Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-12-2020

SATURDAY 19 th December, 2020

’ No. 106218

ICJ has jurisdiction –– to hear case on Guyana, Venezuela border controversy PAGE

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President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon

The ruling is a great victory for Guyana and should be used to unite the country going forward

On this issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity, we stand together as a nation

Jurisdiction to hear and determine the border issue with Venezuela is a step in the right direction

There is still a lot to be done, but I am confident that an end to the process is in sight

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd

It is very well [for Venezuela] to allege things, but when you allege you must also confirm

I am optimistic that this case will end with a favourable outcome for Guyana

Sir Ronald Sanders

PNCR General-Secretary, Amna Ally

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

President, Opposition Leader hail ruling by World Court –– say a step closer in settling Guyana, Venezuela border controversy

By Rabindra Rooplall and Navendra Seoraj THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling Friday

morning should be celebrated by all of Guyana, and should be seen as a healing point for the country, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said.

The President and members of his Cabinet; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland; former

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, and other officials were at the Arthur See page 4

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and former APNU+AFC Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge interact at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre after the historic ruling by the ICJ on Friday (OP photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

ICJ has jurisdiction –– to hear case on Guyana, Venezuela border controversy

THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana, Venezuela border controversy case. The judgement was delivered by President of the ICJ, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, at a public sitting at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherland, which by a 12-4 majority ruled that it has jurisdiction to entertain Guyana’s claims. The claims concern the validity of the 1899 Award about the frontier between the two countries and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary controversy between the territories of the parties. In the judgment read out by ICJ President, it was noted that Guyana and Venezuela conferred upon the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, the authority to choose the means of settlement of the controversy and, on 30 January 2018, the Secretary-General exercised his authority by choosing judicial settlement by the ICJ. By virtue of Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement, the parties accepted the possibility of the controversy being resolved by means of judicial settlement, the ICJ President said as he went on to say that the court is the “principal judicial organ of the United Nations”. The Court observed that the fact that the Secretary-General invited Guyana and Venezuela, if they so wished, “to attempt to resolve the controversy through direct negotiations, in parallel to a judicial process” and his offer of good offices to that end did not affect the conformity of the decision with Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement. The Court had explained in the past that parallel attempts at settlement of a contro-

versy by diplomatic means do not prevent it from being dealt with by the court. In the present case, the Secretary-General simply reminded the parties that negotiations were a means of the settlement that remained available to them while the controversy was pending before the court. Moreover, the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the Geneva Agreement, which include ministerial statements and parliamentary debates indicate that recourse to the ICJ was contemplated by both parties during their negotiations. To this backdrop, the ICJ President, in his ruling, also highlighted the decision taken by Venezuela not to participate in the court proceedings. REGRET “The court wishes to first of all express its regret at the decision taken by Venezuela not to participate in the proceedings before it… In this regard, it recalls that, under Article 53 of its Statute, “whenever one of the parties does not appear before the Court, or fails to defend its case, the other party may call upon the Court to decide in favour of its claim” and that “the Court must, before doing so, satisfy itself, not only that it has jurisdiction in accordance with Articles 36 and 37, but also that the claim is well-founded in fact and law,” he added. The ICJ judge stressed that the non-appearance of a party obviously had a negative impact on the sound administration of justice. In particular, the non-appearing party forfeits the opportunity to submit evidence and arguments in support of its own case and to counter the allegations of its opponent. For this reason, the court did not have the assistance it might have derived from this information.

In closing, the court said conferring on the Secretary-General the authority to choose the appropriate means of settlement of their controversy, including the possibility of recourse to judicial settlement by the International Court of Justice, Guyana and Venezuela, consented to its jurisdiction. “The text, the object and purpose of the Geneva Agreement, as well as the circumstances surrounding its conclusion, support this finding. It follows that the consent of the parties to the jurisdiction of the court is established in the circumstances of this case,” the ICJ President said. WAY PAVED FOR SUBSTANTIVE MATTER This ruling now paves the way for the World Court to hear the arguments in the substantive matter regarding the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which sets out the boundary between the two countries. The Government of Guyana was represented at these hearings by David Hales, Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium and non-resident Ambassador to the Netherlands and Lloyd Gunraj, First Secretary, Embassy of Guyana, Brussels. In March 2018, Guyana filed its application in the ICJ seeking an affirmation of the validity of the1899 Arbitral Award and the international boundary that it established. On June 30, Guyana, in its virtual presentation in the Arbitral Award of October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) case said that, not only is Venezuela’s current interpretation of the Geneva Agreement illogical and erroneous, but it is in stark contrast to the interpretation the Spanish-speaking country had when it signed the very agreement in February 1966.

President of the ICJ, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (ICJ/Frank van Beek Photo) Represented by a battery of international lawyers, Guyana said the agreement, in unambiguous terms, empowered the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to determine an appropriate resolution mechanism to enable a peaceful settlement, which is the ICJ. Distinguished Guyanese Diplomat and Co-Agent, Sir Shridath Ramphal, who had led the arguments before the ICJ said the case was significant to the people of Guyana, who are united in defence of their sovereignty and territorial integrity of their homeland. Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

FACTS AND TIMELINES OF GUYANA, VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY * THE area of controversy between the two States lies between the Orinoco and the Essequibo Rivers. Venezuela lays claim to this territory as successor to the Spanish Empire, from which it declared independence in 1810, on the basis that the Spanish established sovereignty in the late-16th century by discovering, settling and exercising political control over the region. * The British, on the other hand, claim to have acquired the territory from the Dutch by a formal cession under the terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814. According to the British, Dutch subjects had settled in the area in 1616 and continued trading on the Essequibo and other rivers in the vicinity in the following decades. * Dutch sovereignty over these settlements was recognised by Spain in 1648 when, as part of the Peace of Westphalia, the Spanish and Dutch signed the Peace of Münster to end the 80 Years War between them. * Under Article Five of the Peace of Münster, Spain agreed that the Dutch would retain

all of the ‘lordships, cities, castles, fortresses, trades and lands in the West Indies under their possession at that time, but the treaty did not specify the boundary dividing their respective possessions in the region. * From the 1650s onwards, the Dutch expanded their settlements and trading activities in the area, and the Dutch West India Company controlled the coast between the Essequibo and Orinoco rivers. * The British seized the Dutch settlements in 1803, and in 1814 the Dutch formally ceded to them the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, though, again, the boundaries of these colonies remained undefined. In 1831, the British consolidated these settlements as British Guiana. * In 1840, Britain commissioned a German surveyor, Robert Schomburgk, who had previously explored the area, to delineate the boundaries of British Guiana (the ‘Schomburgk Line’). * Venezuela disputed Schomburgk’s line, and in 1850 the parties agreed not to

occupy the disputed area. Despite this, in the late 19th century, British citizens settled in the area, prompting renewed protests by the Venezuelan Government, which later broke off diplomatic relations and sought assistance from the United States. * In 1897, the parties agreed to submit the controversy to arbitration. A tribunal was constituted with two British members, two Americans, and the Russian jurist Fiodor de Martens as President. * The tribunal sat in Paris and, during the proceedings, Venezuela was represented by American counsel. The tribunal issued a short, unanimous award in 1899, offering merely a description of the course of the boundary line, without giving any reasons for the decision. * The award granted Britain almost 90 per cent of the territory, but assigned to Venezuela a valuable portion at the mouth of the Orinoco River. * Under Article XIII of the Treaty of Arbitration, the parties had agreed to consider the result of the arbitration as ‘a full, perfect, and

final settlement’ of the issue, and Venezuela did not protest the award after it was delivered. The border was subsequently fixed by the Anglo-Venezuelan Boundary Commission in 1905. * On 8 February 1944, Severo Mallet-Prevost, a junior lawyer in the Venezuelan legal team before the Paris Tribunal, wrote a letter which was posthumously published in the American Journal of International Law in 1949 ((1949) 43 AJIL 523). * The letter contained allegations of impropriety by the tribunal, claiming that the award was the result of a secret deal between the President of the tribunal and the British arbitrators. * In 1962, Venezuela declared that it would no longer abide by the 1899 Award on the basis that it was null and void. It claimed that the decision had not been based on a fair arbitral process, but was the result of a political deal made behind See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

President, Opposition Leader hail ... From page 2

Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) to view the historic ruling by the World Court. The court ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s case seeking the validation of the 1899 Arbitral Award establishing the boundary with Venezuela. A jubilant eruption resonated around the venue when the announcement was made on the visual monitors, and President Ali instantly called and thanked Sir Shridath Ramphal, Guyana’s first Attorney-General, who led Guyana’s arguments and Paul Reichler of the international law firm, Foley Hoag, who also represented Guyana. The President said it was a privilege to speak to Sir Shridath, but noted that the victory was one that took hard work and dedication from many persons over many years. “I want this morning to go beyond our lawyers and our legal team; I want to thank all of those who played such an integral part in this process. The names are too many to mention, many of whom are in this room,” the Head of State said at the ACCC.

