Guyana Chronicle E-paper 1-19-2020 by Guyana Chronicle

19th January, 2020

The President and education

' SEE PAGE 15

No.105884

‘BRING ME THE EVIDENCE’ …GECOM Chair dismisses PPP claims that 6,000 house-to-house registrants non-existent …says: tampering allegations aimed at disenfranchising voters

…assures laws empower CEO to correct any omission

SEE PAGES 03&13 BRIDGE COMMISSIONED

A $119M concrete bridge was officially handed over to the Moruca sub-district of the Barima-Waini Region on Saturday. This comes after less than two years when a contract was inked to rebuild the wooden bridge that links the Kumaka and San Jose communities in the predominantly Indigenous Region. “Sustainable long-term projects are what can propel our village economies to prosperity. No more should we settle or accept handouts, but we must demand sustainable projects and that is what the Government of the day has been giving us,” said Toshao Paul Pierre, ViceChair of the National Toshaos Council. Toshao Pierre was at the time speaking at Saturday’s commissioning ceremony of the new San Jose bridge. He then listed several initiatives that were spearheaded by the Coalition Government that have positively impacted the lives of Indigenous peoples. In this DPI photo, several Ministers of Government, local leaders and residents walk across the San Jose bridge

Region 8 chairman Several homeless ERC zeroes in walks away from PPP in Wismar fire on social media

…accuses party of stifling development

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SEE STORY ON PAGE 12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Region 8 chairman walks away from PPP …accuses party of stifling development …says resisted coercion to obstruct government business

By Alva Solomon SINCE 2015, Region Eight Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks, has ignored orders by the Peoples Progressive Party’s leaders to avoid events associated with the government. The regional official, who was unbothered by threats by the PPP’s hierarchy to remove him from the post, has since crossed the floor and is now a regional candidate at

the March 2, 2020 polls for the APNU+AFC coalition. “I never muzzled anyone and I don’t like anyone to do likewise to me,” noted Fredericks, who was elected by the PPP following the 2015 regional and general elections to serve as regional chairman. The PPP was victorious in the region at the May 2015 polls, attaining more seats in the hinterland administrative region than the coalition.

Fredericks told the Guyana Chronicle, on Friday, that soon after the APNU+AFC assumed office in May 2015, the PPP’s hierarchy was passing instructions to its regional leaders, including him and the regional leaders of Regions One, Six and Region Nine, among others, that they must not cooperate with the David Granger-government. “I didn’t go with it, I went against the instructions of the party {PPP}. I belong to this region and I put the people first,” Fredericks said. He added that he has enjoyed a good relationship with President David Granger, whose government, he added, has been working hard to raise the standard of living of the people of Region Eight. GOOD RELATIONSHIP “I enjoyed a good relationship with most of

the ministers of the government,” Fredericks said, adding that he sees the job of a regional chairman as one which puts the people’s

frastructural projects as well as economic initiatives undertaken in the region by the APNU+AFC government. “I can say so without a doubt, I

The government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, undertook a major road rehabilitation project at Mahdia in 2018, in which the

“I didn’t go with it, I went against the instructions of the party {PPP}. I belong to this region and I put the people first,” Fredericks said. He added that he has enjoyed a good relationship with President David Granger, whose government, he added, has been working hard to raise the standard of living of the people of Region Eight. Region Eight Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks (DPI photo)

interest first. To this end, Fredericks said that when he took the oath of office, he did so not as a PPP official, but rather a state official with the people’s interest as a priority. “The main reason I am in this work is for the development of the people in this region,” he said. Fredericks told the Guyana Chronicle that, after leaving the private sector, he moved through the ranks of the regional administration to the post he currently holds. He said he started out as a driver and subsequently he moved onto being a stores clerk. Later he would be elevated within the administration office before he took on the world of politics. “I belong to this region and I put it first” he said. He also noted that as s driver, he communicated regularly with the regional officials and, as such, he gained valuable insight into the management of the region. UNBOTHERED As regards the PPP’s earlier threats to replace him if that party wins the regional aspect of the 2020 elections in the Potaro/Siparuni , Fredericks said he was unfazed since another job is always waiting for him. ”My old job is still waiting on me,” he added in assuring tones. According to Fredericks, although the time has been short, the government has been “doing a good job” even as he cited several in-

have travelled the region because I do not sit at Mahdia in the office,” he said. He explained that he works around the clock by venturing into various areas within the region to ensure the mandate of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is undertaken. Fredericks said that geographically, the regional authorities are challenged but he noted that he hops onto his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and ventures into the region to carry out his duties. ”I do my own riding, I get onto the ATV and ensure I do what I am being paid to do,” the regional official said in frank tones. CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT He said that in 2017, while at a public event at the village of Tuseneng, he had a conversation with President Granger who asked what the region needed in terms of support from the government. ”I told him roads, we need good roads to reduce the cost of living,” Fredericks said. He said that the region depends on agriculture and as such, the improvement of the road network by the government has assisted in cushioning the problem. ”We have been able to work on several things,” he said, as he reiterated that the standard of living is improving. He said more can be done and he expressed confidence that in time, the quality of life expected by many, will be attained. PROJECTS

roads and drains were rehabilitated with concrete as the area prepared for township status. Fredericks said there is still some way to go before the entire stretch catered for in the scope of works, is completed but he noted the weather has been a major factor hampering the works. He said he is optimistic the project will be completed in the months ahead. He said that there are also other road projects which were undertaken by the authorities and these include a 9-mile stretch connecting the road network at Mahdia with Pamela Landing. He added that the Princeville to Denham Bridge roadway was also completed , reducing travel time in the area. Several other minor roads were also rehabilitated. He said maintenance of the roadways has been a major undertaking for the regional administration and he listed the Mahdia-Micobie road as one which has been in “good shape” due to maintenance. Noting that “doing work in this region is no walkover,” Fredericks said that the government was able to build and rehabilitate several schools in the region. He said new schools were built at Itabac and the remote village of Kaibarupai. EDUCATION DELIVERY He also listed the controversial Kato Secondary School which was built by the previous administration as another major TURN TO PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

‘Bring me the evidence’ …GECOM dismisses PPP claims that 6,000 house-to-house registrants non-existent …says: "Them not being home does not mean they do not exist"

By Svetlana Marshall WARNING that thousands of eligible Guyanese could be disenfranchised if they are unjustifiably removed from the Revised List of Electors, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh said to date there is no evidence persons registered during the 2019 House-to-House registration are non-existent or do not live at the addresses listed. On August 31, 2019, GECOM, cognizant of the fact that there was a need to facilitate early General and Regional Elections, concluded its House-to-House Registration Exercise – a process which was deemed legitimate by the High Court, and resulted in a total of 370,740 Guyanese being registered. In December, 2019, the Commission indicated that 60,000 of the more than 370, 000 persons registered, were new registrants based on a cross-matching exercise conducted by international digital security company, Gemalto. However, through its own efforts, the Commission later found that some 17,000 persons, who were deemed new, were already on the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB). From the approximately 43,000 persons remaining, some 27,000 were persons under the age of 18. It was agreed at the level of the Elections Commission in

mid-December, 2019 that the remaining 16,863 registrants would undergo another round of verification. That verification process spanned from December 18-22, 2019 (a period of five days), and ended with approximately 10,000 of the more than 16,000 being verified. Approximately 6,534 were unconfirmed, meaning that they were not at their residences at the time of the visit. On the grounds that the 16,000 plus Guyanese had registered during a legitimate process, and their existence and residency were verified during the House-to-House Registration, the Elections Commission took a decision to add them to the National Register of Registrants Database but this move has not received the support of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and its allies. There has been a push for the ‘unverified’ 6,534 to be removed from the National Register of Registrants Database and by extension the Revised List of Electors for the upcoming general elections. In a letter to the editor titled “The longer Justice Singh takes to discard the unverified HtH data, the deeper the risk of rigged elections,” Chartered Accountant and Politician, Nigel Hinds, who dropped out of the electoral race over his dual citizenship status, described the 6,000 plus registrants as “phantoms.”

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office

But Justice (Ret’d) Singh, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, warned that it would be a breach of the Constitution to disenfranchise eligible Guyanese, who had registered during a legitimate process. Iterating that the registrants’ information was verified during the 2019 House-to-House Registration, albeit in the absence of PPP/C scrutineers who had boycotted the process, the Elections Chairman said the time and season were factors that might have contributed to the registrants not being found at their places of residence during the second round of verification. She explained that the verification exercise, conducted in a period of only five days, was done during the peak of the Christmas season, and it was possible that the new registrants could have been at work or engaged in other activities away from their homes, at the time of the visit. Them not being home does not mean they do not exist, the Elections Chairman made clear. “We have no evidence that they do not live at the addresses which they gave,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. However, Justice (Ret’d) Singh is challenging anyone with information that would prove the contrary to come forward. “Now we are saying, if anyone has any evidence that these are empty house lots, then bring the evidence,” she challenged. It was disclosed that Opposition-appointed Elections Commissioner, Robeson Benn supplied the names of four persons from Bath Settlement on the West Coast of Berbice, who are considered listed as new registrants but do not live at the addresses listed in the NRR Database. According to the Chair, the allegation is under active investigation, and GECOM’s officers are in the fields. “We are verifying that information and if that is so then GECOM will take all the necessary steps to see that nobody is to be placed on the list that ought not to be there,” Justice (Ret’d) Singh assured this newspaper. The Elections Chairman noted that she had taken a similar posture when treating with the list of over 18,000 persons who had failed to collect their Identification (ID) cards between 2008 and 2019. In keeping with the proviso of Section 668 of the National Registration (Amendment) Act 2005, the Elections Commission, in November, 2019, published the names of the 18,000 persons who were registered, since 2008, but failed to collect ID cards, in the hope that they would uplift those cards, thereby verifying their existence. Those persons were also notified of the process by registered mail, but, although the

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

exercise ran well over a period of 21 days, only approximately 1,000 persons uplifted their ID cards to date. To remove them from the database on the grounds that they did not uplift their ID cards would be unconstitutional – a position strongly supported by the Opposition. It is believed that a large percentage of the 18,000 persons, who have not collected their ID cards, no longer reside in Guyana. Justice (Ret’d) Singh said as in the case of the ID cards, it would be unjust to remove the 6000 plus persons because they were not at home at the time of the second round of verification. “Why should I take off people? Come elections day, should these people come up with their pink slip, indicating that they were registered, what are we going to do? The people will demand that they have a right to vote because they were registered,” she reasoned. All new registrants, she noted, will be issued with ID cards and that in itself would verify their existence. Added to that, she said on Elections Day, GECOM officials would make use of the folio, comprising electors’ information, in cases where eligible electors do not have any form of identification. Important to note, she said, is the fact that scrutineers from all the parties would be present to confirm the identities and information of electors before voting takes place.

Region 8 chairman walks away ...

FROM PAGE

undertaking for the authorities. The multi-million dollar school’s opening was delayed after a number of faults were discovered by the authorities. The faults have since been remedied and the school currently caters for 300 plus students. Fredericks said the standard of education delivery has been improving and he credited the Ministry of

Education for addressing the faults by taking measures such as increasing the number of teachers in the schools in the region. “We have had some good works in the region recently”, Fredericks said, as he lauded authorities for the $10M lapidary project at Monkey Mountain as well as a tomato processing project at Paramakatoi.

Fredericks also noted that the business community of Mahdia has been supportive of the RDC. He said this relationship stretches back to water-supply problem in which the private entities came to the aid of the authorities. The regional official’s political views mirror those of several other regional and village leaders who

have since thrown their support behind the ANPU+AFC administration, primarily for steps taken to improve the standard of living of Guyanese. Recently, a former regional chairman of Region One lauded the government for its support to the region. This week also, several indigenous leaders have also commend-

ed the government for works undertaken to improve village life. Reports are that in several villages, such as Aishalton in the Rupununi, the village leaders are being targeted by Opposition officials on the ground for cooperating with the coalition government.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Three small parties merge lists -but will contest elections separately

THE Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and The New Movement (TNM) have combined their lists of candidates ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections, but the parties made it clear that the combination does not mean they formed a coalition. Leaders of the three parties, which are new to the local political landscape, said they

have not formed a coalition and as such, will be contesting the elections individually. “It is not a coalition, it is collaboration, and in the end everybody retains its individual imagine…we will be campaigning separately and so forth,” said Presidential Candidate of TNM, Dr. Asha Kissoon, during a joint press conference held by the leaders of the political parties at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) on Saturday. She believes that the combination of lists is more effective than coalescing because it will eradicate “racial barriers,” which have traditionally been associated with voting and elections in Guyana. Through the combination, the parties intend on representing all Guyanese. The parties cited Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, which permits two or more lists of candidates to be joined as a combination of lists

for the distribution of seats, but not for the purpose of voting. In explaining the purpose of the combination of lists, Dr. Kissoon said: “We realised we are stronger together than divided…we made a decision to change the political culture in Guyana because it has always been for yourself and best come, best serve… we would like there to be a new culture of togetherness.” While their intention is to change the political culture, Presidential Candidate of ANUG, Ralph Ramkarran, said the “combination list” cannot “technically” win the elections, but it can get enough votes to give the parties majority of the seats in the National Assembly. Ramkarran, in explaining the process, said: “those seats will have to be divided up among the three political parties, and unless one of the parties obtains the plurality, that political party will win, the combination cannot win the elections.” The presidential candidate, who was once a heavyweight in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), again repeated that the parties did not form a coalition

From left: Presidential Candidate of the LJP, Lennox Shuman; Presidential Candidate of TNM, Dr. Asha Kissoon; and Presidential Candidate of ANUG, Ralph Ramkarran (Delano Williams photo)

and will go the polls on their own. In this case, people will vote for the party of their choice and the votes will be counted for the party of preference, but at the end of the electoral process, the votes will be combined in accordance with the combination of lists and seats will also be allocated in that regard. In giving a realistic example, Ramkarran said: “assuming 5,000 votes earn a political party one seat in the National Assembly, if the combination were to get 15,000 votes, then the combination would be entitled to three seats... it is then up to the parities to determine who gets the seats.” He also believes that the combination of lists will ensure

that no vote is wasted because, according to his reasoning: “assuming that once again, if political party A gets 7,500 votes, party B gets 6,500 and C gets 6,000, we have each gotten 5,000 so it will give them three seats and the remaining votes could give them another seat…without a combination, those extra votes would be discarded.” Ramkarran believes that even one seat is important because in 2011, the then opposition had a one seat majority in the National Assembly and again in 2015 the government had a one seat majority. “We are at a stage where

one seat is of critical importance…that is why the combination is of critical importance…it will create a situation where the two main political parties do not win an absolute majority,” said the presidential candidate. Presidential Candidate of the LJP, Lennox Shuman, also spoke about the importance of the combination, but noted the parties did not manage to convince Change Guyana and The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) to get involved. Change Guyana and TCI were also part of the initial discussions about joining the lists, but Shuman said: “discussions broke down at the eleventh hour and they believed we needed a lot more consultations on such an agreement…I think there would have been a missed opportunity.” Despite those two parties opting out and believing that more time was needed, Shuman said the agreement among the three parties is sound and will withstand legal challenge.

SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2020 - 13:00hrs

Saturday January 18, 2020

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Mexico violence: Indigenous musicians killed in ambush in Guerrero (BBC) Ten indigenous musicians have been shot dead and burned in an ambush in western Mexico believed to have been carried out by a drug cartel, officials say. The members of the Nahuas indigenous group were returning from a party when they were attacked in the town of Chilapa in Guerrero state. The victims, all men, were aged between 15 and 42. The Los Ardillos cartel, which frequently targets indigenous people in the area, was blamed for the attack. The victims, part of the

The men attacked were part of the Sensación Musical group

Sensación Musical group, were

returning to their Alcozacán

community on Friday after playing the day before, said David Sánchez Luna, co-ordinator of the regional indigenous group known as CRAC-PF. Gunmen attacked their vehicle at around 14:00 local time (20:00 GMT) in Mexcalcingo, he said. When the bodies were found, they were beyond recognition. After authorities refused to release them to the families, hundreds of indigenous people blocked a road on Friday night, La Jornada newspaper reported (in Spanish). The Guerrero prosecutor’s

office said it was investigating the case. Guerrero is one of Mexico’s most violent states, where drug gangs fight for control of trafficking routes to the Pacific and other parts of the country. The Los Ardillos have been linked to dozens of deaths in recent months, including many indigenous people, according to local media. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has opted for a non-confrontational approach to the cartels, focusing, instead, on tackling inequality central to his efforts under a policy

Libya civil war: UN envoy Salamé says foreign intervention must end (BBC) The UN’s Libya envoy Ghassan Salamé has called on foreign powers to stop interfering in Libya’s civil war. On the eve of peace talks in Berlin, Mr Salamé said foreign support of proxy groups in the conflict had created a “vicious cycle” of violence. But Mr Salamé told the BBC that he was optimistic about the negotiations. It comes after nine months of conflict between the powerful General Khalifa Haftar and the UN-backed government in the capital Tripoli. A truce was announced earlier this month between Gen Haftar and the Government of National Accord (GNA). But both sides blame each other for reported breaches of the agreement, and attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire broke down last week at a summit in

Ghassan Salamé

Moscow. On Saturday, forces loyal to Gen Haftar blocked oil exports from several major Libyan ports. The move is a damaging blow to the country’s main source of income, a day before renewed peace talks begin. WHAT DID GHASSAN SALAMÉ SAY? Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Salamé called on international powers to stop supporting local proxy

groups with mercenaries, arms, financing, and direct military support. He said such actions created “a vicious circle where their proxies call for intervention in their fight, and their own ambitions bring more divisions.” The role of foreign states in the conflict has come into focus in recent months, with Turkey passing a controversial law to deploy troops to help GNA forces in Tripoli. Meanwhile, Gen Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) has the backing of Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan. Sunday’s summit aims to extract a pledge from foreign powers to honour a UN arms embargo on Libya, and to halt any further interference in the conflict.

