Issuu

monday 28th october, 2019

No.105804

‘Rigid checks of candidates’ President wary of actions by Charrandass Persaud

... to insist on thorough background checks of all coalition candidates

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Late night fire leaves family 02 of six homeless PAGE

Guyana wins Albert Einstein gold medal

–– in global robotics competition 10 PAGE

Throughout Guyana on Sunday evening, diyas were lit in celebration of Diwali – the festival of lights. Complementing the diyas were beautifully crafted Rangolis. This family was among the thousands of Guyanese that participated in Diwali celebration. (Carl Croker Photo)

13 companies, 18 contractors barred from local procurement PAGE

Late night fire leaves family of six homeless

A PETER’S Hall, East Bank of Demerara family of six is now homeless after their two-storey home was gutted by fire late Sunday night along with another building. The second house, a two-storey building also, was not entirely destroyed. According to reports, the fire started at the Lot 28 School Street, Peter’s Hall property, which was separated into several apartments shared by family members. Those affected included 79-year Lilowtie

Persaud and her disabled 65-year old sister. A resident, Lena Persaud, told Guyana Chronicle that she was taking her mom, Lilowtie, home around 20:00hrs when she noticed the house in flames. “I just bring she, I went out on the road. When I come now and see the house on fire, meh nephew run in and meh sister been in, suh he pull she out, and meh auntie been on the step, so them try and bring she out. And I hear meh sister hollering and meh auntie hollering,” Lena recalled.

Omadai Persaud (right) and her sister, Lena Persaud, with their mom, Lilowtie Persaud (sitting right) and her sister (Elvin Croker photo)

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Firefighters battle to out the last of the flames that destroyed the Lot 28 School Street Peter’s Hall property that left six homeless (Elvin Croker photo) Aside from her mom and aunt, Lena lived at the property along with her sister, Omadai, and two nephews. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was summoned; however, the flames had already engulfed the building and had spread to the house next door by the time the fire fighters arrived on the scene. They did the best they could to stop the flames from entirely destroying the second property. Lena said it did not take long for the wooden building to be entirely engulfed. “I see the fire when I come in and quick time it spread,” Lena said. Both Lena and Omadai attribute the source of the fire to a faulty meter on the south-western side of the house, which they said had seen “sparking” for a few days now. “I sit down gaffing with me auntie and I hear something sparking, sparking and when I go, next thing I see the meter on fire. So I run inside to throw water. It started from the meter,” Omadai recalled

According to Lena, a report was made to the Guyana Power and Light a few days ago but the issue was never looked at. “Meh nephew, bout two (to) three days (ago) call GPL, but nobody didn’t come,” Lena said. Lena said she could not estimate the family’s losses but all of the separate apartments were entirely furnished. The family was left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. “It had everything from upstairs go right down. ‘Bout four fridge, 9 - 10 bed, everything, everything. Money, gold, everything destroyed. Is wah we got here that is it, that’s all we got left,” Lena related. Lena said arrangements were being made for the occupants to stay with family members until they could figure out their future. The partially destroyed Lot 29 School Street, Peter’s Hall property, which had an apartment on each flat, was rented by two separate families. No one was at that home at the time of the fire.

‘Rigid checks of candidates’

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

President wary of actions by Charrandass Persaud

... to insist on thorough background checks of all coalition candidates PRESIDENT David Granger has likened the ‘Coalition’ partner’s penchant of late for engaging in debates about ‘personalities’ before clearly establishing principles and policies, to putting the proverbial cart before the horse’. On the local podcast, Inside Sources, aired on Sunday, President Granger told the interviewer, Gordon Moseley, that his interest in the ongoing discussions between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) lies in following the Constitution and the negotiation process. In August, the APNU and AFC initiated the process of revising the Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement which brought them together as a coalition on February 14, 2015. Though they’ve agreed on the core principles ahead of the negotiation, last Thursday, the AFC contended that talks had broken down over the selection of a Prime Ministerial Candidate, whom it believes it has the right to select. Last June, the AFC, upon electing Khemraj Ramjattan as its Leader, nominated him for the position ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. AN EXAGGERATION President Granger has since said that to describe the process as being “stalled” is to exaggerate the situation, as all of the parties within the coalition have agreed to a three-stage process of negotiation. “The first stage is the discussion and agreement on core principles,” he said, “and we’ve passed that stage successfully; both the APNU and the AFC have agreed on core principles. The second stage is the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord, and I’ve stated repeatedly that this is not the time to speak about personalities; it’s the time to speak about principles and policies.” During the third stage, President Granger said, the “Coalition” will establish its manifesto for the coming elections. Once these principles and

policies are agreed upon, he said, the identification of personalities will fall into place. He also noted that there have been no formal discussions on the matter of personalities, apart from the uncontested re-selection of himself as the Presidential Candidate for the 2020 elections. “All other matters are still being discussed, and it would be premature to raise these issues at this stage,” he said. “We have an agreement that should the teams hit a wall, the issues which caused any stalling would be referred to the respective party leaders; nothing has been referred to me indicating that there is a problem,” President Granger further stated. ‘SOME THINGS NON-NEGOTIABLE’ Meanwhile, at a recent press conference held by the AFC, its Executive Member, Dominic Gaskin said that while the party is committed to coalition politics, some things are “non-negotiable”; things such as the naming of the Prime Ministerial Candidate. He opined that the naming of Ramjattan as the Prime Ministerial Candidate was in keeping with the Cummingsburg Accord, which is still in effect. “We are not asking the Cummingsburg Accord to supersede the Constitution; we are saying that the AFC should name the Prime Ministerial Candidate, and the APNU should name the Presidential Candidate,” he said, adding: “After the elections, the President appoints the Prime Minister as per the Constitution. There is no clash or collision with the Constitution in the Cummingsburg Accord stipulating that the AFC will name the Prime Ministerial Candidate.” Article 101 of the Constitution states: “The President shall appoint an elected member of the National Assembly to be Prime Minister of Guyana…” Explaining his position on the issue, the Head of State said: “The President is the Chief Executive of the country. I am open to recommendations from all of my par-

ties, and it is my duty to give the country the best team of ministers in order to accomplish the strategic objectives of the ‘Coalition’, and that is to give Guyanese people a better quality of life. And that is what we’re doing. If we prejudice discussions by deciding beforehand who should be the minister – for example—of Public Health or the Minister of Communities, we’ll get bogged down in personalities. Let us decide what type of public health system we want; what type of public security we want; what type of Public Telecommunications, Public Infrastructure and let us see who is the fittest person to fit those posts.” The president underscored that Guyana must be represented by Ministers and public officials who are incorruptible, intelligent, loyal to the country, unbribable and able to take advice from experts and technically qualified persons. GENDER EQUALITY, BALANCE Factors he also wishes to take into consideration are the realisation of gender equality and balance amongst constituency representation in the National Assembly. The President has plans to prepare a list of ministries along with their functions for the examination of the best possible candidates who have secured the support of their constituencies. “I don’t want to have a Cabinet of technocrats who are strangers to the population,” he said. “People must trust their ministers; people must trust the people who represent them in the National Assembly. This is what gave us a big problem on December 21 last year; that it is possible if we do not confirm to that principle or comply with that principle that persons could possibly be nominated or may even be sent into the National Assembly who do not have the best interest of the country at heart.” In December 2018, Charrandass Persaud, former AFC Member of Parliament (MP) voted in favour of an Opposition-sponsored motion in the National Assembly to bring down his Government.

President David Granger President Granger said that he is open to sitting with AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan to discuss the fitness and readiness of persons to serve in the capacities, but only after the necessary principles and policies are agreed upon as a clear guideline for selection. While refraining from indicating his preference for Prime Ministerial candidate, the President did not deny that, over the years, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo handled the Government and Cabinet very well during his [the President’s] absence from the country. “It is not for me to say at this point whether any other person will be nominated or whether other factors would have arisen,” he said, “but I am very satisfied with Mr. Nagamootoo’s performance over the last four years and four months, and I know that I am bound to listen to the other five members of the coalition. There are six of us in this room; not one, not two, six. And I have to listen to everybody. I have to ensure that, at the end of the day, the people of Guyana are happy with the type of government that has been selected and installed.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: IS leader ‘dead after US raid’ in Syria

The fugitive leader of the Islamic State (IS) group killed himself during a US military operation in northwest Syria, President Donald Trump has said. Speaking from the White House, Mr Trump said Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi detonated his suicide vest after fleeing into a tunnel, chased by US military dogs. Baghdadi came to prominence in 2014, when he announced the creation of a “caliphate” in areas of Iraq and Syria. IS carried out multiple atrocities that resulted in

thousands of deaths. The jihadist group imposed a brutal rule in the areas under its control and was behind many attacks around the world. Although the US declared the “caliphate” defeated earlier this year, IS militants remain active in the region and elsewhere. Baghdadi’s death is a major victory for Mr Trump as he faces heavy criticism for his decision to pull US troops out of northern Syria and fights an impeachment inquiry launched by Democrats.

In an unusual Sunday morning statement, Mr Trump described the nighttime operation in extraordinary detail, saying Baghdadi ran into a dead-end tunnel, “whimpering and crying and screaming”, while being chased by military dogs.

injured in the explosion. The blast mutilated Baghdadi’s body but, according to the president, an on-site DNA test confirmed his identity. The special forces spent two hours in the area and gathered “highly sensitive material”. “The thug who tried so

raids had been cancelled because of his movements, Mr Trump said, describing the IS leader’s move to Idlib as part of a plan to rebuild the group. An undisclosed number of forces targeted the compound using eight helicopters, which were met with gunfire, Mr Trump said. The commandos managed to land safely and entered the building by blowing holes in the wall, avoiding the main door which was believed to be booby-trapped.