President Ali pointed out that despite political differences, Guyana’s Governments over the years have been steadfast in their desire to protect and resolutely defend her sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We have always stood together; we have always recognised together, and demonstrated to the international community together that we are one, and that we are united on our sovereignty and borders,” President Ali said. GREAT VICTORY The President noted that the ruling was a great victory for Guyana, and it should be used to unite the country, going forward. “This victory is testimony to what we can achieve as a people when we are united, and this should be a healing point for our country. There is no compromise on our sovereignty; we are together on this. And it is with this same spirit that I think we should be together on the development and future of our country,” he said. The President also thanked the United Nations for choosing the court for the resolution of the case, and

Saturday, December 19, 09:00hrs - 10:30hrs

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd was hopeful that Venezuela, which had opted to not participate, would reconsider its decision. “I express the hope, now that the court has ruled decisively in favour of the jurisdiction to rule on merits, that our neighbours would consider participating fully in the proceedings,” President Ali said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hugh Todd also called the ruling a victory for Guyana. He said that it was also a victory for multilateralism, indicating that Guyana likes to be on the right side of the law. The minister said that although Guyana respects the Venezuelan people, it is imperative that Guyana protects its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Despite the ruling, the minister noted that while there is still a lot to do, he is confident that an end to the process is in sight. Meanwhile, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Greenidge was also happy

Sir Ronald Sanders with the decision, and thanked the Advisory Committee, Cabinet ministers and foreign officers who worked on the matter. As a result of Friday’s ruling, the Court would proceed to hear the merits of the case. It will decide and judge on Guyana’s claim, which could result in the permanent fixture of the established boundary with Venezuela. STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Mr. Anil Nandlall congratulated Guyana’s legal team and Advisory Committee on its submissions, noting that jurisdiction to hear and determine the border issue with Venezuela is a step in the right direction. “If the court ruled that it didn’t have jurisdiction, then that would have been the end of the matter, and we would not have had a civilised, lawful mechanism available to us to resolve this matter, or to

PNCR GeneralSecretary, Ms. Amna Ally even prosecute a case even further. This is a significant victory for Guyana, and for all Guyanese,” the Attorney-General said. Guyanese-born diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders described the ruling as “marvelous”, noting that it proves that going to the ICJ for the settlement of this contention was the right thing to do. “I am convinced that international law and justice is on Guyana’s side, and today’s judgment was a firm indication that this is so. Of course, the merits of the case still have to be heard, but based on what was said today, and what we know of the merits of the Venezuela case, I think, in the end, justice would prevail for Guyana. It is a great day for Guyana in the process of getting this matter settled once and for all,” Sir Ronald said. Noting that the case still has to be presented on its merits, the career diplomat said the international court dismissed the idea put forward by Venezuela that they did not have jurisdiction to hear it. “They made it abundantly clear that they do have that jurisdiction, and that the argument that the Venezuelans were putting forward that the Secretary-General of the UN erred when he sent the case to the ICJ, they ruled very clearly that that was nonsense; that the Secretary-General acted legally and appropriately, and that they are a competent body to hear the case. That is an important development for Guyana,” Sir Ronald explained. Emphasising that the case will have to go forward on its merits, the diplomat said Guyana will have to put forward its contention as to why all the claims that the Venezuelans are making about

Opposition Leader, Mr. Joseph Harmon the invalidity of the 1899 arbitral award are null and void. FANCIFUL STORY “What will be interesting is to see whether the Venezuelans decide at that point that they will become party to the proceedings; so far they have not. They, too, will have to advance arguments as to what they are saying,” Sir Ronald said, adding: “This fanciful story about some young attorney saying that the judge was bribed, and that is how Guyana got the UK, then in control of Guyana, got the victory; they have to prove all of that. And, of course, it is fanciful, and therefore impossible to prove in law. It is very well to allege things, but when you allege you must also confirm.” The Private Sector Commission (PSC)’s Mr. Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer said the ruling is a good step for Guyana towards finally resolving the controversy, while General-Secretary of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R), Ms. Amna Ally described the ruling as “great news”, and expressed optimism that the case will end with a favourable outcome for Guyana. “We need to guard our territory, and I support that. My party supports that; the Coalition supports that,” she said. Opposition Leader Mr. Joseph Harmon said the ICJ vote is a good decision for Guyana, as it now paves the way for the substantive issue to be address. “On this issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity, we stand together as a nation, and we trust that as the case moves to the next stage, that we continue to stand on common ground,” Harmon said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

AG asks court to dismiss Haitians’ deportation challenge – says they may have ‘illegally’ left Guyana

TELLING the High Court that the 26 Haitians who are challenging their deportation is believed to have left Guyana “illegally”, Attorney General (AG) and Minster of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on Friday, asked that the matter be dismissed. The AG, who is representing the State, informed Chief Justice Roxane George, during the second hearing of the case that he had sent a letter to the Haitians’ attorney, Darren Wade seeking information about their whereabouts. He submitted that with the conservatory order halting the deportation in effect, the ten men, nine women and seven children were released from the State’s custody at the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration at Onverwagt, in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). However, it is

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, SC. suspected that the foreign nationals left the jurisdiction illegally thereafter. Nandlall indicated that this is a critical legal issue as the court proceedings have been filed on behalf of persons who are no longer within the jurisdiction. The issue at hand is whether the court has

Chief Justice Roxane George jurisdiction to continue to hear such cases. In response, the Chief Justice said the absence of the foreign nationals does not affect the case and so she will go ahead and hear the matter since it touches on critical constitutional issues. The Haitians’ attorney

Attorney-at-law Darren Wade during the hearing applied for an extension to file affidavits on behalf of his clients. However, the CJ did not grant his request. Both parties were ordered to lay over written submissions by January 15, 2021. The court was adjourned to January 27 for clarification or decision.

FACTS AND TIMELINES OF ... From page 3

Venezuela’s back. * The claim was communicated in writing to the UK and was also made, publicly, in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The two States held talks and in 1966 signed an agreement to resolve the controversy (the ‘Geneva Agreement’). * In accordance with Article VIII of the Agreement, Guyana became a party to the treaty when it gained independence in 1966. * The mixed commission referred to in Article I of the Geneva Agreement was established in 1966 and, after holding 16 sessions, its term expired in 1970 without a resolution to the controversy. * In that same year, the parties agreed to the Protocol of Portof-Spain, which suspended the operation of Article IV of the

Agreement for 12 years. The Protocol expired at the end of its term in 1982, after Venezuela decided not to renew the agreement. * In 1990, in accordance with Article IV(2) of the Geneva Agreement, the parties sought the Good Offices of the UN Secretary-General in an effort to move forward. * In 2016, the UN Secretary General announced that there was an absence of significant progress towards a solution on the controversy. He also said unless both parties jointly request that he refrain from doing so, he would choose the ICJ as the next means of settlement. * After a series of unsuccessful meetings between the parties, the UN Secretary-General announced his decision to submit the matter to the ICJ in January 2018.

* On March 29, 2018, Guyana filed an application against Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the two States’ long-standing controversy over the Essequibo region. * This application was filed after the UN Secretary-General decided on January 30, 2018 that the matter between Guyana and Venezuela should be submitted to the Court. * Venezuela had claimed that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) does not have jurisdiction to hear the matter. On December 18, 2020, the World Court ruled that it does have jurisdiction to hear the matter between the two countries. (Information credit: Ejiltalk. org, courthousenews, dppa. un.org, www.jstor.org, latinamericareports.com)

On December 1, Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, issued an order for the Haitians to be taken to the nearest port of exit. This newspaper was made to understand that the 26 Haitian nationals had arrived in Guyana on November 7, and were reportedly granted a sixmonth stay. However, they allegedly provided incorrect information to immigration officers about where they would be staying while

in the county. Days later they were found at a city hotel and in a minibus on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. During the first hearing of the case the CJ granted a conservatory order suspending their deportation, pending the hearing and determination of the case. Wade, in his submission, is relying on the Constitution of Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

The allure of sugar

THE former PNC-led Coalition Government, despite pre-elections promises, began dismantling the sugar industry and its infrastructure almost immediately after attaining office. This set in train an agonising deceleration of the quality of life for former employees and the families of those who were directly employed on the various estates, as well as those who indirectly depended on the estate’s wage-earners for their financial wherewithal such as market vendors, shopkeepers and even the little old lady with her sugar cake and mauby stand. Subsequent investigations proved that while derelict in the provision of empowering/enriching mechanisms to grassroots constituents, the Coalition Government was selling out/giving away, piecemeal, State lands and assets to friends and financiers. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other ministers in the Coalition Cabinet had held the belief that sugar was financially hopeless and insisted that the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) could not restore the viability of the industry, rendering as necessary the initial downsizing of the sector. Conversely, a news feature in this newspaper written by Navendra Seoraj on December 17, 2020, headlined “Dubai sees ‘sweetness’ in Guyana’s sugar,” relayed the information that Dubai had sent a technical team to

analyse estates, which signals a strong interest to invest in sugar, which is a major investment opportunity as the current government is struggling valiantly to ensure that sugar production once again picks up steam and realise the dreams and hopes of future generations of Guyanese. During colonial times factories were built in this country to process the sugar, from which many other industries evolved. However, in the approximate 400 years of sugar production, this country had been confined to producing raw sugar, which has considerably constrained Guyana’s sugar earnings. The PPP/C administrations had always envisaged an independent Guyana as exploring diversification options for the sugar industry, but this did not fructify until the newly installed PPP/C Government began planning, since 1992, to make the industry a complex, instead of merely a producer of raw sugar so that the earnings and benefits of sugar workers could increase in tandem with the increased market-share and profitability of value-added sugar products. The news and trends in the global marketplace had prepared the Jagdeo-led Government of earlier years to lose the European preferential market, although they did not anticipate that it would happen so quickly, which sent the sector reeling from the shockwaves. However, the then government had already been strategising on ways to modernise the industry, which culmi-