The meeting will bring the two sides together, along with their foreign backers, the UN and other global powers, including Russia’s President Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Mr Salamé told the BBC that a political solution to the conflict was best for all parties involved because Libya - with its vast geography, strong local identities, heavily-armed population and weakened government infrastructure - was a difficult country for one group to control. “Most of the national interests of all these countries, especially big [commercial] contracts and oil contracts, even geopolitical demands, can be accommodated by a peaceful and prosperous Libya, much better than a divided and wartorn country,” he added.

Two wanted in murder of Kaneville resident Police are searching for two suspects in the murder of a 50-year-old man who was found dead Saturday afternoon in a clump of bushes in an unoccupied yard at Nazarene Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Dead is Mark Burkette of 424 Third Street Kaneville EBD. Reports indicate that the body was discovered clad in a brown checkered underpants and bore chop wounds to the right and middle fingers. There were also abrasions to his chest, right thigh, upper back and two chop wounds to the back of his head. According to reports, the deceased was a drug addict who usually does odd jobs for persons. One resident in the area said “a man called Gully Bobb and his brother called Killer both of Naza-

rine Street EBD, accused the Burkette of stealing a cellular phone and they would have beaten him tremendously and that caused his death.”

The body was taken to the East Bank Regional Hospital and was later transferred to the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting an autopsy. When contacted police said an

investigation is being done and two suspects are being sought.

What is the current situation in Libya? Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time strongman Muammar Gaddafi. Gen Haftar’s LNA controls much of eastern Libya, and last April he launched an offensive against the country’s rival government in Tripoli. His forces have so far been unable to take the city, but earlier this month the LNA captured Libya’s country’s third-biggest city, Sirte. According to the UN, the fighting has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more from their homes.

dubbed “abrazos, no balazos” - hugs not bullets. But this policy has come in for criticism after a number of high-profile attacks, including an ambush in which nine members of a Mormon community were killed. The president vowed to create a new National Guard to tackle violence, but few have signed up to the force and amid fear of being killed on the job.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

The St Agnes incident THE recent instances of teachers being assaulted by parents must be cause for much concern. Guyanese looking at the pictures and videos of parents physically assaulting teachers must ask ourselves some very serious questions. The recent incident at St Agnes Primary School comes less than two months after a similar incident at Winfer Gardens Primary. On both occasions the victim was female and in the most recent instance, the aggressor was a male. The Ministry of Education has announced that it has launched a probe into the St Agnes incident, while there are reports that the teacher in question has made a report to the police. To date nobody has been arrested. While it is unclear what prompted the latest incident and persons must be deemed innocent until proven guilty, the very fact that persons entered a school building and a teacher was assaulted is enough evidence that something is radically wrong. There have always been isolated incidents of parents

assaulting teachers, but in recent times there seems to be an increase of these reports. We must not wait until the problem reaches boiling point before we sound the warning bell. From all indications violence against teachers is fast becoming a serious problem that must be confronted now. This publication, therefore, lends its voice to the call on the authorities to become pro-active in defence of our teachers. A school is a space where our children are nurtured and should be treated as such; violence has no place in such an environment. We know of the wanton violence in the larger society: everyday there are reports of gruesome violence, particularly against women and children. But the migration of such violence into our schools is more than worrisome. That parents and other citizens feel free to enter schools and engage in violence against teachers is an indication that the society is beginning to lose its shape. No society in the modern world can condone wanton violence against teachers. Assaults on teachers represent an attack on the very

conscience of the nation. This publication urges the Ministry of Education and the police force to instantly declare a zero-tolerance policy against such behaviour. We have seen enough in other societies to know that if such violence is allowed to simmer, the outcome would severely affect the very education system. Our children must be allowed to learn in a non-violent environment. But most of all, teachers must be assured that they can go about their jobs free from fear of being violently attacked. For too long teachers have been left to the mercy of irate parents who seem to blame them for every problem. The parents appear to act on the basis of complaints by their children; no longer are teachers given the benefit of the doubt. It is no wonder our young graduates seem less inclined to go into the teaching profession. Such parents should be condemned and made to face the full force of the law. There should be no playing around on this matter. For the education system to work to the benefit of the soci-

ety, the safety of teachers must be guaranteed. When students witness adults assaulting teachers at will, they are emboldened to emulate such actions. We are, therefore, in solidarity with the Guyana Teachers Union which has been drawing attention to this problem for some time now. As hinted above, the violence in question has a gender dynamic—most of the teachers assaulted are females. It is no secret that the majority of teachers are females, as males tend to shy away from the profession. Perhaps the very fact that teachers tend to be female is one of the contributory factors to this growing problem. It is a case of the anti-female violence spilling over into the schools. The larger point here is that the solution to this problem lies beyond the confines of the school. The society has a duty to protect its women at home and at their place of work. This is where law enforcement comes in. Questions are being asked as to how persons gain entrance to the school compound—where is the security? We do not recommend the

militarisation of our schools, but it may become necessary as some sort of back-up security. Most of the security guards themselves are women who may be intimidated by the culprits. At the risk of being labelled alarmist, we think that it is high time the Ministry of Education take a hard look at security arrangements during school hours. Ultimately, this problem in question has to be sorted out in the communities. There is need for a massive anti-violence movement in the society. But there is also need for a return to the culture of respect for teachers; teachers must be seen as the nurturers that they are. They are entrusted with shepherding our children into adulthood and preparing them to take their places in the society. And parents and guardians must protect them as much as we protect our children. It is time the society raises its collective voice and say a resounding no to violence against teachers.

REVAMPING THE INTEGRITY COMMISSION Dear Editor

THE Integrity Commission made news recently when its chairman disclosed that several MPs have failed to declare their incomes and assets (SN 15/01/2020). This letter makes no excuse for these MPs. Instead, it contends that the Integrity Commission must be fundamentally revamped. In 1997, two years after the United Nations Convention against Corruption came into force, our National Assembly passed the Integrity Commission Act to, quoting the act itself, “provide for the establishment of the Integrity Commission and to make provisions for the security of persons in public life.” Translating, the act pinpoints three functions the commission must perform: (i) monitor the wealth of specified political and professional officials (its

self-assigned biggest role), (ii) detect and prevent conflict-of-interest situations, and (iii) serve as a complaint authority against public officials for acts ranging from (using as a guide the 25 criteria on the commission’s complaint form) corruption and conflict of interest to politically biased and inefficient service. The commission has failed on all fronts. Revamping must achieve three outcomes: (i) to remove overlap in both jurisdiction and mission with other state entities, (ii) to give more regard to privacy interests without compromising transparency (thereby encouraging more submissions from officials), and (iii) to create a commission with a more impactful mandate. First, several countries have recognised that revenue

authorities are more effective at wealth-monitoring than integrity commissions. The larger database of our GRA, its more integrated systems, and its greater legal powers make it far more capable to detect undeclared and illegitimate wealth. In addition, the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) is more empowered than the commission to investigate any sudden wealth of public officials and to recover it. Then also the function of the Integrity Commission that addresses inefficient and unfair public service parallels that of the Ombudsman. By removing these overlapping jurisdictions and missions, the commission could be streamlined. Secondly, protection of the privacy rights of public officials. As one who has had to disclose assets, incomes and liabilities to the

commission over the years in three different capacities (as MP, as dean of a university faculty, and as a spouse), I have never felt comfortable. Apart from the nervousness about confidentiality of information in Guyana’s political milieu, I dislike the fact that the commission demands more than is required to fulfil its mandate and that it includes officials (such as the deans of faculties) who are ill-positioned to participate in the kind of mischief the commission was established to thwart. An integrity commission should be mandated not to measure total wealth of a public official and his close family, but to monitor the variation in their yearly wealth. Measuring total wealth reaches back into the life of the official prior to his or her job appointment. It is therefore an excessive

invasion of privacy; it is also unnecessary because annual declarations of assets and incomes from the date of one’s appointment can alone detect any suspicious richness without the need for total wealth in the equation. As such, the requirement for public officials to declare their total bank savings and to list and value all other assets unjustifiably invades their privacy. To make the argument differently, any need for such additional information does not warrant the invasion. Thirdly, it would be more useful for the commission to focus exclusively on detecting and preventing conflicts of interest in the public service. No other agency in Guyana has this mandate. In this refocusing, public officials would be obligated to declare only information that could

place them in a potential or actual conflict-of-interest situation. Such information should be limited mainly to properties owned (without stating their values as presently required), shareholdings in companies (without stating their values as presently required), private directorships, ownerships and partnerships, and gifts. This less intrusive and burdensome demand may encourage prompt and full compliance by officials. But additionally, and more to the point, the commission (and the public) can use the information to assess the extent to which self-interest could interfere or may have interfered with the decisions of public officials. The commission must revamp itself urgently. Regards Sherwood Lowe

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Jagdeo placed thousands of bauxite workers, bringing economic dislocation and depression to them, their families and communities Dear Editor: RESPONSE is being made to GAWU General-Secretary Seepaul Narine’s letter, “The GAWU has considered the response of our trade union colleague, Mr. Lincoln Lewis” (KN 18th Jan, 2020). Let me state from the outset that there was no need to clarify my statement on the government’s handling of sugar (KN 12th Jan, 2020: Is GuySuCo’s management attempting to embarrass the gov’t. by refusing to bargain with the unions?). My position was stated clearly and restated as reminder of what was said (KN 17th Jan, 2020: I stand by my position that Bharrat Jagdeo has failed the sugar workers, their families and communities). Seepaul sought to deliberately misrepresent same and having this pointed out is pretending I “clarified.” Nonsense. Sugar is a very serious matter and I refuse to be distracted by alleged utterances of Khemraj Ramjattan or others when

under review is the stewardship of Bharrat Jagdeo, as President and Leader of the Opposition, in the handling of this industry and treating with the welfare of these workers and their communities. GAWU is well aware that my position on respecting the right to collective bargaining where a trade union exists is loud and long-standing, regardless of which group is in office or union affected. Equally, it knows I have had no qualms calling out any government for transgressing the rights of workers as outlined in the Constitution, laws and international conventions. All of these are matters of public record. With regard to the matter of Termination and Severance benefit for sugar workers, both the Jagdeo government and APNU+AFC have flouted the law and both attracted my condemnation. While Seepaul claims he holds no brief for Jagdeo but entered into a litany of claims to give the impression that sugar was prudently managed during

his stewardship as president, evidence does not support this. Under his leadership GuySuCo have had to rely increasingly on the Consolidated Fund to keep it afloat. This is the most basic of evidence to start from. To argue otherwise in the face of the hard, cold fact is advancing a brief for someone whose record cannot withstand scrutiny. As to the viability of Skeldon, Kaieteur News of 29th March, 2013, reports:“The US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory built as part of government’s plan to reverse the sorrowful state of the country’s sugar industry is a letdown, says Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory seen as a letdown). Trade unionists hate to see the loss of jobs, especially when opportunities for re-hiring and capacity building are limited. But the question to be asked is: What has Jagdeo done to address these on behalf of the very workers whose votes he relies on and courts?

We Don’t Believe You! Dear Editor,

I write to your newspaper to highlight an issue concerning the PPP’s treatment of Linden and its goodly citizens that in my opinion is worthy to point out to the wider Guyana. As a result I am beseeching your facilitation to have the matter ventilated. For over a year now Guyana has been thrown into a very highly politically charged atmosphere due to the events of December 21th 2018, events so infamous that I need not allocate any column space to recount it. What I would like to discuss however, are the PPP’s shameless and barefaced attempts to deceive the people of Linden with their campaign promises. Traversing through parts of Linden you come into clear view of campaign banners plastered on the light posts with various promises of the PPP in a sorry attempt to woo voters of the mining town. I describe `the attempts as sorry because they are obvious, half-witted, lazy and downright insulting lies to any half rational Lindener of

voting age. Of the more than one dozen lazy-lies/promises let us take just three and discuss how much of a slap in the face they are. 1) Free Education within Five Years Breach of constitution and constitutional crisis are words frequently out of the mouths of the top leadership of the PPP when describing the current government but it is a matter of history that the PPP breached the constitution in 1994. Under the guise of cost recovery, they (PPP) placed a cost to attend university. This cost was double edged for Lindeners especially because they (Lindeners) already bore the heavy cost of transportation to get to the University of Guyana. Free education from nursery to university is a constitutionally guaranteed right, a right enjoyed by all until a PPP government came to power and continued the practice under subsequent PPP governments lead by former president Bharrat Jagdeo and all those members of the PPP seeking office in the upcoming March 2nd general and regional

elections. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Dr. Vince Adams (an executive member of AFC) who advocated at the party level for the restoration of free education paid for by oil wealth which was later embraced by HE president Granger who has a passion for an educated nation, Guyana under the continued stewardship of President Granger will have its constitutional right restored. Fact is that the PPP breached the constitution and placed a cost on university education in 1994 and successive PPP governments including Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali would have continued that unconstitutional policy but now in a bid to regain power is barefacedly lying to the people. We don’t believe you. 50,000 NEW JOBS For 23 years successive PPP governments oversaw the decline of the bauxite industry and the negative spinoff effects that had on the economy of Linden that resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs. It is legend that one former president vowed to see the

I could tell sugar workers what Desmond Hoyte and Robert Corbin did as Leaders of the Opposition when President Jagdeo placed thousands of bauxite workers on the breadline, bringing economic dislocation and depression to them, their families and communities. Seepaul’s perception that there is stubbornness on the part of the coalition administration to deal with issues, is not unlike the position of Jagdeo as President, which didn’t serve the working class well then as it won’t now. This reinforced my principle that silence and selective involvement when it comes to some workers’ welfare, hurts the welfare of all workers. Jagdeo as President succeeded in dividing the working class and a culture has been created where trade union solidarity no longer rules the day, but partisanship. I reiterate my position that were Jagdeo serious about the welfare of sugar workers, he could have done more. As recent as last month the Minister

of Finance “stressed that the union must sit with management to come up with a deal for satisfactory pay packages” (SNDec 6, 2019: Granger, Jagdeo differ on way ahead for sugar). Shortly after GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager Deodat Sukhu, said, “the cashstrapped corporation does not have the revenue or cash flow to pay workers the requested increase” (SN- 9th Dec, 2019GAWU hopeful of wage hike offer from gov’t). Jagdeo could have held GuySuCo’s feet to the fire for not taking note of the minister’s statement. He knows GuySuCo’s ability to pay the increase may rely on the minister who has responsibility for NICIL, the agency in which the company’s shares are vested. He could also have sought an engagement with the minister to ensure the management and sugar unions sit at the table. Cheddi Jagan would have done it, but he did neither! Jagan not only relied on the political support of these work-

ers, he fought for their welfare as Leader of the Opposition and President, and never missed any opportunity to advance same. Let Jagdeo tell the sugar workers and this nation why he refused to use his political privilege and muscle to work with the minister, GuySuco and GAWU to ensure collective bargaining and arriving at “a deal for satisfactory pay packages” last year. These are the same workers as he seeks their votes, in this election cycle, he is promising a plan to improve their conditions of work and standard of living. Shouldn’t that plan also include working with the government as Leader of the Opposition to bring the economic relief they seek? He continues to fail sugar workers, their families and communities.

once booming town of Linden reduced nothing more than a graveyard and in many ways that was fulfilled. Linden became the graveyard for the hopes and dreams of its young people who dreamed of raising a family and being gainfully employed in the community of their birth as many had to leave their beloved hometown to find employment. Linden is a graveyard for countless marriages as husbands or wives left the matrimonial home to go the interior or foreign lands to provide for those they left behind where the union broke under the pressures encountered from the trials of an absentee spouse. Linden became the graveyard for countless businesses who fell as the economic conditions worsened in the twenty-three years of PPP government policies ignored them. Now as oil wealth comes to Guyana and they want to win an election 50,000 new jobs? We don’t believe you!

nie spitting it into the palm of their hand and then slapping you in the face with it.’ At that time in 2012 there were no justifications of why the then government chose to discontinue subsidies for electricity as they could have afforded it. It was merely out of spite due to the 2011 elections result as Lindeners resoundingly rejected the corrupt government by vote. This PPP lie is a desecration of the graves of the Linden martyrs, it is their callous disregard for the loss endured by mourning mothers for their sons. In 2012 it was the policy of the then PPP government to increase the cost for electricity some eleven times over the then rate. With all the pressures and difficulties that Linden faced it was the policy of PPP to add disrespect to insult and injury and attempt to saddle the economically weak town with an unbearable electric bill. This for me then told me all I needed to know about the PPP and their intention for Linden in that, “the PPP don’t like Linden” and wish to see us suffer. Now that Guyana is on the precipice of never before experienced wealth the PPP is coming with a lies we all know due to history has no chance of materializing? We don’t believe you!