The dead included two of Baghdadi’s wives who were both found wearing explosive vests that were not detonated. Eleven children were removed, uninjured, from the compound. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - one of the main US allies in northern Syria until Mr Trump withdrew US troops from the area this month - said they had shared details about the location of high-level IS members, in-

Baghdadi announced the creation of a “caliphate” from Mosul in 2014 (AFP)

Baghdadi killed himself and three of his children by igniting his suicide vest, Mr Trump said, causing the tunnel to collapse. No US personnel were killed but one of the dogs was seriously

hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread, terrified of the American forces bearing down on him,” Mr Trump said. What is known about the operation? The location - the village of Barisha in Idlib province near the Turkish border - was far from where Baghdadi had been thought to be hiding along the Syria-Iraq border. Many parts of Idlib are under the control of jihadists opposed to IS but rival groups are suspected of sheltering IS members. Baghdadi had been under surveillance for “a couple of weeks” and “two or three”

The site where the raid took place in Idlib province (AFP)

“He was a sick and depraved man,” Mr Trump said. “He died like a dog, he died like a coward.” US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said Baghdadi’s remains should be given the same treatment applied to those of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, whose body was buried at sea after being killed in a raid in 2011. A “large number” of Baghdadi’s followers also died while others were captured, the president said.

cluding Baghdadi. Iraqi officials also said they had provided “accurate information”. Mr Trump praised them all, as well as Russia - which opened up the airspace it controls for the operation -, Turkey and Syria for giving “certain support” to the operation. He said Russia had not been told about the nature of the US mission. After the president’s address, the White House released pictures said to be of Mr Trump watching the operation from the Situation Room surrounded by Vice-President Mike Pence and top security officials. On Twitter, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Baghdadi’s death was “an important moment in our fight against terror but the battle against the evil of [IS] is not over yet”. While IS lost its territory in Syria and Iraq after a years-long deadly campaign, experts say the group remains a threat, with affiliates active in various countries. Also on Sunday, the SDF said IS spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir, described as Baghdadi’s right-hand man, was killed in a separate joint operation with the US military near the northern Syrian town of Jarablus. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

CUBA-AVIATION – US restricts scheduled air service to Cuban airports

CMC – The United States Department of State says the Trump administration has restricted scheduled air service to Cuban airports. “At the request of the Secretary of State, the US Department of Transportation suspended until further notice scheduled air service between the United States and Cuban international airports other than Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport to prevent the Cuban regime from profiting from US air travel,” said the US Department of State in a statement on Friday, referring to US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. “US air carriers will have 45 days to discontinue all scheduled air service between the United States and all airports in Cuba, except for Jose Marti International

Airport,” it added. In keeping with US President Donald J. Trump’s foreign policy toward Cuba, the State Department said “this action prevents revenue from reaching the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of the Cuban people and its support for Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.” “In suspending flights to a total of nine airports, the United States impedes the Cuban regime from gaining access to hard currency from US travelers staying in its state-controlled resorts, visiting state-owned attractions and otherwise contributing to the Cuban regime’s coffers near these airports,” the State Department said. It said the United States “continues to hold Cuba ac-

countable for its repression of the Cuban people and its interference in Venezuela, including its unconscionable support of the illegitimate Maduro regime.” The State Department claims that the human rights situation in Cuba “remains abysmal, with state authorities harassing and arbitrarily jailing activists, dissidents, artists, and others questioning regime authority with impunity.” “Despite widespread international condemnation, Maduro continues to undermine his country’s institutions and subvert the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination,” the statement said. “Empowered by Cuba, Maduro has created a humanitarian disaster that destabilizes the region.”

Judge: TT is in a dark place High Court judge Frank Seepersad said the country is in a dark place. Justice Seepersad was delivering the Sunday morning sermon on Divali Day at the Marabella Presbyterian Church. In his sermon, Seepersad said it was evident that there were now heightened levels of criminality, intolerance, and divisiveness in TT. He said another pressing dilemma, and one which is yet to be truly acknowleged, is the state of the economy. Seepersad also said he had seen an increase in the number of matters instituted by mortgage companies seeking repossession of homes and

increasing numbers of claims for monies due and owning. “This type of litigation also signals that all is not well with our economy. In spite of the misinformation which we may receive. In spite of the promises which are unrealistic and founded in delusions of grandeur that (there is) continued dependency on the State, we need to remove ourselves from the darkness,” he said. “We need to take off the blinders and, as a people, confront the truth of the reality which befalls us.” He urged citizens to work together to form a robust plan for economic revival. “A plan that is not contingent upon in-

creased energy revenues. We simply cannot continue along this path because it is a path that poses no promise and future,” was his suggestion. He said serious decisions had to be made if TT’s children are to live peaceful productive lives. But, he added, the question all citizens must ask is: “Are we prepared to pursue a path of illumination? A path that leads to transformative change? Or are we prepared to simply sit back and continue upon a road of discord division, disunity and disingenuous information?” He told worshippers the country’s revenue, generated through blessings of oil and gas, were fast coming to an

end. “And it may very well be that the blessing of black gold was a curse because we followed the money but entered into a state of complacency. “There was a lack of productivity, a lack of innovation

and an unwillingness to affect institutional reform. Productivity and proactivity were not prioritised and perhaps the greatest evil perpetrated upon us,” he bemoaned. Seepersad said change lies

within all citizens and urged everyone to take each other’s hand and to walk a path together as brothers and sisters of mother Trinbago to stimulate the economy. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Food security for all Guyanese

ONE of the APNU+AFC coalition government’s stated priorities is the provision of food security for all Guyanese. Food security is internationally defined as, “The availability at all times of adequate, nourishing, diverse, balanced and moderate world food supplies of basic foodstuffs to sustain a steady expansion of food consumption and to offset fluctuations in production and prices.” In other words, food security is a situation in which citizens feel and are actually secure in relation to the availability of food, regardless of external circumstances. Clearly, being confident that one will not go hungry is important to everyone’s peace of mind, and such confidence obviously contributes to a person’s mental well-being, while the actuality of food security is essential for physical health, which is itself necessary for productivity and a positive contribution to one’s community. Government’s commitment to the ideal is therefore commendable, since that commitment makes clear that the administration cares about the welfare of the people, as well as the development and progress of the Guyanese society. Since the election to office of the APNU+AFC government in mid-2015, food

security has been on the front burner. President David Granger has repeatedly emphasised the desirability, indeed, the necessity of Guyana being self-sufficient with regard to the provision of a secure and sufficient supply of safe, nutritious food to all Guyanese. Since taking office, the ‘Coalition’ administration has followed-up on that promise with concrete action, with the objective of ensuring that no Guyanese should go hungry. Those facts, considered in a holistic context, point directly in the direction of agriculture. This October, being Agriculture Month, is an opportune time to discuss a few of the administration’s policies, initiatives, and programmes designed to move Guyana forward in the positive direction towards 100 per cent food security. And as was stated, that objective rests on a foundation of a solid, expanding, diversifying, successful agricultural sector. Agriculture Month 2019 is being observed under the theme, “Sustainable Agriculture for ensuring Food Safety and a Green Economy”. While the theme speaks for itself, it may be iterated that a safe, sustainable food supply is the objective, all within the context of an environment-friendly construct. To this end, government has initiated several innovative programmes.

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder has expressed the issue most eloquently, when he said, “Guyana, as you know, is a food-secure country, but there are pockets of food insecurity and hunger that we need to address. Additionally, given the significant amount of money spent on health problems related to malnutrition, strategies and policies to ensure the availability and affordability of healthy diets is essential for food and nutrition security of our citizens.” As he went on to say, “For healthy diets, we must improve food safety. Our government has made food safety a public priority. A paradigm shift in the approach to food safety is required, starting from our farms and ending at the dining table. “The Ministry of Agriculture has been pursuing interventions to ensure food security for all; specifically, access to safe food throughout the country, with a view to maintaining a healthy and productive population. With the passing of the Food Safety and Animal Welfare Bills, the activation of such practices within Guyana will ensure that the country is a benefactor in securing external markets for its agricultural products, and safeguarding our own food supply.” Government, since taking office in

2015, has made great strides towards improving the agricultural sector. After all, agriculture contributes 16.2 per cent to the national GDP. The relative share of persons employed in agriculture is 17.8 per cent, and approximately 26 per cent of Guyana’s export earning come from agriculture. It is evidently a major sector, employing thousands of Guyanese. The administration has announced that it is focussed on revitalising the coconut industry, thereby producing more jobs. Government has established two state-of-the-art laboratories to test and enhance soil fertility, and to eliminate the problem of pests. A water-quality ‘lab’ is in the works, while other laboratory facilities, such as those that ensure food safety, are fully operational. Government has announced that the ultimate goal is not only to be locally self-sufficient with regard to food, but to expand the sector to increase and diversify exports. The administration has given its assurance that the sector will not be neglected after oil production begins. Instead, agriculture will remain the foundation of Guyana’s economy. This is good news indeed for everyone, including those who work or wish to work in the sector.