nated in, among other initiatives, the new factory at Skeldon and the stateof-the-art packaging facility at Enmore. Itemising accrual benefits that would redound to the nation from the PPP/C’s turnaround plan for sugar, one needs to be cognisant of electricity being generated at the Skeldon factory with anticipated projects including other specialities, such as refined sugar. There was also the hope and expectation that other factories will also be equipped to generate electricity, and to produce ethanol and paper to enhance income-generation and consequently boost the quality of life of sugar workers. In the various sugar-producing communities the cries of the sugar workers and their families who have lost jobs and their sustainable lifestyles because of sugar estate closures are heart-rending; and the displaced workers include thousands of coalition supporters who are also suffering because of sugar estate closures are now seeing a future bright with the re-opening of the estates. According to Seoraj’s report, Dubai’s willingness to invest in sugar was initially expressed by members of the eight-member delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which visited Guyana in November this year. The team led by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai, met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and senior government officials, and held discussions on oil and gas;

infrastructure and agriculture. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha told the Guyana Chronicle, inter alia, that he highlighted the opportunities in agriculture “… so another team came back recently to look at sugar… they were impressed with the sugar industry in Guyana.” Seoraj’s article informed readers that Dubai is home to the world’s largest port-based sugar refinery, Al Khaleej Sugar Co. The state is also known for the Dubai Sugar Conference, which, since 2016, has gone on to become the most-awaited event in the world of sugar. The minister declared that his aim is to bring the industry to a break-even point, and, subsequently, to a level of profitability through prudent investments and management. Then Opposition Leader, current Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, at a meeting in Enmore in January 2020, said that there are parents in areas such as Wales and Canje who are struggling, not only to provide food for their children, but also to send them to school. He noted that because of their financial troubles, many children are forced to drop out of school. He promised, “The first act (after PPP/C returns to government) is to create back jobs. Put people back to work… by reopening the sugar estates right across the country… We have to do that to put those sugar workers, especially in Berbice.” Promises made, promises being delivered.

Watergate scandal and the Waterfall tidal wave

Dear Editor,

AS the world is waking up to a sleeping Donald Trump, America is grasping with the fact that Joe Biden is the next world leader, defending democracy and gasping at the pact that Trump and a few GOPs are still litigating election fraud petitions. Uncomfortable with his allies who are quickly distancing themselves from him, Trump is now claiming that the grapes are sour. For sure, our own David is laughing at this Goliath to see how he is embarrassing himself and putting America to shame in front of the window to the world. Quite a soliloquy must be playing out in David’s room, a penchant long overdue with nuance interchanging with nuisance, and him being cognizant of nescience. As David reminisces

with remorse, the urge to surge and splurge a confession is adumbrated only in thoughts, but lack the execution by words or deeds. Willing but weak, his heart is in the wrong place, lacking courage and temerity. He seeks shelter and solace, while hiding behind walls, imprisoned by guilt and shame. What led to the 1972 “Watergate Scandal” in America was the cause President Richard Nixon had to resign in 1974. His complicity in the involvement was publicly disclosed in the “smoking-gun tape”, and that avoided a House impeachment process for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Initially, after much cover up, 69 people were indicted, and 48 convicted, including many top officials in Nixon’s administration. The Watergate Scandal was a deeply-seeded political scandal, and

it involved a spectacle of surreptitious and often illegal activities engaged by the Nixon administration. Inclusive but not limited were: The break-in of the DNC headquarters, the bugging (wire-tapping) of political opponents, people whom the President and officials were suspicious of, executing investigations of activist groups and political figures, and using the FBI, CIA and IRS as political weapons. Sounds familiar? For the past 54 years, Guyanese have suffered immensely since achieving dependence, moreso for the 33 years of dictatorship under the reign of the ruthless PNC regime under different guises and names. The UF and AFC have colluded with the PNC, and in collaboration with the British and Americans at various stages, to usurp the smooth transitioning from poverty to prosperity. This poisonous injec-

tion created a crevice to affect the PPP/C from effectively delivering Guyanese from the shackles of servitude. At the end of the day, all political parties are complicit of aspersive innuendoes, and being a contributing factor to the detriment of Guyanese interests, to some degree and in one form or another. Operating out in Guyana is the sleuth work of the Waterfall’s uproar at the slew of events. As a result, there is an added awakening of consciousness, as more and more information is being played and weighed out in the open, thoughts are being flayed, minds are being slayed, and people are either strayed or swayed. There is the pain in the neck involvement of the oil saga, and then the pain in See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

AG asks court to dismiss ... From page 5

(CSME), as well as certain aspects of the matter which brings the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas into focus to have the matter referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for adjudication. The Attorney General, in reply to Wade, contended that the Fundamental Rights provisions of Guy-

ana’s Constitution, specifically Article 47, which Wade is trying to invoke in support of his case, is flawed, since it only applies to citizens of Guyana and other Commonwealth member states, as well as other persons and countries listed therein. According to Minister Nandlall, Haiti is not a part

Apology

IN our December 17, 2020 edition, the Guyana Chronicle carried a story headlined: “Appeal Court affirms 20-year sentence for murder convict”. In the said article, the following words: ‘Todd explained to the court that he made several attempts to contact Romeo’s relatives for fees, but it proved futile’ were attributed to Attorney, Dexter Todd. Attorney Todd has disputed the statement attributed to him. The Guyana Chronicle addressed the matter promptly and is satisfied that the statement attributed to Attorney Todd was highly inaccurate. The Guyana Chronicle sincerely apologises to Attorney Todd for any inconvenience that grave error would have caused him.

Watergate scandal ... From page 6

the butt revelation of the corruption trauma. Every day, there is a sore point producing drama on the high seas or on the low lands. But it seems as if there is a trend set with crediting limited pacesetters creating waves of domino effects. The flow of the pen is faster than the tide of the ocean, causing ripples to impact the eroding shores of a vulnerable Guyana. This affront is breaking down a once irresistible barrier that was a fortress for a storehouse of secrets. What strength lies behind such a willpower, and what motivates the inquirer to intrude and protrude beyond the call of duty? Why this resilience to champion a cause, and what or who inspires such determination? Speculation and expostulation can quickly become a rendition for explanation and exclamation! Does it necessitate responding to a civic duty, or, accentuate corresponding to being snoopy, or, to ventilate the reaping of booty? Posing a problem may be the prankishness of a paper, or, the playfulness of people, or, the peppiness of a party, or, even the pertness of politics. Is it propaganda for public satiation, or, publicity for attention, or, promotion for distribution? Is this a policy for position, or, policing for protection, or, a preference for power, or, a prerequisite for proliferation? The dissemination of information is to report the undistorted truth in a professional and unbiased manner, as quickly as possible and after careful examination from legitimate source, among other considerations. Reporting is dependent on variable contingencies, sometimes controlled and other times, uncontrolled. Exercising diligence on this job performance sometimes exposes the personal safety and imposes the private interference of investigators. How wary is the public awareness and how tardy can be their appreciation? Is there accommodation with apprehension or satisfaction? Do assimilators easily buy into what is being fed, or do onlookers slowly analyze what is being advocated, or do readers quickly accept what is being written? They say, news, views and interviews can be construed conveniently or misconstrued inadvertently. Old news is no news and, then again, no news may be good news. Guyana needs to bond more with bold, brave, brash and brazen journalism. Respectfully, Jai Lall

of those territories since it did not sign on to the free-movement aspect of the CSME. He further stressed that Haiti is not included in those territories, and as such, “these persons are aliens under the Constitution [of Guyana].” Nandlall also raised the issue of jurisdiction in the case, which the court does not have to entertain the application. Previously, Wade, had filed Habeas Corpus pro-

ceedings in the High Court on behalf of the Haitian Nationals. In his affidavit, he told the court that just a few hours after arriving in Guyana on November 7, the Haitians were apprehended by the police. A group was removed from the Bristol and Bristol Hotel, located on South Road, Georgetown, while another group was arrested on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The police claimed they were suspected of

being victims of a human trafficking ring, an allegation the Haitians has consistently denied. President of the Association of Haitian Nationals in Guyana, Kesnel Toussaint had stated that since their detention three weeks ago, the Haitians have been denied Counsel, although several requests were made. He contended in the affidavit that the Haitians came here legally, and were granted an automatic

six-month stay, in keeping with Guyana’s obligation to the Treaty of Chaguaramas. Recently, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn disclosed that approximately 33,000 Haitians have been reported as “missing” over a threeyear period, following their arrival in Guyana. Benn had claimed that the 26 Haitians, inclusive of seven children, were part of a human trafficking ring.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

Over 1,800 to receive house lots By Naomi Parris

OVER 1,800 citizens are expected to receive land allocations as the Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Friday, opened its two-day ‘Dream

I have been paying a house rent,” she said. Meanwhile, for Andrea Mett, a midwife attached to the Ministry of Health, she believes that the housing drive pushed many one step closer to achieving the dream of owning their home. The woman disclosed that