For these elections the PPP hasn’t just lied to the people of Linden but the entire nation, including its supporters. There is not a PPP supporter or opposition that believes if by some misfortune Guyana’s reins of power is returned to the grasp of the PPP that Irfaan Ali would be its true president. He would be a ventriloquist president with Bharrat Jagdeo by his side, hand up his back controlling his movements, his lips moving but Jagdeo’s voice and the nation unentertained. All Guyanese (including PPP supporters) should be vexed and insulted by these lazy lies as Lindeners are. These aren’t imaginative clever lies, they are half-baked, lacking effort and transparent. They are not sweet lies, the kinds you doubt but still want to believe they are the result of an entitled pompous attitude of someone who believes they have a transport over a party created for progress of people. On March 2nd all of Guyana will say in response to these lies “WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU!”

CHEAPER ELECTRICITY This is the most vexing and outright disrespectful of the PPP’s lies to the people of Linden. It is not just a slap in the face, it is the equivalent of someone ‘hawking up a gree-

Regards Lincoln Lewis

Regards Kenny Valladares

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

GUYANA’S GLOWING GLORY AS I disembarked early yesterday morning from a Caribbean Airline flight, my son Moses Ernesto, quipped: “Dad, you missed out again from the celebration of First Oil.” He hurriedly briefed me about the splendid fireworks on Friday night at the Kitty seawall. The night sky glowed in glory over the arrival of a giant tanker to load and lift a million barrels of the first export of crude oil from Guyana. Those were the fireworks of brightly contrasting colours that I had imagined when President Granger announced “first oil” and designated December 20 as our National Petroleum Day. At the time I was in Florida with my family, but I recorded in My Turn that, “this will be a day to remember, forever perhaps, when Guyana’s destiny was defined; when the world would no longer find us to be just a dot on the map for mere curiosity.” FIRST MILLION BARRELS The export of the first million barrels of Guyana’s crude forms part of the discovery from some 17 wells of an estimated six billion barrels of oil equivalent that ExxonMobil and Hess had announced earlier. By 2025 Guyana potentially would be producing 750,000 barrels per day.

At the time of First Oil, President Granger stressed that petroleum production in Guyana would spur the “transformative process in the country’s economic development.” It will stimulate jobs and expand quality services for our people who have hitherto been victims of the ravages of colonialism and neglect caused by persistent underdevelopment. With First Oil, Guyana has broken the proverbial chains of economic bondage, and has asserted her freedom to harvest our enormous potential for prosperity and greatness. This would be achieved by injecting oil revenues into universally free education, and on infrastructures for food security. G77 CHAIRMANSHIP For over three days last week I also experienced this glowing glory as Guyana assumed Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, comprising some 135 member states of the United Nations. Chairmanship of the G77 is the third highest ranking in designated UN positions, after the post of Secretary General and President of the General Assembly. Guyana accepted this coveted leadership for 2020 from Palestine at a solemn and dignified handover ceremony on January 15 last at the United Nations building in Manhattan, New York. It was an emotionally charged moment when Pal-

estine’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Riad Al-Malki, handed me the symbolic gavel in the distinguished presence of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, President of the General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, and a full hall of Ambassadors from G77 member states. Guyana immediately received the spontaneous and enthusiastic support from all the constituent members of the Group of 77, with China openly pledging financial assistance to the group under Guyana’s chairmanship. SOLE DISSENTING VOICE The sole dissenting voice was Venezuela, which launched an unsolicited and unprovoked attack against Palestine for allegedly breaching “procedures” for promoting Guyana’s candidature. It claimed that no consultations had taken place with one of the United Nations’ regional groups -- the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC). However, several members of the GRULAC group took to the floor and hailed Guyana’s ascendance to the chair, among which were Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Barbados and The Bahamas. No other state supported Venezuela’s spurious allegations, and while the outgoing chair, Palestine, noted the

statements, Venezuela was otherwise completely ignored, isolated and repulsed with cold silence. It is therefore troubling, to say the least, that the Stabroek News has seen it fit to repeat unsupported allegations, previously made, that a deal had been struck with Venezuela to support Guyana’s candidature. The Stabroek inserted in what appeared to be a factual report, an editorial opinion that stated inter alia: “The government has been criticised for agreeing not to raise this country’s border controversy with Venezuela at the G-77 in return for Caracas’ support for Guyana’s chairmanship.” (SN January 18, 2020) This newspaper did not say by whom was the government criticised, nor did it give any evidence of the alleged ‘agreement’ between Venezuela and Guyana, or among some other party or parties. This is pure speculation, and an editorial intrusion into factual reporting. It breached all professional ethics and principles of good journalism. It revealed bias and unadulterated prejudice and malice which, combined, is a reckless abuse of free-

dom of the press. Guyana’s leadership has been hailed as refreshing, and several high officials of the United Nations are encouraging under our tenure a “rebirth of the core values” of this huge negotiating bloc within the United Nations (Deputy Secretary- General Amina Mohammed). FAVOURABLE IMAGE It is with deep pride that I acknowledge the favourable image of Guyana as a country with committed leadership, and a national agenda that coincides with and promotes the UN development goals. In this regard President Granger enjoys credible ratings for his advocacy of a ‘green’ state strategy in the context of reducing the impact of climate change, commitment to a pro-poor programme of sustainable development, and the good life for all. Over a three-day period our Foreign Minister Karen Cummings, our Permanent Representative Michael TenPow, his Mission staffers and I maintained a tight and almost “drop-dead” schedule that included separate bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General, the Deputy

The politics of the flag

THERE is a persuasive argument to be made about the emotive and visceral symbolism of flags. I hereby seek to make that argument. This is no ordinary subject, there is an entire branch of study committed to the study of flags, it is called ‘Vexillology’, derived from the Latin word ‘vexillum’ meaning flag or banner. It is no accident that this subject requires a distinct and separate field for examination; it demands this attention. It is not merely a piece of cloth with colours that represent a country or an entity, it teems with memories that can be positive or painful. Where there is positivity, there can be motivation and where there is negativity, there are resentment and the enflaming of passions. After 23 years of outright discrimination against some communities, apologies are needed, not flags. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FLAG Flags belonging to various countries are patriotic symbols that connote alle-

giance to a particular state or representative of the nation’s existence. They have their origins in militaristic associations. They were first used for that purpose. The use of flags goes back to the early human existence. Vexillologists such as Whitney Smith believe flags did not come into print until 1959. These symbols of the representation of various countries became wholly necessary as the world became more integrated. A globalised world meant that there was a need for specific and distinct identification. As nations interacted and engaged in various global affairs, these organised decorations became associated with certain activities and could mean different things to different people at different times. For example, the colonial flags of Great Britain, Japan, Belgium, France, Portugal and more shall forever remain symbols of imperialism. On June 6, Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed “sincere regret” for torture and abuse committed by British colonial officers against Kenyans in the 1950s. He also announced a compensation package

Secretary-General, President of the General Assembly, UNDP Administrator, the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation, the Representative of Norway and Chairman of EcoSoc, and others. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE There is no doubt that Guyana enjoys a vote of confidence by the G77 Grouping of United Nations member states. Several high officials have indicated open interest in visiting Guyana soonest. There is something that is both appealing and urgent about Guyana which is recognised for its pristine natural beauty, its ethnic and cultural diversity, its peace and stability. The representative of conflict-weary Lebanon, in celebrating our multiculturalism, poetically summed it up in this way: Guyana has as its motto ‘One people, One nation, One destiny.’ You should add to your motto, ‘One World’. It is time that Guyanese bask in the glory of our country being a state that is full of promise; and hope, not only for us, but for the rest of the world!

worth £19.9 million (about $31 million), to be divided between 5,200 Kenyan victims. This marks the settlement of a landmark legal case initiated in 2009, by a group of Kenyans who allege that they suffered colonial-era torture at British hands. The British know what their flag represents to the people they once subjugated. THE POLITICS OF THE FLAG It is safe to argue that the flag cannot be separated from the politics it represents. Insofar as that submission applies to the Guyana context, it is worthy to note the recent flurry of political flags that have donned every nook and cranny. There is a school of thought which suggests that every political party should be free to put up their flags in any community of their choosing across Guyana. In principle, there ought not to be any objection to this. However, proponents must know, in so doing, there must be acceptance of the TURN TO PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Understanding Energy

New development plans hinge on oil revenues

GUYANESE have heard many times that oil revenues will transform the country over the coming decades. Already, Guyana is set to make hundreds of millions of US dollars annually over the next few years. Analysts predict that by the latter half of the decade the annual profits will reach billions of US dollars. That staggering figure is hard to even conceptualize at the moment and is many times more than the government’s current annual budget. The question that is on the mind of many Guyanese is: what will our government do with those funds? Amidst the start of election campaigns, plans are already emerging to leverage that once-in-a-lifetime influx of cash into strategic development projects benefitting the entire country. Last week, the Granger Administration released its four-part “transformative process” for the next 10 years. The plan is to invest

oil revenues in projects that will make Guyana a greener, more digitally connected and better educated country. Guyana’s new status as a “petroleum nation” will result in faster economic growth, increased employment and larger fiscal revenues, according to the plan. Of course, the Government’s plan is not the only one being put forward. The PPP’s own plan similarly calls for investing some oil revenues in Guyana’s present needs like education, infrastructure and healthcare to help alleviate poverty and support job creation. International organisations generally encourage countries to make these kinds of investments, especially in developing countries. That’s because developing markets have a dire need for better infrastructure and “human capital” to help unlock growth. On the other hand, more industrialised countries with extensive resources like Norway or Canada tend to get the best

FROM PAGE

The politics ...

inescapable consequences that may arise from this activity. The most notable, yet ignoble Nazi flag with its Swastika shall forever remain a sign of hatred, evil and discrimination of the highest order. The Confederate flag which has become a source of controversy in the Southern part of the United States of America automatically conjures America’s vile and ignominious past. This remains the case because the Confederate States introduced strict racial segregation and developed a distinct cultural and political identity. The white supremacists and the Nazis will never apologize, they are not asking for votes. It behooves any political party with a flag that triggers dark memories to deal with the pain it inflicted before hanging a flag; it is offensive. PARTY FLAGS Your party’s flag represents your policies, it represents your leaders, it communicates your ideas and your party’s history. There is no escaping this fact. When a political party dabbles in destructive policies, the people associate that entity with your emblems. It is akin to branding. Branding, in the realm of marketing, is the practice in which a company creates a name, symbol or design that is easily known or recognized. This ensures consumers can identify a product and distinguish it. Branding is important because not only is it what makes a memorable impression on consumers but it allows your customers and clients to know what to expect. It is this expectation that becomes problematic for political parties that support extrajudicial killings and state-sponsored terrorism against its people. When you hang your flags in communities, there is a psychological trigger coupled with an expectation of the return of the sad state of affairs that once existed in those villages under your watch.

value from their resource wealth by saving most or all for the long term. Plans and ideas to develop a better educated and healthier workforce are “force multipliers”—returning many times the initial investment in the form of a stronger, more diversified economy that creates a foundation upon which businesses and innovation can grow. In addition, economic diversification and investment in non-oil sectors of the economy is a key part of avoiding “Dutch Disease” by preventing an unhealthy dependence on oil revenues. Once again, education and infrastructure investments can be particularly effective since they help companies and workers across all sectors of the economy compete better in the global market. Despite the wide variations in how to achieve these goals, nearly all parties agree that it is important to continue developing wealth management tools like the sovereign wealth fund. This is because

oil money investments must be made transparently and prudently. Projects should be evaluated and executed only if they benefit as many Guyanese as possible and be built with long term gains in mind. Some of the projects already proposed have been better road and communications systems to link the interior with Berbice and the coast, and improved seawalls and flood protection infrastructure. Regardless of the specific projects Guyana invests in, all of these plans hinge on one thing: continued development and revenues from the oil sector. The two projects that are already approved and underway—Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2—are just a small part of Guyana’s full potential. Combined, they will produce up to an incredible around 340,000 barrels per day. But that’s less than half of the total amount Exxon expects to produce in the Stabroek by 2025. It will take many projects

and many wells in the Stabroek and elsewhere to reach the extraordinary levels of revenue that analysts predict are possible. The next step will be to grant approval for the third phase of development, known as Payara. Luckily, continued exploration success signals that the resources are there to back up the lofty production goals. Recent finds in the Orinduik and across the maritime border in Suriname only confirm that there is enormous untapped potential out there—a potential that was totally unknown just a few short years ago. With a proactive and thoughtful approach to encouraging development and careful investment policies, Guyana can ensure that oil benefits each and every Guyanese.

Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s court to open on Wednesday

PRESIDENT David Granger is scheduled to deliver the feature address at the opening ceremony of the newly-constructed $132.2 million Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Madam Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George are both scheduled to be present for the event, considered a significant one for the East Bank Demerara area. The multimillion-dollar facility was expected to house two court rooms, a library, two magistrate’s chambers, two clerk’s offices, a complete registry, holding cell, briefing room, and a janitor’s room among other facilities, as well as being equipped with an elevator, the first court in Guyana with such a facility. Erected in the compound of the Golden Grove Police Station on the East Bank Demerara, the construction of the court building was in direct response to the rapidly expanding housing schemes in Diamond and Golden Grove. The project was the brainchild of

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, (left) turning the sod for the court, in March 2018, along with acting Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire (centre) and acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards (right), as the contractor, Subhas Rupee, looks on

zens of Guyana. “… due to the development in this

The new magistrate’s court at Diamond/Golden Grove that will be opened on Wednesday

former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, who was cognisant of the need to make justice more accessible for the citi-

area, we have thought it fit to have another court to serve this area as we seek to ensure access to justice throughout our

country,” Justice George-Wiltshire had said during the sod turning ceremony for the facility in March 2018. Prior to the opening of this court, the Providence Magistrate’s Court served the entire East Bank Demerara corridor, from Agricola to Timehri. The rapid expansion of housing schemes along that corridor has resulted in a significant increase in the number of cases being heard at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, and has created a burdensome situation for judicial personnel there. Over the years, Diamond/Grove has become one of the largest and most densely populated housing developments on the East Bank. The contract for the structure, signed in November 2017, was awarded to PD Contracting Services to the tune of $132.2M. The project was initially scheduled for a period of one year; however, there were some delays.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

PPP promises Essequibo rice farmers better prices … but ignores record-breaking rice production, commissioning of $1.8B power plant

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has promised to improve the rice sector in Guyana, particularly in the largest rice-growing region, Pomeroon-Supenaam, by providing better prices and incentives to farmers. This promise was made by the party’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, at a rally, held on Saturday at Anna Regina Car Park, Damon Square. Last year, Guyana recorded the second highest local rice production ever, with over one million tonnes of paddy being produced in 2019. The Ministry of Agriculture reported earlier this month that some 1,049,874 metric tonnes of paddy was produced in 2019, 8,254 tonnes short of the record 2015 production of 1,058,128 tonnes. The recorded productivity of the rice industry is contrary to what was said by sections of the media and prominent persons about the rice sector declining. “2019 stands as the second highest rice-producing year to date,” said the ministry, adding that Guyana managed to produce a record amount of rice despite the plethora of challenges the industry faced throughout the year. RECORD RICE CROP Ali, while addressing the rally, did not recognise the record-breaking year for production, but proceeded to promise those gathered that VAT will be removed from all agriculture equipment and machinery which will enable farmers to step closer to profitability. He assured the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region residents that should the PPP/C party win the elections on March 2, 2020, the Government of Guyana will take full responsibility of the rice industry. He said incentives such as fertilisers and seed paddy will be provided to farmers whenever the industry is facing challenges.

With that in mind, he said the PPP/C has plans to establish a Rice Stabilisation Fund which will afford rice farmers easy access to soft loans.

