement of the 2:00 am business deadline for bars, night clubs and other places of entertainment. The ministry in a release said the move follows

requests from businesses, Guyanese back home for the holidays, the general public and even senior public officials seeking to fully enjoy the Christmas Season. “It is a time for celebration, and knowing the Guyanese spirit, the min-

istry is persuaded and sees the need for this relaxation. The period during which the deadline will not be in effect is from December 21st, 2018 to January 7th, 2019. As of January 8th, 2019, the aforementioned stipulated closing time will be back

on stream,” the ministry said. “It must be pointed out, however, that all other laws, especially those prohibiting drinking and driving and noise nuisance will be thoroughly enforced through more vehicular patrols and

policemen outside partying spots. Party goers are advised to get a designated driver and ensure noise levels at partying spots are not excessive. Everything in moderation is what is called for,” the ministry added. The ministry in the

statement also wished the citizens of Guyana Happy Holidays and urged that everyone be particularly safety-conscious during this busy season, especially on the roadways.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Heath, environment, intellectual property rights –– key focus of Guyana Mission in Geneva

PROGRAMMES tackling issues of health, the environment and intellectual property rights are key areas of focus of the Guyana Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Greenidge said the mission is working in partnership with key international organisations in the areas identified. He explained that through the Mission, his ministry sought assistance in strengthening the capacity of the Finance Ministry

to evaluate budgeting and planning decisions through a green economy lens. “The ministry intervened with the UNEP [United Nations Environment Programme] in early 2017 to this end and the latter undertook the modelling work,” he explained while disclosing that the ministry has received a Guyana Green Economy Modelling Study – Synthesis report. That report is currently being examined. Earlier this year, the Geneva office initiated discussions with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Atomic

Energy Agency (IAEA) on the desirability of the development of a “public health programme designed to reduce cancer incidence and mortality and improve quality of life of cancer patients”. It was explained that the report of the WHO/ IAEA team will be made available in 2019. Earlier this month, the team spent a week in Guyana producing a baseline study and recommendations for the way forward to effective cancer control interventions and investments. “In response to engaging with Nestlé at their headquarters in Switzerland, a mission of three Nestlé professionals was sent to Guyana. All indications point to a concrete national private sector, government

and international private sector collaboration being launched in 2019. We look forward to this,” the foreign affairs minister said. He added that subsequent to the accreditation of Guyana’s ambassador to Finland, the latter’s education ministry and the Geneva Mission initiated discussion about possible collaboration in education. A brief report on findings with some ideas will be shared with the education ministry here. The visit of the President of the Human Rights Council to Guyana and Guyana’s hosting of the workshop and events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights were a huge success, Minister Greenidge said.

“In the very important area of intellectual property rights, there is to be an important World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) programme of support for Guyana in 2019. This includes a National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS) preparation which will take approximately six months. The NIPS will provide a blueprint on how to move forward at the national level on intellectual property matters,” the foreign affairs minister further detailed. He noted that on the vexing question of copyright, WIPO has completed its review of Guyana’s draft copyright legislation and is proposing to review the country’s industrial property legislation. “WIPO will continue to work with the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MOIPA) on Geographic Indications (GIs) and Traditional Knowledge. I should add that at the

regional level, WIPO is also assisting CARICOM to develop a regional system for IP registration, in keeping with Article 66 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which provides for ‘the establishment of a regional administration for intellectual property rights, except copyright’.” “Patent protection is available in all member states of CARICOM. However, to obtain protection for a single invention across the whole of the community, applicants are required to satisfy the law and regulations of 14 different countries. In this regard, WIPO has submitted a draft convention which is being considered by the COTED,” he explained. The main role of that mission is to interface and participate in United Nations debates on emerging matters and represent the interests of Guyana as a small state.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Gov’t ready to crush no-confidence motion –– Prime Minister Nagamootoo

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo is confident that the motion of no-confidence which was brought against the government by the Parliamentary Opposition will be defeated. As he appeared on the National Communications Network programme, Budget in Focus Thursday night, the prime minister assured the nation that not only will the motion be defeated, but the Opposition may likely withdraw the motion altogether. “Not a scintilla of doubt! No government MP would vote for this motion… The motion will be defeated,” PM Nagamootoo remarked. The prime minister suggested that the reason for Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo wanting the motion deferred is so that it can be brought to the House at a time when President David Granger is in Cuba receiving medical treatment and the issue of the prime minister being in Parliament can be

raised again. However, Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that he is the Leader of the Government’s Business in the National Assembly and the Constitution could not have contemplated him being removed when acting as President. “The truth is they don’t want Old Naga in Parliament to speak to this motion,” he said. The prime minister emphatically stated that the government will not run away from a no-confidence motion, as it stands strong and prepared for any such matter. He also cautioned the Opposition, however, not to be carried away with the recently held Local Government Elections (LGE), as this is not a basis to call a no-confidence motion. Responding to the no-confidence motion in an earlier statement, the prime minister said the opposition was misguided.

“They believe the recent Local Government Elections has passed a judgement on the government, that it was some referendum on the government which is, of course, not only trying to falsify the notion of Local Government Elections but to use it in an opportunistic way to gain an advantage that it could, in fact, move a motion against the government.” The prime minister noted that the government has given the nation every reason to celebrate this season, but the Opposition is bent on hurting the people of Guyana. According to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and himself met with the Private Sector Commission after they raised concerns about possible major disruptions. “The government has done nothing to excite the public, or show that we intend to disturb the peace of the City. Instead, the Op-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

position cunningly set out to destabilise the Christmas and the country. And when this motion is defeated many will question the motive of

the Opposition Leader and his obsession with removing the government. This motion is stillborn doesn’t have the numbers.”

Residents of Amerindian Hostel feted The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs on Wednesday afternoon hosted a Christmas party and lunch for residents of the Amerindian Hostel, Princes Street. On hand was Ministerial Adviser Mervyn Williams, who presented toys to the children shortly before lunch was served. The facility housed 11 new-borns and many children, some of whom were feted on Wednesday at the annual Christmas party where 90 persons are currently housed. Lunch was ‘everything’ Christmas cuisine plus the traditional Amerindian dishes such as wild meat, cassava bread and sorrel. At the ceremony Williams spoke on behalf of Minister Sydney Allicock and highlighted the continuous development of the complex which was aided by government’s support for the past three years.

He related that there has been accelerated development at the Amerindian Hostel in which they now have a maternity area for expectant women which materialised as a result of a partnership between the government and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB). Presently, Williams said the facility has a 120-bed capacity which is insufficient for the people who pass through the complex, some of whom are sick, unemployed and pregnant from the farflung areas of Guyana. He added that construction works are in progress to increase the bed space to accommodate more people since the complex was built back in 1970s and overcrowding was not an issue back then. HINTERLAND DEVELOPMENT Williams told the Guyana

Chronicle that the government of today is committed to development as such, they will embark on the upgrading and construction of airstrips in the interior regions to facilitate hassle-free travel of people. He added that in the New Year they will acquire a new ferry to ply Morawhanna/Region 1 route and the Georgetown to Lethem road will be paved and they will construct a bridge at Kurupukari Crossing making Lethem and Bra-

zil more accessible by land. Williams pointed out that they continue to make strides as it relates to the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and a new dormitory will be constructed at Liliendaal to house students from far-fetched locations in the interior who are pursuing tertiary education. He noted that in accordance with President David Granger’s vision for an educated population which is youth driven in becoming a green state, Government is

pushing for the ‘good life’ for all Guyanese. Williams said the government is geared towards the development of its people and they will continue to enhance the lives of its citizens.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said he advised the PSC, as a responsible organisation, that it is their duty to request that the Opposition Leader withdraw the motion. He also opined that he would not be surprised if the PPP attempts to plant troublemakers to disrupt the Parliament today. However, he warned: “They should not try to gain a shortcut to power. Maybe the smell of oil is titillating the Opposition MPs to grab power by any means necessary.” The prime minister asserted, “The coalition still remains the majority in the House” and urged the citizens not to be scared away, to go shopping in town tomorrow and have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

The Opposition Leader

A no-confidence motion against the Coalition Government in the name of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be debated today in the National Assembly. Jagdeo has said that the motion is aimed at protecting Guyanese and Guyana from excessive borrowing, taxing and wasteful spending of the current administration. The Coalition has maintained that its “impressive track record” over the past three years makes the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government a force to reckon with even with. “The Coalition Government has restored Guyana’s credibility in the world, protected our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensured that there is an independent judiciary, an autonomous Parliament and other constitutional agencies such as GECOM, which are all guaranteed full financial independence,” it said in a statement on Tuesday night. At its Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Coalition Government re-affirmed its patriotic commitment to Guyana and strengthened its resolve to realise the good life for all. Much has been said about Jagdeo’s motive for bringing such a motion knowing full well his party does not have a majority in the National Assembly to pass it. Persons have commented on his lack of sensitivity to President David Granger’s illness and pointed to the fact that Jagdeo might be trying to capitalise on this. What we know

for sure is that ever since the defeat of the PPP/C at the 2015 General Elections, Jagdeo had been trying to make a comeback from his sordid years as leader of this nation. First, he wrested the general secretary position of his party from the veteran Clement Rohee, who, having withdrawn his candidature for the post, nominated Dr Frank Anthony who Jagdeo defeated by a mere 13 votes. While Jagdeo is no stranger to politics, his brand of politics disconcertingly reverberates. He continues to attract attention, given the conditions under which he ascends the political ladder. President Cheddi Jagan appointed him junior minister to then Minister of Finance Asgar Ally, whom he later fired and thereafter promoted Jagdeo, who Ally accused of undermining him. When in 1997 the PPP/C contested the elections an "A team" was put forward. The leaders of this team were prime ministerial candidate Samuel Hinds, presidential candidate Janet Jagan and Jagdeo. Though uncertain what role he would have taken, none doubted he was being positioned to play a significant part in the government. With the PPP/C’s victory, he began carving out a space, demonstrating the willingness to be a team player, providing he leads the team. This characteristic was seen throughout. From Minister of Finance to president, Jagdeo maintained control of the nation’s purse strings and expected unflinching compliance, be it administratively,

politically or socially. Reportedly, financial and economic decision-making, inclusive of public companies and corporations, were initiated and concluded by him. An instance that reverberated and which almost brought the economy to a halt was the 1999 public service strike. The strike escalated because, in addition to then Minister of Public Service George Fung-on saying not a cent more to public servants and refusing to meet with their unions, then Finance Minister Jagdeo advised the government to stick with Fung-on’s position. After more than 50 days of strike, workers shot by the Guyana Police Force, and billions of dollars lost in revenue, the government had to agree to arbitration to end the strike. It is a held view that, having caused the government and country this major setback, Jagdeo during his presidency, became more determined in his anti-union stance. The right to collective bargaining for public servants was denied and the arbitration award was never fully implemented. Trade unions can identity their unique experiences where, once his government had a say, how poorly they were treated. When in 1999 Mrs. Jagan resigned the presidency, Jagdeo’s ascendancy was described as musical chairs. In keeping with ascension, Hinds was expected to succeed Mrs. Jagan. Instead, he ascended to the presidency, making way for Jagdeo to ascend to the prime minister position. Thereafter, Hinds

stepped down to allow Jagdeo to be appointed president and he was re-appointed prime minister. That dubious ascension notwithstanding, given Jagdeo’s relative youth, influential voices asked that he be given the chance to govern. There was general expectation that having not experienced the 1960s racial upheavals, governance under him will see less conflicts and animosities. Yet it was during this period several instances of repressive governmental acts and actions were noted. There were heightened allegations, some not without justification, of racial tensions and conflicts, groups targeted for exclusion based on geography, political association, and identity. Imbalances in budgetary allocations and resources directed to or taken away from regions where the government under his leadership did not control, were noted. The narco-economy was allowed to flourish which Professor Clive Thomas noted represented a significant percentage of the economy. The criminalised state was also coined because, in addition to the narco-economy, corruption was pervasive. Transparency International ranked Guyana the most corrupt Caribbean English speaking country, a shame and stigma that require much work to remove. During this period when hundreds of dead bodies were turning up all over the place, Dr. Roger Luncheon famously described the carnage as being

done by phantom squads. Later, it was learnt the government’s hands were bloody. Dissent and alternative views were not treated as a right or opportunity to engage or review. There exist several anecdotes. Notably among them is Mrs. Jagan who was publicly demeaned for disagreeing with Jagdeo’s policy of withdrawing government advertisements from Stabroek News for its reportage. President Jagdeo assented to the bill that allows a person not more than two consecutive terms to be president. On demitting office, he began putting a process in place to create a framework to see his return as president, though throughout Donald Ramotar’s presidency, he reiterated his non-intention of holding constitutional office again. The 2015 elections proved otherwise. Jagdeo not only appeared on the List of Representatives, but successfully manipulated the system and became Leader of the Opposition. Despite losing his third term bid and being a lame duck leader, Jagdeo has insisted that he must choose the next presidential candidate for his party. With his position as General Secretary, the most powerful office in the country’s oldest political party, there is need to begin frank and honest national discussions about Jagdeo’s politics which continues to reverberate.