The case of the nebulous West Demerara University –– where Irfaan earned his first degree Dear Mr. Editor, I WILL begin this very interesting, thought- provoking and hopefully debate-stimulating missive by requesting of the reader to don their futuristic lenses to examine, with HD clarity, a significant event of 2020. I am not alluding to Guyana’s elections; that will be a landslide, no-contest and anticlimax that should not be delved into now. Neither am I alluding to Guyana’s fist-oil production. Frankly, we’ve heard so much about it, that I have placed that into the well of the mundane. America’s election outcome is predictable: The fall of the inept and the rise of the competent and first female President. That is newsworthy, but still not newsworthy enough for my literary attention. What about the Tokyo Olympics? Yes, that’s it! So now we are in the realm of the prospective, taking in the Olympics on a bright July evening in 2020. Guyana has a

world-renowned Olympic team to compete the 4x100m relay. Our team is the creme de la creme of the sprinting world, made up of athletes A, B, C, D. As expected, they outran both the Americans and Jamaicans to win Guyana’s first ever Olympic gold. Sorry, Michael Paris. There was just one problem. The starter, ‘Athlete A’, cheated. He tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. What should the International Olympic Committee (IOC) do? 1. Should they allow the Guyana team to keep the gold medal, since the rest of the team is innocent, but penalise ‘Athlete A’? 2. Should they cancel the gold medal, since Guyana’s start was unfair and unlawful, which positively contributed to the overall team’s performance? Also, without that unlawful start, it could be argued that Guyana might not have won. Michael, you are apparently back in play. If you are struggling with the questions, then you can research why Bolt’s Olympic

Gold tally was reduced from 9 to 8. Now let’s look at 2019, through retrograde lenses. Irfaan Ali’s Olympic Academic Journey is our focus. This was started at a tertiary institution in West Demerara. Brilliant start! Which positively influenced the next leg of his academic relay in India, where he gained a Master’s. This then led to the convoluted third leg of the relay, which ultimately resulted in Academic Olympic Gold at UWI: A PhD. In the midst of the champagne popping and Cuban cigar- smoking celebrations, concerns were raised about his start. The tertiary institution in West Demerara could not be found; it never existed! The tertiary institution was never registered in Guyana! Fraud. Cheat. False start are words being bellowed by all and sundry. What actions should the Higher Education Regulatory Body take against Ali? 1. Should Irfaan be allowed to keep the gold medal (PhD), since the rest of the team (degrees) are allegedly clean? 2. Should they initiate investigations into Irfaan’s fraudulent start, with the assistance of the University in India, where he received

a Master’s. This investigation may very well result in Irfaan’s gold medal being rescinded, since, in all likelihood, his start was unlawful. And the product of this unlawful start is what was used to apply for other degrees, hence making them invalid. Also, without that unlawful start, it could be argued that Irfaan would not have gotten those other degrees, and ultimately the academic gold medal. I think you get my point, since this has always been my position. If one is to use a fraudulent CXC certificate to apply for a university first degree, then automatically, by virtue of the CXC certificate being fraudulent that would invalidate your university first certificate. Some may argue that if the certificate(s) was/were fraudulent, then UWI would have picked them up. That is a fallacious argument. UWI would have only been concerned with his Master’s degree for the PhD. The fact that he produced a Master’s degree, then they would have taken it as a given that he has valid undergraduate see page 7

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Jagdeo’s now awakened from his political dysfunctionality Dear Editor, TELL me which country, in any jurisdiction, in whatever year, in which its leader of the parliamentary opposition would have calculatedly repudiated a pre-election procedure of house-to-house registration, and in the process ordering its supporters not to register for national elections – Guyana. Further, Editor, explain which country, in which a legally-sanctioned exercise of a house-to-house prerequisite that had always been the electoral bedrock of the above-named political opposition party, would

have been challenged in the court as unconstitutional. Again, the answer is Guyana. Surely, for such a shocking about-face, and in support of its dubious and sinister rejection, one man, the leader of the political opposition had been able to commit again, another political treachery; or rather, a hoax on sections of the nation: His constituents. How can such a dishonesty that would have caused thousands of opposition supporters not to have been registered, be allowed to be perpetrated by their leader, can only be explained by a continuous failure of party

supporters to ask serious questions of their leadership. Are these people really serious about their participation in the democratic process of their country? Their actions have clearly been that of supporting an illegal action by their leader This was a political dysfunctionality, which has backfired on Bharat Jagdeo, that has resulted in him now having to appeal “...Jagdeo now urges all Guyanese to ensure they are registered and on the voters’ list for upcoming election”, News Source dated October 24, 2019. It now seems apparent that he has awoken to the reality “...that the right to vote

The case of the nebulous West Demerara ... from page 6

degrees. For example, when I applied for my first medical job at GPHC, I only had to produce my medical degree. They’re careless about CXC or A-Level certificates, since they take it as a given that I have those, by virtue of being the holder of a medical degree. When I applied as a specialist, all I ever had to show was my specialist certificate, and the fact that I am on the specialist register. They would reasonably assume that the other degrees are a given. If I choose to undertake a PhD, which I once considered, all the university would be interested in is my Master’s and the grade of my Master’s. The UWI’s actions would not be unusual. So, where do we go from here? 1. Ali should come clean about this West Demerara “University”. Failing that, then the tertiary level regulatory/registration body in Guyana should write to the university in India, raising their concerns about the transcript and certificate Ali used to apply for his Master’s. It is very likely that Ali’s Master’s would be rescinded after an investigation, culminating in a cascading of other degrees, including his PhD. I say this, not in a celebratory mode, but more out of fairness and rule of law. For those who interpret my letters, and the news reporters who continue to keep this issue topical, as casting negative aspersions on Irfaan Ali’s reputation, I must hasten to add that Ali’s damaged reputation is multi-factorial, and down to his making. Ali was made persona non grata in Canada because of his actions. Ali is facing 19

criminal charges, because of his actions. Ali’s academic credentials are under a cloud; again, down to his actions and inactions. No amount of PhDs will clear that up until he comes clean about the West Demerara “University”. Ali’s reputation was damaged by his own political party, which does not see him as an asset; rather he is deemed a puppet while Jagdeo runs the show like if he is the Presidential Candidate, while Ali is inconspicuous and quietly in the background like a church mouse. Probably they are aware of something we do not know. What remained of Ali’s severely damaged reputation was finally laid to rest by his thuggish actions in front of the Minister’s vehicle. Threatening to assault and turn turtle the vehicle while assaulting the Foreign Affairs Minister. That was the action of a man that has no good reputation to defend. A man who is unfit to be President. Finally, you must have heard of the concept, “proceeds of crime were confiscated”. If you have not, then speak to Jagdeo and Ramotar about Khemraj Lall. Once you understand that, you will now understand my new term, “Proceeds of academic fraud confiscated” That’s my simple mission. The floor is now open to Ali, who is now a frequent letter writer, and his supporters. Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc Med. Ed FRCP(Edin) FRCP(UK) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

I a serious issue.” This appeal to ‘’all Guyanese’’ is a veneer that now pretends responsible constitutional behavior, that is incumbent on any official leader of a political opposition. Instead, it is really a call to its supporters for them to be part of a, electoral process which, as alluded above, has been the Holy Grail of their party’s national electoral practice. In making such a call, one suspects the worry by Jagdeo that many of his supporters may not be included in this final journey for citizens’ poll readiness. But, one must refer to part of Jagdeo’s statement’...

elections are not about what goes on behind closed doors at the Commission since that is for the Commissioners and the Head of GECOM to deal with.’’ Exactly what is Jagdeo seeking to convey about the work and functions of GECOM is best understood by his known predilection for misinforming the Guyanese public. Of course, GECOM’s functions primarily involves the Commissioners and its chairperson, and are principally about national elections, its preparations, and of course, its credibility. It is the raison d’etre of any

such body, and not about any other business that is extraneous to its constitutional existence. In fact, for Jagdeo’s guidance and a reminder, no national electoral body is worth its constitutional value if it cannot function in an entirely independent manner, and without political interference, such as his and cabal attempts to intrude and bully GECOM into making decisions of a partisan and subversive nature inimical to the democratic process. Regards, Earl Hamilton

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Hindus celebrate Diwali in Reg. Two A family lighting up diyas in Golden Fleece

Diyas lit

Hindus residing in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) proudly lit their diyas and made beautifully-decorated Rangolis on Sunday evening as they celebrated the Hindu festival of lights – Diwali. Along the Essequibo Coast, families lit diyas around their homes. Celebrations commenced as early as 18:00hrs on Sunday, however, many Mandirs held services earlier in the day in reverence to mother Lakshmi. Many families also conducted individual Lakshmi Pooja in their homes. Sweet meats were shared with families. Diwali, the festival of light, is celebrated throughout the world. The most popular story related to the festival is that of Rama and Sita. Lord Rama was a great warrior king who was exiled (or sent away) by his father Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom, Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile, after which he put an end to the demon, Ravana of Lanka, who was a great demon who wanted to rule the kingdom. After this victory of ‘Good over Evil’, Rama returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed him and Sita by lighting rows of clay/mud lamps.

A family Rangoli

CDB President Calls for Regional Coordination in International Business Sector

A PRIVATE sector-led, regionally-coordinated approach can help the Caribbean reap the full benefits of the international business and financial services (IBFS) sector, says President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Warren Smith. Speaking at Barbados’ International Business Week 2019 conference, Dr Smith noted that the increasing attractiveness of the Region as an offshore centre had brought closer attention to the sector. “According to a recent OECD report, since 2010 developing countries have accounted for a larger intake of foreign direct investments than their more established counterparts. But, the growing attractiveness of these economies to multinational corporations has come at a price, bringing them increased visibility and greater scrutiny,” he stated. He drew attention to the increase in regulation requirements with the passage of the United States’ Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Common Reporting Standard, noting that compliance with the various rules “places a bureaucratic burden on governments and institutions.”