Nationally, some 16,526,024 bags of paddy or 682,418 metric tonnes of rice was produced. 178,628 hectares were sown, thereby

Some 1,049,874 metric tonnes of paddy was produced in 2019

Not only was production in 2019 close to surpassing the 2015 national record, but production has increased 28 per cent since 2016. This was possible not only by the efforts extended by the GRDB, but also by the “hard work” of farmers. Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) remained the highest producing region, harvesting 454,476 metric tonnes of paddy; this is equivalent to some 295,4009 metric tonnes of rice. The region recorded a 99 per cent harvesting rate. The second top producing region was Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which produced a total of 311,915 metric tonnes of paddy or 202,745 metric tonnes of rice equivalent. This production was the highest on record for Region Six, said the GRDB. According to the board, the region also produced some 4,910,444 bags of paddy, which was equated to a 25 per cent increase in paddy production for East Berbice-Corentyne.

exporters. In May last year, the Guyana Chronicle reported that the performance of the rice industry continued to improve rapidly, with earn-

$1.8B power plant commissioned in April 2019

Some of the supporters of the PPP at the rally

equating to 93 bags of rice per hectare or 38 bags of rice per acre. INDUSTRY RESILIENT General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, said the rice industry has once again been resilient against the existing challenges and has done exceedingly well. “This time we faced those challenges head strong and head on and with determination to be even more successful than previous years,” said Hassan in an invited comment on Saturday. The general manager said the board is very pleased with the performance of the sector and owes it to the work of stakeholders such as farmers, staff of GRDB, millers and

Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Minister of Business, Hemraj Rajkumar, at the commissioning, said the new plant will benefit the business

ings for the first quarter of the year reaching US$41.7M; this was about 2.15 times the US$19.3M which was earned in the corresponding period in 2018. $1.8B POWER PLANT COMMISSIONED Another promise he made to the residents is to end power outages. He said the PPP/C has plans to pursue the Hydro Project in an effort to obtain an additional 4000 megawatts. Ali said that his team that will be running for the upcoming elections consist of young people who are ready to take charge and lead. Back in April last year, the coalition government commissioned a $1.8B power station at Anna Regina,

community significantly. The commissioning of the 5.4 megawatt stateof-the-art plant was witnessed by Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who said government has constructed several state-of-the-art power stations countrywide to improve power supply and with the new station, residents can expect a reliable power supply. Minister Patterson said the plant is equipped with three generating sets that will meet the power demand of the entire Essequibo Coast. The plant begun operations since last December but was commissioned months after, because according to Minister Patterson, he wanted to ensure the facility was fully functional. “We didn’t want rush to open the plant and then everything wasn’t completed; we had to ensure we are handing over a functional generating set,” the minister said. He also noted that there are works to be done on the transmissions but assured Essequibians that

there will be no more power outages. Meanwhile, speaking on the development of Information Technology and Communication (ITC) sector, the PPP/C Presidential candidate said with the improvement of Internet speed, more young people would be able to pursue Distance Education Courses through the University of Guyana. Meanwhile, promising the audience improved security was the PPP’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, retired Brigadier, Mark Phillips. He said the party's manifesto focusses on plans for the next five years and told the gathering that the party’s candidate list has 54 per cent of young people. General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, told the gathering that the March 2 Election is very crucial and it is important for persons to come out and vote. He said that the PPP/C is not trying to win the elections but it is trying to provide a better life for all Guyanese regardless of their religion or ethnic background. He, therefore, called on all Guyanese to remember their democratic role as citizens and encouraged them to vote. Jagdeo said that the PPP/C will continue to take the legacy of its founder Leader, Cheddi Jagan, towards the path of development. Dr. Frank Anthony, who is one of the PPP/C’s candidates, told the audience that the PPP/C will provide better health services to the Guyanese nation. He told the audience that the PPP/C has plans to continue with its flagship project in building a Specialty Hospital in Guyana.

Gov’t initiates action to implement ILO convention on violence and sexual harassment

THE APNU+AFC administration has taken steps to ratify the applicable International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) convention to stamp out violence and harassment. According to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the body is aware of President David Granger’s recognition and formulation of a strategy to fight for the protection and rights of the vulnerable, having articulated a five-dimensional policy initiative. The initiative, the GPSU stated in a release, includes the eradication of discrimina-

tion, eradication of poverty, provision of employment opportunities, the elimination of violence and provision of educational access. “It is the union’s strong belief that violence and harassment must be eliminated so that workers are given the best possible opportunity to pursue their material well-being and to live decent and productive lives in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity as enshrined in ILO Convention 190,” the GPSU said. The GPSU recounted that it issued a call on the Govern-

ment of Guyana to ratify ILO Convention: C190 – Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019. It said it respectfully sought the President’s involvement to initiate this action via letter dated December 9, 2019. “His Excellency responded via correspondence dated December 29, 2019, acknowledging receipt of the union’s letter and that action has been initiated,” the body said. The GPSU said that it made the representation based on the fact that the best possible action and strongest message to guarantee

protection and stamp out violence and harassment, and to ensure the right to equality and non-discrimination in employment for workers in circumstances of vulnerability due to race, gender, age, physical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, would be the Government of Guyana’s commitment and have action taken to ensure that the accompanying legislation be put before Parliament for ratification. The GPSU added that the fight for the elimination of violence and harassment began many years ago, recognising that situations of violence

and harassment are not a part of anyone’s life regardless of their social or economic circumstances. “Women must not have to adopt to such conditions because of their gender. This global fight and recognition of this atrocity culminated with the adoption of a new international instrument for everyone, dealing with violence and harassment in the world of work,” the GPSU said. Internationally, the convention sets the standard and gives authority that the right to a world of work free of violence and harassment is

a mechanism against such inhumanness. And according to the GPSU, domestic violence, which is prevalent and permeates the very fabric of social structures in our societies, especially here in Guyana, is also included as an element in this Convention that would affect persons in the world of work and would constitute a human rights violation. It was noted that Part II of Guyana’s Constitution guarantees the “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

President in Cuba for follow-up medical evaluation

PRESIDENT, David Granger has travelled to Cuba to undergo a follow-up medical evaluation by his doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirurgicas (Centre for Surgical Medical Research) CIMEQ. The Head of State, who is accompanied by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, received positive feedback last October from the Cuban Medical Specialists about his recovery from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. President Granger was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2018 after an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors at the CIMEQ. In April 2019, he completed his regime of radiotherapy in Cuba without any complication. That was done after he had successfully completed his regime of chemotherapy which formed part of his medical treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. According to the

American Cancer Society, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, NHL, or

ana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, had said the President’s cancer is in remission. Cancer remission is

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo receives his instrument of appointment from Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

sometimes just lymphoma) is a cancer that starts in the white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system. In October, 2019 Guy-

when the signs and symptoms of cancer have lessened or are undetectable. In blood-related cancers like leukemia, this means you’ll have a decrease in the number of cancer cells.

For solid tumors, that means that the tumor size has decreased. The decrease must last for at least one month to

Majeed said. He said, in keeping with the strict medical procedures of the Cuban health system,

President David Granger and First Lady, Sandra Granger

be considered remission. “The CIMEQ medical specialists have expressed complete satisfaction with the state of the President’s health and have explained that the President’s ailment is in remission,” Ambassador

the Head of State was expected to return to Cuba for another scheduled routine medical check in January 2020. Thereafter, the next evaluation will be in June 2020. President Granger had

expressed his profound gratitude to his Cabinet members, staff and the rest of the nation for their support, prayers and well wishes for his complete recovery, at a welcome home and prayer ceremony that was hosted at State House on November 21, 2018. “Thank you for your expressions of concern over the last three weeks… Throughout that time, I received greetings from you all and from other well-wishers and, more than the greetings, prayers, and I am truly grateful,” he said. With the President out of the country, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo was sworn in by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, to perform the duties of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at his official residence, on Saturday.

Several homeless following Wismar fire AT least five persons are now homeless after their Lot 468 Canvas City, Wismar, Linden home was gutted by fire on Friday evening. Three families resided at the house and were left with nothing but the clothing on their backs, since they had little time to save anything. The fire occurred around 19:15hrs on Friday evening and while neighbours were vigilant and sought immediate intervention from the Linden Fire Service, the wooden and concrete, two-story house was completely gutted within minutes. The house, which was owned by Shiloh Mustafa, was rented to three tenants. The upper flat was occupied by Kendrick Hector while the lower flat of the house was divided into two apartments; the southern apartment was occupied by Chybye McDonald and her seven year old son Whitley McDonald, while the northern apartment was occupied by Vanita Hackett and Denton Montou. None of the occupants were at home at the time of the fire. Chybye McDonald related that she secured her apartment and went to a bingo game with her son, while Hackett noted that around 19:00hrs on Friday, she went out with some friends. According to the latter, she was with her friends when she received news that her apartment was on fire. The losses were said to be in the millions, since the three apartments were said to be have been fully furnished. This is the second fire to occur in the mining town since the break of the new year.

Mr. Vieira’s latest letter is riddled with other inaccuracies

Dear Editor,

All adjectives aside, Mr. Anthony Vieira continues to wallow under the belief that he knows everything about everything. He now segues the discussion into whether Government should own media in competition with private media. He confuses, like his erstwhile colleague, the Fairness Issue with Equality. As I indicated in another forum there is a difference between the Fairness Doctrine and the Equal Time Rule. I will dilate no more on the difference. Mr. Vieira’s latest letter (published January 18, 2020) is riddled with other inaccuracies. Mr. Anthony Vieira proceeds on the persistent position he has taken on subventions to the State Broadcaster which he states create direct competition with private broadcasters. In 1997, Mr. David DeCaires, another Individual and I considered a draft submission as part of a body of amendments to the Constitution. The Tripartite Group wrote: “(6) We believe that State ownership of the media causes a number of distortions both commercially and in the undue politicization of the media. State media inevitably report the news in a biased manner in the interest of the ruling party which leads to a sort of reactive bias by some private media. This is not conducive to professional standards of reporting. We propose that there be a clause in the constitution preventing the State from owning or operating a newspaper, radio or television commercially.” The submission was discussed. Those who

now seek to pontificate on what Enrico Woolford has to say now or whether he knows what he knows should explain where the proposal went. Since 1997 the world of Information, Communications Technology has evolved. In Guyana a Permanent Political Paradigm was created. The then Ruling Party in an unprecedented move, gifted itself Five Radio Frequencies and other Frequencies to Friends, Followers and a Few others. Anthony Vieira before that giveaway, sold his station to a close friend and associate of the then President and Ruling Party. In addition, Cable Television was halted and a new dispensation declared which favored some and sidelined others before it was restarted. Mr. Vieira now seeks to position the so-called unfairness of State Media Ownership and Competition within that Public Private Paradigm shift. Internationally another Paradigm Shift was taking place. I refer to the emergence and convergence of the Plethora of Platforms and the Multiplicity of Media in Content and Channels. NCN therefore within the last four years has reformed, re-defined and is re-equipping itself using its subventions to become a truly National Public Broadcasting Service. It has opened Radio and Television Stations in Regional Capital Towns and in other Villages, Returned Community Broadcasting to Linden, redefined the role and content format of its Television, Radio Stations and is continuing its Satellite Distribution Service along with its transition from Analog to Digital TV. So from

Orealla to Aishalton, Mabaruma to Mahdia and places in between and along the coast only the Forest Covers Guyana better. All of the expansion that NCN is undertaking it is unlikely that any Private Broadcaster will seek to undertake. Let me restrain myself from commenting about Vieira’s Prognosis for Private Public sector growth and development and his views on the Advertising Pie in what is an economy that is number one on the runway, with engines revving, ready for takeoff. Anthony Vieira does not like to be told he is wrong so I would not tell him that he is. On the Issue of Trinidad and Tobago’s jurisprudence, it is a pity that Anthony Vieira’s good friend and legal luminary Sir Fenton Ramsahoye is dead. Mr. Vieira could do well with the learned Senior Counsel’s advice and guidance at this stage. On his inaccuracy about TTT, I am not sure where Anthony Vieira gets his information from about TTT’s ownership. Please note my earlier intervention about the Emergence of Platforms. There is a platform on which anyone can go to check information, if not, call a friend. However since Anthony Vieira and his erstwhile colleague wanted to gain the attention of the International Community please note that the US Embassy Georgetown, has started a Campaign # CheckFuhYuhSelf. Best Regards Enrico Woolford

ERC zeroes in on social media

By Naomi Parris

WHILE it is impossible to monitor every social media account, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has engaged several social media personalities and has identified some 44 instances where offensive comments and racial slurs were made over the past several months. Simultaneously, the ERC has been able to successfully lead 16 interventions. The head of the Media Monitoring Unit at the ERC, Mr. Remington Eastman, was, at the time, addressing a media briefing at the Cara Lodge, on Friday morning, where he tackled the issue of social media monitoring. He stated that the ERC has been monitoring the social media websites of political parties and media houses to identify any form of racial slander or discrimination. However, he noted that the majority of the comments that were made were from

fake social media accounts. Therefore, he added, media houses and political parties should monitor what is posted or said on their social media websites, and it was their responsibility to censor, delete or edit what was said to make it more acceptable to the general public. Additionally, he noted that, of August 2019, the ERC has been interjecting and reminding persons that they can be prosecuted for making vile comments and threats on social media. “When we come across these posts or these threats, we have been interjecting and letting people know that they can be prosecuted according to the Representation of the People’s Amendment Act,” he stated. Additionally, Dr. John Smith, Chairman of the ERC, noted that the commission intends to embark on an education initiative to change mindsets and tackle the long-standing issue of division among Guyanese

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

people. “The Commission will, in the near future, embark on

tional programmes in 2020,” Dr. Smith said. Meanwhile the ERC, has

and, as such, the media play a vital role in influencing information surrounding the atmo-

Social Media Activist and Commissioner at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Barrington Braithwaite

Dr. John Smith, Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC)

Mr. Remington Eastman head of the Media Monitoring Unit at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC)

an education initiative to examine inherent causes which have led to current suspicions and stereotypes and explore possible mitigating measures. It remains convinced that education is the key to help change mindsets for the removal of stereotypes. To this end, the Commission will continue to prioritize educa-

hosted several symposiums in all 10 administrative regions across the country and has been able to engage some 1544 persons for the year 2019. The media’s role in social media monitoring According to Commissioner Barrington Braithwaite, election is an attachment to the on-going issue of division in Guyana,

sphere of the current election period. Media houses should therefore monitor how information is transmitted and its general content. The media can significantly influence information and the atmosphere of the coming elections and therefore a Media Code of Conduct (MCC) was established

in 2001— and recently revised in 2015 — as the standard of media performance expected, especially during the imminent election period. As such, in November 2019, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) along with the ERC embarked on the crafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to monitor all media outlets including their social media pages and websites during the elections campaign. Over the years, while GECOM’s Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) had observed and reported on coverage of the media during the elections season, the scrutiny had addressed only the traditional media of radio, print and television. However, ahead of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the MMU will be increasing its scrutiny of social media news platforms.

MV Kanawan Ithaca farmers demand GUYSUCO compensation for herbicide damage to crops experiences mechanical MEMBERS of the Ithaca Agricultural Land Development Coop Society(IALDCS) are calling on GUYSUCO for compensation for damage to some 50 acres of cash crops aback of their village as a result of aerial spraying of herbicides by the corporation. Chairman of the Co-op, Desmond Weeks, earlier this week, disclosed that, in the third week of December, GUYSUCO used a crop duster to spray a suspected herbicide on its lands at Blairmont but also- seem-

ingly inadvertently- killed crops in a neighbouring plot of the Co-op. “A farmer observed the aircraft spraying an area about 800 metres away from the coop lands. The damage to crops, mainly vine crops such as bora and water melons on the co-op’s lands was observed the following day,” he said. He disclosed that a report was made, subsequent investigations by GUYSUCO were done in late December, but members of the co-op have heard nothing since

A member of the Ithaca Co-op surveys damage to crops following aerial spraying

problem on river

Vine crops in the 50-acre plot after the aerial spraying

then. “Since then, late December, we are yet to hear from GUYSUCO on what they intend to do.” He said that reports about the incident had also been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Co-ops Department. He said that over a dozen farmers had suffered loss of crops as a result of the aerial spraying in December. Weekes questioned why the spraying was done in such close proximity to the Coop’s cultivation. Weekes disclosed that members of the Co-op decided to relate their problem, publicly, because they were not inspired by GUYSUCO’s

response after the initial investigations. He said: “Farmers in other communities in West Coast Berbice have, in the past, lost crops to aerial spraying of herbicides by GUYSUCO and have been compensated for their losses. He stressed: “We want compensation from GUYSUCO moreso since we cannot understand why they authorized this activity so close to areas cultivated by the Co-op in the first place.”