Ganja: race, politics and legalisation Dear Editor THE issue of legalisation of ganja has become a popular issue in the global discourse on drugs since the pioneering role of countries such as Uruguay and Canada led the way regarding the legalisation of ganja for medicinal and recreational purposes. However, the road to legalisation is not as easy for everyone. The struggle for legalisation has to do with more than ganja. It has to do also with racial and social and political struggles. The approaches to legalisation activities must be grounded in this framework. This article embraces and firmly supports the calls for reform of the Single Convention Treaty on Dangerous Drugs, with emphasis

on removing cannabis from schedules I and IV, thereby legalising cannabis. It calls for reform to the 1961 Single Convention in terms of cannabis scheduling, thereby making cannabis legal. While some countries can withdraw from the international treaties, others will have to creatively operate within the international treaties and lobby with “like-minded” nation states to reform the international treaties. This is a call for a Caribbean collaboration and consensus; and also for the active role of the region in international bodies such as the commonwealth and the United Nations. There is also the need for increasing [the] role of civil society groups to provide the leadership aimed at strengthening [the] position

of the governments of the region as well as have cross-regional exchanges on ganja and international relations. This struggle for legalisation must be taken beyond the boundary of ganja. There is also the opinion that the international regime for the control of psychoactive substances is defined beyond any moral qualities; it is characterised by racism and imperialism. In late 1896, the Christian missionaries working among Indian labourers began to ask questions about ganja smoking in Jamaica. In February 1898, the Synod of the Presbyterian Church petitioned the Legislative Council “on the evil use of ganja among the East Indians in the island”. The Daily Gleaner Editorial, “Ganja Smoking as a Danger to the Natives of

the Colony” (June 10, 1913) was an early “treatise” on weed smoking in Jamaica. According to the white elites in Jamaica, it was in the characteristics of the Indian to become passive when they smoke ganja. The view was expressed that the practice of widespread use of the weed among the black majority was a dangerous mix, because when black people smoke the weed they express themselves in terms of violence. At the very early International Opium Commission meeting convened on 26 February, 1909 in Shanghai that represented one of the first steps toward international drug prohibition, Dr. Hamilton Wright and Episcopal Bishop Charles Henry Brent headed the U.S. delegation. According to the notes,

the first US Drug Czar, Dr. Hamilton Wright (appointed by Theodore Roosevelt), was a fanatic racist. He believed that "drugs made blacks uncontrollable, gave them superhuman powers, and prompted them to rebel against white authority". The views of that meeting had influence on the 1913 and 1924 Opium Treaties. The mention of cannabis to the 1924 Geneva Convention by the delegates from South Africa “took some of the delegates by surprise”. South Africa has already banned the cultivation, sale, possession and use of cannabis in 1922 from the perspective that cannabis was “a dangerous habit-forming drug”. There is the view that the perspectives of the South Africans were grounded in fear because of the smoking

of marijuana among the black Africa liberation fighters. There were cases of racism [at] an anti-drug crusade in Canada in the 1920s and later in the United States in the 1930s. During the campaign 1923 drug law in Canada, Emily Murphy, a magistrate from Alberta, [in] her book, The Black Candle, directed explosive outrages against the Negro drug dealers and Chinese opium peddlers; that these two races with opium and marijuana were political conspiracies aimed “to debase the white race”. Harry J. Anslinger, American Drug Czar during the 1930s, publicity exposed the alleged relationship between marijuana smoking and crime; his anti-marijuana propaganda was TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

There should be a debate on Jagdeo’s record Dear Editor, ONCE again Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo proceeds to engage Parliament in a debate of a no-confidence motion against the APNU+AFC government. He should take up the challenge to debate his record. During the 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign, I called on then private citizen Bharrat Jagdeo, who was calling on then Leader of the Opposition David Granger to debate him, to debate me. I made this call because Mr. Jagdeo likes to think he can debate others’ performance but doesn’t like his performance as Minister of Finance, President or Leader of the Opposition to be debated. Observe how flustered and angry he gets when the media ask questions about his record. Leader of the Opposition Jagdeo has no moral authority,[ is] in no position to claim or debate a no- confidence motion in any government other than his. As President, his record is that of an abysmal failure and embarrassment to Guyana and Guyanese. Before he can debate the three-yearold APNU+AFC government, he must first debate his twelve-year record as president (1999-2011), a record characterised by incompetence, evidence of greed, FROM PAGE

crime, narco-militarisation, marginalisation, racial discrimination, ethnic tension, strife, shame and disgrace on the presidency, intolerance of dissent, disrespect for our seniors, death squads, abuse of a woman who he presented as a legal wife which was later denied by her. Let there be a debate of the bloodiest period of our independence which was during his leadership. This must include the unsolved murders of Crum Ewing, Ronald Waddell, his Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh and the hundreds of others; the violation of laws and citizens’ rights; budgetary discrimination; numerous scams; association with nefarious characters; massacres; torture of children; hundreds of deaths that include citizens and members of the business community; the infamous Shaheed Roger Khan; the white elephant Skeldon Factory; the Amaila Falls scam; textbook, law book and milk powder scams; the floating wharves; attack on press freedom; Pradoville I and II; a failing healthcare system that he felt safer travelling to Florida to treat his stomach pain at taxpayers’ expense. Mr. Jagdeo, let us have a debate on your record before debating the coalition’s record. The jury is still out on yours. Furthermore, the list

is so long it will require more than one sitting of Parliament to debate. He should debate the employment record during his time. Guyanese need him to answer why youth unemployment was the highest under his presidency. He talks often about sugar workers being retrenched by the APNU+AFC, but he does not talk about his government retrenching them too or about the thousands of workers retrenched in the public service and bauxite. Let there be a debate on his record. Let there be a debate of him as a role model and young leader, and the example he set. In 1999, Mr. Jagdeo ascended to the presidency through the anointment of Mrs. Janet Jagan who stepped down from the position. Under his era, Guyana and Guyanese suffered immensely. He governed with a thick, ugly, dark cloud of fear always hanging over. He wants to keep our mood dark by continuing his fear tactics as Leader of the Opposition. Let there be a debate on his statesmanship or lack thereof. There should be a debate on his dictatorial tendencies and what late president and [former] leader of the opposition, Desmond Hoyte, called executive lawlessness. Let Mr. Jagdeo debate giving away our wealth to foreigners like Bai Shan Lin and others. During his

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Ganja: race, ... reinforced by reports from the federal police that 50% of crimes committed in the districts occupied by immigrants from Mexico, Spain, Latin America, Greece and Negroes may be traced “to the evils of marijuana smoking”. In his hallmark testimony to the American House of Congress in April, 1937, Harry J. Anslinger declared that “most marijuana smokers are Negroes, Hispanics, jazz musicians and entertainers, and that the “satanic” music is driven ‘marijuana smoking”, and that white women were duped into sex by these marijuana-smoking black musicians. The imperialistic quality of the current drug treaties is reflected in the geopolitics of North-South political relations in the 20th century. The strictest controls id the treaties were placed on organic substances — the coca bush, the poppy and the cannabis plant — which often form part of the ancestral traditions of the countries where these plants originate; whereas the North's cultural products, tobacco and alcohol,

were ignored and the synthetic substances produced by the North's pharmaceutical industry subject to regulation rather than prohibition. The international conventions constitute a “twotiered system that regulates synthetic drugs and prohibits the organic substances produced by the South”. They force developing countries to abolish all non-medical and non-scientific uses of the plants that for centuries had been embedded in historical, social, cultural, and religious traditions. “The treaties were negotiated and adopted in an era when both illicit market and understanding of its operation bore little resemblance to those of today”. However, there is “growing and much-needed attention being devoted to the legal technicalities of treaty revisions”. There is, of course, widespread activities in decriminalisation and legalisation in North America, South and Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. It is against this background that I call for a resurrection of the activist role of

Caribbean countries in both the Commonwealth and the United Nations during the 1970s, especially in the era of its role and activities for the liberation of Southern Africa. In today’s world, countries of the Commonwealth, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica, among others, made major strides in new regimes for ganja. There has been increasing progression in England for change in the drug law, especially for medical marijuana. For example, the pioneering work of GW pharmaceutical makes that country a leader in the export of legal (medical) marijuana products. The struggle for legalisation ought to be considered as a continuation of our struggles against racism and the deliberate strategies of the West aimed at fostering a setting characterised by self-hate, inferiority complex, dependency and persistent underdevelopment. Regards Louis EA Moyston, PhD

presidency, the get-rich syndrome was pursued by any means necessary and Transparency International ranked Guyana the most corrupt English-speaking country this side of the equator. Let Parliament first debate Mr. Jagdeo’s record, temperament and lust for power. The obsession with power that saw backdoor dealings to have a third term. Thanks to the Caribbean Court of Justice, this will not happen. In 2011, he told Guyanese that he was finished with political office but came back in 2015 and knocked former president Donald Romatar clean out. The Leader of the Opposition has asked Members of Parliament on the government side to vote their conscience. I’m asking Members on the Opposition side

to vote their conscience. A clear conscience knows that the APNU+AFC was elected by the people for a five-year term and willy-nilly excuses to prematurely end the term are unacceptable. My experience as a former Member of Parliament knows every government can be answerable through the various parliamentary committees. Ministers of government, department heads, and any who the committee thinks can aid the information it needs can be required to provide it. The Opposition knows this too and many of the crucial committees are headed by their members. The PPP/C is abusing the no-confidence motion. This is another attempt to want to remove the coalition through the backdoor. First, it was non-stop

chanting to de-legitimise the government with wild accusation that the 2015 elections were rigged and saying former GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally must go. The list goes on and on and on. The PPP/C feels they alone have the right to govern and no one else. When things do not go in their favour they will use ever pretext to cry foul and destabilise. Though Mr. Jagdeo is always running away from debating his record, the fact that the PPP/C lost in 2011 and 2015 shows that Guyanese have placed no confidence in him. Regards Ms. Vanessa Kissoon Former Member of Parliament Region 10 Representative

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

NGO fetes Wakenaam children

Children sharing smiles and laughter with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

OVER 350 children had an early visit from Santa Claus this year as the Give Another Chance Foundation held its fourth annual “Christmas Ray of Hope” event in Wakenaam on Sunday. According to the foundation, the children had an

interaction with Mr. and Mrs. Claus after the lighting of a 40ft Christmas tree. The children received gifts and were also entertained by renowned local comedian, Granny Ivelaw. “The foundation would like to express their heartfelt

thanks to their Wakenaam supporters, especially Mikey Speedboat Service and Dara Amin for playing their part in making this event a possibility,” said the Foundation. The Foundation intends on taking the joy to Georgetown on December 22, 2018 at the

Hope for Rusal workers

–– as US sanctions head towards resolution THE Government of Guyana and the Natural Resources Ministry are cautiously optimistic, and happy, with this recent development of the matter of the US Government sanctions instituted against Rusal, heading towards resolution. In a statement, the ministry said the move will ensure jobs of the local workforce are not in jeopardy. The ministry has been monitoring this unfolding saga for several months, and making necessary interventions, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has provided quiet diplomatic support, and is pleased that following a series of extensions that led to the postponement of the enforcement of the sanctions, a permanent and favourable resolution is in sight. As the ministry continues to ensure that bauxite is mined and shipped to the benefit of workers and their families, and by extension,

the national economy, the ministry reinforces the fact that the Ministry of Social Protection, charged by the President, and directed by the Cabinet, will be responsible for addressing the ongoing, and future, labour issues and guard workers’ rights. Rusal owns 90 per cent of the Aroaima, Berbice-based Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI). It employs over 500 persons at its operations on the Berbice River between Kwakwani and Linden with the majority being Guyanese. These workers have continuously expressed their concern about the impact of these sanctions on the company and them. In a statement from the company on Thursday, it maintained that it “will do everything necessary to return the company to regular working conditions”. In April 2018, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on billionaire Rusal majority shareholder, Oleg

Deripaska, aluminum giant United Co. Rusal, and other companies he owns shares, citing “malign activities”. This has since promoted turmoil in global aluminum markets, seeing prices elevating to as much as 20 per cent. The agreement reached by the parties outline that sanctions on the company would only be lifted if Deripaska would significantly lower his stake in the company, which, it is reported, has been agreed. According to official reports, the US Treasury Department believes that companies in which Deripaska owns shares, have committed to significantly diminish ownership and sever his control, hence their move to remove financial restrictions on Rusal and other groups in which he owns majority shares. The companies will be subject to ongoing compliance and will face severe consequences if they fail to comply. The move is set to take effect in 30 days.

Persons gathered to witness the lighting of the massive Christmas tree at Wakenaam

National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown from 13:00hrs. According to a Stabroek News report, the Foundation’s acting President Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, had explained that the NGO was established by Miranda Thakurdin, who

came from less fortunate circumstances herself, and with several other likeminded individuals, sought to offer assistance to needy persons as a means of improving their lives. The report stated that since its establishment, the GACF has spent the first five years

actively catering to the needs of underprivileged children in Wakenaam. Roberts had said a lot of emphasis had been placed on education and working with children from as young as two years old to university-aged young adults.