What a relief this part of it is over,” the woman said. Meanwhile, Devi Lim, an expecting mother, expressed her elation after a 10-year long wait to becoming a land owner. “I applied around 10 years ago and we are extremely excited to be given

A scene from the Ministry of Housing and Water’s ‘Dream Realised Housing Drive 2020’ on Friday (Adrian Narine photo) Realised Housing Drive’ at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Scores of citizens braved the gloomy weather to assemble at the stadium to receive their house lots to commence the first stage of owning their own homes. One woman, Deoranie Boodram, who was one of the first persons to receive her allocation during the drive, praised the initiative by the Government. “I’m very thankful for it. I’m very excited. I wait since 2011, I put in for a house lot and am thankful for it, and it will benefit me a lot because

she had applied for a plot of land on several occasions but was unsuccessful in the past. She further explained that she had met one of the subject ministers at a similar drive and had explained her ordeal to the official and was advised to provide her documents. Mett disclosed that she was on her way to work when she received the call to be present at the stadium to receive her house lot. “I was in a bus when I got that call that I must report here this morning to come for my house lot and I’m here and thanks to God again I have received my house lot.

an opportunity to have our own house lot this morning; we are really excited,” she said. The woman noted that her family will soon be able to live a more comfortable life as they prepare to move to the next step of becoming a homeowner. “Right now we are living in an extended home and so at least I know that kids are going to have their own spaces; you know we are really excited for that and to grow as a family and now to have our own home to do that as well.” Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, told those

who were gathered at the drive that home ownership is and will continue to be a priority for the Government over the next five years. He added that, despite the challenges, the Government will fulfill its promise of providing the nation’s people with the opportunity of owning their own homes. “Home ownership is a priority for this Government and the mandate given to our ministry by His Excellency, the President, we are committed to ensuring that this mandate is fulfilled quickly as possible,” Minister Croal said. He added: “Despite the challenges to the economy that COVID-19 has brought, our Government has a mandate to meet its target of allocating 50,000 houselots over the next five years.” Junior Housing and Water Minister, Susan Rodrigues said the new Government has been able to achieve much

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal more within four months than the previous administration had in the last five years. “If we were looking for reasons as to why we cannot fulfill our mandate, this would have been the perfect time for us to find all of the excuses as to why we cannot deliver. We have COVID, we have the depressed economy that we have inherited, we have a backlog, and we have

the Ministry of Housing with 70,000 applicants,” the minister said. “The time for talking is over, now is the time for action, now is the time for delivery and now is the time for us to make your dream a reality and to restore your confidence in Government,” the minister told the gathering at the Providence Stadium.

Some of the persons who turned out at the Ministry of Housing and Water’s ‘Dream Realised Housing Drive 2020’ on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

Wade informs court Haitians missing By Richard Bhainie ATTORNEY-at-LAW Darren Wade, representing the 26 Haitians who were recently the subject of controversy, subsequently to being placed in protective custody, has informed the court that he is unaware of the whereabouts of the said individuals. This was disclosed by Wade during the court proceedings in the case Allandres Archer, the Applicant and Attorney General, the Respondent, before

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on Friday at the Demerara High Court. When questioned by the Chief Justice during the proceedings on whether or not the individuals are within the jurisdiction, Wade indicated that ‘based on the instructions that he received, the Haitians would have left the jurisdiction.’ The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs on Friday during an interview with the media relating to the matter, indicated that he had sent a

letter to Wade informing him that he is in possession of information indicating that the Haitians were no longer in Guyana and may not have authorised the filings of the proceedings. “I asked in that letter that the 26 Haitians be produced in the court in the event that Mr. Wade is disputing the information which I received. Significantly, Mr. Wade informed the court that it is in fact true that he is unaware of the whereabouts of the 26 Haitians and that his information is they have left

the jurisdiction,” Nandlall explained. Wade during the court proceedings confirmed that he had received the email from the Attorney General’s Chambers less than 10 minutes prior to commencement of the proceedings. The proceedings were filed for and on behalf of the 26 Haitians by Archer who is contending a breach of fundamental rights of the individuals consequent to being placed in protective custody at the Hugo Chávez Centre

for Rehabilitation and Reintegration. Consequent upon providing false information to immigration officials on their arrival in Guyana and based on information revealed to the police during interrogation arousing suspicion of human smuggling, a deportation order was sought and granted by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on December 1. The Chief Justice on December 3 issued a conservatory order halting the deportation of 26

Attorney, Darren Wade Haitians, in an action filed by Wade contending that the order for deportation issued by the magistrate was arbitrary, and in violation of the fundamental rights of his clients.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

On-the-spot promotion for four Region Three cops –– Min. Benn urges Division to strive for betterment By Jared Liddell

FOUR ranks of Division Three on Friday received on-the-spot promotions from Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie for their service to the people of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) during the year. Constables Paul Fields and Kevin Bodelall were promoted to Lance Corporal, while Constables Kevin Causeway and Andrew Gill were promoted to Corporal during the region’s Breakfast and Awards Ceremony held at the Leonora Police Station. Minister of Home affairs Mr. Robeson Benn in his address to ranks said the issue of safety and security has to be a relevant and main priority of their daily operation. He reminded the ranks to work in a team manner to ensure that the Force functions effectively, and they are able to fulfil their mandate. “Each of us have to work together to advance our country to bring safety and security for each other, because, if any one of us is hurt, we are all hurt, irrespective of what section of society we come from, what religion we belong to, what culture we represent. And so, the respect and the empathy that is necessary for the country to be wholesome and improve resides in

those attitudes,” Minister Benn said. He further advised the ranks to pay attention to the criticisms they receive from the public, and use it as a way to highlight their shortcomings and create innovative ways to resolve the issues the public has with their performance. “I want to identify and continue to improve our Forces, and the Guyana Police Force, which brings and carries the largest burden in terms of contact in respect of order and safety to the public. What we need to do now is to identify not only where we have done well, but where we have had failings, and where we had failings, how we can improve. And even if we think we have done well, we need to identify how we can make that which we have had and have achieved, better,” the Home Affairs Minister stated. ‘BE SENSITIVE AND ACCOMODATING’ Commissioner Hoppie commended the ranks that were promoted for their commitment to their role of protecting and serving the people of Region Three. He added that their innovative solutions to issues that plague the people of the region have made them the perfect candidates for promotion.

Eight years for man who killed drinking partner By Jeune Bailey Van Keric JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds on Friday imposed an eight-year sentence on Henry Trim, who confessed to killing his drinking partner Ravi Kumar Sharma on November 28, 2016 at Number 60 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. In her summarised statement during a Zoom sentencing hearing, State Prosecutrix Abigail Gibbs informed the court that during a drinking spree an argument arose between the two men because of a DVD player which the deceased had taken. The DVD player had belonged to Trim. The quarrel escalated, resulting in Sharma hitting Trim with a piece of wood. In retaliation, Trim picked up a cutlass and dealt

Dead: Ravi Kumar Sharma Sharma several chops, before fleeing. However, he returned the following day, and, on seeing a crowd gathered at the scene, he left. At the time of the incident Trim was in a relationship with Sharma’s mother. A post- mortem report records the cause of death as

shock and haemorrhage due to a stab wound to the lungs. There were several external injuries, ranging from superficial to deep wounds. In her report, Probation Officer Dionne Douglas revealed that the community described the now deceased as a trouble maker who was violent towards his mother (now deceased). So violent was he that the woman was forced to flee their home uncovered, and seek refuge at neighbours’ homes. There are allegation of sexual misconduct with a female relative. The accused was born at Wales Hospital on August 17, 1984. He has five siblings from a legal union between Henry and Sharon Trim. Shortly after his See page 11

He encouraged the other ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to work in a way that would show their innovativeness, to form a cohesive unit to tackle the issues of crime that they are faced with. He also urged the ranks to remain accommodating to all persons that they come into contact with, since they have the main responsibility to not just protect but also to serve the people of Guyana. He reminded them to be sensitive when dealing with certain matters, so as to be able to effectively carry out their functions as the upholders of the law. “Stay professional when accommodating individuals that come to make reports of domestic violence related issues, and so we should not use any uncalled for remarks, but ensure that we emphasise with those individuals who would be at the station whenever they are making those complaints,” said the Commissioner. ENCOURAGING PERFORMANCE Further, he lauded the ranks in the region for their effective performance during the year, noting that a 4.6% reduction in serious crimes for the year 2020 was recorded. He further highlighted that the while the ranks have been performing, traffic

accidents is one of the areas of concern for the Force, which recorded a 21% increase in fatal accidents, and a 15% increase in death. He encouraged the ranks to come up with innovative ideas to ensure that these occurrences record a significant decrease in the new year. Regional Commander Errol Watts, while congratulating the ranks on their performance during this year, encouraged them to continue improving and aiming for better performances in the coming years. “I wish, at this time, to personally thank all the ranks from the last-joined Constable to the most senior in this division for their tireless support that they provided the people of Region Three under my leadership,” Commander Watts said. “I hope this leadership would continue and this teamwork, and I know they will continue with their support,” he added. He used the occasion to thank the private sector for the support they’ve given to the police during the year. He said the private-public cooperation with the Police Force has enabled the ranks in the region to perform effectively during the year. Several ranks were given monetary incentives as a reward for their outstanding service during the year, while 100 received hampers.