Some of the passengers stranded on the MV Kanawan

SCORES of passengers, including drivers of vehicles, experienced unease on the Essequibo River after one of the ferries plying the Essequibo route developed a mechanical problem. According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the MV Kanawan started its journey from Parika at around 05:00hrs and was

sailing smoothly when it developed a mechanical problem. Passengers, after an hour, began to panic and speed boat operators were called to assist passengers without vehicles. Approximately 15 vehicles, sick patients, businessmen and babies were onboard the vessel.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

‘PPP tampering allegations aimed at disenfranchising voters’

…GECOM chair says laws empower CEO to correct any omission By Svetlana Marshall DISMISSING allegations that the Elections Secretariat has been tampering with the National Register of Registrants Data Base (NRRDB), Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh said the Commissioner of National Registration, Keith Lowenfield, has embarked on a process of addressing omissions on the Revised List of Electors (RLE) in keeping with the Laws of Guyana. In a recent online publication, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) alleged that “adjustments” were being made to data on the NRRDB using unverified information generated from the truncated House-to-House Registration exercise but Justice (Ret’d) Singh, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle, said the contention lacks merit. It was explained that with the publication of the Revised List of Electors (RLE), it was recognised that a number of eligible electors whose addresses and other information were updated during the Houseto-House exercise were not reflected on the RLE. The 2019 House-to-House Registration exercise was a legitimate process, according to the High Court. The GECOM Chairman said, in keeping with the Na-

tional Registration (Residents) Regulations, the Commissioner of National Registration embarked on an administrative process to ensure that electors are placed within their correct divisions for voting. “The Commissioner of National Registration has that power under the law to correct any omission,” Justice Singh underscored, while pointing out that provisions are made for such acts in the National Registration (Residents) Regulations, which form part of Chapter 19:08 National Registration Act. According to Regulations 37, “If within the period of twenty-one days after he had certified the revised lists, the Commissioner is satisfied that any entry or omission in any list as revised pursuant to regulation 35 is incorrect through inadvertence in the course of such revision, he shall make or cause to be made the requisite correction to that list…” Justice Singh explained that if the omissions are not addressed, it could result in electors being displaced and unable to vote at a polling station in their area. Such could result in confusion on Elections Day, the Elections Chairman warned. “Once the Commissioner of Registration is satisfied that there is an omission in that list, he has a duty to correct it and this is to prevent disenfranchisement and confusion on Elections Day,” she under-

scored. Russian-trained Economist, Patricia Anthony, is among the thousands of Guyanese who had registered in the 2019 House-to-House Registration and effect changes to their address. In the case of Anthony, like many others, her old address remains on the Revised List of Electors (RLE) much to her surprise and dissatisfaction. “Being abroad engaged in studies for quite a few years meant I've had to watch Guyana's development and social activities from a distance. I clearly remember eagerly watching and following 2015 election on social media. A few months after my return, the no-confidence motion threw the country in uproar and the wheels started turning for a sooner than anticipated elections. As a young professional who has never got the opportunity to vote, I was adamant to make my vote count. Hence I did everything on my part to ensure that I was on the list,” Anthony shared. The 30-year-old economist explained that during the House-to-House Registration exercise, which ended in August, 2019, she changed her address. Originally from Linden, Region 10, Anthony now works and lives in Georgetown, Region Four. “Having sorted that out and getting registered, I thought I was on point to getting my finger inked come March 2020. One can only imagine my

Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

shock after checking the published list only to find my old information being generated. Had I not checked the list and turned up on Election Day at my district to vote, to be told that I'm not on the list there, would've been an ultimate disappointment,” Anthony told this newspaper. Based on reports coming out of GECOM, at the time of the extraction of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE)

from the NRRDB, data from the House-to-House Registration exercise was not included due to the simple fact that they were sent abroad to be crossmatched for duplicates. The results from the cross-matching exercise returned after Claims and Objections concluded on November 11, 2019. Subsequently, GECOM added the more than 16,000 new registrants, from the House-to-House Registration exercise, to the NRRDB and by extension the Revised List of Electors; however, evidence suggests that the NRRDB was not entirely updated to reflect changes made by some of the ‘old’ registrants, who had reregistered in 2019. In an effort to ensure that persons like Anthony are not disenfranchised, the Commissioner of National Registration is updating the NRRDB, and, by extension the Revised List of Electors to reflect the data (particularly the new addresses) provided during the

2019-House-to-House Registration exercise, in accordance with Regulations 35 and 37 of the National Registration (Residents) Regulations. The Revised List of Electors has been posted for public scrutiny and electors are urged to check and verify their information at locations in their respective areas or on the GECOM’s website. “If there has been any advertence on the part of GECOM, electors are advised to immediately visit the GECOM Registration Office to have the information updated accordingly,” GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward urged in a recent statement. While noting that free, fair and transparent processes in the production of a credible list is the hallmark of credible elections, Ward assured the nation that GECOM will ensure that the name of every registered eligible elector is properly accounted for on the Official List of Electors.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

UNDP, Norway commit to supporting Guyana’s G77 responsibilities THE Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) and China rests on the shoulders of Guyana for this year, but the English-speaking nation, which sits on the edge of South America, will have support from the United Nations Develop-

Affairs Ministry, Steiner referred to the long and productive relationship between Guyana and the UNDP, noting that the UNDP Country Office and the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean are supporting Guyana’s development ef-

conditional cash transfers and the application of the benefit of oil revenues for its population. UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Development and Head of the Department of Economics and Social Af-

Outgoing Chairman of the G77 and Palestine Diplomat, Riyad Mansour, greets Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

ment Programme (UNDP) and Norway, in fulfilling its responsibilities. The G77 at the UN is a coalition of 134 developing nations, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the UN. According to a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of the UNDP and Norway expressed their commitment to support Guyana, during a meeting with Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, on the sidelines of the launch of Guyana’s Chairmanship of G77 and China, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarter in New York. Administrator of the UNDP, Achim Steiner and President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Ambassador Mona Juul, who is also Permanent Representative of Norway to the US, spoke about their intention to support Guyana in fulfilling its critical responsibilities as the Chair of G77 and China. According to the Foreign

forts. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in response, said Guyana relies heavily on UNDP for unbiased technical cooperation and advice at the national level and is grateful for its support for Guyana’s G77 Chairmanship. In addition to what Steiner said, Ambassador Juul noted the convergence of issues and areas of work for ECOSOC and the G77, expressing the hope that a fruitful and close collaboration during Guyana’s Chairmanship, would result in meaningful progress on the development concerns of the group, but particularly for Small Island Development States. She said Norway and Guyana have excellent bilateral relations, which can be built upon to advance their current responsibilities at the UN. Prime Minister Nagamootoo thanked Ambassador Juul for Norway’s support over the years, and the commitment to working closely during this year to advance the international development agenda. He noted that Norway is seen as a model for Guyana, on the use of

min said further follow up discussions will be held with the Permanent Representative of Guyana, Ambassador, Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow, on how best to materialise this collaboration. The G77 held its first organisational meeting under

congratulations to Guyana and offered to work closely with the country in achieving success. The G77 and China were briefed on the status of the Perez Guerero Trust Fund established by the G77, as well as on progress of prepa-

Antonio Guterres greeting Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, looks on

United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohamed, in the company of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings and Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Rudolph Michael Ten-Pow

fairs, Liu Zhenmin, during a meeting with Dr. Cummings, also said his department plays a key role in supporting all UN member states under the SDG agenda, but especially those belonging to the Group of 77 and China. He spoke about the importance of advancing the action agenda elaborated by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, as part of the Decade of Action. Zhen-

at all levels, which were received in the course of the meeting. “However, the hard work has just started with a high level of expectation placed on Guyana’s Chairmanship. Minister Cummings urged staff to continue to give of their best, assuring

Guyana’s Chairmanship, to agree on its work programme priorities for the year. At the start of the meeting, Minister Cummings addressed the delegates, thanking them for their commendations and promise of collaboration. The meeting was chaired by ambassador Ten-Pow. Several representatives, who were unable to speak at the handover ceremony due to shortage of time, expressed

rations for the third south summit to be held in Kampala, Uganda. On the final day of the meeting in New York, Dr. Cummings met with staff of the Guyana Permanent Mission to the UN to thank them for their hard work and dedication to service. She said this is a special moment of pride and honour for all Guyanese, especially with the outpouring of support and commendations

them of the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and government,” said the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Demonstrating strong support for and confidence in Guyana, the G77 and China had elected the state to serve as its Chair for 2020. At its 22 November plenary, the 134 Member States of the Group elected Guyana by acclamation without preconditions. Guyana’s election followed a decision of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 2019, to ensure that a regional candidate assumes chairmanship in 2020 of this largest negotiating group of developing countries in the UN. Consequently, for its accession, Guyana received the unequivocal support of CARICOM and the majority of countries in the group, including from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Guyana’s election as G77 Chair was hailed as a timely and fitting tribute to all Guyanese, with recognition of the good standing and capacity of the country to effectively undertake responsibilities at the highest levels of the international community.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Book reviews: The President and education

A review of four books by David Granger – Education and Transformation: The story of Queen’s College 1844-2019; Education and Emancipation: Sources of the public education

education in transforming post-colonial societies and in equipping them for the future. Education and transformation: The story of Queen’s College 1844-2019 cele-

Cover of the book ‘Education and Transformation, 2019’

system; Teaching teachers: The Cyril Potter College of Education; and, Education and Culture: Teaching in a

brates more than a milestone. It links the College’s mission to societal change and transformation.

The cover of the book, Teaching teachers, 2019

post-colonial society. DAVID GRANGER, the President of Guyana, has released another collection of four books. In his latest collection, he examines the transformative role of education and proposes practical measures that would allow education to remain an engine of economic and social change. His collection is an exposition of the role of

David Granger attended Queen’s College which, since 1844, has been the country’s premier secondary school and among the crème de la crème of Caribbean high schools. The College celebrated its 175th anniversary in October 2019 and invited the President to give the feature address. President Granger, addressing the College’s gen-

eral assembly, situates its development alongside its contributions to the transformation of public education in a post-colonial society. The President provides a thoughtful thesis to account

began not by dwelling on the past but by defining his vision for the College. He addresses the fundamental question to which all long-standing schools inevitably have to respond: how to remain rel-

Education and Emancipation, 2019

for how the College’s customs, code of conduct and esprit de corps have contributed to its culture of academic excellence. Interestingly, Granger

evant and retain standards of excellence. The transformation of the country’s public education system, however, did not commence with the estab-

lishment of Queen’s College in 1844. It began six years prior with the Emancipation of the formerly enslaved populations of the British West Indies. Education and Emancipation: Sources of the

education was the pathway to a better life for their children. Granger records the contributions of Africans to education, beginning with the efforts of freed Africans to ensure a better life for

Education and culture, 2019

public education system, the second book, traces the evolution of the country’s public education system to the abolition of human enslavement. The enslaved Africans had the foresight to recognise that

their descendants. Granger, addressing the general assembly of the International Decade of People of African Descent - Guyana, TURN TO PAGE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

'Bright start' to oil production

The fireworks on display at the Kitty Seawall, commemorating the start of first oil

THE start of Guyana's oil production was commemorated with a spectacular display of fireworks at the Kitty seawall on Friday night. The fireworks were shot off near the 1823 Monument, in the Kitty area. The roads leading to this area to witness the spectacle were crammed with vehicles parked or attempting to find a spot where eager citizens could witness the flamboyant display. Promptly, at 22:30 hours, the fireworks shot up into the sky, catching everybody by surprise. This display continued for about 30 minutes, interchanging from grandiose bursts high up in the sky to shorter, multi-coloured sparks. Just as the fireworks ended and persons hurried to make their way home out of that maze of parked vehicles and pedestrians, another dis-

play began and illuminated the entire night sky. It was short-lived, but a grand end to the display. One resident, Donna Plass, sat out there since 21:00 hours just to ensure that she had an undisturbed view of the spectacle. She was really excited about the firework display but also excited about the future this beckons for Guyana. "I'm very excited about it because I know it is a great development for our country once handled properly, and we're going to get where we are supposed to be," Plass said. She also urged that all Guyanese enjoy the resources the country has been blessed with and work together to ensure that they are used for the collective development of all Guyanese.

One of the larger firework displays

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

APNU Linden meeting turns spotlight on PPP failed policies

Director General Joseph Harmon addressing the crowd

THUNDEROUS roars of affirmation came from the over 5,000 Lindeners who rallied around the APNU-AFC at the Wismar Public Meeting, on Friday evening, vowing not to give the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) a second chance, as the only focus is to keep moving forward. Donned in green and yellow, they waved their campaign flags high and making merry on Burnham Drive to the popular ‘Farmer Nappy Jingle’. Many were able to handle both a flag and a garbage bag in their hands as they paraded the streets to the now very popular campaign song. The celebratory atmosphere continued throughout the night, as the presenters made their way to stage. Keeping the mood on fire were cultural performances from both local and regional artistes and dancers. First on stage was National Top-Up Candidate, Amanza Walton, who affirmed that Linden will only continue to thrive under the coalition. “This is evident with the many projects in the pipe line for the mining town already. These include a new Linden to Soesdyke Highway, a new Mackenzie Wismar Bridge and an upgraded Linden airstrip, to facilitate both local and international flights. Lindeners must ensure that this progress continues which has been evident within the last four years, in massive infrastructural development. For 2019 alone, over one mile of roads throughout the township was rehabilitated,” she said. “Under the leadership of his Excellency, Linden is going to thrive......change is not an event, it is a process and so I am here to tell you that we together, must ensure that progress continues,” she said. Emphasizing the need to move forward together, without stopping the progress,

Coalition supporters were in a festive spirit

A section of the large crowd

was Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who stressed that post 2015, Guyana was

what better person to place there that a visionary, President David Granger and his administration to lead us into

work. (LEN). “From 2010 to 2015, LEN could not give

APNU-AFC took office, that LEN got $155 M,” Yearwood

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Yearwood Jamaican Artiste Jahmiel

moved from a pariah state to a clean and corruption-free state, which allowed Guyanese both home and in the diaspora, to be proud to say that ‘I am Guyanese.’ This movement to betterment, Harmon said, has taken on a different meaning in the upcoming elections. “So all across this country, this APNU-AFC movement speaks of moving from a pariah state to a state of orderliness, a state of good governance,” he said. Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, touched on local democracy and how same was returned to the people by the David Granger-led Administration. “You can’t get it, if you don’t want to be a part of it because if we don’t learn as Local Government Organs, if we don’t learn to develop our towns, then we will die and that is why our Government brought back LGE,” she said. Former Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, received a welcome back with loud cheers from the crowd. He said, “We as a people; a Guyanese people, must ensure that this great revolution of wealth we are involved in, does not fail. For it not to fail, we must put the right leaders in place to manage our oil resources correctly with integrity and vision and

this economic revolution.” Former Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira urged the crowd to consider the four Ws as they prepare to vote: Why, When, Where and What which will result in the coalition Winning the election. He reminded them of how their ancestors fought and suffered for the common man to obtain the right to vote because they understood the power of voting. “That is the power of voting, voting is your voice, so do not take it for granted.......voting gives you access to power, political power; it is only when you have power, you can effect change.” Addressing the women in the crowd was Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Yearwood, who spoke on the strides made by the Coalition Government to ensure women are empowered and respected. First, over 225 young mothers were reintegrated back into school, to ensure they become qualified. Hundreds of women across Guyana benefitted from training in various areas such as agro-processing and entrepreneurial skills and could now access funding from various government funding organizations such as Small Business Bureau and the Linden Enterprise Net-

one single loan to Linden people, because the money disappeared....put them in the garbage bag and park them. It wasn’t until 2015 when the

reminded the residents. The crowd continued to be energized and flags continued to fly high in the air as

local artistes such as Brandon Harding and ‘Lil Colwin’ performed original songs in support of the coalition government. Bringing down the curtain was Jamaican artiste, Jahmiel, who had the thousands on their feet, jumping and gyrating to his popular songs. The four geographical candidates were also introduced to the audience. These are Jermaine Figueira; AFC Region Ten Chairman, Devin Sears; former Regional Councilor, Douglas Gittens and Minister Valerie Yearwood.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

MoTP working to make Guyana modern digital state

WITH Guyana on the cusp of development, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoTP) has been moving towards providing programmes and services that would help to transition Guyana from its current state into a more modernised and digital state. The ministry believes that technology has a powerful capacity to transform nearly every sector of Guyana’s economy and is committed to harnessing that power as a tool for national development and for improving the lives of all Guyanese. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, on NCN’s programme Context, disclosed that in the past year the ministry has focused heavily on ensuring that children all across the country have access to internet connection. She stated that this has proven very beneficial in the students’ academic pursuits. She stated that the ministry has moved to take this initiative not just to schools on the coastland areas,

but also to schools in hinterland communities. She explained that almost 300 schools and ministries across the country that previously had little to no connectivity now have internet access. “The students in so many of our residential homes, like the residential home in St. Ignatius where they’re able to connect to programmes and training online that might exist, that might be free where children in schools in Georgetown all across the coast or all across Guyana can do research can enhance their ability to do better at school,” said Minister Hughes. She further related that the initiative is not just focused on providing internet access to schools, but that it has been expanded to include, in some instances, whole communities that were previously not able to receive internet or due to there being no services offered or due to extremely high costs. She explained the benefits that this would provide

Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes.

to the residents in these communities, as it relates to being able to market their businesses and expand their markets. “For the first time you have a

place like Monkey Mountain where there is no telephone service, where there was only one individual providing internet service at a very high cost. And we were able of course, as you know there is a new lapidary opened at Monkey Mountain and we were able to go in right after and provide free internet access to the community and also to the lapidary. What does that mean for the village, of Monkey Mountain? It means that in addition to all the employees from that village or that community that works with the lapidary they are now able to enhance and sustain their project, because with internet access they can sell their beautiful gem stones that they are preparing to[sell to] jewellery stores in Georgetown, in any part of the Caribbean and in fact any part of the world,” explained Hughes. Minister Hughes stated that the ministry has plans for 2020 to see close to 100 government services online this year, which would result

The President and ... President Granger outlines some of his Government’s educational plans in what he calls the Decade of Development 2020-2029. The most significant of which is the restoration of free education at the University of Guyana. Free education is a lofty goal. The Guyanese President would have been mindful, however, that his country’s attempts at expanding access to education, beginning in 1976, came at huge financial cost to the treasury. This aggravated the country’s economic woes.