Remanded for almost killing undercover cop –– during course of a robbery A 21-year-old was on Thursday remanded to prison for stabbing an undercover detective during the course of a robbery at Aces Club on Second Street, Alberttown. Keston Duke, of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the two charges when they were read to him. Particulars of the charges allege that on December 15, 2018 at Lot 92 Second Street, Alberttown, Duke, while being in the company of another, robbed Julius Bowlin of a gold chain worth $21,000, and a pistol with six rounds of ammunition valued $125,000 in toto, property of the Guyana Police Force. He was also charged for unlawfully wounding Bowlin during the commission of the robbery. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Mansfield

REMANDED: Keston Duke

strongly opposed Duke’s being granted bail on the grounds that there’s enough CCTV evidence to nail him, and that his victim was not yet out of danger. Duke reportedly dealt Bowlin several stabs before relieving him of the articles

mentioned in the charge. Mansfield told the court that a day later, the police received an anonymous call telling them where to go to find the stolen firearm. Duke is to return to court on January 4, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

LTI graduates seeking self-employment

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… following decline in bauxite production

EVERY year, the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) graduates over 150 students. This year, 164 graduated. Only a handful of these are employed at the bauxite company in Linden, which is a significant change to what obtained in previous years when almost all of the students were guaranteed employment at the company. In fact, the school initially served as an institution to provide the theoretical aspect of vocational skills needed in the industry, after which the students learnt the practical aspect at the company and then they automatically became employees. Today, the narrative has changed. In 1958, the first intake at the DEMBA Training Centre (which it was previously called) was a small batch of 12 students. Those students all sought employment at DEMBA. Presently, Bosai Minerals Group Guyana has over 600

employees and there is an active apprenticeship programme which sees a small batch of students from the LTI being enrolled and if successful, become employed at the company. The rest, however, seek employment at other expatriate companies in the interior locations or become another statistic in Linden’s high unemployment rate. Many students are finding innovative ways of self-employment and have testified that while their initial goal was to be employed in the bauxite industry, they do not regret not being called after an interview since being their own boss is way better. One of these is Rawle Hinds. He completed his courses in Internal Combustion Engine and Motor Vehicle Works in 2012. He was placed at a mechanic and body-workshop as an apprentice but was eventually laid off. Deciding not to sit on his hands and become another

statistic, Hinds decided to use the training he received from the LTI to commence his own mechanic operation in his yard. This move attracted clients that he worked for before at his former place of employment, as well as new ones. He worked taxi with his car to supplement his income but said things are better now at the mechanic shop. He is hoping in the new year to establish a more permanent setting and have a registered business since it is presently in his yard at Lovers Lane, Amelia’s Ward. He has no regrets attending the LTI and is advising other youths, after completing high school, to do the same despite the employment situation in Linden being dismal. He related that it was constant playing of video games that made him develop a love for cars and engines and because he knew what he wanted from the get-go, he made the best use of his training at the LTI. “You just have

to know what you want to do and I would advise youths to attend the institution if they want to learn a trade because the theory is very important. The theory helped me a lot in my career, especially the exams, because when you actually come to do the work, it becomes easier,” he related. The young man believes that the LTI gives youths a chance to become something meaningful and more so, be their own boss, as he is. Another former student of the LTI is Steve Marks who completed welding and fabrication at the LTI and was also able to start up his own business with the training he received. He said that his skill is the only means of providing for his family and after completing about 8 months of an apprenticeship programme, he decided it was time to go on his own. “I decided that I want to go on my own, I decided that I can do this on my own, so I went on with a little saving

that I had and invested in my own welding machine and I started many projects because of the love I have for the work,” he related. Marks’ clientele soon grew and everyone was hiring him to fabricate portable shops, grills, centre-table designs etc. While he too was hoping to be employed at the bauxite company initially, he does not regret attending the LTI and learning a trade and is advising youths in Linden to put aside the negative and do the same as they too can become self- employed. “It was a great step for me and I would advise any young person in Linden to go to LTI and pursue a skill, as it is one of the best gifts one could get. Moreso, there are more companies and so coming to Guyana that need skills in the oil and gas industry and I would advise them to do something that you enjoy doing, choose a trade that you love because if you love it, you will take pride in what

you do.” Last week at the LTI’s graduation, guest speaker Pastor Selwyn Sills encouraged the graduates to also seek self-employment as this will assist in lowering Linden’s high unemployment rate. To be successful in doing so, however, he urged them to be more than vocationally skilled. The graduates were urged to seek out cognitive skills which include basic literacy and numeracy skills, socio-emotional skills which will enable them to develop interpersonal relationships in the workplace, technical skills which will make them marketable in the technical fields of the oil and gas industry, communication skills and most importantly financial skills which will enable them to stay and grow in the marketplace, thus keeping ahead of their competitors.

Bandits shoot, rob Laing Avenue children receive Industry businessman early Christmas surprise –– friend also hurt in the shooting

AN Industry businessman and his friend, a doctor, were shot and robbed outside his Industry Crown Dam, East Coast Demerara home around midday on Thursday. Dannyram Kissoon, who runs a body-work shop at his premises, had earlier gone to the bank and withdrawn a sum of money from a commercial bank on the East Coast, and had just returned home when the incident occurred. Seated in the front passenger seat of his motorcar at the time was his friend, who had gone with him to the bank. Reports are that when Kissoon arrived home, a silver-grey Premio motorcar pulled up alongside his, and two men, one of whom was carrying a gun, got out of the vehicle. The one with the gun reportedly demanded that Kissoon hand over all $450,000 he’d withdrawn from the bank. And just so Kissoon

would know that he meant business, the gunman reportedly discharged several rounds at the driver’s side of the car, hitting both victims, as his accomplice reached for the money. After the bandits had made good their escape and the coast was clear, neighbours rushed Kissoon and his friend to a city hospital. An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said she was sitting at home when

she saw Kissoon’s car pull up, with the silver-grey Premio right behind him. “I see when the person pulled up to the car, and I see the shooting at the passenger side,” the woman said, adding: “I start scream, and persons run out. When I see Kissoon, he had blood on his hands because he get shoot.” The police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Minister Lawrence presents gifts to these Laing Avenue children (DPI photo)

The car in which Dannyram Kissoon and his friend were when they were attacked by bandits

THE faces of Laing Avenue children lit up on Wednesday as Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence joined with constituency 13 councillor, Eketa Edwards, to distribute toys for Christmas. Beginning from the corners of Hunter Street and Laing Avenue in La Penitence, Georgetown, the minister and her team engaged approxi-

mately 150 children who came out to meet them and receive a free gift. The minister said the exercise is just the beginning of her gift-distribution exercise as she plans to visit other communities to spread the Christmas cheer. The children were happy to share with the Department of Public Information (DPI)

how they felt about receiving the gifts. Romel Young said: “It has been a lot of fun just being out here and you see Minister Lawrence brought gifts and I thank her for bringing gifts for us and God will bless her more and I like my gift very much.” Kimani Pyle also expressed his appreciation: “I want to thank Minister Lawrence, the ministry, and President Granger and I know that this gift will satisfy me.” “I love it because with this I can learn to be a doctor,” said elated Makaja Dennis. Excited to be a part of this initiative, Constituency 13’s councillor, Eketa Edwards, noted that the children of Laing Avenue clearly welcomed it. “I think it’s a really great opportunity for the kids because Christmas is really about the children and it’s really a great initiative for the minister to take time to come out and give back to the children,” Edwards said. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

418 graduate from CPCE

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has charged the 418 graduands of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to reach for the sky, as he delivered the main address of the college’s 84th graduation ceremony on Thursday. “You are graduating at a very exciting time when Guyana is transitioning into a higher society, so the opportunities for you will be greater. The horizon is unlimited for you, Cyril Potter was just the beginning,” Nagamootoo informed the teachers. He said a number of businesses are looking to come to Guyana to set up industries in part because of the looming oil and gas industry and in part because of the country’

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo delivering the feature address (Samuel Maughn photo)

A section of the 2018 CPCE graduating class at the National Cultural Centre

high literacy rate. “Guyana has 96.7 per cent literacy rate and that is what is attracting the world. This is where Guyana has poised itself into the future. You make a difference if you can produce a nation that is knowledge driven, everyone will come here to have outsourced institutions,” the prime minister said. Education Minister Nicolette Henry was unable to attend the ceremony; however, her speech was delivered on her behalf by National Centre for Educational Resources Development (NCERD) Director, Jennifer Cumberbatch. In the speech, Henry welcomed the graduates to the teaching profession. “It is heart-warming to witness the strengthening of the pillar of education and to welcome the new cohorts of teachers graduating from the Cyril Potter College of Education,” the speech read. With the government committed to changing the educational landscape of Guyana, Henry reminded that CPCE plays a fundamental part in that change. As such, over the past year, several measures have been put in place to improve the lives of the

students at CPCE. It was at last year’s graduation ceremony that it was revealed that resident and non-resident students of the institution received a 66 per cent and 52 per cent increase, respectively, in their stipend. Other meaningful improvements included increased supply of water to dormitories and the provision of meals to non-resident students. There was also the CPCE’s Student Development Centre’s implementation of the Pastoral Care Initiative as well as modernisation of the dormitories at the Turkeyen Campus. Additionally, there was the resuscitation of the Teachers’ Upgrading Programme in Region Eight, which commenced in February this year. Trainee teachers for the upgrading programme were drawn from 18 villages in Region Eight, Sub-Region One. This year’s best graduating student and recipient of the Presidential Award of Excellence, along with the Prime Minister’s Award was Annamarie Samaroo. She was presented with a plaque, a laptop, a certificate and a voucher.

Though this year’s batch of graduates represented an 11 per cent decrease from the number that graduated last year, there was a six per cent increase in the number of male graduates. Of the graduates, 82 per cent were female and 18 per cent were male. Thirteen students graduated with distinction, 403 graduated with credit and three graduated with pass. This year, for the first time, five students will be graduating with an Associate Degree in information technology. This was disclosed by Principal Viola Rowe in her annual report. In this year’s batch, there was at least one student from each administrative region across the country. With 29 per cent, Region Four accounted for the highest number of graduates from a single region. However, outside of Region Four, 19 per cent of the trainees came from Region Six, 14 per cent came from Region Two, 12 per cent from Region Three and 13 per cent from Region Five.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Some US$3.7M spent in legal fees

–– to defend Guyana’s territory at ICJ ticipate in the process, Guyana’s legal team will still be answerable to the court. “I think that one has to be careful in these circumstances because if the judge finds he is only hearing from one side, he wants to appear to be fair and may even ask you harder questions than the other side because he knows

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA has thus far spent approximately US$3.7M or Guy$780M in legal fees to defend its territory against Venezuela at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has disclosed. The US$3.7M is a fraction of the US$18M signing bonus the Guyanese Government had received from U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil in 2016. From the grand total, US$15M was set aside to facilitate the legal matter at the ICJ. “The US$15M is what is funding the legal fees. It was used to fund all the legal fees in 2018, and it will fund the fees in 2019 until it is exhausted,” the foreign affairs minister said. He, at the time, was fielding questions from reporters during a press conference at his ministry on Thursday. Asked if the move to resolve the territorial controversy at the level of the ICJ is costing the Guyanese people “too much,” the foreign affairs minister responded in the negative while emphasising that it is an investment that protects the territorial rights of Guyanese. The foreign affairs minister reasoned that with an estimated five billion oil-equivalent barrels of recoverable resource in the Stabroek Block, Guyana by 2021 would be raking in much more than US$15M. “Five billion barrels will probably generate at the beginning of 2021, over US$350M per annum. Now, how much is the amount we are fretting over, that’s a once and for all investment in protecting your rights, $15M. What is it we are

arguing about?” the minister reasoned. He also used the settlement of the Guyana-Suriname maritime boundary controversy at the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea as a case in point. “If for example, we had lost the Suriname case… If Suriname had prevailed, if the line running from the mouth of the Corentyne River was more towards Suriname side… all of Liza 1 (in the Stabroek Block) would have been Suriname’s property. So unlike the Guyanese, Suriname would have been celebrating even now, and not trying to commit suicide,” he explained. The previous administration – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had spent US$10M to settle the dispute with Suriname. WORTHY AND NECESSARY “You spend US$10M and one of the wells – Liza 1 is 86 kilometers from the border, and if that border had been further west, which was what Suriname was insisting on, all of that would have been Suriname’s property,” Minister Greenidge further explained as he insisted that resolving the territorial controversy with Venezuela is worthy and necessary. The foreign affairs minister noted too that Venezuela’s decision or action over the next four months will determine how the ICJ will treat with the case, and whether there will be need for an expanded legal team. Venezuela has up to April to submit a memorial addressing the question of the jurisdiction of the ICJ to hear the longstanding border controversy. The minister explained that even if Venezuela maintains its position not to par-

what he wants to satisfy himself. So other teams may be required or the team may need to be supplemented by additional lawyers or firms of lawyers,” Minister Greenidge explained. Guyana submitted its Memorial on Jurisdiction in the case brought against Venezuela on November 19, 2018.