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70 girls become pregnant due to rape By Rehana Ahamad

FOR the period January 2020 to October 2020, a total of 105 teenage pregnancies were recorded locally. Of these, 70 were girls below the age of 16, mean-

ing that they were unable to give consent, and are therefore victims of rape. The other 35 pregnancies were teenagers above the legal age for sexual activity. The aforementioned figures are reflective of reports compiled and presented by the

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Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). During a virtual staff conference hosted on Wednesday last, the agency’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Latoya Beckles, related that the majority of teenage pregnancies for

CPA Director, Ann Greene 2020 have emerged from hinterland communities. She specified Region Nine as being the region with the highest numbers of teenage impregnations, with a rate of five per 1000 children. This figure follows Region Seven, which has a rate of 4.5. Although Regions Nine and Seven have recorded the highest number of teenage pregnancies, it is actually Region One that leads the chart in relation to the sexual abuse of children. The CPA reports show Region One as leading in all forms of abuse committed against children. The sexual abuse of children in Region One occurs at a rate of 5.3 per 1000 children. This is followed by Region Nine and Seven, respectively. Region Eight was the only region that recorded a teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse rate of zero. Nonetheless, even though the CPA has been investigating seven cases of incest, none of these have resulted in pregnancies. For the period January 2020 to October 2020, a total of 2,761 cases of child abuse have engaged

the attention of the CPA, and by extension, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. The total number of abused children accounts for 1,492 girls and 1,269 boys, with neglect remaining the leading form of abuse. The report specified 659 boys being neglected for this year, as against 565 girls. The abandonment of boys is most prevalent among those between the ages of eight and 13, whereas girls were mostly neglected during their infant and toddler years (zero to three years). This year has seen a 26.5 per cent decline in reported cases of child abuse, but according to the CPA Director, Ann Greene, this could be as a result of under-reporting, due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen more children being confined to the home environment. Previously, teachers in Guyana played a critical role in identifying and reporting instances of child abuse. However, with schools being out for almost an entire year now, the number of reports reaching the CPA has decreased significantly. What remains a constant is the fact that mothers are the leading perpetrators of abuse committed against children. For the reporting period, 1050 mothers were accused of abusing their children. This is followed by 547 abusive fathers and 155 abusive step-parents, followed by other relatives. The number of cases involving abuse committed on children by strangers, stood at 427. This reaffirms the fact that children are mostly abused by those that they love and hold dearest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

Audit to ensure COVID -19 cash grant equitably distributed

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has requested the Auditor General’s Office to conduct an audit of the $25,000 per household cash grant to ensure the monies were properly disbursed. This, he said, was to ascertain if any household did not receive the COVID-19

funds. “This benefit is for every single qualifying household. In some regions where the households got and there was a tenant, for example, the pink form was filled.” The President disclosed that he requested the Ministry of Finance, Ministry

Cane harvester collapses, dies in yard INVESTIGATORS are awaiting the findings of a post-mortem examination on cane harvester, Jadesh Itwar, 53, who fell and died in his Lot 72 Freeyard, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice residence on Friday. According to Vedas Itwar, a son of the deceased, his father had proceeded to the stand pipe, in the yard, where he washed his face, and as he was walking away after washing his face, he fell and became unresponsive. The younger Itwar said his father suffered from high blood pressure. The unconscious man was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The body is currently at Dead: Jadesh Itwar Ramoo’s Funeral home.

Eight years for man ...

From page 9 birth, his parents moved to Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. There, he attended Rose Hall Nursery and Rose Hall Primary Schools. He exited the school system prematurely at Level 1, due to financial difficulties. Thereafter, his parents moved to Suriname, leaving the children behind with their grandparents. Subsequently, Trim became a labourer; he also worked as a fisherman. Community reports revealed that Trim was mannerly and was never a threat to anyone and he would oftentimes rescue Sharma’s mother from him. However, it was during his four-year incarceration as he awaited this trial that he learnt to write his name, an accomplishment he is proud of. In handing down the sentence, Justice Reynolds who was presiding at the Berbice High Court set between 10 to 25 years for Trim’s sentence. Having considered the use of excessive force, he introduced the midpoint of 17 years, six months. “ ... Thereafter, in consideration of your early plea of guilt, not wasting the court’s time, I have deducted five years, and another four years for time spent and the six months for your glowing probation report, the efforts you made to improve your education at the prison, and the fact that you cooperated with the police. As your lawyer suggested, there is room for rehabilitation. You have displayed in your community and prison that you are a disciplined person. It is unfortunate that you found yourself in a confrontation with someone ordinarily described as the proverbial “jail bait.” It’s a pity that you yourself had imbibed alcohol and was not in a position to better judge that situation. I suspect that owing to your level of education you reasoned things in a simplistic manner. It is my hope that you use the time in prison to get proper counselling and to continue to elevate yourself,” he added Trim was represented by attorney Ravindra Mohabir.

of Human Services and the Auditor General to examine the concerns that have been raised on social media and by opposition personnel with regards to persons not receiving the cash grants. He further explained that a two-tiered system has been implemented to ensure enhanced transpar-

ency; the Auditor General will go back house to house, to ensure that the houses match the payments that were made. After this, there will be another check of the pink slips to ensure that those are actual households. “In that process, too, if there was any house-

hold that was missed, they can definitely contact the team,” he said. The Head of State explained to the media that a number will also be published for members of the public to alert the relevant authorities if households were missed in the distribution process.

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President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

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Resource Centre for Disabled People’s Network commissioned in Region 5 FOOD for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFP), on Thursday, officially handed over a spanking new building outfitted with modern amenities to the Disabled People’s Network (DPN). The building, which is located at Seafield, West Coast Berbice, Region 5 will be used as the DPN’s Resource Centre in the region. Food for the Poor’s Chief Executive Officer, Kent Vincent, expressed gratitude to donors from the United States of America whose generosity ensured that the project became a reality. He explained that FFP was approached by the DPN over a year ago

Meanwhile, President of DPN, Mark Archibald, in his remarks, recalled that when the plot of land was acquired it seemed like an impossible task to get the building constructed, but when the FFP committed to making the project a reality they were relieved since the need for the facility was paramount. Archibald explained that presently, over 200 persons are living with disabilities in Region Five and now that they have the space and facilities they can now touch and improve the livelihoods of much more people than they had envisioned. He assured that they will seek to add

The newly-constructed Disabled People’s Network Resource Centre. The project which was funded by US-based donors was officially handed over to DPN by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. on Thursday stating that there are an overwhelming number of persons with disabilities who wanted to access their services. At that time, the DPN’s facility could have only accommodated 15 persons. The new centre, which has the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons, will also be used for remedial classes in Mathematics, English and Information Technology and training in masonry, carpentry, floral arrangements and clothes making. It will also facilitate other activities and is equipped with the requisite amenities. Vincent related that the project took some time to start but thankfully the donors recognised the need and importance of the project and managed to get the necessary funding to commence construction of the building. “We were approached by members of the Disabled People’s Network and it took some time to get the project going. The cost of the project is over US$71,000 (approximately $14.2 M), so we are really glad for the generosity of the people there in the US,” he said. He added that the centre is the only one of its kind in the region and will provide the necessary training and services to significantly improve the livelihood of persons living with disabilities. “The centre will provide much more secure and improved learning environment, there will be easier access to the building and much greater comfort. Generally, the centre will improve the quality of life of the people who are involved and enhance their level of economic, social and culture inclusion for those with disabilities throughout Region Five. This is the only centre of this nature in the region to cater for people with disabilities for them to improve their circumstances and livelihood,” Vincent said.

more resources to the facility and work to make the lives on not only disabled people better, but those around them as well. In this regard, he called on the relevant authorities to recognise this need. “We are going to need more resources and the subvention that we are receiving would need to be improved because more people are going to be here and what we have or are receiving presently is no longer going to be enough,” he emphasised. Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, used the opportunity to commend the team for making the project possible, noting that DPN has been lobbying for a while to have a better Resource Centre. He made a commitment to continue collaborating with the organisation to make the lives of the disabled community better. “Coming into the building I see the ramp [which] makes it very easy for persons with different forms of disability to enter the building and being the first in the region I must say, it’s an example of how we need to construct other public buildings. Presently we are working on the 2021 Budget proposal and in the circular we received from central government, they would have emphasised on the region when we are going to construct new buildings we must make provisions for persons with disabilities…I said this here is an example of how we should move forward. We will ensure on a regional level we will get that done knowing that we have a number of persons who are differently abled and we must cater for them in society. I am committed to working with the organisation to ensure we make a better place for persons with disability,” he said. The Regional Chairman also committed to providing assistance to aid in the cleaning of the compound.