Education is pivotal to his Government’s plans for economic and social transformation. In his public utterances, the Guyanese President has articulated his vision for the establishment of an ‘education nation’. He, more than most, will appreciate, however, that the realisation of his proposed ‘education nation’ relies less on political will than it does on the effective delivery of education. Teaching Teachers: The Cyril Potter College of Education, the third book, highlights the importance which the President has been paying

to teacher education. He acknowledges that teachers are the backbone of any educational system and, without trained teachers, the educational system would falter. His emphasis on training teachers is not misplaced. The Cyril Potter College of Education has been training hundreds of teachers each year to populate the country’s education system. Granger, as President, has taken steps to improve training and has expressed his expectations about the quality of teachers which the public education system de-

mands. His political instincts caution him against making grandiose promises to teachers but he may well find that, without substantial increases in teachers’ remuneration and benefits, retaining teachers will become a far more daunting task that training them. Education and Culture: Teaching in a post-colonial society, the final of the four-books, perhaps, is the most insightful of the entire collection. Granger elucidates the often understated link between education and culture. The book’s fundamental argument is that an inclusive education must link education to culture. Guyana is demographically and geographically diverse. The success of educational delivery depends on the degree to

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in less travel for residents. She explained that many times residents have to make their way across the country to the Georgetown to be able to get their various documents that they may need to conduct official business and stated that the Ministry of Public Telecommunications is working to ensure that persons no longer have to make their way to the capital city to have these done; they can access these materials wherever they have internet access. “We’re taking Guyana in the direction where you could go to an ICT hub you could go to a community centre where we created hotspots, so you can go online in any of these locations, fill in your application form for your business registration, for your tin number; in time you would be able to do your driver’s licence, the theory part, online,” explained Hughes.

which the curricula can be tailored to become more accommodative and respectful of the country’s diversity. The country’s indigenous peoples comprise nine tribes, all of which speak their own tongue, for example. The Guyanese leader offers sound advice to the designers of the country’s education curricula: the development of a system of inclusive education requires examining the intersection of education and culture. He warns that learners are not all alike, yet the “curricula tend to be same, textbooks tend to be the same and examinations tend to be the same.” Prior to reading this particular book, one may have been tempted to view President Granger as

having a utilitarian outlook towards education – delivering the greatest good to the greatest number. The book however makes clear that President Granger ascribes more ambitious goals to education, two of which are reducing inequality and promoting greater inclusivity. The President has a wide and bright vision for education. He argues for greater attention be paid to the intersection of education and culture in the design of education curricula. This four-book collection on education is a must-read for educators, parents and students alike. It reflects a profound mind at work, one which has mined the depths of education’s role in national transformation.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

‘Everybody is happy and more so when you are creating jobs’ …Kwakwani residents praise government for major improvements in infrastructure

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE morale of the residents of the Upper Berbice River community of Kwakwani is higher than before and their expressions of satisfaction over the many infrastructural projects that are being executed are proof that their community is no longer neglected and, as they put it, “they are no longer treated as Region 11.” Playing an integral role in this development is the National Industrial & Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) with its state property renovation project, amongst other things. Being a community that was managed by the bauxite company in the past, many of the buildings in Kwakwani are owned by the state and are therefore in the custody of NICIL. These buildings were neglected by the previous management of the organization and were in fact slated for demolition. These include the State House-- the official property to be used by the President, Prime Minister or Ministers of Government, when they visit the community; the Management Centre which was the recreational facility used by the managers and staff of the bauxite company who resided in the community and a guest house for visiting staff and all residential buildings that formerly housed bauxite workers. With these buildings being in a dilapidated state, there was much to be desired about the aesthetics of Kwakwani. The community looked gloomy and down trodden and this affected the morale of the people and the social and economical atmosphere. Under the stewardship of NICIL's Chief Executive Officer (ag), Colvin Heath-London, a decision was made not to demolish the many buildings, but to renovate them, thus return-

ing them to their former glory. Millions of dollars have been expended in this renovation project and residents are very upbeat about the process. The State House and the Management Centre are now spanking new buildings, completely transformed, giving the area the face lift it deserves. Not holding back her expressions of appreciation was the Chairman of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Elsie McPherson, who said that Kwakwani was filled with dilapidated buildings and this made the residents feel as though they were outcasts, since no attention was being paid to the community. "Previously, we believed that we were an outcast because people paid us no mind, everybody is happy and more so when you are creating jobs," she said.

the era in which they were constructed. It is therefore important that they should be left for future generations to enjoy. "With me looking at it, I knew that we

Other properties under NICIL's care around Guyana are

will benefit the community also with employment because eight guards alone will be employed; that is very, very good."

Young resident of Kwakwani Royston Downer

NICIL, CEO Calvin London

could have brought it back and preserve the history for this generation and future generations," he posited. The renovations will also serve as a means of garnering funds for the community and the organization, since the Management Centre is a guest-

Kwakwani NDC Chairman, Elsie McPherson

similarly being renovated. These include properties in Rosignol, Skeldon, West Bank Demerara,

tent. We have employed local artisans; we have insisted that local people carry out these jobs, so that the monies being spent can stay into the community.

The Kwakwani Management Centre that was renovated

The renovated Kwakwani State House

NICIL’s CEO, Heath-London explained that as the custodian of many of the state buildings countrywide which have been neglected, his reasoning is, if they are left in a state of disrepair, the value of the buildings will be reduced and the value of the organization will be reduced as well, so it is important that that these buildings be renovated for the longevity of NICIL. He also added that the buildings have unique architecture and were deemed modern during

house, restaurant and bar, with amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis court, etc. Kwakwani youth, Royston Downer, said that is a great boost for youth development since the Centre is open to the public. "I like that you can play the tennis there, it is more activities for the youths in the community, since there wasn’t much, youths can gravitate to activities that are constructive, rather than to lime and do things that can make them delinquent," he said.

Georgetown, amongst others. In Linden, the renovation of the Watooka Guest House, which was also done by NICIL, is the talk of the town and has significantly boosted the hospitality sector. BIG PLUS FOR JOB CREATION In addition to improvement in the community's appearance and creating services, what residents are more grateful for is that the project is creating job opportunities in the community, not only through the construction by utilizing local content, but for permanent employment. "NICIL has done these works internally by utilizing local con-

The jobs were supervised by the engineers, but to ensure the monies stay in the community, all other persons were employed from right there," Heath-London explained. In addition, he said that all permanent staff, including security, cooks, maids and auxiliary etc, will be employed from Kwakwani. NDC Chairman McDonald also stressed that with limited job opportunities in Kwakwani, she is very pleased that jobs will be created for the residents, especially young people. Resident Ann Gilkes said, " the renovation of State House and Management Centre it is a big boost for the community, it

LAND REGULARIZATION NICIL has also embarked on regularizing the many acres of land on which residents have been living on for generations but have no legal documentation of ownership. The surveying process has commenced and residents have been invited to submit the relevant documentation needed for regularization. While over 600 residents in Linden and other Region Ten communities, such as Coomacka, have already been regularized by NICIL, Heath-London said that it is necessary that Kwakwani residents enjoy the same benefit. "We are pushing ahead with the process; many persons were given lands, but the process of ownership has never been completed. NICIL has started to regularize in other areas and for these people to enjoy prosperity, there must be ownership; it is unfair, three generations lived and maintained these properties and do not have ownership," he stressed. NICIL, he said, is working as fast as the other government agencies would allow for the process to be expedited. Residents have expressed optimism that the process will reach fruition and they soon will be presented with their titles. " I am hoping and praying; I have confidence that the government will be victorious again, it will make me more independent. I always want a piece of land," resident Middoln Dettaan said, adding, “it will empower me." NICIL is also contributing to business development in Kwakwani by providing entrepreneurial training for residents and technical support in an effort to enhance the standard of living of the community.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Bulkan declares zero tolerance for under performance --at opening of annual regional development caucus

BUDGETARY allocations to Guyana’s administrative regions have increased by over 70 per cent since 2015, and with decentralisation and regional development a fundamental part of President David Granger’s “Decade of Development”, even more investment and development can be expected over the next ten years. As such, inefficiency from regional administrators will hardly be accepted, and now more than ever, regional officials must deliberate plans and strategies to ensure maximum productivity going forward. This was emphasised by Minister of Communities

Ronald Bulkan as he delivered the feature address at his ministry’s annual 2020 “Action Round Table for Regional Development”, which is being held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal. “We must be able to maximise the impact of interventions. Inefficiency will not be countenanced; slothful implementation of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) would be unacceptable. Regional budgetary allocations will be further increased, making it even more necessary for this inefficient trend to be reversed,” Bulkan stressed. “We are a petroleum-pro-

ducing State; citizens’ expectation of public administrators would rightly be heightened. They will rightly demand more from the regions and government. It is President Granger’s intention to realise the promise of a good life.” In 2014, the total budgetary allocation to regions stood at $23.9 billion; this rose to $40.8 billion in 2019, with regions accounting for approximately 14 per cent of the national budget, the Minister said. For 2019, the Ministry of Communities (MoC) was awarded an $8.3 billion budget allocation, inclusive of the over 150 per cent increase

A section of those in attendance at the Ministry of Communities fourth annual Action Roundtable for Regional Development (Adrian Narine photo)

in the Ministry’s capital budgetary allocation, which moved from the $2.876 billion it was in 2016 to $5.417 billion dollars. “These increases resulted in tangible improvement in the delivery of public services and the quality of lives of residents countrywide. Public health and education delivery have been significantly improved. An analysis of the top 20 achievements of the regions during the past four-and-a-half years would reveal that the work of the regions far exceeded any other period,” Minister Bulkan conveyed. “The impact of our decentralised approach is now beginning to be realized, as residents can now access new and improved public services right within their regions instead of journeying all the way to Georgetown.” Established in 2015 with the change of administration, the MoC is purposed with administering development of the Regions through the monitoring of the respective Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and municipalities; promoting good governance, and facilitating infrastructure development and training. Since its establishment, the Ministry has overseen

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

a robust decentralisation programme that saw many essential services that were once constrained to the capital city being taken to several respective regions across the country. “Citizens, whether they live on the coastland or hinterland, can look forward to tangible improvement in the quality of life through the efficient and effective delivery of public services by the regions. Our founding leaders did not whimsically sit and determine that these regions should exist. The ten regions are not ornamental, but is a primary institution in stimulating national development. This administration holds firmly to the policy of regionalism,” Minister Bulkan emphasised. Since 2015, the Ministry has established four new capital towns, and has restored local government democracy with the holding of two Local Government elections. In the 2019 budget, municipalities saw their budget allocation increase from $15 million to $18 million each, with the exception of Georgetown, which received $30 million; allocations to NDCs was increased to from $3 million to $5 million each. Bulkan highlighted that over the years, in the Ministry’s regional apportionment of its budget “no region was left behind”. “The five budgets crafted by this administration is testament that we are not vindictive or discriminatory administration, no region was left behind. Political affiliation was and remains irrelevant,” Bulkan informed. Going forward, more of the same can be expected to obtain. “The next coalition government will ensure that each region realises its full potential to the benefit of its residents. We will move full steam ahead with our plan to promote regional identity, patriotism; each region will have a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD); the capacity of regions to execute larger projects will be further strengthened with the full operationalization of regional procurement and planning departments,” Bulkan said.

The regional officials must therefore position themselves to align their pace with that of the need for the growing development. “As we await the election of the new council and the passage of the 2020 budget, it is incumbent on each programme head to review your system, identify the impediments, possible solutions and be prepared to offer the best possible advice so that we can hit the ground running,” Bulkan said. The two day roundtable first began in 2017. In the past the forum has focused on issues of human resources, procurement and financial management, while his year focus is being placed on the need for collaboration and its importance in building sustainable communities. The two-day session is being held under the theme “Advancing Local Government and Sustainable Community Development Through Collaboration for Effective Service Delivery In A Green Economy”. “In this new era of development, collaboration will assume a greater role. Working together to achieve a common strategic objective is fundamental. I wish to again stress the importance of collaboration within and among regions and central government agencies as a means of increasing efficiency in the implementation of your respective programming department,” the Minister said. “Effective collaboration will assist with the identification and resolution of problems, allows for knowledge transfer through the sharing of best practice and experience, opens up new channels for communication, [and] minimizes duplication. The success or failure of this system is to a great extent dependent on your actions, every task or project whether costing $10,000 or $10 million must be approached with a focus of adding value to the region. The archaic centralist mind-set must give way to a development mindset for this policy of regionalism or decentralisation to work.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

CH&PA comes up with novel 10-year plan

--to adequately address housing backlog THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) needs some 12,500 acres (or 50.59 square km) of land in the coastland and hinterland regions if it is to address the over 62,500 active applicants that it had as at the end of December 2018, 60 per cent of whom are low-income applicants. The Authority is going to need approximately $136.5 billion over the course of 10 years, if targets to deal with the situation, as outlined in a 10-year projections report, is to be met. Of that cost, some $22 billion is expected to cater for land acquisition. The CH&PA’s 10-year strategy takes into consideration the quantitative as well as the qualitative housing deficits. To attend this situation that the CH&PA is proposing, among other things, a plan whereby 50 per cent of the overall backlog, or 31, 262 applicants will be targeted with Housing Solutions of which 70 per cent (21,884 applicants) should go to low-income and 30 per cent to those in the middle-income bracket. These and other statistics from the Authority’s 10-year projections was outlined by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul, as he made presentations on the “CH&PA’s Ten-Year Strategy for Housing and Community Development” during the Ministry of Communities (MoC) Annual Senior Staff Conference last Tuesday. CH&PA falls under the management of the MoC. The projections in the report does not account for the 6722 applicants that the Authority interviewed in 2019. Over the five-year period from 2015 to 2019, the CH&PA interviewed a total of 26,439 applicants as against a total of 6,451 allocations that were made. Over that period, some 8,935 titles and transports were processed, while 16,043 were uplifted by owners. “Notwithstanding initiatives, the chasm between demand and supply continues to widen, however we can ill afford to propose unrealistic targets and unworkable solutions,” Saul expressed, as he delivered remarks on the report. “Our plans must be guided by data such as population growth, etcetera. We must be aware of the national plans for industrialization, infrastructural developments, and such. It is a waste of time for us to plan in isolation.” Of the 62, 524 active applicants, only one per cent, or 653 of the applicants, qualify as high-income applicants, while a mere 1652 or three per cent account for the middle income applicants; 7830, or 13 per cent of the total are considered moderate-income applicants.

The staggering 60 per cent very low-income applicants comes up to 34,996. Of the remaining 13, 757 active applicants are low income, while for 3,636 the income is unknown. By administrative Region,

CH&PA’s Lelon Saul addressing last Tuesday’s staff meeting

61.6% of the active applicants are in Demerara-Mahaica, of which 54.5% of those falls in the very low income category, the next most in demand region is Essequibo Islands West Demerara with 9821 applicants, again majority are very low income earners, some 58.6 percent. Inadequate housing, and the lack of appropriate resolutions to deal with an ever growing demand, continues to a burning issue in Guyana. Over the years several initiatives have been implemented in attempts to tackle the situation. Notwithstanding the inadequate supply of land, many of those who do get allocated lands often struggle to pay for the land, or can not afford to build homes. To address this dilemma, the “Turn Key” programme, whereby the government builds the houses, which are then sold to applicants along with the land, began a few years ago. There is also the suggestion of the introduction of “Rent-toOwn” models. Another ongoing initiative is the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme funded with a US$27 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and launched in October, 2018. The programme has three components – Affordable and Sustainable Housing; Consolidation of existing Housing Schemes; and Support and Institutional Strengthening. Under the Affordable and Sustainable Housing component US$5M was earmarked for a “Home Improvement Subsidy Programme” which targeted 2,000 persons accessing as much as $500,000 to rehabilitate their homes; while another US$5M has been budgeted for the construction of 250 “Core Homes”. The projects targets specified areas. The initiative is part of a wider scheme of the CH&PA

to address qualitative deficit, whereby the authority suggests that issuing of a total of 6450 “Home Improvement Subsidy” and 1250 “Core Home Support” across a period from 2017 - 2030. The projection caters for another 500 “Core Homes” and 2450 home improvements from 2020 – 2025 under a “GoG Subsidy Programme”, and another 500 core homes, and 2000 subsidies from 2026 – 2030 under a “New Projected Subsidies” programme. Via a 2019 study the Authority did an assessment of the quality of standard of living of many existing homes, finding several to be severely deficient; totaling 60,101. There is also need for provision of sustainable housing solutions for informal settlers being relocated from “zero tolerance areas; essentially squatters occupying areas that cannot be regularized”. Saul also touched on the need for cooperative villages, and collaboration with NGOs. Under the consolidation of housing schemes the focus is on the upgrading of infrastructure such as roadS, water

and street lights; naming of streets and the handing over of housing schemes to local democratic organs.