The country in its submission to the ICJ argued that Venezuela’s contention that the means of settlement outlined in Article 33 of the UN Charter must be exhausted before recourse to the court can be chosen is baseless. “Guyana’s Memorial shows there is no foundation to Venezuela’s contention that the means of settlement listed in Article 33 of the UN Charter must be selected by

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the Secretary-General successively, such that the means listed ahead of judicial settlement have to be exhausted before recourse to the court can be chosen,” the foreign affairs minister had told the National Assembly last month. Guyana maintained that nothing in the text of Article IV of the Geneva Agreement, which provides a menu of options, supports Venezuela’s interpretation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

‘Mandir killers’ get life imprisonment

TWO men who killed a watchman at the Williamsburg Mandir back in 2013 were on Thursday jailed for life by Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry at the Berbice Assizes. They were charged for the murder of Jagdat Ramcharran. The sentence was handed down following probation reports on the duo. Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Ms. Vadney Shultz, revealed that Shivnarine Jain-

arine, aged 24, had aborted his academic pursuit at age 11 and had ventured into the workforce as a labourer in an attempt to assist his mother who was afflicted with a terminal illness. However, in her report, the other Senior Probation Officer, Ms. Egla October said that the other accused, Ryan Persaud, was previously convicted on a charge of larceny from the person. Persaud had been admitted at the Juvenile Holding Centre,

Sophia. While, he was a remand prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison pending this current trial, an improvised weapon was found on his person by prison officials and, when he was caught, he abused the officers. Meanwhile, in an impact assessment on the family of the deceased, Shultz said following the death of Jagdat Ramcharran, who was the breadwinner of his home, his wife Devika remained in a

state of distress up until her demise in 2016. Subsequent to his parents’ death, Rabindra Ramcharran aborted his job as a machinist and became an alcoholic. A sibling who is mentally challenged and was once cared for by his mother has since gone to live with relatives. Rehashing the evidence which were drawn mainly from the caution statements attributed to the men, the judge recalled that while the youths were not the principal offenders they confessed to witnessing the killings and had collected the proceeds of the robbery. Jainarine collected $5000, while Persaud got $1500, the following day after the murder. The judge took into consideration the nature and prevalence of the offence and that the duo remained unremorseful. She also stipulated that the convicts will not be eligible for parole until they would have served forty five years imprisonment. In his mitigation plea, Attorney Arundranauth Gossai

asked the court to consider Jainarine's time spent on remand (five years) and that it was his first brush with the law. With respect to Persaud, the lawyer noted that the improvised weapon, though not excusable, was due to the fact that he was a mere 17-yearold and was exposed to an environment of crude adults. Meanwhile, at the time of the killing, both convicts were teenagers. They had resided at Tain, Port Mourant, and Lot 26 Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town, both Corentyne locations respectively. Jainarine and Persaud, were indicted with the murder of Ramcharran which was committed between January 6-7 2013 at the Iskcon Hari Krishna Mandir at Block 6 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice. Bothe men had pleaded not guilty. In his opening address, State Prosecutor Mr. Mondel Moore said the now deceased watchman was conducting his duties at the Mandir when the two accused along with others broke and entered

the place of worship and in the course of committing a burglary unlawfully killed Jagdat Ramcharran, a father of two. His bloodied remains were subsequently discovered by a worshipper who moments earlier scaled the locked gate after getting no response from Jagdat. The temple was ransacked and several items including a bell and a pair of gold slippers were missing. During the trial which was punctuated with a lengthy voir dire, several witnesses testified including the Hindu Priest Seoram Terat, Worshipper Liludhar Kishundial, the son of the deceased Rabindra Jagdat, along with several police witnesses, including ex-police detective Ragnauth. In the meantime, a former co-accused Kevin Hintez had thrown in the towel in January and pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment.

Rotary Demerara delivers water barrels to St Cuthbert’s Mission

Some of the water barrels that were donated

On Sunday December 16th, a group of Rotarians from the twenty-five year old Rotary Club of Demerara journeyed from Georgetown to St. Cuthbert’s Mission to deliver drinking water containers. A previous visit to the village had revealed that there were several families who did not have receptacles to store drinking water. The Rotary Club reached out to our partners and the

Demerara Distillers Limited immediately responded with a donation of some food safe drums. The drums were prepared and branded compliments of Jai Signs. They were transported to the village by Rotarians. In a simple ceremony witnessed by the villagers and Toshao Beverley Clenkian, fourteen deserving families received water barrels. The Club will endeavour to do same for other residents

who are in similar need, a release from the Roatary Club said. Also on Saturday last, the Club gathered at the Archer’s and later the Bryer’s Homes to spread holiday cheer. This annual tradition saw Rotarians practicing their creativity to decorate the Homes. They shared a meal with the residents and care packages were presented to each resident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Work advancing to get Guyana Youth Corps up and running

Minister of Education, Dr Nicolette Henry and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton (right) at Wednesday’s meeting

MINISTER of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton and Minister of Education Dr Nicolette Henry on Wednesday met with members of the Technical Working Group to further coordinate efforts to get the Guyana Youth Corps (GYC) ready for an early 2019 start. The discussion was held at the Ministry of Education’s Lot 26 Brickdam office and was focused primarily on the Guyana Youth Corps Green Paper. Timelines were decided and responsibilities assigned to members of the

working group so that the Guyana Youth Corps can begin in the first quarter of 2019. The GYC, which will fall under the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, will target youths between the ages of 16 to 24 that are unemployed and not in formal education or training. Some of the goals of the Guyana Youth Corps are to inculcate in youth an understanding of their role in the promotion of civic awareness; to train and empower youth at all levels to foster

Slight drop in unemployment in Caribbean - ILO THE unemployment rate in Latin America and the Caribbean fell slightly to a forecast 7.8 per cent in 2018, from 8.1 per cent in 2017, reversing a threeyear trend of rising unemployment, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said in its Labour Overview 2018 regional report. “In a context of slow economic growth, the improvement in the unemployment rate has been modest,” said ILO interim Regional Director Carlos Rodriguez, adding that there is a need “to increase the speed at which we generate more and better jobs". He pointed out that the latest figures, based on data collected up to the third quarter 2018, mean that some 25 million women and men in the Region are unemployed. ILO Regional Economist Hugo Ñopo pointed out that youth unemployment in the Region was at alarming levels. One in five people in the 14-25 age group were looking for work, but failing to find any in the third quarter 2018. The report highlights the need to step up efforts to reduce gender inequality in the world of work. The labour force participation rate for women has remained constant, at 50.3 per cent in

the third quarter, 20 percentage points below the rate for men. The unemployment rate for women reached 10 per cent in the third quarter of 2018, as compared with a 7.3 per cent rate for men. While the average unemployment rate for the Region dropped, it actually increased in 10 countries and fell in seven. The decrease in the regional rate was driven in large part by an improvement in Brazil – home to 40 per cent of the Region’s economically active population – which saw the unemployment rate drop by 0.6 percentage points. At the same time, real minimum wages increased regionally, and in 12 of the 16 countries that provided data for this indicator. The report says one million jobs could be created if an IMF forecast for a 2.2 per cent growth in 2019 is realised. But it also warns that future trends in the Region remain uncertain amid labour market vulnerability to political, trade and investment fluctuations. Labour Overview marks its 25th anniversary this year, at a time when the ILO is gearing up to mark its centenary, starting in January 2019.

sustainable development of their communities and eventually that of the country and to provide youth with the opportunity to garner knowledge and hands-on training in entrepreneurship, literacy, numeracy and vocational skills to enable them to make the transition to adulthood. Under the program, youths will be trained for one year. The levels of training will include apprenticeship, traineeship and internship. The reach of the program will span all 10 administrative regions. However, the

Representatives from the various ministries at the technical working group meeting

main office and campus will be at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre. Successful graduates of the program will be placed into one of three categories which are employment, entrepreneurship or higher training. It will be the vision of the

Guyana Youth Corps to foster a spirit of nation-building, a culture of service, a sense of nationhood and engendering a new form of patriotism. The Ministries and Departments represented at today’s meeting include the Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Presiden-

cy’s Department of Social Cohesion and Department of Public Service, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and the Ministry of Communities. However, it is intended that all ministries will play their respective roles in this program.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

GPOC urges residents to get mailboxes …for safe and timely delivery of mail

THREE lucky citizens in Georgetown received the first three of 100 free mailboxes to mount on their premises as the Guyana Post Office Corporation’s (GPOC) mailbox sensitisation campaign moves into high gear. The three citizens reside in District ‘A’ which includes the city, and they were randomly selected. It is part of a mailbox campaign which was launched by the GPOC in February during which 100 free mailboxes will be given to citizen’s countrywide. Those who were presented a

free mailbox each are Cicely Clarke, Simone Sooknanan and Virgil Moore. At the event on Wednesday at the Kitty Post Office, Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes said too often we take public servants for granted, noting that postal workers have been serving the community for decades quietly. She stated that the GPOC has been around for more than 225 years and they are changing the way they operate to make their services efficient, as such, at their 64 post offices countrywide,

they have launched their mailbox campaign. With that, Hughes added that citizens’ cooperation and participation is needed in order to make the delivery of mails safe, efficient and for the safety of the postmen and women who deliver mails. In retrospect, the minister told the gathering that the mailbox campaign will also reduce the large volume of return mails since many houses are without mailboxes. Hughes added that return mails are re-sorted up to five times, noting that many bills do not get to the citizens

on time because there is no mailbox on the residences. She pointed out too that they have included the local tinsmiths in the GPOC mailbox campaigns in which their creative innovations will be on display and they are also willing to assist in marketing their products. Hughes, however, encouraged all to participate in the GPOC mailbox campaign. She explained that GPOC has had their postal workers attacked by dogs numerous times and they want to ensure their safety and at the same time have an efficient service. She, however, commended some citizens for their

very creative mailboxes that they have mounted on their premises and the mailbox campaign is geared towards giving back to citizens for their patronage throughout the year. So far, Brown said 1704 mailboxes have been distributed countrywide and is of the hope more will be given. The corporation’s country operations are divided

into six (6) districts--Areas ‘A’ to ‘F’-- and the managers in all districts will randomly select recipients in coming weeks to receive free mailboxes. The GPOC’s mailbox initiative was launched last February in response to the increasing number of returned mails to post offices all over the country.

New Market Street man killed in shooting GUNSHOTS rang out at Agricola, East Bank Demerara on Thursday morning and when the shooting subsided, Kacey Da Silva also known as “Presser” laid dead. Reports are that Da Silva, of New Market Street, Georgetown was gunned down by unknown persons at around 09:30hrs at Second Street, Agricola. While details are sketchy, reports are that another man was injured during the gunfire and he was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he remains

Dead: Kacey DaSilva

hospitalised. Police are investigating the matter.

Wife killer gets 15 years MELROY Simpson was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on Thursday afternoon by Justice James Bovell Drakes for killing his reputed wife back in 2012. The 40-year-old man was charged with the capital offence of murder, which he pleaded not guilty to. However, earlier this month he had pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Simpson admitted to killing his wife, Carmelita Jones on September 18, 2012. She was 25 years old and a mother of four at the time. The woman, who had reportedly suffered severe burns at her ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown home, succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on September 26, 2012. It is alleged that Simpson had thrown a flammable liquid on her while she was holding a lamp at the

Wife killer, Melroy Simpson

time. This was furtherance of an argument over a pack of milk he assumed she had gotten from another male. His attorney had requested that a probation report be prepared before sentencing. After hearing same, the presiding judge then handed down the 15-year sentence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

339 graduate with TVET skills –– poised to develop the industrial sector, Min. Harmon says

A CADRE of 339 persons from Region Four, mainly youths, graduated from the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) programme offered through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The young people have received Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in various competencies and will be

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

A section of the graduates

Minister Harmon presenting a certificate to one of the graduates

seeking to apply these skills to the job sector. Speaking at the graduation held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), Minister of State Joseph Harmon said, “TVET has been an integral part of national development in many societies worldwide, and some have even argued that it is one of the key elements of national development.” According to him, TVET is a specialised form of education that is designed to a cadre of middle-level workers who are essential to the creation and development of the industrial sector of society. “It enables them to acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to develop professional careers and contribute meaningfully to the world of work, either as employees or as entrepreneurs,” he said. TVET, according to him, also guarantees the availability of skill sets in the labour force that help to create a vibrant, attractive labour force which would enable countries to compete for direct foreign investment and stimulate persons’ economic growth. As such, he underscored that the Government of Guy-

ana (GoG) is placing much importance on TVET. “The importance of a highly trained workforce, especially at the middle level, is essential and at the highest importance in light of our impending prospects for rapid economic growth and development,” Harmon related. He noted that the implementation of the national vision in pursuit of the establishment of a green economy and a green state would only be realised if the country has the required manpower with the requisite skills to do so. It is for this reason that government has ensured that the technical and vocational institutes are all receiving great attention. And these efforts to enhance the quality of education offered by these institutions will continue, he affirmed. The BIT is no different, according to Harmon who highlighted that government has been giving much attention to the body and will continue to do so. In 2018, BIT trained in excess of 1600 persons throughout the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. And the Minister of State was TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 21, 2018