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Project launched to support re-opening of indigenous eco-lodges THE High Commission of Canada continues to support Indigenous communities in Guyana during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the launch of the project “Restarting Tourism: Establishing Health and Safety Protocols for Eco-Lodges to Resume Operations During COVID-19.” According to a release, this project will support Indigenous community-based eco-lodges to safely bring tourists back to their communities after a ninemonth COVID-imposed hiatus and also provide best practices that can be useful to others within the sector. In March 2020, the tour-

ism industry in Guyana was brought to a standstill as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of the airports. This severely affected Indigenous communities in Guyana’s tourism regions whose primary source of income is tourism. With the recent announcement of approvals in Guyana to restart the industry, the “Restarting Tourism: Establishing Health and Safety Protocols for Eco-Lodges to Resume Operations during COVID-19” project was formulated to provide staff, villagers, transportation providers and tour operators at the identified eco-lodges with the training needed to operate during COVID-19. The project, which is being executed by Wilderness Explorers Guyana, will work with the Rewa, Surama and Caiman House Eco-lodges. Training will include staff safety, guest safety, sanitation practices and emergency care, along with the transferring of knowledge for the community and other staff within their lodges and neighbouring loges which is essential for long term success. Training sessions will be done at the Atta Lodge, located in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. The project will also work closely with Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the lodges are locally and internationally COVID-compliant and the protocols are sustainable for the sector. The training will be timely and beneficial to the communities to strengthen their position as viable eco-tourism service providers as more attention continues to be placed on the sector. At the conclusion of the training each participating lodge will receive a manual to take back to their communities to be used as a reference guide on health and safety protocols. Each lodge will also receive cleaning and sanitisation supplies to support the implementation of sanitisation practices at their facilities. Additionally, once the standards are in place, the project will embark on a tourism promotion drive both locally and internationally, in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), where the Rewa, Surama and Caiman House Eco-lodges will be marketed as safe and ‘COVID-compliant’. The aim is to increase the interest in their unique tourism offering and also

Wilderness Explorers General Manager, Andrea de Caires

increase the amount tourists to the communities while also demonstrating that safety protocols are in place. STEADY EMPLOYMENT This will provide steady employment for the residents and contribute to Guyana’s eco-tourism sector. Andrea de Caires, General Manager of Wilderness Explorers, shared, “We recognise the challenges that communities and eco-lodges are facing to reopen their tourism businesses safely. Wilderness Explorers in partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority are grateful to the Canadian High Commission for their support in expanding our training in the health and safety COVID-19 protocols. Using Atta Rainforest Lodge as a classroom, the training will provide theoretical and practical knowledge to lodge managers and staff so that they are prepared to deliver safe service.” At the High Commission, Charge d’affaires, Janine Cocker, said “Canada is pleased to support this effort to ensure both safety and economic security of communities that have worked hard to build up their tourism industry.” Project activities are scheduled to commence in early January and be completed by April 2021. This project aligns with the Government of Canada’s support for economic resilience in vulnerable communities. The High Commission has worked with many Indigenous communities in the past to support economic development. This includes a partnership to establish the Paramakatoi Food Processing Training and Research facility that produces Sundried Tomato Ketchup and Sundried Tomato Salad Dressings and supporting two farine factories in Wowetta and Moco Moco, Region Nine, to promote food security and enterprise development among the women agro-processors.

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Better Hope man cops GUYOIL $1M cash prize

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Roy Lennox Marshall (left) receiving the cheque from GUYOIL General Manager, Trevor Bassoo (Delano Williams photo) ROY Lennox Marshall of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Thursday, walked away the first prize winner of the Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) “Be a Super 95 Millionaire” promotion. The promotion hosted by GUYOIL began last week and saw hundreds of customers vying for a chance to win one of two grand prizes of $1M. Marshall expressed elation at his good fortune. “At first, I wasn’t really that excited, because, you know, sometimes people call you and it’s like a prank call. But then after I got the third call… after then, I said, yeah well, at least I felt good that, you know, I get called and I win something, because I filled up many coupons before and I never really get you know, no response. So when I get the response, I was overwhelmed.” He added that he is especially appreciative of the cash prize, as the Christmas season is here, and lauded the company for implementing the initiative. Meanwhile, GUYOIL General Manager, Trevor

Bassoo, explained that the ‘Super 95’ promotion has always been one of the company’s initiatives aimed at giving back to their customers and showing appreciation for their support throughout the year. He further noted that although the promotion was suspended for the past two years, GUYOIL believed that now would be an ideal time to continue, hoping to relieve their customers of hardships brought on by the pandemic. GUYOIL’s “Be a Super 95 Millionaire” promotion rewards customers when they spend $3,000 or more on Super 95 Gasoline from service stations nationwide. The cash and prize giveaways during the five-week promotion amount to a total of over $4,000,0000, according to the company. In addition to weekly drawings for cash, entrants also have the chance to win Smart TVs, tablets, Super 95 vouchers, grocery vouchers and Giftland shopping vouchers. Additional drawings for cash prizes are scheduled for December 23 and 30, and January 6 and 15, 2021.

Simple larceny accused gets bail

A MAN was granted $30,000 bail by Magistrate Faith McGusty when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with simple larceny. Cleveland Williams of Durban Street, Lodge, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It is alleged between October 5 and October 12 at Chalmers Place, Stabroek, Georgetown, he stole from Brian King, one eight feet ladder valued, $38,000, one five gallon bucket paint valued, $22,000, one tent valued, $17,000, one sink pipe valued, $3,800, one steel clothes rack valued, $15,000, and one tool bag containing a quantity of electrical tools valued at $35,000. According to the facts, King secured the items that were stolen in the yard of his Lot 56 Chalmers Place residence but later discovered them missing. It is alleged that, on December 15, King and his wife were at home when she notified him that a man was in the yard. Immediately, he went to investigate and observed an identifiable male in attempting to take possession of his metal scaffold. King raised an alarm which caused Williams to flee. However, King gave chase and eventually apprehended the man. Williams was later handed over to the police and was placed into custody. Further investigations were conducted and a check of CCTV footage recorded in October revealed Williams removing the items mentioned in the charge. He was told of the allegation and charged for the offence. The matter was adjourned to January 15.

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Rewa Eco-Lodge, Wanderlust Adventures approved for reopening THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that Rewa Eco-Lodge and Wanderlust Adventures have received conditional approval for reopening and can commence welcoming travellers to their properties. The approval was granted as both en-

ism-focused communities in Regions Three, Five, Eight and Nine. Businesses that receive conditional approval are reminded to maintain the protocols as outlined by the GTA and the National Gazetted measures. “Failure to adhere to these measures will

Rewa Eco-Lodge has received conditional approval for reopening (TripAdvisor photo) tities are in compliance with the national COVID-19 measures and GTA’s recommended hygiene and sanitation protocols, a release said. Roslyn Sewcharran, proprietor of Wanderlust Tours, expressed her gratitude upon being granted her conditional approval letter. “I would like to thank you all so very much for all of your efforts in reopening tourism and I cannot wait to assist in the recovery, rebuilding and bouncing back of tourism in Guyana,” she said. The GTA, in its bid to continuously assist businesses to ensure that they are ready for a safe reopening, has ramped up training and inspection initiatives throughout tour-

result in the revocation of the conditional approval tied to the COVID-19 measures. The two-step process that all tourism businesses are expected to follow in order to receive their official approval for reopening entails: submission of business’s written Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) to the GTA for a desk review and on-site inspection of businesses to verify the implementation of the SoPs and approval by the GTA,” the release said. Domestic and international travellers are recommended to use only approved tourism businesses to book and plan their tour activities. For a full listing of these, check the GTA’s website at www.guyanatourism.

Wanderlust Adventures has also received conditional approval for reopening (Visit Guyana photo)

com. For more information about the two-step conditional approval process for reopening of tourism businesses, persons are asked to contact Micheala Lindore,

Tourism Business Support Officer within the GTA at micheala@guyanatourism. com or Carla James, Director of the GTA at carla@guyanatourism.com.

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Perez signs for Red Bull (BBC) - Mexican Sergio Perez has signed to race for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen next year. The 30-year-old, who took his maiden win in the Sakhir Grand Prix, replaces British-Thai Alex Albon, who will stay with the team as reserve driver.

“Alex remains an important part of our team as test and reserve driver with a key focus on 2022 development and we would like to thank him for his hard work and contribution.” Red Bull decided Albon had not performed strongly enough in his 18 months with the team to justify continu-

Perez won his maiden Formula 1 grand prix in December

Red Bull said Perez had signed “initially on a oneyear contract.” “Alex is a valued member of the team and we thought long and hard about this decision,” team boss Christian Horner said. “Having taken our time to evaluate all the relevant data and performances we have decided that Sergio is the right driver to partner Max for 2021.

ing in a race seat. And Horner said it had been “impossible to ignore Sergio’s performance in Racing Point, particularly in the second half of the season”. He added that Albon was still a potential contender for a race seat in 2022. It is Perez’s first chance in a genuine front-running car in a decade-long Formula 1 career.

India finish 62 ...

through India’s lower order for the addition of just 11 runs. From the moment of Virat Kohli’s run-out on Thursday, India had lost their last seven wickets for 56.

his innings by yelling ‘no run’ as he left the ball alone, nearly fell to an early edge that just evaded Wriddhiman Saha but there was a more clear-cut chance when he had 12 and

Perez said he was “incredibly grateful for the opportunity”. He added: “The chance to race for a championship contending team is something I have been hoping for since I joined F1 and it will be a proud moment to step onto the grid in Red Bull colours alongside Max. “You can be sure that I will give next season my full focus. The team has the same winning mentality as me and I know I am here to perform and help the team fight for another title.” Horner said it would have been an “injustice” if Perez had not had a seat in F1 next year after such an impressive 2020 but added that the driver was “realistic” about what to expect going up against Verstappen. “He knows the quality of Max,” Horner said. “He’s a seasoned racer now. He has a huge amount of experience. He knows what he’s going up against and the quality of Max, who has been in immense form the last couple of years. I don’t think he underestimates that challenge in any shape or form but he’s absolutely delighted to get the opportunity and prove himself.”