President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Warren Smith

The CDB President stated that countries which failed to make changes to their regulatory frameworks faced the real threats of the loss of correspondent banking relationships and of ‘blacklisting’, pointing out that: “Since the recent threats of ‘blacklisting’ Barbados, many Caribbean countries are even more aware of the pressures that the international community can exert on the international business and financial services sector.” He strongly advised stakeholders to adopt a regional approach to protecting this valuable sector and establish the Region as a “zone of excellence” for financial services, stating: “We should embrace a regional approach that supports regulatory convergence and the adoption of common principles among CARICOM countries.” He added that a threat to the reputation of one Caribbean country was a threat to all, emphasising: “In this business, what we trade on is our good name. The blacklisting of any one Caribbean country will have an immediate negative effect on the reputation of the entire Region.” Amidst these acknowledged challenges, the Bank’s Head sounded an optimistic note, suggesting that digitalisation and

other prevalent global trends promised significant benefits for the Caribbean’s IBFS sector. “Digital transformation is the new nexus for growth and development…. Barbados must adopt the technology of tomorrow – today. We are already seeing the efforts in this light with the modernisation of public sector service delivery.” To this end, he recommended some keys areas which could be enhanced by employing digital technology, including the domestic payment systems and data collection. The CDB Head also called for the private sector to be more involved in shaping the direction of the IBFS, advising that the private sector had a role to play in policy and strategy development: “There is untapped potential in the Caribbean for sustainable and inclusive growth through greater private sector involvement. The engagement of the various private sector actors is not limited to the provision of financing. Rather, the private sector brings to the table valuable knowledge and insights that can help shape better policies and build proactive strategies based on regional and international exposure and experience.”

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Nabacalis Hospital to be upgraded to an OBGYN Specialty institution –– to facilitate the Maternal and Child Health services

THE Dr. CC Nicholson’s Hospital at Nabacalis on the East Coast of Demerara(ECD) was established in 1994 and was originally known as the Nabacalis Health Centre. The facility served the needs of residents of the community and other outlying villages from Haslington to Cove and John, needing medical attention. In 2003, utilising funds provided by the London-based Cyril Charles Nicholson Foundation which was founded on behalf of a prominent Guyanese medical doctor who hailed from Nabacalis, the facility was upgraded by the government to a Level 3 and renamed the Dr. CC Nicholson’s Memorial Hospital. It has since been serving as an alternative to thousands of residents of the community and other catchment areas, thus alleviating the hassle of having to travel to the city to seek medical attention. The facility, which is off the main East Coast road, is accessed through a street. It is scheduled to be further upgraded into a Level Three OBGYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology) Specialty institution. The primary focus will be on deliveries to facilitate the Maternal and Child Health services along the East Coast corridor, thereby reducing the number of persons seeking those services at the main Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Medical Superintendent/ Doctor-in-Charge of the Dr. CC Nicholson’s Hospital, Dr. Salaamah Uthman The upgrade will entail the facility having a wellequipped maternity unit complete with an operating theatre and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, all essential complements to maternity services. With a full-fledged birthing centre, delivery services will be resumed and the danger posed by having high-risk pregnancies will be minimal, thus reducing the burden of those patients needing OBGYN services from having to travel to the city. Heading the facility is Medical Superintendent and Cuba-trained Dr. Salaamah Uthman, who has been at the helm since July 03, 2019. Her staff are three

other Medical Practitioners; two Midwives, one staff Nurse/Midwife, seven Registered Nurses, five Nursing Assistants, three Patient Care Assistants(PCA), One Community Health Worker (CHW), three Pharmacy Assistants, two Clerks, two Clinic Attendants, one VCT Counsellor; one Handyman and six Porters. The institution operates on a two-shift basis from 8:00 hours to 20:00 hours and Dr. Uthman, who has been a medical practitioner for the past five years, says her desire is to witness the facility being upgraded while she is still at the helm. Challenges

A section of the Emergency Unit at the Dr. CC Nicholson’s Hospital

Asked about challenges facing the institution, the doctor said like at any other institution, there are some challenges but she assured that they are not insurmountable, as such, she and the competent staff as her team have been utilising the resources at their disposal to deliver appropriate health care, as they are all aware of their mandate to serve the people. One such challenge is the generator at the hospital which has not been working, so whenever there is a power outage, some equipment cannot be used. Also, when it occurs during the night, the staff on duty are forced to use battery-operated lanterns or the lights on their cell phones. The hospital also offers Echocardiogram (ECG) services, however, the machine has been unserviceable but Dr. Uthman said all efforts are being made to have the equipment up and functioning soonest. However, despite challenges, the hospital has been able to serve the patients visiting the facility to access health care services. Alluding to statistics, Dr. Uthman said for the period January to September 2019, a total of 106,737 patients had visited the Outpatients Department and were treated. Infant and Child Health saw and treated 1, 722 patients; with the Chronic Disease Department having the highest number-- 2,684 patients; Family Planning Department seeing 150, 114 were Referrals and 3,452 persons benefitting from dressings. Catchment Area Dr. Uthmam noted that the Outpatients Department sees patients from as far as Mahaicony to the East and Lusignan and other areas to the West. And while all patients are given medical attention, Dr. Uthman said it is preferred that persons, when ill, visit the medical facility located within their catchment area. As such, patients outside of the Dr. CC Nicholson’s catchment area are so advised if they

are to have follow up visits. She surmised that most people probably visit her location because of the late hours of service being offered. Additionally, other services being offered at the facility include Antenatal clinics on Wednesday, with Monday and Tuesday set aside for Child Health Services clinic. Family Planning and Admission of newborns on Thursday and Friday; Phlebotomy services are conducted on Wednesday by a team from the GPHC, who, having conducted the testing process, takes the samples to the city for processing and the result are returned the following week. VCT testing and counselling are also services offered at the location, but with the location not a VCT site, patients requiring further treatment are referred to the Enmore or Beterverwagting Polyclinic or to the GHPC. Meanwhile, patients who need to have their wounds dressed can visit the hospital every day, inclusive of weekends. Dr. Uthman further explained that the facility is the only one on the East Coast corridor that is open to facilitate persons needing such services on weekends, as such patients from other clinics would turn up to access the service. Commenting on emergency services, the medical superintendent noted that while the services being offered are not to the maximum capacity, “we are getting there”. She pointed out, too, that the facility has a state-of-the-art ambulance, but that it is currently on loan to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and should be returned shortly. Meanwhile, should there be need for such a service at the facility, a vehicle is summoned from either Beterverwagting or the GPHC by the doctor on duty. Patients Response During the visit to the facility, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few of the patients who were seeking medical attention. Donette Bobb, who resides at Doch-Four Housing

Scheme, ECD, described the treatment offered as satisfactory with caring nurses and quite a pleasant environment for someone who needs medical attention. For Shenel Barnes, who was accompanying a sister seeking medical attention, while not having any current complaint, recalled visiting the facility some time back and claimed she was wrongly diagnosed for her illness and had to seek further medical attention at the GPHC. However, she stated that her father attends one of the clinics and is very satisfied with his treatment. Currently, limited parking is available for visitors to the hospital. This publication took note of the absence of an independent parking space for the hospital which is accessed by way of a narrow street. Dr. Salaamah Uthman -Medical Superintendent Dr. Salaamah Uthman hails from Ann’s Grove, ECD, one of the catchment areas within the hospital location, and she is a single mother of two children--a boy aged five years and a three-year, eight-month-old girl. The doctor was born in the Muslim faith to Shaheed and Khadija Uthman. Her mother is deceased. Prior to taking up a career in the medical field, Dr. Uthman, who was schooled at the Enmore/Hope Primary, Golden Grove Secondary and Richard Ishmael Secondary Schools before enrolling at the University of Guyana and graduating in 2007, said she contemplated being a teacher and a flight attendant. Having trained in Cuba from 2008 to 2013, the doctor said she returned to Guyana and completed rotations at several hospitals/clinics on the West Coast of Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown. Prior to assuming duties at the CC Nicholson’s Hospital, she functioned as the Doctor-in-Charge at the clinic at Victoria, the village where her parents roots are grounded.

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Children coping with bereavement AT some time during our lives, we will experience bereavement, and how we deal with it, as adults, has an impact on how it is perceived and accepted by the children in our presence. A grown woman told the tale of how her aunt took her to the viewing of a deceased neighbour when she was around six years old. The aunt, who wanted the then child to stop sucking her thumb, told her as they peered at the remains, “If you don’t stop sucking your thumb, Ms Rosie (the deceased) will come for you tonight.” The woman, now in her late 60s, recalls how she was terrified for years, and she most definitely ceased sucking her thumb. One can only hope that, nowadays, adults have a better understanding of how to interact with children at times of bereavement. When a family member or close friend dies, it affects everyone in the family in different ways. Those who were particularly close to the deceased may feel inconsolable, weak and grief-stricken; they undoubtedly will need empathy and support. Children are often overlooked during trying and traumatic times such as these, as the focus and responsibility falls upon the

adults to cope with their grief while making necessary arrangements. But children also need to be supported. When someone, who is usually around, is no longer there, even very young children (Birth to 18 months) can feel a sense of loss, and are conscious of the unhappiness and sorrow that emanates from the people around them. Trying to keep their routine as normal as possible will help them through what can seem like a confusing and unsettling time. A child’s concept of death, up to the age of about four years old, can be influenced by what they have seen in cartoons and various characters on television. They can easily believe that death is reversible, and the person could bounce back to life. It is advisable to talk openly, but age-appropriately, to children of this age, should the need arise. They need to understand that all living things have a lifespan, and are subject to grow old and die, usually in that order; that it is nature’s way of making room for new things to blossom and bloom. Our life’s cycle is an amazing science that we need to accept and embrace. When an elderly person is ill and receiving palliative (end-of-life) care, it is easier to explain to a child that the person is old,