Bartica Town Council ushers in season with Christmas tree light-up THE Mayor and Town Council of the municipality of Bartica on Wednesday evening hosted a Christmas-tree light up and talent exhibition to usher in the yuletide season. The activity, held at the municipality’s market square, saw a large turnout from the people of the small town. They were treated to an hour-long programme consisting of singing, dancing and drama. The highlight of the evening, however, was the children’s masquerade show. It was a delightful sight to witness the children demonstrate their culture in the masquerade costumes and technical choreography. The feedback from the audience was testimony that the people of the town were pleased with the coordinated programme and the showcase of the talent that FROM PAGE

the young children of Bartica possess. Speaking with members of the audience, two of the children told the Guyana Chronicle that Christmas is their favourite time of the year. One shared that she was happy that the council organised such an event so that everyone can come out and assemble together to share the Christmas cheer among each other. “Given that this is my favourite time of the year, it is nice to see that we all, not just as a family, but also as a community, we can all be here tonight, sharing the same space and showing nothing but love and support to each other… I really enjoyed myself this evening and thanks to our mayor and his team for organizing this activity,” one young girl said. A parent expressed that the support demonstrat-

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339 graduate ... reliably informed that in 2019, this number will increase to about 2000. These persons should not only find employment but should seek out ways of creating employment too, the minister said. “Unemployment is a constant concern for government and while it is recognised that government has a role to play to attract investment and to provide an enabling environment for job creation, I believe that young people have a role to play to create employment for themselves and others.” Each of the various areas the students were trained in is “pregnant” with business opportunities and as such, he urged the graduates to not only become employed but to create businesses where they can work to employ others. And government is striving to facilitate the creation of small and micro enterprises, according to him, particularly through efforts like the Small Business Procurement programme through which 20 per cent of all government procurement contracts go to small businesses. The government has also allocated $1B to youth development in the 2019 National Budget, which will fuel several programmes geared to

promote small businesses by providing funding to youth who devise feasible business plans. Regional Chairperson of Region Four, Genevieve Allen, also addressed the issues of poverty and employment. According to her, the training offered is an example of opportunities being afforded to young people. However, she urged: “I want to say to you young Guyanese that you use your skills to develop Guyana and you continue to be as patriotic as you are, because this country is on the course of great development and it is dependant upon you all.” Too often persons only think about themselves, Allen noted and stressed: “Government invested in you to develop skills and now you must use these skills to develop Guyana.” She also urged them to further their education, more so since the country would need qualified persons in the emerging petroleum sector and encouraged them to form groups where they can work together to establish small industries that would employ other young people as the country works towards reducing unemployment.

ed is evident that the town is moving forward into a united year. “Bartica has always been a family community, but you know sometimes our differences set us apart. But I love the turnout I see here tonight and that we can put aside our differences and come out together and support our people. The programme was entertaining, family oriented and I’m happy I brought my family,” a father said.

Mayor Gifford Marshall said that they are marching into the New Year with coordinated activities that will benefit the town and its people. He, too, was pleased with the support received from the residents of the town and looks forward to their continued support in the years to come.

The lighted tree in the municipality of Bartica

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

‘He is everything’ …Adventists to put on mega concert Saturday evening

Peetron Thomas

Samuel Medes

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n avenue for Christians to have clean entertainment this festive season has been opened once again by the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA), which will host its 2018 Advent Praise music and drama concert. The event, which takes the theme ‘He is Everything’, will take place at the National Cul-

ture Centre (NCC) on December 22 at 20:00hrs, and will see performances from both local and international artistes. These include International Award-Winning Gospel artiste from Antigua and Barbuda Peetron Thomas; famed gospel artiste and producer Samuel Medas; the overseas-based Dynamic Force gospel singers; Earl Bishop and band; Roy

Stewart and his saxophone; the evangelicas and many more. There will be stand-up comedy by Wendell Jeffery versus Quinton Allen while drama performances are set to keep the audience laughing and at the edge on their seat. “It’s clean Christian comedy, free from any lewd connotations or anything like that,” explained the Conference’s Youth Direc-

tor, Pastor Mervyn Smith. According to Smith, tickets have been disappearing fast with just days to go and are now only available at the NCC’s box office at $1,000 and $1,200. “This has been the fastest the tickets have been sold so we’re pushing for a full house,” he said, noting that the event hosted by the Conference’s Youth Ministries Department

has been around for some three decades. Although the content to be received is of high quality, Smith said that the ticket prices have been subsidised to allow every Guyanese the affordability to attend. Leaving a word of encouragement for those debating whether to attend, he said: “This is history-making, you

need to be out there. It’s close to Christmas so it’s the perfect time to go out with your friends; to go on a date and we know that there are not many options for Christian young people or Christians in general during this season, ironically. So, we represent by giving Christians a sundry of all they can enjoy with good conscience.

‘The magic of Christmas’

…Cultural activist Barrington Braithwaite reflects on Christmas SEE » DJs for ‘Armageddon Clash’ INSIDE » Weinstein loses bid to dismiss criminal case

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

The magic of Christmas

he poet of the Masquerade band sang, “Christmas time is here again and every man must have his share, but poor brother Willy in de jail will drink only sour ginger beer, music!” With flute and kettle drum they enchanted us, mystical characters like the raging bull, the long lady, Ole Higue and the flouncing nature spirits danced for a valued 50-cent piece that the tempting, aged Wilson’s hat beckoned from the pockets of working folk, while we stingy not -working youth held close our 10 and five cent pieces with comic books and ‘caps’ in mind, for our Cisco kid, frontier 45 and Apache toy guns. Hypnotised by western films with its bravado tough talk and fast gun swagger, though effective distortions of early American history, yet, in those colonial days of colonised cowboys you were not ready unless you had a leather holster bought from a stand in Stabroek Market, with leather hanging cords to tie around the leg, just like in the movies. A smiling woman controlled that stall, as well as Mrs Ifill who was in charge of her book stall and knew all the names of the comics on her comic book and magazine stall located straight from the market’s main gate. Christmas cannot be separated from children and when Fogarty’s Store was sold, had the people who bought it had the cultural memory of that rocking horse that everyone wants

to be cowboy was excited to ride just once, then possibly again, that stood in the entrance of the store, they would have preserved it. It was truly a symbol that unclasped a time of Christmas in Georgetown. The masquerade band of

/30s when these bands banished any masquerade outfit that dared to venture in their area with physical blows and weapons like barber razors and fish hooks tied on staves. But the more serious insights into the masquerade came while living with my

them come from ? ” My godfather gave me that stare that indicated what are you doing? I blurted out my apology for jumping in the big people conversation and got up to retreat, uncle Moshe whispered something to my godfather and he halted my

cember among different peoples across the human world. This was the time when the ancients believed the earth to rejuvenate itself, and there is a whole theory that envelope that belief system among humans not entirely based on superstitious dabbling. Thus

2018 lacks the orientation of what it used to be, whether those yesteryear folk did not have the full complement of the costumes or not, they captured a rhythmic expression that was exclusive to their cultural domain. I have heard of the legends, Goblet Joe, Freddie Bandula, Putagee Tonus of the Centipede[Santapee] Band, so named as far back as the 20s

godparents at Mahaica, my godfather Abel, had a friend named Moshe, pronounced ‘Moshey’, he played the flute in the masquerade band and once, I transgressed one Christmas season while in a good mood sitting in my godfather’s work shop [he was a plumber by trade] and blurted out to uncle Moshe, “Uncle Moshe but is whey longlady, bad bull and all

retreat, “ whey yuh going, uncle Moshe wan tell yuh a story” and that’s how I learnt another interpretation of the masquerade band, one that I am now scripting for a special series. The season of Christmas envelopes the ancient mystical harvest festivals of the winter solstice, based on the cosmology, New Moon etc. those events range from August to De-

it was easy for the events that constitute Christmas to resonate in our ancestral memories, cleansing of homes, casting out of old unusable things, sharing gifts, rituals of purification, and reverence for the symbolic sacred tree. The art of agriculture to this day is guided by cosmology, the Moon, the darkest night, are related for better times to plant certain vegetables and

fruit like tomatoes. Whether these systems are based on legitimate scientific formulas, only further exploration among the exports can truly conclude. I will not debate the authenticity of Christmas; its elements are far more important even outside what human schemes have done with the man made religions, which from its intent could have only evolved from the most vile and callous of our specie, exploiting the genuine belief of goodwill, when expectations of trust erase all suspicions, creating the perfect vulnerability for treachery. Like this example-scenario of the drug dealer that holds a Christmas party in a devastated district saturated with addicts, who’re the parents of the very children the dealer will feed and give toys to for one day, in some ritual act to sooth his conscience or sate the suspicions of society. Christmas envelopes ideals of family, appreciation and charity that are not normally active allyear round, its special music and sentiments are necessary, it is directed at children and their joys. What interferes with it are the unavoidable commercialism and the lack of the ability to fulfil those impositions of ‘New Things’ but if you have ascended that latter aspect, have the humble ‘pepper pot, cake, baked stuff and a few beverages, Toys for the children-a must, cards and token gifts for your special people, then you’re ready and set for a happy 2018 Christmas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

MP Figueira launches senior Fashion Christmas in citizen group with Christmas party the new trend M Crystal gown

ember of Parliament Jermaine Figueira on Saturday last launched the Green Jaguars Senior Citizens Group, with a Christmas party. The event was held at the Wisburg Secondary School auditorium and had in attendance close to one hundred seniors who were treated to a sumptuous meal and a lively cultural programme. The group in 2019 will commence programmes geared at keeping the seniors meaningfully occupied, networking with other seniors in other youth groups and sharing of their experience and wisdom with the younger generation. Figueira said that it was a privilege to give back in this manner, since as a youth he benefited from the wisdom of the older ones. “Seniors are fountains of knowledge and experiences that the young people in our various communities should tap into and learn from, as I would have as a teen

and still am learning from in my capacity as a teacher and Member of Parliament.” He further related, “This new group will be embarking on several programmes in 2019 that will be of mutual benefit to the members and the com-

munity and I am therefore encouraging other leaders residing in other communities, to demonstrate that they too care for our seniors by forming groups in each of the constituencies across Region 10.” Resident of Wisroc, Joyce-

Wisroc seniors who are now members of the Green Jaguars Senior Citizens Group enjoying the sumptuous meal prepared for them at the Christmas party

lyn Clarke, who attended the event said that she appreciates what the MP is doing and is anxiously looking forward for what is in store for the group come 2019. “You know mostly youths would get the attention these days, but I am happy that some light is shining on the old boys and the old girls that we too can enjoy ourselves this Christmas,” she said. The young MP said he garnered inspiration to host the event from PNCR immediate past leader Robert Corbin who hosts a similar event annually and have been doing so for two decades. He commended Corbin and his family for leading the way in giving back to seniors and for consistently looking out for persons who would have made significant contributions to our community, township, region and country. The Corbin’s Senior Citizen fete was held on Sunday and saw in attendance five ministers of government.

Weinstein loses bid to dismiss criminal case

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Ebony Christmas nails

his is the season of decorating the house and the office, but for ‘fashionovas’, it is also the season of dressing up one’s self. The holiday spirit is now reflective in one’s nail design, make up design and wardrobe. Fashion dolls, make-up artiste and nail technicians are getting overly jealous of all the attention this season gives to interior designers, caterers and other workers and so they too want a piece of the pie and are incorporating the colours and theme of Christmas in their work. This season, clients can be decked out from head to toe in Christmas-themed make-up, nails and gowns at their Christmas parties and more so staff parties. This article features a Christmas gown designed by Linden’s fashion designer, Crystal Lam from Crystal Lam, Designs, nail designs created by Ebony Grenville from Ebony Creative Hands Beauty Salon and Make- Up artist Setra Oselmo from Sisters to Sister Beauty Salon and Make Up Parlour. Oselmo, who is one of Linden’s leading make- up artiste told the buzz that she was inspired to do the Christmas looks, all in the spirit of the season. While she normally created holiday or seasoned- themed make-up, the Christmas look is very special since it speaks of happiness and bliss through right colours and glitter. She is hoping the look breaks the belief that make-up is just about beauty and it can also be about fun and creativeness.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York state judge on Thursday denied Harvey Weinstein’s motion to dismiss criminal charges that he sexually assaulted two women, rejecting the movie producer’s argument that the case was tainted by police and prosecutorial misconduct. Supreme Court Justice James Burke in Manhattan announced his decision at a hearing in a packed courtroom. Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer for Weinstein, told reporters outside the courthouse he was disappointed in the decision but was confident his client would prevail at trial. In a written decision released after the hearing, Burke said there was “no basis for the defendant’s claim of prosecutorial or law enforcement misconduct in the proceedings.” The ruling came about two months after Weinstein won dismissal of a charge involving a third woman after prosecutors revealed that a New York City police detective had withheld information during the investigation, and said they could no longer pursue the charge. In his motion to dismiss the remaining counts, Weinstein said the detective’s withholding of information compromised the integrity of the entire grand jury process that led to the indictment. Burke, however, wrote that a problem with one charge did not “infect the integrity” of the other charges, which concern different women. Weinstein has also argued that the indictment should be dismissed because the grand jury had not been shown communications that he said showed a long-term, consensual relationship between him and one of the women. Burke said that while prosecutors must disclose evidence favourable to a defendant before trial, they do not have to show it to a grand jury.

Weinstein, who faces up to life in prison if convicted of the five charges against

him, has denied having nonconsensual sex with anyone following accusations by more

Harvey Weinstein

than 70 women, mostly young actresses and other women employed in the movie business, of sexual misconduct, including rape, going back decades. The accusations led to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, politics and entertainment of sexual harassment and abuse. As the accusations against Weinstein mounted, his company Weinstein Co fired him and filed for bankruptcy, and he was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Through his company and another studio, Miramax, Weinstein won plaudits and awards for movies including “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pulp Fiction” and “The King’s Speech.”