FROM PAGE 24 sign or not - that was edged to slip to send Ashwin off in almost a lap of celebration. At 45 for 3 in the 27th, India had a grip on both the wickets and the run rate.

Prithvi Shaw gets bowled for the second time in the Test, Australia vs India, 1st Test, Adelaide, 2nd day, yesterday (Getty Images)

Initially with the ball, Bumrah and Umesh Yadav offered a little too much that Australia could leave but the new-look opening pair of Joe Burns and Matthew Wade did not make any impression on the scoreboard. The first runs came in the fifth over and when Wade, opening the batting for the first time in first-class cricket, was trapped lbw from round the wicket, it was 16 for 1 in the 15th over. Labuschagne, who started

top-edged a pull towards long leg where Bumrah made a mess of it, unaware he had more room to the rope than he thought. After lunch, he was given a second life when Shaw dropped a simpler chance at square leg, but India mixed the poor with the very good to stay in charge. Smith had scored one run in 28 balls when Ashwin sent down a delivery that went straight on - whether by de-

Ashwin then worked over the left-handed Travis Head who chipped a soft return catch and that brought Cameron Green in for his first Test innings with Australia tottering. There were early signs of crisp footwork - a backcut behind square was full of timing - but he became Ashwin’s third wicket when a pull went no further than Kohli at midwicket.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

New Zealand quicks dominate Pakistan (ESPNCricinfo) - Bounce, baby! Bounce! There was a fast-bowling feast at Eden Park. And the batsmen were just not welcome. A rash of mis-hits, screams of annoyance and a flood of wickets suggested Pakistan could not cope with the conditions, where hitting back of a length not only made balls

rear up at them, but also did so at varying speeds. Babar Azam, who was at the ground, would have given a firm (broken) thumbs down as he watched his team struggle without him, slipping to 39 for 5. That couldn’t have been the score stand-in captain Shadab Khan was looking for when he won the toss. But things did

improve in the back end of the innings, to such an extent that Pakistan made 102 runs in the last nine overs. That gave their bowlers a total of 153 and they made it look pretty big at the start of the New Zealand chase. Tim Seifert, though, rode the pressure put on him and the rest of his team by a quality attack that was pumped all

the way up and produced a half-century that was just about enough to clinch a very tight T20I game.

hit high on his bat. And a flick shot, intended to go along the ground through midwicket, ended up a catch at mid-on.

Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn picked up seven wickets between them, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st T20I, Auckland, yesterday (Getty Images)

The debutant’s ball Jacob Duffy had to wait eight years to make it to international cricket and when he did last night, he picked up a wicket with his second ball. That was the first sign that this wasn’t an Eden Park belter. It stopped on the batsman. It kicked up off the surface. It

Duffy finished with 4 for 33, the best figures by a Black Cap on debut, and the Playerof-the-Match award, which was all a lovely bonus considering all he wanted was “not to get knocked out of the park too often”. His night could have been even more spectacular but

for a stray little finger. In the tenth over, while fielding at deep third man, he ran full tilt to his right and leapt up to intervene with an upper cut from Khan that looked destined for six. The ball stuck in his outstretched right hand, but as he came down, protecting it from touching the ground, just a tiny bit of his other hand - his left hand - brushed against the advertising triangles and ruined what might have been one of the great boundary catches of all-time. The captain’s knock Khan was 9 off 13 at that point. He too was hopping around thanks to the extra bounce on offer, but his shot selection was considerably better than those that had come and gone before him. On a pitch where occasionally the ball didn’t come on to the bat, the flick shot is loaded with danger. Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali found that out in the worst way. Cross-bat shots are much more useful, but for that, you have to stay in long enough to adjust to the bounce on offer. Mohammad Hafeez didn’t and fell so tamely. But from the ruins of 39 for 5, Khan (42 off 32) and later Faheem Ashraf (31 off 18) counterpunched their way to a total that looked rather unimaginable just a few overs previously - a total that they could defend.

India finish 62 ahead after Ashwin, seamers run through Australia

AS day-night Tests can do, the action in Adelaide went into fast forward as 15 wickets fell on the second day with India responding to what looked like a below-par batting effort with a superb team performance from the bowlers in which R. Ashwin benefited from the pressure created by the three

quick bowlers. That Australia ended as close to India’s 244 as they did was down to a fine innings by captain Tim Paine who was left unbeaten on 73 while Marnus Labuschagne, with a somewhat skittish 47, was the only other player to pass 15 and the rest of the top six made 35 in all. The match took on dimen-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Saturday, December 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) Jermaine Blackwood-216 runs (2) Kane Williamson-251 runs

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI took most wickets in the recent WI/NZ Test series? (2) Which NZ bowler took most wickets?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

sions not entirely dissimilar to two years ago although on this occasion the margin on first innings was wider. But India could not get through six overs unscathed as Pat Cummins breached Prithvi Shaw’s defences - Australia have exploited a technical failing that may end Shaw’s series after one match - but under lights the loss of one wicket was acceptable damage. All the India bowlers played their part - the wicket-less Mohammed Shami was the first of the quicks to find a fuller length - with Jasprit Bumrah making the initial incisions and Ashwin producing a delightful piece of bowling to snare Steven Smith, which left Australia firmly on the back foot, from where they did not really recover. Thanks to their bowlers, India largely got away with three dropped chances. The first part of the day could not have gone any better for the home side as they ran

TURN TO PAGE 23

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

Holder admits ‘‘bubble bubble’’ stress … Holidays will refresh players ahead of Bangladesh series

By Clifton Ross WEST Indies Test captain Jason Holder has admitted that life inside the bubble since summer has been mentally tiring for players, adding that his side will be keen on regrouping ahead of the 2021 season. The Caribbean side lost the 3 T20 series 2-nil with the 3rd being washed out. They then suffered a 2-nil defeat in the recently concluded Test series, bringing a dismal end to their assignment in this COVID-stricken year. There were some brilliant individual performers like centurion Jermaine Blackwood and young Joshua DaSilva who had a half-century in the second game. Holder told the media following the match, that he was indeed feeling the brunt of isolated cricket, as he has been a part of multiple bubbles since cricket restarted under new guidelines, back

in July. The NBA are ironically the engineers of the bubble concept with regard to improvisation with a 100 percent success rate following the end of their 2020 seasons with no positive COVID-19 tests since restarting. Holder, too, when looking back at the return of action amidst the coronavirus breakout, seemed to know the life inside a bubble would have been more mentally challenging than it would have been physically. “It has been a tough year, not just for the team but I know for me personally it has been tough. I haven’t seen home in six months now. I have been going non-stop, We have had pay-cuts. It is a situation where you are still looking to make a living, still looking to make use of every opportunity you get,”.Holder explained. Adding to the challeng-

es of life in a bio-secure environment, the Barbados all-rounder admitted that as a player you will need to have some sense of discipline not only physically but mentally;

as things aren’t always roses for players. With the holidays right around the corner and the New Zealand series being the final of 2020 for the

West Indies, Holder added that spending time with family after months of isolation will most certainly help to further refresh the players as they prepare for

West Indies Test captain Jason Holder (right) and head coach Phil Simmons having a chat

2021. “It would be good for the guys to get home for Christmas, spend some time with their families; hopefully some of them get there in time for Christmas, because I think you’ve got to do quarantine. Some players have to do quarantine going back home. It will be a much-needed rest for some players to just refresh and come back,”.Holder ended. Now with emphasis already being placed on January’s potential Bangladesh series, it’s more than ever important for Holder and his men to learn as much as possible from their experiences in the bubbles this year. Given the bubble system is here to stay at least for foreseeable months to come in 2021, Christmas at home with friends and family while breaking the New Year in one’s comfort zone will be ideal for all as they prepare for another year of the unknown.