unwell and may soon die. A small amount of mental preparation can buffer the impact of the loss when it occurs; although, for all involved, it will still be a distressing and bewildering experience. Children deal with grief in different ways; unlike adults, they might be sorrowful one moment and playing games the next. It may seem as if they have conquered their grief, but they are simply finding their way of coping with the trauma of bereavement When someone dies unexpectedly, through an accident or sudden illness, it can be a shock that both adults and children find hard to comprehend. Helping children to express their feelings, through talking or by reading them a story in which a person or animal dies, will encourage conversation. It is quite normal for children to cry, and for them to see their family members crying; but grief is a personal emotion, so as far as it is possible, parents should try to reduce the amount of drama and anguish that children witness during this sensitive period. Arts and crafts, such as painting, drawing pictures and making models, can be therapeutic ways of relieving grief for children. While children cannot be protected from the experience of the pain of loss, parents can,

however, help them develop suitable coping skills. Feelings of emptiness, confusion, sorrow and sometimes even guilt can be part of the emotional turmoil that children experience at a time of bereavement. They need to feel loved; to be hugged and reassured that all will be well. Space, time and a listening ear could make all the difference to how they cope. Having an understanding person to talk to is always better than keeping things bottled up inside. Because children do not know any better, they may prefer to hold things inside rather than run the risk of upsetting an adult who is already in grief. It is a fact that people do not like to talk about death, but it is, undoubtedly, the one thing we can be sure of in life. It is better to allow children to ask questions and express their feelings during times of bereavement, rather than dismissing or overlooking what they are more than likely experiencing. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979, or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Guyana wins Albert Einstein gold medal –– in global robotics competition TEAM Guyana copped the 2019 Albert Einstein Award for excellence at the First Global Robotics Competition at the Festival Arena in Dubai on Sunday. The First Global Challenge is an annual Olympics-style robotics competition organised by the International First Committee Association. It promotes STEM education and careers for youth. In the case of the ‘Albert Einstein Award for First Global International Excellence,’ it is presented to teams whose robots performed the best during the First Global Challenge, and exemplified all of the tenets of the First Global community. The Albert Einstein Award is one of several categories in the competition where teams are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. Participating in the competition for the third consecutive year, Guyana fielded a team that included eight participants – all members of STEMGuyana. “Team Guyana overcame tremendous challenges to end the 3 day global tournament with 6 victories and 3 losses which earned them an overall ranking of 39th place out of the 190 countries which took part in the global competition. The ranking means that Guyana finds itself among the elite top 25 per cent teams in world rank-

ings,” STEMGuyana said in a statement. Ahead of the competition Team Guyana faced many challenges even after it left Guyana for Dubai. The team’s robot did not arrive in Dubai until the night before the competition started. The robot was partially damaged “Day 1 saw the Team Guyana alliance winning 2 out of 3 games, the loss due to failure of a motor which stopped the team from shooting to earn points. The team ended the day in 24th overall ranking. Day 2’s play of 4 games began with two brilliant back to back victories and 2 painful losses, one well-earned but the other due to another failure of a motor on the robot. The losses dropped Team Guyana into 62nd ranking and put tremendous pressure on the young team to win both final games on day three. Day three brought victories and high scores as Team Guyana members worked together to execute their game strategies and rally back to end the day among the elite 25 per cent of teams in the world,” the STEMGuyana further reported. Annually, in the First Global Challenge participating teams face varying themed challenges, in an effort to foster understanding and cooperation among the youth of the world as they use their abilities to

Team Guyana at 2019 First Global Challenge in Dubai (STEMGuyana Photo) solve the world’s problems. This year the challenge was themed around clearing the ocean of pollutants. The Ocean Opportunities challenge saw two competing alliances, each comprised of three teams from different nations, work to clear the ocean of pollutants. Cleanup Crews have two (2) minutes and thirty (30) seconds to collect pollutants,

deliver them to processing areas, and finally remove their robots, also known as collectors, from the ocean. Guyana first began participating in the competition in 2017. Back then, the team was ranked first at the end of the first day and placed 10th overall at the end of the competition held in Washington, DC.

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Kato Secondary School gets ICT boost! – school receives tablets to improve education delivery teach at the Hinterland school in 2018, said that the tablets are a welcome addition to her classroom. “We’re so grateful for it; we’re going to see progress.” She observed that there is more participation in class from her students who are intrigued by the endless realm of possibilities being made available to them using smart devices.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and the Headteacher and teachers of Kato Secondary School. The Ministry of Education has been collaborating with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to provide internet access and 21st-century learning opportunities for all hinterland communities. Today, hundreds of hinterland students are now learning in 21st-century classrooms as Kato Secondary School, in Region 8, benefitted from a donation Eon Adams, a trained of electronic tablets. The Astrid English, a trained teacher of Kato Secondtablets were distributed at a teacher of Kato Second- ary School community meeting in Kato, ary School levels at the flagship instituon Sunday, which saw the Public Infrastructure, David tion located in sub-District 1, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry along with Patterson engaging residents. North Pakaraima. The electronic devices Astrid English, one of Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Catherine will be used to enhance ed- the trained teachers from the Hughes, and Minister of ucation delivery in all grade coast who volunteered to

Eon Adams, another trained teacher, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the introduction of the tablets into the classroom will significantly improve the learning outcomes of the students. The tablets are part of a greater push to foster learning while bridging the gaps in education between hinterland and coast. So far, 72 remote Hinter-

land villages have benefited from internet connectivity, allowing increased access to public services in Hinterland communities. Kato Secondary School is home to students from several catchment areas across the Potaro-Siparuni Region. It is equipped with internet access and a smart classroom rendering it the most modern school in the entire region. (DPI)

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Gov’t pushes social cohesion at Kopinang

“WHATEVER is happening, be it in education, be it in health, be it in infrastructure, what is happening on the coastland, the Indigenous people will benefit,” Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing Annette Ferguson pledged recently during a meeting in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) with residents of Kopinang. With her at the time was Minister of

Cohesion, so as “to bring all citizens together under one accord”. The meeting saw the two ministers actively addressing matters on the ground, and reminding residents to hold their local representatives accountable when projects, which are slated for the development of the community, are not executed. While there, Minister Norton seized the opportunity to commit to assisting

firearm licences, a rehabilitated playfield, primary school bridge, airstrip, community youth centre and technical assistance for farmers forwarded to the relevant ministers and agencies for resolution.

Minister Norton addressing Kopinang residents

BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE Frequently described as “one of the most beautiful villages in Guyana,” Kopinang, located in the North Pakaraimas, is home to the Patamona people. The Wokumung/Kopinang Mountain takes up most of the background of Kopinang Mission, with some of the highest peaks in Guyana, some reaching up to 6,000ft. They make up part of the North Pakaraimas in the Potaro region. (DPI)

Minister Ferguson having a chat with some of the children she met while at Kopinang Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton. Noting that the time has come for the gap to be closed between the coast and the interior regions, Minister Ferguson said it was President David Granger’s push for a united Guyana that inspired the creation of the Ministry of Social

with efforts to diversify crop production, from cassava to bora, ochro, eggplant, and other vegetables, with the provision of seeds and technical assistance via the Ministry of Agriculture. Pledges were also made to have requests for village transportation,

At the community meeting held recently in Kopinang

Make agriculture your business –– Agri specialists urge East Coast villages RESIDENTS of Buxton/ Friendship, Vigilance and Annandale are being equipped to transform their education into businesses by the Buxton-Friendship Museum, Archives and Culture Centre Inc. (BFMACC). On Sunday, BFMACC hosted its first Economic Development and Health Seminar at the Buxton Museum. During the seminar, residents were taught how to build capacity for Community Economic Development (CED) through information sharing and consultation. In delivering a presentation on Agriculture and Livestock Management, LBI Estate Manager, Corbet Vic-

torine, told the residents that agriculture goes hand in hand with economic development as it plays the key role in food security and employment. Agriculture, he noted, is now taking on a greater business approach, and challenges such as access to land, labour, capital and heavy competition come in to play. However, he advised that proper management can make the difference between the levels of success and failure. “There is an artistic aspect to management. That is where managers separate themselves…those of us who can utilise the conditions and apply the art, those are the people who tend to succeed,”

the LBI Estate Manager said. Victorine told the gathering that there are numerous careers in agriculture and villages must begin to see the importance in the field. “I implore on all of us that after a session like this, we must proceed to do the work that signals our attention to raise ourselves to [new] heights…it cannot be done at these sessions alone,” he said. Victorine also hailed the museum as a true representation of the stalwart performance that Buxton is capable of, which has come strictly from the thought process of the people. In her presentation on business opportunities for

agri-prenurs, Agro Technological Scientist and Lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Pat Francis said that many young people are leaving the field of agriculture, thereby creating a gap in the number of trained persons. “This is one of the main problems in our country where the young people who we trained, who we taught, would go to the farms, are not going there; so a different approach is being tried,” she said. “We have to make agriculture interesting enough so young people will want to stay,” Dr. Francis added. This is why institutions such as the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), are now encouraging students to form business projects while in school for further advance

post-graduation. Dr. Fracis noted that UG and GSA have also recently embarked on a project which will see innovations done on campus addressing the agriculture and agro-businesses challenges within communities. She also facilitated a breakout session on the concept of the business incubator or accelerator through which the attendees were able to ask burning questions. In written remarks, BFMACC President Ronald Willabus stated that the seminar sought to actively engage members of the communities in meaningful discussions which encourage positive changes and enhances economic opportunity. Meanwhile, BFMACC Founder, Keith Easton, stat-

ed that the programme was crafted as a result of a decline in social and economic conditions in the village. It is the hope of Easton that villagers will learn how to improve themselves economically by embarking on new business ventures, improving existing businesses and seeking out appropriate financing. At the seminar, the residents were also made aware of the importance of health in the villages and the benefits of traditional and alternative treatments. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Outreach provided free blood pressure testing while there was also information shared on diabetes, high blood pressure, natural herbs and nutrition.