The CH&PA is also looking at the development of a new allocation model, by reviewing the current alloca-

tion criteria and inputting a system that addresses application backlog alongside new applicants.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Man City drop more points, Norwich get lifeline

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha celebrates with teammates after Manchester City’s Fernandinho scored an own goal and Crystal Palace’s second at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) Even when Liverpool are not in action they continue to bolster their seemingly impregnable Premier League lead and it happened again yesterday as second-placed Manchester City could only draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. Fernandinho’s 90th-minute own goal robbed them of victory and left Pep Guardiola’s side 13 points behind Liverpool who have played two games less and who can stretch their advantage to 16 if they beat Manchester United today. On a big day at the bottom of the table, bottom side Norwich City gave themselves a lifeline with a 1-0 defeat of free-falling Bournemouth in a match in which both sides had a man sent off. Norwich remain six points adrift of the safety zone but Teemu Pukki’s first-half penalty, awarded after Bournemouth skipper Steve Cook handled and was red-carded, gives them hope. Watford’s revival continued as they took their points tally in new manager Nigel Pearson’s seven games in charge to 14, although Troy Deeney missed a penalty in their 0-0 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur who have stalled under Jose Mourinho. Tottenham are in eighth spot after a four-game winless run, two places higher than Arsenal who could only draw 1-1 at home to Sheffield United, who continue to impress in seventh place. Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the lead but John Fleck earned the Blades a draw. Both Tottenham and Arsenal’s hopes of challenging for a top-four finish are fading by the week. However, Chelsea missed the chance to open up a commanding lead over their rivals as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United in the day’s late kickoff. Chelsea had chances to snatch victory in a tight affair at St James’ Park, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly, as Isaac Hayden headed a dramatic stoppage-time winner to earn his side a first win in five league games. Southampton’s surge hit the buffers as they surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers to lose 2-3. Mexican striker Raul Jimenez struck

twice after the break for Wolves who moved into sixth spot. RELEGATION DOGFIGHT David Moyes’s West Ham United drew 1-1 at home to his old club Everton to remain in the thick of the relegation dogfight while Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion drew 1-1 with Jack Grealish equalising for Villa who stay third from bottom. Manchester City’s frenetic afternoon rather summed up their season so far, as they misfired against a Palace side who beat them in the corresponding fixture last season. Sergio Aguero struck twice to overturn a deficit after debutant Cenk Tosun gave Palace a 39th-minute lead. It took Aguero above Frank Lampard into fourth spot on the all-time Premier League scoring list with 179 goals. But City’s relief turned to frustration as Wilfried Zaha powered past John Stones and his cross deflected in off Fernandinho and beat City goalkeeper Ederson. “It was a tight game and unfortunately we could not win it,” Guardiola said. Premier League history, of sorts, was made at Carrow Road where Paul Tierney became the first Premier League referee to send off a player after consulting a pitch-side monitor, adjudging Norwich’s Ben Godfrey’s late challenge on Callum Wilson worthy of the harshest punishment. It ratcheted up the tension for the home fans as Norwich should have been more than one goal ahead by the time Godfrey went off to make it 10 versus 10 in the 76th minute. But Norwich hung on to condemn Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to a fourth consecutive defeat and leave them second from bottom, three points behind 17thplaced Watford. “It is an important win for us. Three points, clean sheet, good for mood and confidence and the table. A good evening for us,” Norwich boss Daniel Farke said. “There were some spicy moments in the last 10 minutes and anything can happen.” Bournemouth have picked up four points from the last 36 on offer in the Premier League.

2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ RACING TIPS back on the training South Africa Racing Tips pitch ahead of crucial Scottsville 08:30 hrs Arizonia Sunset matches against 09:05 hrs Baby Shooz 09:40 hrs Marsanne Barbados FOLLOWING the hosting of the successful Super 16 Cup championship, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has now turned its focus back to the preparation of its Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) and Under-20s for upcoming and very important qualifiers. The senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ under the guidance of head coach Márcio Máximo are on a path to qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup but will have to cross two hurdles in order to punch their tickets. As a result of ending second in Group C of the 2019-2020 CONCACAF Nations League (League B) behind group winners Jamaica, Guyana will now play a two-round qualifier in a direct elimination format against the League C (Group A) winners, Barbados. Those matches will take place in March but the dates and venues are yet to be announced by CONCACAF. In an effort to be in pristine condition mentally, physically and otherwise, coach Máximo and his technical team have been putting in work on the pitch which re-started last week. He noted that along with assistant coach Toledo Wilson and staff they have been putting in work at the office, mapping out their approach for training on the pitch which takes place five days each week. Assistance is also given to the Under-20 team currently getting ready for the CONCACAF qualifying competition. On Saturdays both the senior and Under-20s train together with the direct aim of strengthening the U-20s ahead of their sojourn in Nicaragua, next month. “We have been doing our work for the Barbados games which include studying tapes of their previous matches including friendlies. Barbados will be strong opponents but I know we’ll have the condition in order to win. We’ll go with the same confidence as before by training hard.” Commenting on the role of the international players, coach Máximo informed that they will continue to use their quota of eight noting that that amount will not increase even though they might have tougher opponents to play going forward. “We’ll stick with the eight because we have the challenge of developing local players too, despite the end result. Every player is important for me, international and local; the competition to make the final team will be the same here and overseas as players work hard to make the final cut. They all have to challenge and compete against each other and the best will come forward.” A few friendly matches are being looked at to ensure the team have some competition before the March assignment. “We expect friendly matches at the end of next month to test the local players’ level of readiness for the test at hand. I want to see the players who are ready to represent us because they should prove that they have the quality to be there.” Meanwhile, GFF president Wayne Forde says his executive and members are fully behind coach Máximo and team. “The Golden Jaguars will have to dig deep during these critical qualification playoff games. There is no question about the quality of players available to us but we also have to be respectful of the quality of players available to Barbados and Trinidad. Both teams are reaching deep into their respective Diaspora reservoirs to locate players who can improve their chances of qualifying for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Coach Maximo has done a fantastic job with the team since his appointment, in particular he has really improved the quality of the local players and I am confident that our chances of qualifying are no different than that of Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Bess claims 5-51 as South Africa hang on with de Kock’s unbeaten 63 By Mark Gleeson

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters) Quinton de Kock led a fightback after rain halted England’s destruction of South Africa’s top order on the third day of the third Test at St George’s Park, but the tourists remain in command after Dom Bess’s maiden Test five-wicket haul. de Kock, who was dropped three times, scored an unbeaten 63 to see South Africa to 208-6 at stumps after rain reduced the day’s play to 64 overs. Vernon Philander was not out on 27. The home side are still 291 runs behind after off-spinner Bess claimed the first five South African wickets to fall. He bagged two on Friday to leave SA teetering at 60-2 overnight, in replay to England’s mammoth 499 for nine declared, and picked up where he left off yesterday with three more. Bess removed Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen before rain stopped proceedings at 11:45hrs, some 15 minutes before the scheduled lunch break. Play did not resume until 15:30hrs, frustrating England’s march through the batting order. de Kock was dropped twice by Ben Stokes off the bowling of captain Joe Root, first on 30

England’s Dom Bess celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

and then 56, and then again in the penultimate over, by Stokes off Joe Denly. But he played some characteristically entertaining strokes to provide some respite for the home fans after a relentless pounding from England over the first two days. Bess had not been selected for the tour at first, flown out

to South Africa just before Christmas as cover when a virus struck the England camp. But he has made a strong bid for a place on their next tour to Sri Lanka with figures of 5-51 in 31 overs. “I’ll cherish today, I’ve worked hard for days like this,” Bess said afterwards. Yesterday he first dis-

missed Elgar, who edged the ball off his pad to Ollie Pope at silly point for 35, then he removed du Plessis in exactly the same way. Bess then saw captain Joe Root drop nightwatchman Anrich Nortje at first slip and Pope failed to hold a half-chance off van der Dussen. But his fifth wicket came

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings Zak Crawley c Rassie `van der Dussen b Anrich Nortje 44 Dominic Sibley c Dean Elgar b Kagiso Rabada 36 Joe Denly lbw Keshav Maharaj 25 Joe Root b Kagiso Rabada 27 Ben Stokes c Dean Elgar b Dane Paterson 120 Ollie Pope not out 135 Jos Buttler c & b Keshav Maharaj 1 Sam Curran c Dean Elgar b Keshav Maharaj 44 Dom Bess c Pieter Malan b Keshav Maharaj 1 Mark Wood c Anrich Nortje b Keshav Maharaj 42 Extras: (b-21, lb-4, nb-4, w-4) 24 Total: (nine wkts decl., 152.0 overs) 499 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-103, 3-134, 4-148, 5-351, 6-354, 7-413, 8-426, 9-499. Bowling: Vernon Philander 16-5-41-0, Dane Paterson 243-62-1 (w-1), Kagiso Rabada 28-6-97-2 (w-2, nb-4),, Anrich Nortje 25-4-97-1 (w-1), Keshav Maharaj 58-15- 180-5. SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Dean Elgar c Ollie Pope b Dom Bess 35 Pieter Malan c & b Dom Bess 18 Zubayr Hamza c Ollie Pope b Dom Bess 10 Anrich Nortje c Joe Root b Ben Stokes 18 Faf du Plessis c Ollie Pope b Dom Bess 8 Rassie van der Dussen b Dom Bess 24 Quinton de Kock not out 63 Vernon Philander not out 27 Extras: (b-4, w-1) 5 Total: (six wkts, 82.0 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-60, 3-63, 4-71, 5-10, 6-154. Bowling: Stuart Broad 11-4-30-0, Sam Curran 9-1-31-0, Dom Bess 31-12-51-5, Mark Wood 11-4-31-0 (w-1), Joe Denly 4-1-10-0, Joe Root 11-4-25-0, Ben Stokes 5-1-26-1.

two balls later, to joyous celebration, as van der Dussen played on and was bowled for 24. Nortje proved stubborn, soaking up 136 balls before Stokes had him caught by Root for 18. South Africa still face following on, with England

chasing 14 wickets to win the Test and go 2-1 ahead in the series before the last Test in Johannesburg next week. “We are going to come out and focus on fighting for the next two days,” said Nortje.

Malteenoes All Stars beaten by QPCC in semi-final of Unicom T20 tournament THE Malteenoes All Stars ended their run in the University of the West Indies (UWI) Unicom T20 cricket tournament after falling to the Queen’s Park Cricket Club by 55 runs on Friday evening, in semi-final one at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket ground at UWI-SPEC in Trinidad. The Guyanese team won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the home team was up to the task. Several of their batsmen

Malteenoes All Stars bowed out in the semi-finals of the UWI Unicom T20 cricket tournament.

Rabada slammed by Holding, Pietersen after celebration ban PORT Elizabeth, South Africa (AFP) - Kagiso Rabada was criticised by former West Indies fast-bowling great Michael Holding and ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Friday after incurring a ban which will put him out of the fourth and final Test against England in Johannesburg this week. Both former internationals said Rabada had let his team down

by being a repeat disciplinary offender. The South Africa fast bowler pleaded guilty to a level one breach of the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct because of the way he celebrated the dismissal of England captain Joe Root during the first day of the third Test at St George’s Park on Thursday. He was fined 15 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit

point. As it was his fourth demerit point in a 24-month period he incurred an automatic one-match ban. “He has to learn,” said Holding, who was commentating for SuperSport television. “You can’t keep making the same mistakes. He has to remember he is damaging his team. South Africa without Rabada at the Wanderers – that’s a big blow.” After bowling Root, Rabada

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada will miss the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg. charged down the pitch before celebrating with fists clenched almost with touching distance of the England captain. Rabada pleaded guilty to “using

had starts, which propelled them to 160-7 in their allotted overs. Tion Webster and Nicholas Alexis led the attack with 37 (from 26 balls) and 35 (from 21 balls) respectively, while Justin Guillen finished with 25 runs from 19 balls. Left arm spinner Anthony Adams was the pick of the visiting bowlers. He grabbed 3-34, while Quintin Sampson took 2-31 from three overs. In the chase, Trevon Griffith scored 23 runs from 12

balls, while Raj Nannan finished with 17 runs from 20 balls, but overall, the Guyanese batsmen had little answer for Christopher Vincent and Jon Russ Jaggessar, who combined for seven wickets, which helped to restrict Malteenoes All Stars to 105 in 17.1 overs. Man-of-the-match Vincent took 4-25 from four overs, while Jaggessar took 3-21. Support came from Dexter Sween who finished with 2-36 from four overs.

language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his or her dismissal”. Fellow commentator Pietersen said the way Rabada got close to batsmen after dismissing them was unacceptable. “He shouldn’t be celebrating in a batsman’s personal space,” he said, adding Rabada had behaved in a similar way after dismissing Zak Crawley during the second Test in Cape Town. “I feel sorry for (South African captain) Faf du Plessis and

(coach) Mark Boucher,” said Pietersen. “South Africa are going to miss their strike bowler at the Wanderers.” One of Rabada’s previous offences occurred at St George’s Park two years ago when he made shoulder contact with then-Australian captain Steve Smith. He was initially banned for two matches after being docked three demerit points but this was reduced to one on appeal, enabling him to complete the series but putting him on the threshold of a ban.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Cricket clubs benefit from Mike’s Pharmacy donation

LOCAL softball player Wayne Jones said it was good to be giving back to the fraternity following last week’s donation of cricket gear to a few local clubs on behalf of Mike’s Pharmacy. During Friday’s ceremony held at Trophy Stall’s Bourda Street location, Jones, on behalf of the company, said that Mike’s Pharmacy boss Mike Lakeram Singh, a player and fan, is always adamant about giving back to the sport and as such decided to bless the clubs with the gear, Wellness products among other things. The donations included cricket pads and gloves,

Under-19 World Cup UAE opener Figy John scored this Under-19 World Cup’s first century, a thoroughly smooth, 101-ball 102 that helped his side beat Canada by eight wickets in Bloemfontein. The 18-year-old, who had last year played with the senior team in ODIs, was at the crease from start to finish as a chase of 232 proved quite straightforward. UAE benefitted from an all-round performance from their captain as well, Aryan Lakra picked up 2 for 39 in 10 overs and returned as opener to score a half-century as well. Scores: UAE Under-19s 232 for 2 (John 102*, Lakra 66) beat Canada Under-19s

Wayne Jones of Mike’s Pharmacy hands over some pads to all-rounder Shaquille Williams of MSC, in the presence of ECC president Manzoor Nadir (far right) and other representatives of the respective clubs

along with a wide range of vitamins. Everest Cricket Club (ECC) president Manzoor Nadir, who recently opened the Shiv Chanderpaul Practice Facility in his club’s backyard, expressed gratitude to the sponsors. “We do have a number of young people in the club and cricket is an expensive sport. So these gear will go into the pool and those who are unable to purchase equipment on their own will benefit,” said Nadir. Jones, following the presentation said, “We (Mike’s Pharmacy) are always involved in sports because we are aware of how important

it is to this country. Contributions such as these are important and lots more have to be done for sport. Sport costs a lot and if clubs can help to provide the equipment, it will go a long way towards helping to develop talent.” Jones said. Meanwhile, Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) were the clubs who benefitted from the contributions.

Figy John hits 102 as UAE beat Canada; Bangladesh thump Zimbabwe

Figy John plays a drive in his innings of 102. ( ICC via Getty photo)

231 for 8 (Patel 90, Sharma 2-42, Lakra 2-39) by eight wickets. Canada had a solid performer in their top order as well - Mihir Patel scored

90 off 105 balls - but they couldn’t take advantage of it due to a couple of mini-collapses. Their score, after being put in, lurched from 133 for

1 to 137 for 4 in the middle overs and then from 220 for 5 to 226 for 8 at the end. Patel did his best, hitting nine fours in his innings and contributing nearly 40% of his team’s total, but it wasn’t enough. Bangladesh’s batsmen ran riot in Potchefstroom, Parvez Hossain Emon whacking an unbeaten 33-ball 58 and leading a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe. Prior to their arrival in South Africa, Bangladesh had banked on their batting stars to perhaps go all the way to the final and they are certainly living up to their word. Having kept Zimba-

bwe to 137 for 6 in 28.1 overs - bad weather forced the first innings to end right there - Bangladesh came out with great purpose. Scores: Bangladesh Under-19s 132 for 1 (Emon 58*) beat Zimbabwe Under-19s 137 for 6 (Marumani 31, Shamim 1-23) by nine wickets. Opener Tanzid Hasan hit six of the 10 balls he faced to the boundary, making 32 runs in the process and though he couldn’t carry on, his partner Emon ensured victory would be achieved in just the 12th over. Zimbabwe rued their own batting performance with plenty of players get-

ting starts but no-one making more than Tadiwanashe Marumani’s 31. Match abandoned: New Zealand Under-19s 195 for 2 (White 80, Mariu 51) v Japan Under-19s New Zealand dominated the contest against Japan with openers Ollie White and Rhys Mariu scoring fairly quick half-centuries but the rain in Potchefstroom allowed for only 28.5 overs of play. The match was abandoned thereafter with both teams getting a point each. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GCC register first-innings lead against GDF in two-day second-division cricket LED by a half-century from youngster Mavendra Dindyal, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) were able to take a first-innings lead against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when action in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Noble House Seafoods, second division two-day cricket competition re-started yesterday after the Christmas break. The visiting army team

Mavendra Dindyal led GCC with a top score of 72 on the opening day of their second division clash

had little answers against the home team’s bowlers at the world-famous Bourda ground, after they won the toss and opted to take first strike. Skipper Leon Andrews, who is key with the bat, was sent back without scoring by pacer Carlos La Rose. La Rose also got rid of another dangerous batsman in the army side, Damian Waldron, who was trapped lbw for 15.