Aguilleira eyes role to revive Windies team (CMC) – Former captain Merissa Aguilleira said the recent performances of the West Indies Women were painful to watch and she would be willing to play a part to help reinvigorate the team. Aguilleira, 35, played 112 One-day Internationals and 95 Twenty20 Internationals for Windies Women between 2008 and her retirement in April last year. She said she was disheartened by the side’s results against England this past September, where West Indies Women were swept 3-0 in a T20I series. “I honestly was lost for words when I saw some of the performances,” she told WESN TV in an interview. “The thing is that these are the same players – three quarters of the team are the same players that won the (T20) World Cup (in 2016), so I think it is more than confidence. I think it is passion.” She added: “When you look at the people of the Ca-

ribbean and the way we express ourselves when we are playing any type of sport, we have fun. I realise there is no fun anymore. There is no cheering and there is no

is not there. The confidence is not there. They are the same players that have been beating teams, so it’s just not about the ability because the ability is there.”

en’s World Cup 2013 India and the semi-finals of the World T20 in 2010, 2012 and 2014. She was also part of the West Indies team that won

Merissa Aguilleira celebrates a wicket with her team mates

smiling. We cannot play (the game) that serious. That is not our type of cricket. “We have to enjoy ourselves. I realise the passion

A wicketkeeper/batsman, Aguilleira was captain of the Caribbean side from 2009 to 2015, including in the final of the ICC Wom-

the World T20 in 2016 at Eden Gardens in the Indian city of Kolkata Aguilleira said it is important that Cricket West

Indies (CWI) make a huge investment in the women’s game in the Caribbean to revive the ailing fortunes of the Windies women’s team. “The more they focus on the women’s game, the better it will be for us,” she said. “Other teams have better set-ups and the players are taken care of well. “I know we are in a financial situation where it is very difficult to do things, but they are little things that we can tap into. “I know the board is trying its best, but some emphasis has to be placed on the women’s team in order to get them back to the level they ought to be. They have to show some more attention.” In this regard, Aguilleira said her immediate plans were to continue to play her part in. the development of the women’s game not only in her native Trinidad & Tobago, where she is technical director for the women’s game, but the rest of the Caribbean.

“Cricket has taken up so much of my life – since I (was young) it has taken much of my life – and I think it should take it much more,” she said. “I have a lot to offer to cricket still and that is what I am working on now. The West Indies women’s team, we – and I say ‘we’ because I still feel a part of the team – are in a position we need to start getting back into a good groove. “This is a time to get back together and try to work, work and work and get back West Indies Women to where it is supposed to be.” As a wicketkeeper, Aguilleira was involved in 104 dismissals in ODIs, the most for West Indies Women and fifth overall, and 72 in T20Is. She scored six half-centuries in ODIs in a total of 1 752 runs at an average of 20.61. In T20Is, she scored 768 runs at an average of 14.49 with a best of 39 not out.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

‘Stars on Show’ tapeball cricket bowls off on January 1 … Coordinator Dexter George hoping to resuscitate format

By Clifton Ross TAPEBALL cricket fans will be in for a treat on January 1 and 3 2021, when Pure Entertainment hosts its 7-a-side cricket tournament dubbed ‘Stars on Show’, set for the National Park tarmac. Spearheaded by former national Youth cricketer Dexter George, the event will be played with a main prize purse of $120 000. up for grabs, with runners-up also playing for a hefty second place sum of $60 000. The 6-overs-per-side competition also features a few additional prizes to be won - the batsman to the fastest score of 40 will receive $5 000, along with the finals MVP who will be awarded a similar purse.

George, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) seamer, told Chronicle Sport that the event has attracted a few sponsors thus far the like of Hand-in-Hand, V-Net and others ahead of the new year. Last year’s edition saw V-Net Vipers defeat Villages Ram in the final and George said that he was happy to see a number of Guyana’s top tapeball teams signalling their intention to participate in the 2021 edition. Those confirmed teams are Village Ram, Eccles AllStars, Tarmac Allstars, East Coast Express and Strikers, to name a few, with more set to come on board over the coming days. George, who played national cricket at every level

running up to the U-19, said his love for cricket was first birthed by virtue of tapeball cricket. He said that his goal is to create a national tapeball league whereby less fortunate but talented players can still earn and play even if they don’t make it to the senior or international levels. “The main objective is to resuscitate the interest of tapeball cricket. I hope we can have a national tapeball league because I want to see it reach a level whereby teams can earn from it”. “Being a former national Youth player, like many other youngsters it was my dream to play for Guyana and West Indies. However, having to work and provide for myself and family prevented me from training

Coordinator of ‘Stars on Show’ Dexter George

and putting as much into my career, so that’s when I turned to tapeball,” George explained. Tapeball has been one of the most popular but less structured formats of cricket, with softball even having its own league and annual fixtures. However, an optimistic George said he believes that this upcoming event could spark a bigger interest in the format and one which could be similar to that of the past when tapeball cricket was a main staple of the fraternity of cricketers. Meanwhile, registration for the event closes on December 30, with entrance fee for teams being $10 000. Interested teams can contact the coordinator George on 671-0458.

GABF to focus on strategic development, return to court in 2021

…First virtual AGM hailed a success THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) hailed its first virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) a success. The AGM was co-chaired by GABF president Michael Singh and GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes, with GABF executive board in attendance. Singh began the proceedings by addressing the unique circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented the AGM taking place physically this year. GABF reacted swiftly when the COVID-19 pandemic became a crisis, reacting on cancellation of events and rescheduling others, while preparing a detailed roadmap for return to action later on, and always in consultation with all stakeholders as well as taking into account the health of participants. “The pandemic hit the whole world and our societies in a way we could never imagine 10 months ago,” Haynes said. Hayne further noted that “sport is no exception and we have all been struggling to support basketball in Guyana; to support our athletes to prepare for the upcoming Basketball World Cup Qualifies, Youth qualifiers and other National competitions; and of course also to support and

help the different sub-associations - Berbice, Georgetown and Linden, and our affiliates namely the coaches and officials councils.”

sented the GABF Strategy 2019-2027 with focus on the three main priorities: Empowering Sub-Associations, Women in Basketball and Enlarging

GABF president Michael Singh (seated centre), is flanked by vice-presidents Kenrick Thomas (left) and Lawrence Simon. Standing (from left) are Technical Director Junior Hercules, Vice-president Alex Graham and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Joe Chapman

The AGM was presented with reports by the president – Year in Review. Vice-president of Marketing, Alex Graham, presented the new strategy for the creation of a Marketing Commission that will be tasked with responsibilities of sponsorship, marketing, corporate identity and the rebranding of the GABF including their digital assets and events. Technical Coordinator Junior Hercules presented the roadmap for return to play utilising the guidelines provided by FIBA. Meanwhile, Hayne pre-

the GABF family. The strategic roadmap included developing youth basketball, building 3x3 basketball, reshaping national club competitions, building a centre of excellence for the GABF national club championship (MECCA), and creating sustainable financial growth. The GABF General Secretary also updated the members on regional and international activities outlined by FIBA, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers and the 2021 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup Qualifiers planned for

2021, along with the Women in Basketball initiative by FIBA Americas - Adelante Women’s Forum and the increased allotment of FIBA Game Officials for Guyana.

“The GABF is strengthened by the work done in each of the regions in Guyana. Our commitment is to aid their empowerment and it was important to have the

opportunity to listen to their specific set of circumstances and exchange ideas to maximise growth,” the Federation’s General Secretary lamented.

Hemraj blasts 87 to lead Somerset Cavaliers to US Open T20 semis CHANDRAPAUL Hemraj blasted his way to his second half-century to lead his team Somerset Cavaliers to the semi-finals of the US Open T20 tournament in the US. The national cricketer who is in-form helped to spearhead the defending champions to a 120-run win against Punjab Blues yesterday. It was their third win in as many games. The Punjab side won the toss and opted to field, which proved to be the wrong call. Hemraj, who had scored 50 from 25 balls in his first game on Tuesday and 43 on Thursday was again in a no-nonsense mood. He belted 87 runs in the second-wicket partnership of 134 with Aaron Jones who made 91 (3x4s, 8x6s). Hemraj who had the best strike rate for his team took just 39 balls to reach his score, after hitting six fours and a a similar number of sixes. Andre Russell, who faced six balls, was left not out on three as the team ended their 20 overs on 216-4. In reply, it was another Guyanese who took the reins. National left-arm spinner

Gudakesh Motie picked up 2-8 off four overs to undermine the middle order of Punjab Blues. This left them without the firepower to chase down the total. In the end, they finished their 20 overs on 96-5. Today Somerset Cavaliers are back in action. A number of Guyanese are

playing in the competition. On Tuesday, Christopher Barnwell struck a match-winning unbeaten half-century for 22 Yards against Brampton Pacers. In that game Kevin Sinclair (2-17), Devendra Bishoo (2-21) and Ashmead Nedd (113) all finished with wickets for 22 Yards.

Chandrapaul Hemraj is on fire in the US

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, December 19, 2020

2020 DCB U-19 Inter-Association tourney ‌

Georgetown win as rain washes out final

Georgetown captain Dwayne Dick collects the winning trophy from GCB TDO Admin Assistant, Kavita Yadram

GEORGETOWN emerged champions of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-Association Under-19 limited overs tournament after both final-round fixtures were called off before a ball had been bowled yesterday. The City side was scheduled to play East Bank Demerara at Everest, while East Coast Demerara were scheduled to play West Demerara at Enmore. However,, persistent rains at both locations, saw the games called off just after 13:00hrs. The no-result means Georgetown won after they had completed two convincing wins. The City side were indeed the dominant force this year, whipping West Demerara by 101 runs in the opening round, then triumphing over hosts East Coast Demerara by nine wickets last Wednesday at Enmore. Meanwhile, after the presentation, Georgetown captain Dwayne Dick told Chronicle Sport that while he and his teammates were disappointed at the premature end to the tournament, they are grateful for the opportunity to play some cricket, taking into consideration the current COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore), a Demerara Under-19 team will be selected soon to participate in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), tournament, scheduled for earlier next year.

2020 DCB U-19 Inter-Association tourney …

The winning Georgetown team

Georgetown win as rain washes out final SEE PAGE 27

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| SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020