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Armageddon Clash launched

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he Kingston seawall was the spotlight last Sunday evening as Empire Media Inc. & Lashpot Sundays launched Armageddon Clash 2019. The night kicked off with Determine Family providing early entertainment, followed by the DJs who will be competing in the January 26 event. Dishing out some of what patrons can expect at the Clash were, Selector Face out of Afrikan Vybz, DJ Platinum from Trinity Sound, DJ Keston out of Slingerz Family & DJ Antz Man from Exodus Nuclear. In what was a Clash-like style, the DJs thrilled their fans to some of their favourite music. Adding to the excitement were

the beautiful Armageddon ladies who interacted with the crowd and gave away numerous tickets for the event. Fans were all hyped and ready for what will be the biggest Sound Clash to hit Guyana. The event will take place on January 26, 2019 at the National Park tarmac. The DJs along with Magnum from Notorious International and Stingaz from Kanabis Sound out of Antigua, will battle for 1 million dollars, 1 trophy and 1 year bragging rights. Tickets for Armageddon Clash 2019 will be out soon. For more information you can check the Facebook page “Empire Media Inc” or call telephone number 680-6720 or WhatsApp 862-233-0494.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

IT’S time for the weekend again, people! And Christmas is in the air so there are a few Christmas themed events to help you get into the season vibe. So don’t stay cooped up at home. TODAY Set 4 Life Entertainment and 6 Vibes presents the official jump off event “What Happens in District” with Govana from 4thGenna Squad. Enjoy birthday specials, and giveaway for the biggest female team and a chance to win tickets to “One n’ Move” ft Govana. Ladies free before 9pm. Music by Gully Ras, Selector Diamond, Seen Up and Mix Master Tony. Start your weekend firing. The queen of bacchanal is coming to Palm Court this Friday, it’s Destra Live In Concert. Everyone free before 11pm. Antonio’s Grille presents “All I Want For Christmas Cocktail and Wine Event”. Enjoy the last Friday before Christmas with friends (old & new) in a festive atmosphere, flowing drinks, great food, and music. Free Jell-O shots and black cake. What better way to enjoy the beginning of the Christmas weekend. Music by Popular Sound 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 District Ultra Lounge presents three time Trinidad Chutney Soca Monarch KI and the Band Live. Bottle specials all night. Early bird tickets: $3000 Are you naughty or nice? The Giftland Entertainment Strip presents “Naughty or Nice: the Official Tequila Rose Launch”. Drinking games, free shots and other giveaways from 6pm – 10pm. Everyone FREE before 10pm. Music by Dj Anisah and King Keev. Amateur Astronomers Association of Guyana presents a Christmas Star Party and Gyaff at the Kingston Seawall. Come share the beauty of the night sky with us this Christmas season in a truly unique way! Telescopes will be on display. Games to win special gifts to take home, for both adults and kids. SUNDAY

This is the event to close off the Saturday before Christmas! 592 Movements presents “Mind Yuh Funky Business” at Palm Court. Doors open at 9pm. It’s all about mind yuh what? Business. Mark your calendars for the best brunch in Guyana this Christmas Season. Herdmandston Lodge and Jared Jerrick presents the Inaugural Christmas Boozy Brunch a fundraising event in support of an annual Christmas Toy Drive. For each ticket, you will receive three (3) complimentary mimosas and a buffet brunch provided by Hermandston Lodge. This one is for the kids! The Grinch will be making an appearance at Royal Castle’s spanking new Sheriff Street location. This mean old Grinch is a fun Guy who will have your kids entertained with games and tricks. Free toys with the purchase of every meal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

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Hetmyer; Campbell cop Cricketer-of-the-Year awards SHIMRON Hetmyer and Shemaine Campbelle copped the male and female Cricketer-of-the-Year awards respectively, when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted its annual Awards Ceremony, Wednesday evening, at the Umana Yana, Kingston. Addresses were given by Prime Minister and First Vice-President Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton. The Prime Minister praised the work done by the GCB over the years, especially Secretary Anand Sanasie despite the politics within the game, before he congratulated the awardees and GCB. Also making brief remarks was president of the GCB, Fizul Bacchus, who gave a review for 2018. Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, pointed out that while Guyana had a tremendous year of cricket, he expects greater

success in 2019. Norton hailed the awardees as well as the GCB for keeping cricket alive locally and regionally. Meanwhile, Hetmyer and Campbelle won the awards for the second year running. Hetmyer’s teammates Keemo Paul and Chandrapaul Hemraj, who both made West Indies debuts this year were the other two contenders while Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond were the two other nominees in the female division. Hemraj was adjudged the Most Improved Player while Grimmond was voted the Most Promising Female cricketer. West Indies B captain Anthony Bramble won the Senior Regional Cricketer-of-the-Year award. Other awardees were: Kevin Sinclair (Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year), Mavindra Dindyal (Most Runs in the Regional Under-15 tournament), Chanderpaul Ramraj (Most Wickets in the Regional Under-15 Tournament), Mavindra Dindyal (Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under-15 Tournament), Sachin Singh (Most Runs in the Regional

Under-17 Tournament), Nigel Deodat (Most Wickets in the Regional Under-17 Tournament), Sachin Singh (MVP in the Regional Under-17 Tournament), Joshua Persaud (Most Runs in the Regional Under-19 Tournament), Kevin Sinclair (Most Wickets in the Regional Under-19 Tournament) and Kevin Sinclair (MVP in the Regional Under-19 Tournament). Corporate Award - Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Dave West Indian Imports and Scotiabank Special Service Awards - Albert Dass (Everest head groundsman), Lusignan groundsman Romario Samaroo, Dr Puran Singh (Barbados) and Ryan Hercules Club-of-the-Year 2018 went to Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club while Essequibo won the Best Franchise Team-of-the-Year. Guyana Under-19 team (2018 Champions - Regional 50 Overs Under-19) and the Guyana Jaguars four-day team – (2018 Champions - Regional 4 Day League), were also honoured.

Turbo winners receive prizes NORTHERN Rangers will have a brighter holiday season after the

Petra Organisation yesterday handed out the championship trophies and other cash prizes for the recently-concluded Turbo KO Football tournament. At the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue Rangers collected $800 000 along with their championship trophy. Northern Rangers most senior player, Ni-

gel Denny, received the cheque and championship trophy on behalf of his team during the simple but significant handing-over while the coach of the runners-up, GFC’s Dellon Cadogan collected his team’s trophy and $400 000. Skipper of Rangers, 18-year-old Stephan Reynolds, was adjudged the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament

after an outstanding campaign and a man-of-thematch performance in the final where he scored the winning goal. Interestingly, GFC’s Ronel McClean, who was beaten on his near post by Reynolds in the final, was awarded best goalkeeper of the tournament. Manasseh Primo, of Police FC that were disqualified in the quarter-

… Northern Rangers’ Reynolds awarded MVP

finals, tally of five goals was the most in the tournament and it is very likely that he would have added to the tally had Police remained in the tournament. Sean Embrack, a representative of the promoters Petra Organisation, noted that twelve teams participated in the knockout format over a period of eight playing days and he was pleased to see a new

winner emerge in the second annual edition after Camptown FC had won in the inaugural Cup. Marketing Coordinator of title sponsors Guyana Beverage Inc., through their Turbo Brand, Raymond Govinda, explained that he was very pleased with the execution of the tournament while acknowledging the tremendous support of the fans.

Wilson, Murray, Nelson headline Guyana’s Futsal team GOLDEN Jaguars trio Colin Nelson, Daniel Wilson and Andrew Murray were named in coach Bill Wilson’s 16-man squad for the ExxonMobil-sponsored Guyana Football Federation (GFF) International Futsal tournament, set for Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, December 27 – 30. The tournament, a first in Guyana, will see Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia United headline the list of teams from overseas which also features ZV AllStars from Suriname, and a Brazilian side from the state of Sau Paulo. The Guyana Select side will also come up against a team from Linden, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and West Demer-

ara football associations. According to GFF, the short list was drawn from an initial 45 who have been in training for the past two weeks under the watchful eye of the coach Wilson and technical staff. Trials for the National selection began on December 8 at the National Gymnasium with players from across Guyana contending for a spot after which a shortlist was done. On December 27, the tournament will open with a female encounter, followed by the March Past of the participating teams. Morvant Caledonia United will then face the Linden unit from 20:00hrs, which will then make way for Brazil versus West De-

merara, Georgetown against Suriname and the Guyana versus East Coast clash will bring the curtain down on night one of the four-night fiesta. The winning side will pocket $1.2M, while second- through fourth-place will go home with $600 000, $300 000 and $100 000 respectively. The Guyana team: Daniel Wilson, Eon Alleyne, Colin Nelson, King Solomon Austin, Deon Alfred, Darren Benjamin, Delroy Dean, Okenny Fraser, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant, Rudy Halley (GK), Omar Jones (GK), Jermain Junor, Curtez Kellman, Andrew Murray, Eusi Phillips and Sheldon Shepherd.

American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Satin Sheets Race 2 Catch Me If U Can Race 3 Fire Command Race 4 She’s A Lumberjane Race 5 Pecan Pattie Race 6 Call It A Truce Race 7 Regalian Race 8 Title Ready Race 9 Cool As You Like English Racing Tips Southwell 08:20 hrs Mans Not Trot 08:55 hrs Don’t Do It 09:30 hrs Itsupforgrabsnow 10:05 hrs Hammer Gun 10:40 hrs Acclaim The Nation 11:15 hrs Cousin Khee Ascot 08:45 hrs Gallahers Cross 09:20 hrs Azzerti

09:55 hrs Angels Breath 10:05 hrs Always Resolute 10:40 hrs Hazzaar South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 11:25 hrs Hey Boy 12:00 hrs Rocking Ruby 12:35 hrs Waywood 13:10 hrs Satara 13:50 hrs Saltoro Ridge 14:25 hrs Forthelastime 14:55 hrs Champagne Gold 15:25 hrs Playlist Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 12:30 hrs That’s Not Me 13:00 hrs Ahundrednotout 13:30 hrs Sky Seven 14:00 hrs Koybig 14:30 hrs Stranagone 15:00 hrs Too Precious 15:30 hrs Motcomb Street 16:00 hrs McGuigan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

Spotlight on intrusive coverage after Jadeja-Ishant spat THE stump-mic has been the 12th man of the Australia-India Test series so far. But has it been overexposed, at the risk of being too intrusive? On Tuesday, reports emerged in the Australian media revealing the contents of the verbal spat between Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. The footage of the exchange between the two Indian players that transpired on the fourth day of the second Test had been shown by both host broadcasters on their networks. Though Channel Seven didn’t broadcast the audio of the spat, it started doing the rounds late on Tuesday (December 18). A day earlier, the entire chatter between the two captains, Virat Kohli and Tim Paine, was played out with umpire Chris Gaffaney playing a brief cameo as the mediator, on Fox Sports. Fox have also introduced a new segment called “Listening in” generally when a spinner is in action and the wicketkeeper and the slips are standing at or closer to the stumps. It’s when the commentators on air are asked to not say anything and you hear only the direct feed from the stump camera microphone, which is turned to full volume. It’s in lieu of this segment that Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has developed a so-called cult following, based on his words of encouragement to the spinners, and to Pat Cummins in particular in Adelaide. Though amusing to some, this level of intense prying where every conversation between players in the middle gets exposed to the public sphere can be a case for concern. There was a time the stumpmic in Australia would be limited to giving out unique sounds of

balls crashing into stumps and of batsmen moving around in their crease, which often became the background theme of cricket Down Under for the romantics anyway. What transpired between players would rarely make it out, maybe also because the technology wasn’t as advanced or the directors were perhaps more sensitive. But have the broadcasters gone a bit too far in recent times in trying to bring the audience too close to the action in the middle.

Ishant Sharma It does make for entertaining viewing at times. Take MS Dhoni’s words of advice for his spinners or his witty taunts to his own players. Or for that matter Kumar Sangakkara’s non-abusive banter with Shaun Pollock from many years ago. But is it prudent for a broadcaster to go looking for an exchange between two opposition players in the heat of the battle? Or in the case of Jadeja and Ishant, two teammates in the heat of the battle. For let’s face it, both Jadeja

and Ishant were in the heat of the battle and boiling under the extreme Perth sun when they let their tempers flare. Jadeja, who has played one Test on three away tours this year, had been substitute for lengthy periods across both innings here and in Adelaide.