Stephon Wilson was also clinical in his delivery. The left-arm spinner took 3-28 from nine overs. He got the wicket of Dameon Ross, who had batted himself in, Deamon Whitney and T. Johnson. Ross, who had belted Wilson for a six, the lone six of the innings, was bowled for a top score of 35 (1x4, 1x6), while Whitney finished with 10 and Johnson four. Teenage off-spinner Dar-

rius Andrews helped to clean up the lower order with 2-3 from just three overs as GDF fell for 91 in 30 overs. In reply, it was the Dindyal show. The West Indies U-16 batsman belted four sixes and two fours in a top score of 72. He came to the crease at the fall of Martin Pestano-Belle (3) and built the innings with Thaddeus Lovell. The pair added 63 runs for the second wicket,

before Lovell fell to Randy Lindore for 37 (2x4s, 2x6). Dindyal and R. Phillips then added a further 63 for the third wicket and a first-innings lead, before the former fell. At the close of play, Phillips had reached 24 (2x4s), while Deonarine Seeogobin was also not out (3) to push the home team to 145-3.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Pacers, Young help Windies stun Aussies in ICC U-19 opener KIMBERLEY, South Africa (CMC) – All-rounder Nyeem Young struck a nerveless half-century to inspire a West Indies comeback as the Caribbean side overturned the odds to upset powerhouse Australia by three wickets, and register their first-ever win over the tournament favourites at an ICC Under-19 World Cup here yesterday. Chasing 180 for victory at Diamond Oval in the Group B opener, Windies Under-19s found themselves in danger of defeat when they crashed to 92 for five after 25 overs, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha slicing through the middle order with four for 30. However, the right-handed Young arrived to stroke an audacious 61 from 69 balls, in an invaluable 78-run sixth-wicket stand with fellow Barbadian Matthew Forde (23), to rescue the run chase and lift Windies to a crucial victory. There was some late drama when both Young and Forde perished in the space of eight deliveries with 10 runs still required but Kirk McKenzie (seven not out) put any lingering doubts to rest with an imperious extra cover drive for six off the last ball of the 46th over, to end the contest in style. The new-ball fast-bowling pair of Jayden Seales (4-49) and Forde (3-24) had earlier conjured up incisive spells to send the Aussies tumbling for an inadequate 179 in the 36th

over. Australia appeared set for a major total, at 158 for four in the 31st over, but Seales and Forde ripped through the middle and lower orders as the last six wickets fell cheaply for just 21 runs. Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk batted with composure to top score with 84 from 97 deliveries while wicketkeeper Patrick Rowe chipped in with All-rounder Nyeem Young gathers runs elegantly through the onside during his top score of 61 against Australia yesterday.

Jayden Seales celebrates one of his four wickets. (Getty Images)

40 but Australia failed to find a lower-order effort to rescue their innings. The victory was a vital one for the Windies especially with another difficult encounter against England looming tomorrow at the same venue. Choosing to bowl first, Seales struck early when he had Liam Scott caught low down at cover for four with the score on

10 in the second over. Fraser-McGurk added 33 for the second wicket with captain Mackenzie Harvey (20) before two bizarre run-outs set in train a slide that saw the Aussies lose three wickets for 24 runs to be 67 for four in the 14th over. Harvey found himself short at the non-striker’s end after a full-blooded drive from Fraser-McGurk clipped Seales’s fingers on his follow-through, and ricocheted onto the stumps in the eighth over. Lachlan Hearne (5) agonisingly suffered the same fate off pacer Joshua James’s bowling in the 13th over, with Fraser-McGurk yet again contributing unintentionally to his partner’s downfall. Oliver Davies then perished

to the first ball he faced in the next over, gloving a leg-side catch behind off Young’s lively medium pace, to leave Australia 67 for four in the 14th over. Fraser-McGurk, who struck nine fours, stitched up the innings in a 91-run, fifth-wicket stand with Rowe, who faced 57 balls, as the Aussies rallied strongly. But once the 17-year-old McGurk lofted Seales to midon in the 31st over, the innings quickly lost momentum. In reply, West Indies started quickly when left-hander Leonardo Julien lashed three fours and a six in a cameo 20 off 23 balls, as he posted 36 for the first wicket with captain Kimani Melius (17). But his dismissal, getting a leading edge and skying to cover in the sixth over off left-arm pacer Matthew Willans, saw West Indies lose five wickets for 56 runs as Sangha grabbed the next four wickets to put Australia in command. Melius edged a defensive stroke behind in the 11th over, Antonio Morris (9) failed to clear long off in the 19th, Kevlon Anderson (17) top-edged a sweep and was caught at backward square in the 21st before Matthew Patrick was trapped lbw on the backfoot in the 25th. Seemingly unflustered by the Windies’ predicament, Young played his shots with freedom, striking six fours and a six – a clean hit over mid-wicket off Sangha – in an

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA U-19s L. Scott c Anderson b Seales 4 J. Fraser-McGurk c McKenzie b Seales 84 M. Harvey run-out 20 L. Hearne run-out 5 O. Davies c wkp. Julien b Young 0 P. Rowe c Melius b Seales 40 C. Kelly c Melius b Forde 2 T. Sangha c Young b Forde 8 C. Sully c wkp. Julien b Seales 1 T. Murphy c Young b Forde 1 M. Willans not out 0 Extras: (b-3, lb-3, w-7, nb-1) 14 Total: (all out, 35.4 overs) 179 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-43, 3-67, 4-67, 5-158, 6-161, 7-162, 8-165, 9-176. Bowling: Forde 6.4-1-24-3, Seales 8-0-49-4, James 5-0-22-0, Young 5-1-20-1, Nedd 6-0-27-0, Patrick 5-031-0. WEST INDIES U-19s K. Melius c wkp. Rowe b Sangha 17 L. Julien c Fraser-McGurk b Willans 20 K. Anderson c Willans b Sangha 17 A. Morris c Kelly b Sangha 9 M. Patrick lbw b Sangha 8 N. Young lbw b Sully 61 M. Forde lbw b Kelly 23 J. James not out 3 K. McKenzie not out 7 Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-7, nb-2) 15 Total: (7 wkts, 46 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-50, 3-69, 4-73, 5-92, 6-170, 7-170. Bowling: Sully 9-2-45-1, Willans 7-1-26-1, Sangha 10-1-30-4, Kelly 10-1-34-1, Murphy 7-0-26-0, Davies 3-0-13-0. Man-of-the-Match: Nyeem Young.

enterprising innings. He got off the mark with a sweetly-timed cover drive for four off off-spinner Todd Murphy in the 21st over and reached his fifty off 52 balls in the 37th over with a bit of fortune, picking up a couple

after his uppish drive off pacer Corey Kelly burst through the hands of cover. Both he and Forde were lbw victims late on but by then West Indies had victory in sight.

Double trouble as Turbo football semi-finals kick off tonight TWO sets of highly anticipated matchups are set for the Ministry of Education ground on CARIFESTA Avenue when the Turbo knockout football tournament gets going tonight. The semi-final stage of the

tournament will take place from 18:30hrs when Pouderoyen play Fruta Conquerors U-20. The only remaining Youth team in the competition, Fruta Conquerors, will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. The Youth side will be ea-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 19, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

309 Test wickets

(2)

6/38 (vs IND, Barbados, 1962) Today’s Quiz:

(1)

Where and when did Basil Butcher make his Test debut?

(2)

Who was the other WI making his debut in the same game? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Semi-final action in the Turbo Football tournament continues tonight at the Ministry of Education ground, CARIFESTA Avenue.

ger to show that they have not been ‘a flash in the pan’ against the more seasoned Pouderoyen

side. Still, the proverbial veterans will have to use their experience

in taking on the hot-blooded youngsters.

The second game of the tournament is also expected to be a fire-cracker when Northern Rangers take on Georgetown Football Club (GFC). Northern Rangers have been playing eve-catching football throughout the tournament and while many feel that they were ‘lucky’ to get out of the quarter-finals on penalty, they will have a point to prove. They will be hot to prove themselves against a youthful GFC side who have had a mixed bag for 2019. Several tournaments may have eluded them but the GFC side are definitely gunning for the crown. Which-ever teams make to the final they will start the year on a positive note.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Jaguars face difficult final day after Pride dominate BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – A Vishaul Singh half-century provided champions Guyana Jaguars with a ray of hope but they were left facing a difficult final day after Barbados Pride took a firm grip of the second round encounter at Kensington Oval here yesterday. Behind by 180 on first innings after Pride were dismissed for 389, Jaguars closed the third day on 141 for three – still requiring a further 39 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Vishaul was unbeaten on 56, an innings that has spanned 107 balls, nearly 2-¾ hours and included 10 fours. He anchored two key stands after Jaguars found

Vishaul Singh hit an unbeaten half-century.

themselves on 12 for one when Tagenarine Chanderpaul perished cheaply for six in the fifth over of the innings, lbw to Test seamer Kemar Roach. First, he put on 53 with captain Leon Johnson (17)

to build on a second-wicket stand that started with Chandrapaul Hemraj who was forced to retire hurt on eight with 15 runs on the board. When Johnson was bowled by seamer Kevin

Stoute, Vishaul found an ally in Chris Barnwell (26) to add a further 46 for the third wicket, before closing out the day in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Raymon Reifer (17). Resuming their first innings earlier on 239 for three, Pride found impetus through Kyle Mayers who top-scored with 75 while Jonathan Carter made 73. Roach, batting at number eight, chipped in with 35 while number 10 Jomel Warrican got 24, as the hosts’ lower order frustrated Jaguars. Fast bowler Keon Joseph led the visitors’ attack with four for 75 while fellow speedster Nial Smith, in his second first class game, supported with two for 84.

Pride flourished inside the first hour as Carter combined with Mayers to extend their fourth-wicket stand to 111 before they were separated. Carter, resuming the day on 61, struck nine fours off 204 balls in just shy of 4-¼ hours while Mayers, on 36 overnight, belted 11 fours and two sixes in an entertaining 100-ball knock. Pride were cruising at 285 for three when Joseph conjured up an excellent spell to wreck the middle order, as four wickets tumbled for 16 runs in quick time. The right-armer trapped Carter lbw with a full-length delivery immediately following the first drinks break and without addition to the score

two balls later, comprehensively bowled opener Shayne Moseley who resumed his innings on 46 after retiring hurt the previous evening. Joseph then struck the key blow when he removed Mayers to a catch by Chanderpaul just inside the boundary at deep point. When Stoute followed for six in the next over, Pride were losing their way at 301 for seven but Roach frustrated the Jaguars, putting on 37 for the eighth wicket with Warrican before adding a further 46 for the ninth with Keon Harding (21), as he struck four fours and a six in a 65ball innings.

Campbell century turns tables on Volcanoes KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Captain John Campbell’s fourth firstclass century headlined an admirable Jamaica Scorpions batting display as they set up an intriguing final day of their second round match against Windward Islands Volcanoes today. Under the cosh at the start of yesterday’s penultimate day on 203 for seven – still 184 runs adrift of Volcanoes’ first innings total of 387, Scorpions were bowled out for 220 to find themselves in even more difficulty. However Campbell, in

Scorpions captain John Campbell recorded his fourth first-class century.

his first season as skipper, punched a typically fluent 101 while fellow Test start Jermaine Blackwood

stroked an enterprising 76 as Scorpions ended the day on 291 for three. Nkrumah Bonner was un-

beaten on 40 and the in-form Paul Palmer, on 37 - knocks that helped Scorpions turn the momentum of the game their way. Heading into the final day at Sabina Park, Scorpions lead by 124 runs. With little margin for error after losing their last three second-innings wickets cheaply and being asked to bat again, Scorpions lost Assad Fudadin for nine after he had added 31 with Campbell for the first wicket, driving off-spinner Shane Shillingford to the diving Sunil Ambris at cover.

Campbell then paired with Blackwood in an authoritative stand of 155 which turned the tide and carried Scorpions to lunch on 46 for one. Unbeaten on 18 at the break, Campbell hit nine fours and two sixes in an innings needing 157 balls and just over 3-¼ hours while Blackwood, on nine at the interval, faced 141 balls in just under 3-½ hours and counted eight fours and a six. Campbell brought up three figures by lifting Shillingford over mid-wicket for four in the final over before

tea but perished in the third over after the break, bowled by fast bowler Josh Thomas (2-37), missing a clip into the leg side. Palmer, with a first-innings half-century then put on 25 with Blackwood for the third wicket before uniting with Bonner in an unbroken 80-run, fourth-wicket partnership, to ensure there were no further missteps. Palmer has faced 84 balls and counted a four and a six while Bonner has struck four fours in a 79ball innings.

Hinds slams 102 off 77 balls but Hosein puts Hurricanes on brink of defeat AROUBA, Trinidad (CMC) – Virtually unknown Terrance Hinds slammed an astonishing unbeaten hundred at number nine before left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein snatched a four-wicket haul, as Leeward Islands Hurricanes found themselves on the ropes on the penultimate day of their second round clash here yesterday. Resuming their first innings on 337 for four in reply to Hurricanes’ 186, Red Force piled up a massive 552 for nine declared at the Brian Lara Stadium, to take a commanding lead of 366. In only his second firstclass match after making his debut in last week’s first round, Hinds struck 102 off 77 balls, clobbering seven fours and

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein grabbed four for 56.

eight sixes to decimate the Hurricanes attack and notch his maiden hundred. Joshua DaSilva made 80, Yannic Cariah stroked 46 while Bryan Charles, at number 10, chipped in with

43 to further add to the Hurricanes’ woes. Montcin Hodge (42) and Kieran Powell (40) then put on 84 for the first wicket but Hosein triggered a sudden collapse which saw Hurricanes lose

seven wickets for 68 runs and end the day on 162 for seven. Hosein, who accounted for both openers, has so far taken four for 56. Heading into today’s final day, Hurricanes require a further 204 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Starting the day on top, Red Force never really relinquished control. DaSilva, resuming on 50, extended his fifth wicket stand with Cariah to 111 before he was one of four wickets to fall for 26 runs. The right-hander had punched 12 fours off 117 deliveries in just over 2-½ hours when he gifted his wicket, chipping a simple catch to short mid-wicket off off-spinner Jacques Taylor (2-79).

Cariah, on 27 not out at the start, faced 80 balls in nearly two hours and counted six fours before becoming the day’s second victim and Hosein (10) and Odean Smith (5) fell cheaply as Red Force stumbled to 409 for eight. Hinds then launched a stunning onslaught to dominate a 122-run, ninth-wicket stand with Charles. Unbeaten on 50 from 40 balls at lunch with Red Force on 491 for eight, Hinds completed three figures off only another 27 balls, bringing up the landmark with a slog sweep for six off leg-spinner Damion Jacobs. For his part, Charles notched four fours off 57 deliveries. Lively seamer Sheeno Ber-

ridge went wicket-less last Saturday but finished with three for 94 while part-time slow bowler Devon Thomas picked up two for 20. Faced with a daunting task, Hurricanes denied Red Force any early success as Powell and Hodge buckled down in a half-century stand that took them safely to tea on 47 without loss. Hodge struck five fours off 122 deliveries while Powell counted six fours off 79 balls before losing patience and holing out to long-on off Hosein after tea. His dismissal opened the floodgates and after that, only Keacy Carty, with 35 off 51 balls with six fours, showed any resistance.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 19, 2020

Senior ‘Golden Jaguars’ back on the training pitch ahead of crucial matches against Barbados 27 PAGE

Unity is strength! Senior and Under-20 Golden Jaguars and technical teams listen to head coach Marcio Maximo and Wayne Dover following yesterday’s session.

Sanasie promises practice facilities in Regions 5, 10 following the ‘Alvin Johnson’ in Parika

… Minister Norton asks GCB to focus on hinterland development GUYANA Cricket Board (GCB) secretary, Anand Sanasie, promised the opening of two more practice facilities, mapped out for Mackenzie and West Berbice, following Friday’s commissioning of the ‘Alvin Johnson Practice Facility’ in Parika. The GCB continued to fulfil its mandate of making training and practising easier for cricketers across the country, by following up last week’s unveiling of the ‘Shiv Chanderpaul Practice Facility’ at Everest Cricket Club; with the newly opened venue located at Salem on the West Side. The unveiling was graced with the presence of Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton, who lauded the board for ensuring that cricketers are provided with the best facilities needed to hone and sharpen their skills. Johnson, a former Guy-

ana manager at the junior and senior levels, with his final stint being during the 201314 season, prior to the birth of the Professional Cricket

help to serve the community and players well. “This is for the Parika-Salem community, we are thankful for this since it will help Essequibo crick-

the completion of the dorm rooms as part of the ongoing upgrades to the LBI Facility, adding that the GCB wants to complete two similar projects

From left, GCB’s Colin Stuart, Minister Dr George Norton, GCB secretary Anand Sanasie, Fizul Bacchus and man-of-the-hour, Alvin Johnson, following the opening of the Alvin Johnson Practice Facility in Parika

League (PCL), said he was honoured by the GCB and hoped that the venue will

et,” said Johnson Sanasie said that he wanted to place more emphasis on

a year in different parts of the country. He then confirmed that

the Mining Town of Linden in Region 10, more specifically Mackenzie, and Region 5 West Berbice will also have such facilities constructed as part of their demographic development. The $2.5M project, built by contractor Zabeer Zakier, will provide a secondary, more sophisticated training venue for players in the Cinderella County. Constructed to withstand the rigours of the weather, the facility, according to Sanasie, could also host matches in the future as part of the GCB calendar of activities. Minister Norton further promised to aid in the refurbishing of the ground at Salem, as part of the Government of Guyana’s community development drive. He called on the GCB to carry their projects into the hinterland region. The facility will further help to develop cricketers for the day/night format as lights

will also be commissioned at the venue with a few more modifications such as a roof, following Johnson’s request to make it more suitable for training. The Essequibo franchise, who won both 3-Day and 50-Over titles in the Jaguars domestic league, will be the main beneficiaries of the venue as it will further help Windies player Keemo Paul, along with a number of local national players such as Anthony Adams, Kevon Boodie, Kemol Savory, Ronsford Beaton and others who hail from or represent the Cinderella County. GCB’s Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart, Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) president and GCB vice-president Fizul Bacchus, ECB secretary/administrator Otto Christiani, Essequibo coach Ryan Hercules and others were also part of the historic opening. (Clifton Ross)

Pacers, Young help Windies stun Aussies in ICC U-19 opener 30 PAGE

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2020