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

CARICOM Secretariat exploring ways to end gender-based violence

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, with the support of the European Union (EU), is working assiduously to address negative manifestations of masculinity that are attributed to gender-based violence in society. The EU’s support has allowed the CARICOM Secretariat to facilitate robust discussions which have interrogated gender stereotypes and inequalities in Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The discussion has now moved to Belize among primary, secondary and tertiary educators, representatives of faith-based and non-governmental organisations, as well as social and correctional institutions. Their discussions are being expertly facilitated by Professor Emerita of the University of the West Indies, Ms. Barbara Bailey, and Dr. Peter Weller of CARIMAN, within the framework of the project themed: Rethinking Masculinity, Understanding Gender Equality as a Means of Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Caribbean Schools. The project is funded under the Crime and Violence component of the CARIFORUM-EU 10th European Development Fund (EDF). In a release the CARICOM Secretariat said the outreach was conceptualised as a result of the findings of a 2012 study – Youth, Masculinities, and Violence in the Caribbean – which revealed that male aggression and prowess are often precursors to violence. In summing up, the study reported that males tend to resort to violence as a first option, due to the belief that they need to be aggressive and exercise power in relationships, to prove their manhood. In addition, the young males held the view that this display of masculinity is strongly influenced by society: family, school, peers, and the opposite sex. Deviation risks ridicule. The CARICOM Secretariat is taking a whole-of-society approach in countering these harmful beliefs. However, there is recognition, supported by the study, that educational institutions should play a key role in re-socialising males and females. It should also play a key role in the search for solutions to tackle the root causes and solutions to crime and violence. In her address to the opening of the workshop on Thursday 24 October, Deputy-Programme Manager for Gender and Development within the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms. Ann-Marie Williams, said the study identified schools as an important place of influence in the construction of masculinity. She noted that the findings were clear on the role of teachers in preventing gender-based violence and in passing on positive messages to students through the curricula that “violence is wrong and masculinity can be rooted in peace.” Underscoring the importance of the

discussion, Ms. Williams posited that women’s role and status in society have benefitted from “decades of conversations” but boys were left at the periphery of these vital debates. “No commensurate movement has emerged to help them to navigate towards the full expression of their gender,” she stated. Ms. Williams said recently, there have been noticeable attempts at “unpacking” the issue of masculinity. It was given perspective in the 2015 Regional Synthesis Report of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, in the Caribbean Joint Statement on Gender Equality, and in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive road map to achieve gender equality and women empowerment. It is against this backdrop that Ms. Williams said the

define them as men. However, he pointed out, “We are all short-changed by gender inequality.” Speaking directly to men, Mr. Martinez said, “We need to truly understand that when women in our lives and society do well, when they are afforded an equal opportunity to realise their full potential, without undue obstacles, that must not diminish us as men. To the contrary, it is shown over and over again that when women do well, everyone benefits.” Belize can “ill afford gender inequality,” Mr. Martinez posited. “We are a small population and if we were to achieve our national goals, we need to be firing on all cylinders,” he stated. Encouraging the discourse he said, “Our children deserve to grow and thrive in a peaceful society, so we need to confront

Ms. Ann-Marie Williams, Deputy Programme Manager for Gender and Development addressing the opening of the workshop in Belize, Belize City

Belize’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community, His Excellency Lawrence Sylvester (centre) was among the dignitaries present during the opening ceremony Gender and Development Programme of the CARICOM Secretariat is taking “a proactive approach to improve regional policy directives in education planning and instruction.” Minister with responsibility for gender issues in Belize, The Hon. Anthony Martinez, in his address, said Belize is pleased to be one of the pilot countries for this important discourse. Belize along with Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname were the countries from which sample populations of over a thousand young people, teachers and parents were used in the study. “In view of the findings of this study, we can all appreciate the need for this workshop and its objectives ...to provide key stakeholders with effective strategies to engage youth in embracing positive ideas of masculinity and gender, in order to prevent violence in schools and in the society,” Mr. Martinez said. The Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation added that there is a recognition that the messages boys are getting from society about manhood, allude to their physical strength, aggression and competitiveness as the only quality that should

the root causes of crime head on, and certainly, distorted ideas of manhood is one of them.” Expressing hope that the workshop will contribute to bringing about behaviour changes and fostering a “culture of peace in society,” he told the participants to take full advantage of the expertise present. He also encouraged them to “fully engage with the material” to be equipped with best practices that can be integrated in interventions, at the national level. Mr. Nicolaus Hansmann, Team Leader, EU Technical Office in Belize, told the meeting his organisation “is very proud to support the initiative through the 10th EDF.” He agreed with Ms. Williams that for a long time, gender studies were written about women and girls. “Gender equality was seen as women’s concern and to be a man, seen as neutral or normal,” he stated. However, Mr. Hansmann noted that more attention is now placed on that connection between men, masculinity and gender inequality, which is especially visible in interpersonal violence issues. He posited that men should play an “important role in preventing all forms of violence and in protecting victims” because not only are

they the main perpetrators of violence, but they are also the main victims of it. “The EU is pleased with the initiative at the regional level. It appreciates that the National Women’s Commission is involved,” he said, underscoring the importance of women’s involvement in carrying forward the benefits of their participation to other spheres of society, including the homes. Mr. Hans noted that the EU continues to play a key role in the development of Belize with recent multi-million dollar funding of key projects in health, sustainable energy, and in improving public finance management. The Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of Belize, The Honourable Patrick Faber, the final speaker at the opening, fully endorsed the initiative. “We are very happy that the Ministry of Education can partner in this exercise because the teachers have a lot of influence on what is going on in the society.” He also encouraged a whole-of-society approach to tackling gender-based violence encouraging “everyone to put their shoulders to the whole” in addressing the root causes of toxic masculinity. The workshop continued on Friday, October 25 with an exploration of ideas on ideal Caribbean masculinity, and key actionable interventions that will make those ideals become reality. The opening ceremony was graced with the presence of several dignitaries including Belize’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community, His Excellency Lawrence Sylvester. He plays a key role within the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassador in translating regional policies into national action, and in the implementation of the CARICOM Strategic Plan.

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Doctor, medical outreaches for Monkey Mountain –– Health Minister pledges

Several issues in the Region Eight community of Monkey Mountain have been addressed. The Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe visited the region recently. During the visit, Senior

Health Worker, Ediouldo Juan, who works at a health post in the region, requested that a doctor be stationed in the area. Juan also asked for transportation to be provided for emergency patients and to be able to conduct home visits. Further, he made it known that there’s a need for an improved communication system be-

tween the regional administration and the village, among other things. Minister Lawrence explained that there is a budgeted upgrade for the health post scheduled in 2020. As part of the upgrade, the ministry has committed to ensuring that an ATV is purchased and assigned to the Monkey Mountain

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence engages Monkey Mountain residents. Health Post. Further, taking into consideration the 900+ population in the village, there is a short-term system in place for a doctor to be deployed to work in the community for the remainder of the year. This will be done as the ministry develops a long-term solution. “We are going to send up a health team here on Thursday [Oct. 31], and Friday [Nov. 1]. So, ensure that everyone knows and they come to do all the necessary medical checks. Next month, we will send in two doctors temporarily until we can work out something more long term.” Minister Lawrence posited. The Public Health Minister also pointed out the need for the Regional administration, which manages the health budget, to prioritise health matters to reduce the gaps which currently exist. “We committed, in 2015, to putting all our energies towards the development of the people of

Guyana… and that is what we will continue to do especially with healthcare,” the Public Health Minister assured. A resident, Hampton King was among many others who welcomed the news of the waiving of the qualification requirements for entry into public health training programmes for young Indigenous people. He noted that this will allow more young people to return and give back to the community. “I must say that I am happy to hear that there will be job opportunities because we would want to see our youths and our children that left secondary school to have the chance to apply to work within this health system because we know a lot of youths would want to but are discouraged by their grades,” King said. Addressing the issue of accommodation for hinterland persons at the Hostel in Georgetown, Minister Garrido-Lowe disclosed that several changes have

been made to the building over time by the government. “We have started to make improvements at the hostel in Georgetown with the addition of the new wing, and we will have a furnished room for a night nurse who will help to look after patients since it has been pointed out that it is difficult for persons with health-related illnesses to be attended to,” Minister Garrido-Lowe explained. To this end, Minister Lawrence committed to providing four patient care assistants. The personnel will provide aftercare services to recovering patients who will be staying at the hostel. She noted that an additional ten would be provided in 2020 to facilitate a shift system for more efficient delivery of service. Both ministers reiterated the fact the Coalition administration is working to close all gaps that exist between the hinterland and coast. (DPI)

Residents of Monkey Mountain gathered to meet with the two ministers.