Ravindra Jadeja Ishant, meanwhile, had run in all day long and beat the bat and was understandably hot in the head at that point. So whatever it was that set them off, you couldn’t blame them for getting a little angsty with each other. Someone somewhere is losing his/her cool in his/her workplace on a daily basis after all. If anything, Ishant and Jadeja should be pulled up by the Indian team management for having their little tiff so close to the stump camera, but in the clip it is obvious to see that the two made an effort to move away from the pitch square. The question is whether is it the broadcaster’s prerogative to relay every tete a tete that players indulge in with each other during the course of an intense international match? Australia are no strangers for heightened scrutiny on an away tour. If it wasn’t the microscopic zeroing in on their antics during the South Africa series, the whole

Jamshed charged for bribery by UK National Crime Agency LONDON, England (Reuters) - Banned former Pakistan batsman Nasir Jamshed has been charged with bribery offences as part of an investigation into spot-fixing in cricket, Britain’s National Crime Agency said yesterday.

in 2017. The NCA said that Jamshed, along with British nationals Yousaf Anwar, 35, and Mohammed Ijaz, 33, were arrested in February 2017 as part of an investigation into spot-fixing in tournaments arranged by

Nasir Jamshed was given a 10-year ban by the PCB in 2018. (Getty Images)

Jamshed was banned for 10 years in August by an anti-corruption tribunal for his part in the spot-fixing scandal that engulfed the Pakistan Super League (PSL)

national cricket boards in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Prosecutors served the trio with written summonses charging them each with two counts of bribery. They will

appear before Manchester Magistrates Court on January 15. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi has said that Jamshed was the “linchpin” in the scandal (PSL). Batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have been handed five-year bans for their role, while paceman Mohammad Irfan and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz received shorter suspensions. Britain has taken action over match-fixing in cricket before. In 2011, Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were found guilty of taking bribes to fix part of a Test match against England in a case that prosecutors said revealed rampant corruption at the heart of international cricket. A third cricketer, Mohammad Amir, admitted his part in the scam, which involved deliberately bowling no-balls at pre-arranged times, before the trial started.

sandpaper fiasco is unlikely to have seen the light of day. That in many circles was looked at as retaliation for the heightened scrutiny South African captain Faf du Plessis had endured during his lozenge fiasco a year earlier in Australia. “You just have to look at how no team has ever been caught tampering or altering the state of the ball in their own backyard since Michael Atherton was caught with “dirt in his pockets” at Lord’s of all places. The stump mics also played a big role in driving a serious wedge between India and Australia when Steve Smith led his team to the subcontinent for what came to be known as the “brainfade” tour. Later in the day, former Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson would write in his Fox Sports column about his views on the stump mics being “turned up”. “I would have been nervous in my playing days if I had heard the stump mics were going to be turned up but not because I had

anything to hide. I never said anything personal. “I would have been more worried about accidentally swearing, which can happen in the heat of the battle and that happens for both sides, not just Australia,” he wrote. Kohli was asked about the incessant scrutiny that he in particular has been put under over the last couple of weeks, whether he’s at the team hotel or in the middle having a “non-swearing” spat with his counterpart. This was before the audio clip of the Jadeja-Ishant argument made it to the press. “Not really. As I said, as long as there is no swearing out there on the field and there are no personal attacks, the line doesn’t get crossed. There is banter going on. Even at Adelaide there was banter here and there ... it’s Test cricket at the end of the day, it has to be competitive. You can’t say that people aren’t going to try and get you out in any way possible

at all. “With the stump mics and cameras and all these things, honestly when the bowler is bowling you aren’t thinking whether the stump mic is on or the camera is on or not. And when you are facing that ball, literally there is no one in the stadium apart from you and that ball. “So, these things are totally irrelevant, and you are actually not aware of them when you are on the field. It’s never bothered me; it’s never been something that’s of importance to me, to be honest. For me it’s irrelevant,” is what he’d said. Irrelevant is in a way a good way to describe what took place between the two Indian teammates. But when the cricket field is turned into a virtual ‘Bigg Boss’ or ‘Big Brother’ platform, it’s difficult for even the most irrelevant chat between two high-profile, highly charged-up elite sportsmen, to not become a high-level controversy. (Cricbuzz)

RHTY&SC cricket teams close off active season with donation to Achievers CC THE ROSE Hall Town Youth and Sport Club (MS) (RHTY&SC) teams, which were actively involved in over 250 community development activities for 2018, closed off the year with a donation to the Achievers Cricket Club of West Berbice. For the year, the 10 teams: King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division, have handed out over $3M worth of cricket bats, balls, stumps, trophies, cycles, gear, scorebooks, medals and special gifts to numerous cricket clubs, schools and young cricketers. Assistant Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC MS, Simon Naidu, disclosed that president of the West Berbice-based cricket club, David

Black, has written a letter to the club’s Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster requesting a bicycle and three trophies for an award ceremony. The secretary immediately approved the donation and the teams were mandated to fulfil the request. Naidu and National Under-15 player Mahendra Gopilall handed over the bicycle and trophies to Black. Nineteenyear-old Naidu has taken over the daily operation of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation as Foster fulfils his duties as president of the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB). Naidu stated that one of the most cherished projects was to assist over 25 youths across Berbice with their own personal bat. These donations were made to assist the Club Secretary/CEO in his effort to return Berbice cricket to its former glory. RHTY&SC, he stated, assist-

ed all clubs whether they supported Foster’s presidency at the BCB or not, as the main objective is to offer sports as an alternative to a life on the road. MORE IN 2019 The Assistant Secretary congratulated Achievers on the good job the club was doing in developing the cricketing skills of youths in West Berbice and committed RHTY&SC to doing even more in 2019. Black expressed gratitude to RHTY&SC and its teams for the assistance. RHTYSC was founded in 1990 and over the period has won over 60 major tournaments including twelve in 2018 at all levels. The club which also received the GCB Club-of-the-Year five times, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016, and has produced numerous players at all levels.

RHTY&SC Asst Secretary Simon Naidu and Mahendra Gopilall hand over the donation to David Black.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

Vodafone uses Steve Smith’s Blueberry clash with Net Rockers, ball-tampering shame in ad UDFA GT Beer football

Winners Connection tackle Topp XX in must-win matches

Former Australia captain Steve Smith

Denzil Pryce

Ryan Noel

THE Upper Demerara GT Beer year-end football championship will heat up tonight, when crucial matches are played in a double- header feature at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The evening’s win or go-home will see Blueberry Hill and Net Rockers collide at 19:00hrs and the second at 21:00hrs will pit Winners Connection against Topp XX. Interesting enough is that Blueberry Hill with Royston Fraser among their players, having lost their first game, will now have to get past Net Rockers if they want to stay in contention. Blueberry lost their first of two matches when they went down to Silver Shattas 2-1,and cannot afford another loss, while Rockers with Denzil Fordyce showing early form, are seeking another win to ensure their passage is safe for the next stage of the tournament. Rockers downed the Shattas 4-0 in an unimpressive open-

Marmalaque Davidson

ing game and are favoured to get past Blueberry Hill tonight. The second game will see Marmalaque Davidson showing the kind of form that made him such a promising youth player lead Winners Connection, who have a higher rating over their opponents Topp XX and that game will be for a place in the final four also. Winners Connection were winners over Amelia’s Ward Panthers, beating them 2-1 and now can advance with a win over Topp XX. However, Topp XX, after scoring a 2-1 victory against Panthers, are also keen on reaching the next knockout phase of this tournament with a win and are looking past Winners Connection. With both scoring wins over the Panthers who are out, it is a deciding encounter for which team will advance further in this tournament. Tonight, therefore, is a night where you have to win or go home.

Hard Judgement Promotions boxing card postponed THE return of professional boxing to Linden has been delayed further, as the Hard Judgement Promotions card, which was set for tomorrow with a GUYANA versus BARBADOS matchup, has been postponed according to one of the organisers Orlon Rogers. Speaking to the Chronicle Sport, Rogers said following the non-staging of the contract-signing on Wednes-

day in Linden, that injury to one of the boxers, Barbados’ Gordel Roberts, has caused the push back of the card which was set to be staged at Xcitement on Mavis Avenue, Amelia’s Ward, Linden. The main bout of the Hard Judgement Promotions was the junior lightweight clash between Guyana’s Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers and Barbados’ Gordel ‘The Judge’ Roberts over 12 rounds.

Allyson Felix adds ‘Mommy’ to impressive list of titles SIX-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix and long-time rival to Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown gave birth to a daughter Camryn late last month, several media outlets have reported. The American track star, who has won 11 World Championship gold medals in a career that has spanned more than a decade, revealed the news during a recent interview in the United States. “I was so excited to be pregnant. I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I feel so incredibly blessed. This shouldn’t be a secret. I want to share this journey with everyone who has ever known me or cheered for me. So why has it taken me eight

months to share this news?” she said. “I think it’s the same reason it took me until now

appointing everyone who expected me to always put running first,” she continued.

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Allyson Felix

to feel ready to start a family and have a child. Having a child felt like I’d be risking my career and dis-

“I’ve always been a private person. Sharing too much, letting people inside the protective bubble we all

create on social media was never comfortable for me. It made me feel vulnerable.” She also revealed that the child was delivered by emergency C-section following complications she was experiencing at 32 weeks. However, both she and the child are said to be doing well. Notwithstanding the birth of the first child for her and her husband Kenneth, Felix is planning to be ready to compete in her fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in 2020. With nine Olympic and 16 World Championships medals, Felix who turned 33 on November 18, is the most decorated female track and field athlete in history. (Sportsmax)

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Disgraced former Australia captain Steve Smith has tied up with the local arm of Britain’s Vodafone Group in an advertising campaign that leverages the nation’s ball-tampering shame for marketing purposes. Smith, along with former vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, remains banned from international and state-level cricket in Australia, as he serves out a 12-month suspension for his part in the Cape Town scandal. Vodafone Australia’s “Gutsy is calling” commercial starts with a voice overlay of Smith’s tearful apology when he fronted the media upon his return home from South Africa before cutting to scenes of him playing for local club Sutherland and conducting a coaching clinic. “Everything I dreamed of, everything I was a part of was just falling to pieces,” Smith says in the commercial. “I was in a pretty dark space. It was just about being upfront and honest and taking responsibility. “I’ve certainly had some difficult days. But it’s okay to be vulnerable. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s about the way you respond to it that’s really important.” It concludes with Smith saying: “I want to come back better than I was.” Smith has shunned interviews since returning home

from South Africa in disgrace but is set to front the media today before training with Sydney Sixers, a local team in Australia’s ‘Big Bash’ Twenty20 tournament. Smith is also banned from playing in the Big Bash, which is sponsored by Vodafone Australia. Local media reported Smith was donating his fee for the advertisement to a local charity for men’s mental health. The advertisement - and Smith’s participation in it was quick to draw criticism from local media pundits and it drew mixed responses on social media. “Don’t use mental illness to try and flog off some phones,” 3AW radio host Justin Smith said on the Melbourne station. “Looking at this tacky rubbish, I wonder if he’s learnt anything at all. Vodafone Australia responded to criticism from one Twitter user, saying the company was supporting Smith “in his mission to spread awareness about mental health for young Australians.” Australia, now led by Smith’s replacement Tim Paine, is tied 1-1 in the current four-match Test series against India ahead of the third contest in Melbourne starting next week. Smith and Warner are suspended until the end of March, 2019. Bancroft’s ban expires on December 29.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, December 21, 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: WI won by 8 wickets Sheldon Cottrell (WI)

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: How many players have now captained the WI in T20 Int’ls to date? How many players have now captained Bangladesh in T20 Int’ls to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

Singh, Duncan win individual gold at Archery Outdoor Recurve Finals ARCHERY Guyana’s Outdoor Recurve Championship Finals kicked off at 12:00hrs on Sunday December 16, 2018 at the GNS ground, Carifesta Avenue. While the weather was not a sunny forecast the championship displayed exciting and competitive matches between the archers. First event was the women semi-final match between Narda Mohamed and Samira Duncan in which the latter secured a spot in the final against Shereeda Yusuf who benefited from a bye, due to a no-show from Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon. The final match after an even start was dominated by Duncan. She claimed the gold medal, Yusuf silver and Mohamed bronze. The Women Cadet event was a two-person match which was dominated by Talitha Kissoon. She won every end to secure the gold medal with Jessica Callender copping the silver. The men then took to the field in the quarter-fi-

nals, with Sean Duncan and Jeewanram Persaud giving onlookers a thrilling match where they both tied with five points each, thus giving onlookers a chance to witness a one-arrow shoot-off for a tie-breaker. Duncan took the opportunity to show his dominance and secured his spot in the semi-final. In the other quarter-final matches, Anand Mangra was defeated by Umasankar Madray 2-6 with the quarter-final match being effectively a semi-final, with Nicholas Hing losing to Robert Singh, resulting in Singh advancing to final, due to a no-show by Ryan McKinnon and Latchman Singh the other quarter-finalists. In the semi-final, Madray overcame a poor start to dominate Duncan in the last 3 rounds to secure the win and a spot in the final. In the final, Duncan got past Nicholas Hing 6-2 to secure bronze medal with Singh displaying calm and brillance to overcome the favoured Madray 6-2, ending the men’s individual with

Singh taking gold, Madray silver an Duncan bronze. For the team shoot-offs,

Singh and Mohamed dominated as they took the gold medal, leaving team Mangra

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Young German Alexander Zverev’s breakthrough title at the ATP Finals in London last month brought the future into focus, but the year ended with men’s tennis in the grip of a block of 30 somethings led by a resurgent Novak Djokovic. Serbian Djokovic, 31, needed elbow surgery in February to cure a problem that surfaced in 2017, but after some jarring defeats he returned to the kind of domination he achieved in 2015, winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Roger Federer continued to hold back the clock as only he can by winning the Australian Open, aged 36 and a few weeks later becoming the ATP’s oldest world number one. Rafael Nadal, 32, had an injury-hit year but that did not stop the Spaniard winning an 11th French Open title. By the time the long season wrapped up, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer were one, two and three in the ATP rankings with seven of the top 10 aged 30 or over. The eagerly-awaited return of Serena Williams to the women’s game after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia last September failed to deliver the American a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, although she was tantalisingly close. It is not the majestic tennis she played en route to the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals that will be remembered, however, but her controversial Flushing Meadows showdown against Japan’s Naomi Osaka

FINAL RESULTS ■ Women Cadet Talitha Kissoon – 40 (gold) Jessica Callender – 9 (silver) ■ Women Individual Samira Duncan – 46 (gold) Shereeda Yusuf – 13 (silver) Narda Mohamed – bronze by default ■ Men Individual Robert Singh – 65 (gold) Umasankar Madray – 61 (silver) Sean Duncan – 60 (bronze)

Some of the competitors at the Outdoor Championship. In centre, 2018 Men’s Individual winner Robert Singh and on his right Women’s Individual winner Samira Duncan.

Djokovic back on top as old guard refuses to let go By Martyn Herman

and Duncan with silver and Madray and Yusuf the bronze.

and the ensuing fall-out and allegations of sexism. In one of the most infamous matches played in the New York cauldron, Williams raged after being given a code violation for ‘off-court coaching’ in the second set, got a point penalty for angrily smashing a racquet and was docked a game for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a “liar”.

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki beat Simona Halep on an oven-like Rod Laver Arena to win the Australian Open and claim her first Grand Slam title, at the 43rd attempt. A few months later Halep became the first Romanian to win a Grand Slam title for 40 years as she beat American Sloane Stephens at Roland Garros.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the men’s singles final against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. (REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/file photo) Osaka, who has since turned 21, somehow stayed calm in the bedlam to beat her childhood idol, but was reduced to tears as the crowd booed during the postmatch presentations - angry at the perceived unfair treatment of the queen of women’s tennis. Patience paid off for two of the WTA’s ultimate battlers.

‘COULDN’T BREATHE’ She had lost her previous three finals, including the year before in Paris from a winning position, but after losing the first set against Stephens roared back to claim the most popular victory of the year. “In the last game I couldn’t breathe, I just didn’t want to repeat what happened the other years,” Halep, who finished 2018 as world number one, said. Germany’s Angelique Kerber ripped up the script at Wimbledon. Serena Williams had looked unstoppable during a blazing fortnight on the All England Club lawns and was odds-on to claim an eighth singles title, equal Margaret Court’s 24 slams and become the first mum to win Wimbledon for 38 years. With support in the Royal Box from friend Meghan Markle, wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, the stage was set for Serena but an inspired Kerber dropped just six games to become the first German woman to win the title since Steffi Graf in 1996. That final was controversially played after the conclusion of the men’s semi between Djokovic and Nadal, which was delayed by

South African Kevin Anderson’s epic, six-hour, 36-minute defeat of American John Isner, 26-24 in the deciding set. Djokovic took brutal advantage of a fatigued Anderson in the final and later in the year Wimbledon called time on “never-ending” matches as they announced that from 2019 onwards tiebreaks would be played at 12-12 in the decider. Wimbledon lit the blue touch-paper for Djokovic who had entered the Championships seeded 12 after slipping to his lowest ranking since 2006. After ending a two-year Grand Slam drought he went 28-3 for the rest of the year, including winning 16 consecutive sets to march to the U.S. Open title where he beat Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the final. That took him level on 14 Grand Slams with Pete Sampras and hunting Nadal (17) and Federer (20) on the all-time list. Young guns like Zverev, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov are expected to chip away at the old order in 2019 but the changing of the guard is happening at a glacial pace. Time has caught up with the 118-year-old Davis Cup, however. This year’s final, won by Croatia in France, was the last before a controversial revamp kicks in after sweeping changes were voted in by the International Tennis Federation. Next November in Madrid, 18 nations will contest a soccer World Cup-style climax to the event.

■ Teams Robert Singh/Narda Mohamed – 101 (gold) Anand Mangra/Samira Duncan – 120 (silver) Umasankar Madray/Shereeda Yusuf – 64 (bronze) Archery Guyana extends thanks to Hon. Minister Norton and the ministry for making the ground available and Director of Sport Christopher Jones and National Sports Commission for promoting the sport of Archery.

Solskjaer wants United players to enjoy their football MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United’s caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday that he wanted to “get the players enjoying their football” after he returned to Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. United have turned to their former Norway international striker Solskjaer on a deal until the end of the season to inject some life into what has been a fraught campaign. The club parted company with Mourinho on Tuesday with the club in sixth spot in the Premier League having made their worst start to a season for 28 years, culminating in a limp 3-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. M o u r i n h o ’s f i n a l f e w months in charge were dominated by media reports of his falling out with the club’s 90 million pounds ($114 million) France midfielder Paul Pogba while his side laboured on the pitch playing dull defensive football. Solskjaer, who as a player was part of United’s era of dominance under Alex Ferguson and scored the goal that secured an unprecedented treble almost 20 years ago, wants to return a feelgood factor to their under-performing squad. “I am just going to be myself... get the players enjoying their football and looking forward to seeing the supporters again,” Solskjaer, 45, told MUTV on Thursday in his first

interview as caretaker boss. “We are in a results business and we want to win games and that is my job. We just want to see them play the football they can.” Solskjaer, who has left his role as manager of Norwegian club Molde, said the busy upcoming schedule of matches would give all of his squad a chance to impress him. Their game on Saturday at Cardiff City, where Solskjaer was briefly manager in 2014, begins a run of five in 15 days. “The amount of games coming up is no problem because we’ve got an amazing squad, we’ve got 23-24 players,” Solskjaer said. “They are all quality and they’ll all get a chance now with the amount of games coming up. They’ve got a chance to show they are Man United players.” Solskjaer’s place in United’s folklore means he is likely to receive a rapturous welcome when they play their next home match against Huddersfield Town on Dec. 26. The Norwegian, who was the hero on one of the club’s most famous nights when got the winner in stoppage time as United completed a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final, said he would relish his time in charge. “As a player I gave everything I have and now walking out and leading this team and being part of this team. Playing for pride, history, it will be very special.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, December 21, 2018

Record total sends Windies to defeat after Shakib’s all-round display

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) – Rovman Powell’s maiden Twenty20 International half-century went in vain, as West Indies caved under the pressure of a difficult run chase, to go down by 36 runs in the second T20I here yesterday. In pursuit of 212 for victory at the Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium, West Indies put up a fight before folding for 175 at the start of the final over, leaving the series level at 1-1 and turning tomorrow’s final match into the series-decider. Powell slammed 50 off 34 balls while the in-form Shai Hope chipped in with a sparkling 36 off 19 deliveries, but captain and left-arm spinner Shakib-al-Hasan scythed through the innings with a career-best five for 20 as West Indies slumped to 101 for five at the end of the 11th over. Keemo Paul arrived at number nine to pummel 29 off 16 balls but by then Bangla-

desh were in command of the contest and the result was only a formality.

wards the end and Shakib, not to be left out, chipped in with a typically breezy 42 not out,

After a brief collapse, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah powered Bangladesh to their highest T20I score with an unbeaten 91-stand off 42 balls

Opener Liton Das had earlier lashed a top score of 60 off 34 deliveries as the hosts rallied to a record 211 for four off their 20 overs – their highest-ever score at home and their second highest ever. Mahmudullah smashed an unbeaten 43 from 21 balls to-

from 26 deliveries. Entering the contest hoping to seal their first T20I series win of the year, West Indies found themselves on the backfoot early, as Das and Tamim Iqbal (15) put on 42 off 25 balls for the first wicket. Tamim, though, was not

at his most fluent, and after being put down on 13, finally perished when he pulled leftarm spinner Fabian Allen to Sheldon Cottrell at mid-wicket in the fifth over. Das, who counted six fours and four sixes, then added a whirlwind 68 for the second wicket with Soumya Sarkar whose 32 came from 22 deliveries and included three fours and a six. Together, they raised the fifty in the sixth over with the first of two consecutive sixes by Das off speedster Oshane Thomas, before bringing up the hundred in the 11th. However, left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell removed both in the 12th over and when Mushfiqur holed out to deep mid-wicket off Thomas in the 13th over, West Indies were back in the contest at 120 for four. However, that was the Caribbean side’s last sighting of success as Mahmudullah

and Shakib combined in a devastating 91-run, unbroken fifth-wicket stand which fired Bangladesh past the 200-run mark. Mahmudullah struck seven fours – including three consecutive off Cottrell in the 14th over – while the left-handed Shakib punched five fours and a six – a hoist over square leg in the 16th over from opposite number Carlos Brathwaite which leaked 19 runs. In reply, West Indies suffered an early blow when Evin Lewis (1) picked out deep mid-wicket off left-arm seamer Abu Hider in the third over but Hope once again entertained, if only briefly, with six audacious fours – including four in succession off seamer Mustafizur Rahman (2-50) in the fourth over. He added 41 with Nicholas Pooran who made 14 before holing out to backward square leg trying to lift Shakib

for a second consecutive six in the fifth over. Hope followed in the next over, caught on the ropes at mid-wicket off off-spinner Mehidy Hasan and though Powell put on 36 with Shimron Hetmyer (19) for the fourth wicket, the Windies collapsed as Shakib wrecked the innings. Hetmyer never looked himself and finally top-edged Shakib to be taken in the deep and in the same over, Darren Bravo sliced to short third man to depart for two. Shakib also got the important wicket of Brathwaite (7), stumped after absentmindedly drifting out of his crease and then bowled Allen without scoring in his next over, as West Indies plunged to 138 for seven in the 15th over. Powell, who crunched five fours and a six without really finding his rhythm, finally perished in the 16th, skying Mustafizur to mid-on.

Marslowe to head Bartica Football Association Coach Gordon Brathwaite takes the lead Improving Baramita through sports ...

New president of the BFA, Alden Marslowe (5th from left) flanked by members of his executive.

ALDEN Marslowe is the new president of the Bartica Football Association (BFA), following elections last Monday in the Region Seven mining community. The elections, supervised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), saw the Marslowe-led slate defeat the slate headed by Michael Dos Santos. In an invited comment, Marslowe was in high praise for his team and supporters and said he felt humble to be tasked with this great undertaking: “It is indeed an honour to assume this

responsibility of leading the charge towards the revival of the sport at Bartica. With the many broad shoulders at the wheel, the association can only go in the direction of ultimate success. Bartica will start scoring goals again, soon.” Following a lull of football activities and the disintegration of the executive committee, a “Resuscitation Working Group” was established in May 2018 comprising nine members including Marslowe and some members of the new executive. During their tenure, the group suc-

cessfully executed the Independence Cup Championship from May 13 to 26, 2018. The winning team is as follows: Alden Marslowe – president, Elwes Jones – First vice-president, Kenneth Edwards – Second vice-president, Carmel Williams – Third vice-president, Arita Embleton – secretary, Kwesi Jacobs – treasurer and Michelle Jeffrey – Assistant secretary/treasurer. The Committee members are Sherwin Da Silva, Curtis Joseph, Terrence Williams, Vince Hopkinson and Randy Adams.

Coach Gordon Brathwaite poses with some of the young footballers of the Baramita Primary School.

IN yet another effort to address the growing social problems affecting the people of Baramita, Region One, the Department of Sport deployed one of its most experienced coaches to the community. Gordon Brathwaite, one of Guyana’s world-class footballers, was sent to the community to engage its youths on healthier ways of channelling their anger, frustration and boredom. Coach Brathwaite, known in the field as the ‘Ultimate Warrior’ has been interacting with the young people of

Baramita, since last Thursday. “From the response that I have gotten, I believe that sports can really help the people of Baramita. The youths have potential and I am glad that the Department of Sport took this initiative to ignite a sports presence in that particular community,” Brathwaite said. The coach explained that engagements even led to the formation of a Baramita Sports Club, which is being headed by a five-member executive body. “The good thing about this body is that it has the

presence of important people from all sections of the society. It has a teacher, a police officer, a young, vibrant, talented youth leader, a very successful businessman, as well as the deputy Toshao of the village.” Coach Brathwaite commended the efforts of the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, in recognising the positive impacts that sports can have on a person’s overall life, adding that he genuinely believes that sports can solve many of the problems facing the people of Baramita.

Hetmyer; Campbell

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cop Cricketer-of-the-Year awards

Seated from left are - Dr Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Anand Sanasie, Prime Minister and First Vice-President Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton and Howard Cox with the awardees. (Adrian Narine photos)

Kevin Sinclair collects his Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year award from Raj Singh.

President of the GCB, Fizul Bacchus hands over the trophy to Joshua Persaud for scoring the most runs in the Regional Under-19 tournament.

Ryan Hercules collects his trophy for his outstanding service as a cricket Coach-of-the-Year.

Turbo winners receive prizes … Northern Rangers’ Reynolds awarded MVP Page

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The Guyana National Futsal team

Wilson, Murray, Nelson headline Guyana’s Futsal team Page

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Nigel Denny collects Northern Rangers Trophy from GBI’s Marketing coordinator Raymond Govinda in the presence of Jacquline Boodie (centre) and Petra executives Mark Alleyne (extreme right) and Sean Embrack (extreme right).

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018