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Lindeners ‘pink up de town’ –– as annual cancer-awareness march turns 19

HUNDREDS of Lindeners turned out in support of the ‘Women on the Move: Walk, Ride or Jog Cancer Awareness Movement’ on Sunday, as they flooded the streets of Mackenzie and Wismar, bedecked in their pink attire. Sunday marked 19 years the cancer awareness march has been held in Linden, and with each passing year, its support keeps growing. The event was held under the theme ‘Pink All Over’, and saw hundreds of residents marching as individuals, families, social groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies and schools.

vent cancer. Prizes were then presented for the best banner; largest contingent; best chant; and best attire among other categories. The One Mile Primary School copped the ‘Best Dress’ prize, while the Region Ten Police Division walked away with the ‘Best Chant’ prize. The march also placed emphasis on those survivors still fighting the disease, particularly those residing in Linden. Survivors who were unable to participate in the march were visited at their homes by members of ‘Women on The Move,’ and were presented with hampers.

Councillor Lawrence Simon and his family Among entities participating in the march were the Linden Hospital Complex; the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); the Region Ten Police Division; Republic Bank; and the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN). In total, there were in excess of 15 banners, in addition to groups which marched in memory of family members and friends who lost the fight to cancer. While pink was the colour of choice this year, the march was not only in recognition of the fight against breast cancer, but all forms of cancer, including those affecting men. The march commenced at strategic points on the Wismar shore, and culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club, where a short sensitisation programme was held. There, participants were treated to short talks on preventative measures to be taken to pre-

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Valarie Yearwood, also presented survivors with plants, as a means of encouraging them to exercise through gardening, and to see plants as a useful source of alternative medicine as well. On Thursday, a candlelight vigil was held to incorporate the spiritual aspect of the activity and to give relatives and friends a chance to reflect on those who would have passed. In 2000, Women on the Move hosted the first cancer awareness race for women and the event was restructured since then, to include the growing participation of men. Public Information Officer of Women on the Move, Cammille Cummings, related that awareness has indeed grown in Linden in recent years as a result of the event. Business owners are decorating their stores

in pink throughout October, while residents are wearing the colour daily. Designers are even prioritising the creation of pink attire for clients, during the month. The group, she said, will continue to fight cancer through spreading the gospel of awareness.

The Region 10 Police Division on the move on Sunday

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

Poor service could hurt Guyana’s tourism industry –– UK envoy warns, calls for greater tourism experience

By Wendella Davidson BRITISH High Commissioner Greg Quinn said Guyana must create an enabling environment to allow its Tourism Industry to flourish. Tourists, he said, must have the best possible experience when visiting Guyana, warning that failure to provide a higher quality of service could prevent growth within the industry. “You can have the best flora, fauna and scenery in the world but if the tourism industry provides a poor experience to see that, the best counts for nothing. Tourists are a fickle bunch. There will always be the hardy, adventurous type who will go anywhere but the high value, high spending tourists are less adventurous, they want luxury and service, they want to feel special and that is where the money is,” the British High Commissioner said.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn ( top right) delivering the feature address at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Annual Dinner and Auction at the Marriott Hotel secure the largest number of tourists to Guyana but in order to accomplish such goal, all the players within the tourism industry must work together.

Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Claude Fraser and wife, Melanie, winners of one of the bottles of `high quality acclaimed’ wine during the auction for the benefit of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF). At the time, he was delivering the keynote address at the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Annual Dinner and Auction, held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday. In keeping with the theme `Creating an enabling environment for the Private Sector Tourism Enterprises,’ High Commissioner Quinn said the ultimate goal is to

A thriving tourism industry will significantly impact the economy, he said while encouraging operators within the industry to develop and expand their tourism products. Using Scotland as an example, the British High Commissioner said the country is not resting on its laurels but is in the middle of a 2020 tourism strategy, which was

designed around four critical areas – digital tourism, leadership, quality of the customer experience and investment in infrastructure. Here in Guyana, he noted digital tourism is also being developed in addition to other critical areas. High Commissioner Quinn said while government has its role to play in the advancement of the industry by creating an enabling environment, the private sector must also do its part. “So this is about collaboration and mutual support, working together to ensure the best possible business environment that includes the best possible business product,” he said. The British High Commissioner added: “Guyana is on the cusp of a transformation because of oil and gas but life and business is not all about oil and gas. It is about using the proceeds from oil and gas to develop other sectors, to build other business and to develop other industries. Oil and gas can provide the funds to build the infrastructure and develop and enhance the wider community and the visitors experience …” In this modern world, protection of the eco-system

and the natural habitats are high on everyone’s agenda and Guyana is already seen as a leader in this area. It is an obvious hook on which to continue to build and expand the industry. He said Guyana has a great tourism potential and revenues from the oil and gas Industry can be used to further develop the industry. Meanwhile, THAG President, Mitra Ramkumar, explained that the Dinner and Auction was THAG’s main fundraiser to assist the association in achieving its mandate. THAG has partnered with the Guyana Police Force for the establishment of ‘Tourism Police’ with increased presence at key tourist zones and sites. It has also worked with the Ministry of Education for the realization of the hospitality institute. Added to that, THAG has been working with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Ministry of Public Infrastructure to execute an Urban Peacemaking Project for Georgetown to regain its title as the `Garden City.’ It has also collaborated with the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest)

and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to publish a Tax Exemption Guide for the tourism sector. Importantly, too, the association has

auctioneer. The first was for several bottles of high-quality acclaimed `fine’ wines that were wrapped and placed in gift bags to conceal the brand. Interested participants, having paid $5,000 were allowed to choose a bag. One such winner was Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Claude Fraser and his wife, Melanie. Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan, founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) was gifted with the proceeds from the bid, to aid in the continued initiative towards supporting cancer patients. More bids followed, this time for attractive `get-away’ vacations to Caribbean destinations and local resorts, canvas paintings and dinners. Prizes were also won by some ticketed patrons. Providing lively musical entertainment was the Marriott-based `Famme B’ orchestra which saw some patrons strutting their stuff on the dance floor. Chairperson

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar makes a presentation to Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) worked closely with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Ministry of Public Health and the GTA to implement a programme for a healthier and safer destination. Spicing up the occasion were two fund-raising auctions with Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes performing an admirable duty as the

of the evening’s event was Advertising and Communications consultant, Alex Graham. In the audience were Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes; members of the Diplomatic Corps, THAG members, business partners and representatives from affiliated associations

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

guyana CHRONICLE Monday, october 28, 2019

13 companies, contractors barred from local procurement TWELVE companies and individual contractors operating in Guyana have been debarred from participating in the procurement process by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) made the announcement recently in a newspaper notice in which the commission itself also debarred another local contractor. “Debarment” is defined in the Procurement Act as a determination by the PPC that a supplier or contractor should be excluded from participating in procurement proceedings for a prescribed period of time. The penalty can come on the grounds of the presentation of falsified information; collusion between the bidders or a bidder and a public; interference with the participation of competing bidders; misconduct; conviction on a criminal offence or a civil judgement or conviction of a crime related to business or professional activities. Those singled out by the IDB and World Bank were China Railway First Group (Guyana) Inc., debarred until September 16, 2021; Sidrai Enterprises of No. 6 Village, West Coast Berbice, debarred until June 29, 2024 and Abel Khemraj Rai of 89 Bonasika Street, Georgetown, debarred until August 22, 2024. Debarred until December 28, 2030 were Vevakanand Dalip Enterprise Branches in Region Nine and Four; Vevakanand Dalip of Lot 97 Phase 2, Lethem; Mr. Vevakanand of 71 Somerset Court, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Ms. Sabrina Mary Williams of Lot 97 Phase 2, Lethem; Ms. Sabrina Mary Williams of 71 Somerset Court, EBD; Invepar Constructora LTD-ME of 71 Somerset Court, EBD and Invepart Constructora LTD-ME of Lot 97 Phase 2, Lethem. Meanwhile, the PPC debarred Mohamed Fasil Yunas Trading as well as Yunas Civil and Building Construction Services and Mohamed Fasil Yunas Trading under any other names for one year beginning October 25, 2019. The PPC stated that, guided by Regulation 3(2) of the Procurement (Suspension and Debarment) Regulations 2019, the contractors have been automatically debarred effective October 27, 2019. A press release from the World Bank earlier in September had indicated that China Railway First Group Co. Ltd. (CRFG), a Chinese state-owned construction company, was debarred in connection with fraudulent practices under the Dasu Hydropower Stage I Project Pakistan. The company’s local branch had been awarded the contract for the widening of the ECD highway. According to the law, any contractor or supplier that has been debarred from participating in the procurement process of another jurisdiction or an international organisation shall be automatically debarred from participating in Guyana by the Commission. Meanwhile, Vevakanand Dalip Enterprises, Vevakanand Dalip, Abel Khemraj Rai and Sidrai Enterprises were debarred for “fraudulent and collusive practices.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

MON, 28 October, 2019 - 04:30hrs - 06:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

HAMILTON WINS IN MEXICO (BBC) - LEWIS Hamilton won the Mexican Grand Prix with a superbly controlled drive in a tactical fight with Ferrari to move to the brink of the world title.

And Vettel took his strategy into his own hands to decide to do the same when Hamilton made his stop. Ferrari had the chance to pit on the next lap and retain the lead, but Vettel

pit stop questioned whether they had given him too long to make the tyres last, and who was also battling a car damaged by the contact with Verstappen. He complained so much

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Great Britain during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.

(Photo by Peter J Fox/Getty Images)

Hamilton will clinch his sixth championship at the US Grand Prix next Sunday as long as he does not lose more than 22 points to Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton triumphed in a tense, slow-burn race of divergent strategies between the four Mercedes and Ferrari drivers. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was second, ahead of Bottas and Charles Leclerc. The four men closed up in the final laps as their different tactics came together. While Mercedes could congratulate themselves on gambling on a one-stop strategy with a long second stint to gain track position on Vettel and then hold off the German to the end, there will be questions over Ferrari’s decisions. The Italian team twice gave up the lead, first with pole position winner Charles Leclerc, who was pitted out of first position after 15 laps to stick to a two-stop strategy decided before the race.

suggested they “leave him to it”, a decision that meant they would stop later and try to come back at Hamilton at the end of the race on fresher tyres. Vettel had tyres that were 14 laps fresher than Hamilton’s for the climax to the race, but the reigning champion was more than capable of holding the Ferrari back. But the win was not without anxiety for Hamilton, who shortly after his

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South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park

that Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles came on the radio, a rare event used only at critical moments, to reassure Hamilton: “You can do this.” In the closing laps, as Vettel was urged on by Ferrari, Hamilton was able to hold his advantage at just over two seconds and take his 10th win in 18 races this season. He leaves Mexico City, where he tied up the championship in both the last two

seasons, with a 74-point lead over Bottas, the only man who can mathematically beat him. He needs to leave Austin, Texas, next weekend with a lead of 52 points to become only the second man in history to win more than five F1 world titles. The only way that can happen is if Bottas wins and Hamilton finishes lower than eighth, a highly unlikely scenario in normal circumstances, especially at a circuit where Hamilton has excelled since its debut on the calendar in 2012. The divergent strategies meant that for the third race in a row Ferrari had turned first and second on the grid into a poorer race result. A chaotic first lap took Red Bull’s Max Verstappen out of the picture, the Dutchman dropping to ninth place as he tangled with Hamilton, who had an oversteer moment as they disputed third behind the Ferraris at Turn Two. On the run down to the first corner, Hamilton, who started fourth, had been challenging Vettel for second behind Leclerc, but was edged on to the grass by the Ferrari. Ferrari had the onetwo positions they would have wanted at the end of the first lap but somehow they still conspired to lose the race.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, October 26, 2019)

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

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Clifford Roach-122 (vs ENG, Barbados, 1930) (2) Rahmat Shah-102 (vs BANG, Chittagong, 2019) TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who is the first WI Test captain? (2) Who is the first Afghanistan Test captain?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Irish Racing Tips Galway 08:40 hrs Mazara 09:10 hrs Njord 09:45 hrs Meeting 10:20 hrs Vocatus 10:55 hrs Tuamhain 11:30 hrs Tidal Action

12:05 hrs Pretty Fantasy 12:35 hrs Grace To Grace Wexford 08:50 hrs Arthur Fonzarelli 09:25 hrs Bua Boy 10:00 hrs Shumaker 10:35 hrs Punitive 11:45 hrs Éclair De Beaufeu 12:20 hrs Axiomatic English Racing Tips Ayr 09:00 hrs Aurora Thunder

09:35 hrs Ebony Jewel 10:10 hrs Three Is Company 10:45 hrs Damiens Dilemma 11:20 hrs Rightdownthemiddle 11:55 hrs Legal Beagle Kempton 12:25 hrs Secrefact 12:55 hrs Crispina 13:30 hrs Bryn Du 14:00 hrs Zafeer 14:30 hrs Ya Hayati 15:00 hrs Fennaan 15:30 hrs Firelight 16:00 hrs Quintada

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

Australia demolish Sri Lanka by 134 runs BBC - DAVID Warner hit his maiden Twenty20 international century as Australia demolished Sri Lanka by 134 runs. Warner’s unbeaten 100 came from 95 balls as the Aussies blasted 233-2 from their 20 overs in Adelaide. Sri Lanka could only manage 99-9 in reply as the Australia bowlers ripped into them, with all-rounder Dasun Shanaka top scoring on 17. “It obviously means a lot,” said left-handed opener Warner, who was celebrating his 33rd birthday. “It is a good milestone... we put a great total on the board and it was always going to be difficult to chase in Australia.” Warner, who endured a difficult Test summer in England with the bat, was supported well by skipper Aaron Finch (64), with whom he shared an opening stand of 122, and Glenn Maxwell’s (62), with whom he added 107 as the Aussies posted an

imposing total - the fourth highest in their T20 history. Spinner Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with 3-14, while pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took two wickets each as Lasith Malinga’s return as Sri Lanka captain turned into a disaster. Malinga went for 37 runs in four wicketless overs while his batsmen rolled over, six of them failing to reach double figures. The veteran pace bowler said his bowlers could not find the “right line and length” and struggled on the drop-in Adelaide Oval pitch. “I think all the players played the drop-in pitch for the first time and they didn’t know [the] behaviour of the wicket,” Malinga added. “But still this is not an excuse. We have to adjust to those conditions.” The second of their three T20 internationals takes place on Wednesday at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Liverpool survive Tottenham scare

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (11) scores his team’s second goal from a penalty past Paulo Gazzaniga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on October 27, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - LIVERPOOL’S Anfield fortress was briefly shaken by Tottenham Hotspur but Juergen Klopp’s side recovered to secure a 2-1 win and restore their six-point lead atop the Premier League on Sunday. Manchester United claimed their first away league victory of the season, beating Norwich City 3-1 despite missing two VAR-awarded penalties, and Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace. Newcastle United remained one point above the bottom three after drawing 1-1 at home with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield now stands at 45 but when Harry Kane put Tottenham in front after 48 seconds and the visitors led at the interval it appeared their marauding start to the season was in danger of ending. Kane headed in after Son Heung-min’s deflected shot struck the woodwork and the visitors led a charmed life as their keeper Paulo Gazzaniga pulled off some superb saves. Son also hit the bar early in the second half but Liverpool equalised soon after through Jordan Henderson before Serge Aurier’s rash challenge handed Liverpool a penalty which

Mohamed Salah tucked away. Liverpool survived late scares but moved to 28 points from their opening 10 games — two more than they earned from the same period last season when they went on to finish runners-up to Manchester City. City, who beat Aston Villa on Saturday, have 22 points. Tottenham, in 11th place after a fourth defeat of the season, find themselves in the bottom half of the table heading into November for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino. The only bright note was Kane’s opportunist effort which took him to equal third with Martin Chivers on Tottenham’s all-time scoring list on 174 goals. VAR reared its head again elsewhere on Sunday. Manchester United were awarded two penalties in the opening half against Norwich, the first after referee Stuart Attwell appeared rightly to not give a spot-kick when United’s Daniel James and Ben Godfrey tangled. United were awarded another penalty via VAR for a Todd Cantwell handball. Both were saved by Tim Krul, the first from Marcus Rashford and the second from Anthony Martial.

Welsh hearts broken by South Africa

(BBC) - WALES missed out on a first World Cup final in gut-wrenching fashion as Handre Pollard’s 76th-minute penalty snatched victory for South Africa in a gripping semi-final to set up a showdown against England. The first half was a war of attrition, three Pollard penalties giving the Springboks a 9-6 lead as they sought to overpower Wales up front and kick them into submission. Dan Biggar dragged Wales level with a penalty early in the second half, but then Damian de Allende burst through the Welsh defensive line to put South Africa 16-9 ahead. Wales sensed they had to go for broke and, after boldly opting for a scrum rather than a penalty in front of the posts against their hulking opponents, they worked the ball wide for Josh Adams to dive over for a converted try that made it 16-16.

Josh Adams is the top try scorer at the tournament with six

That set up a captivating final 10 minutes in which Wales drove forward in desperate search of the score that would keep alive their hopes of ending Warren Gatland’s reign with the ultimate prize in rugby. But they were denied as Pollard struck a fourth and match-winning penalty in the 76th minute. While South Africa can look forward to a final against England here in Yokohama next Saturday, Gatland’s final game as Wales head coach will be the third-place play-off against his native New Zealand in Tokyo on Friday. Heartache has stalked Wales at recent World Cups - Sam Warburton’s red card in an agonising 2011 semi-final loss to France, and then an injury-ravaged side’s late defeat by South Africa in 2015’s quarter-final. This was another painful chapter to add to their story - with more than a passing resemblance to that match against the Springboks four years ago - and yet it was so close to being a different story. Although this side contained four players from the 2011 semi-final and largely the same coaching staff, this was not a Wales team weighed down by history. In head coach Gatland and captain Alun Wyn Jones, they had leaders who had experienced the pain of those previous defeats but were not consumed by it. Even as injuries began to mount again in Japan - key players Liam Williams and Josh Navidi before this match, Tomas Francis and George North during it - Gatland and Jones were confident, relishing their tag of underdogs against South Africa, whom they had beaten in their past four meetings. However, this was a resurgent Springboks side on the prowl for a third World Cup. The respect was mutual during a cautious start in which both sides kicked constantly, eager not to make the first mistake.

LBI to play twice in today’s Inter-Jamaat Softball opening games

LBI ‘A and LBI ‘B’ teams will be in action today when a new season of the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO)/Trophy Stall 10/10 Inter-Jamaat Softball cricket competition bowls off at the MYO ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands. LBI A will play Tuschen Train Station Masjid from 9:00hrs, before the B team battle Cornelia Ida/Hague Masjid from 11:00hrs. The competition, which includes eight teams, will see them battling on Sundays at various grounds in a round robin format. The top four teams will then qualify for the knockout stage. Along with the teams in action today, defending champions Diamond New Scheme Masjid, runners up MYO, New Amsterdam Masjid and New Mosque are also in the competition.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

DCC beat Police in key NBS 40-over clash THE Demerara Cricket Club registered back-toback wins over the weekend, including an important victory against the previously unbeaten Police Sports Club when action

DCC’s Dexter George took 5-25 against Police yesterday.

continued in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-New Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40-over cricket competition. DCC defeated Bel Air Rubis II by six wickets on Saturday. Bel Air batted first and were routed for 94 in 27.1 overs (Steven Sankar 4-18 from eight overs and Daniel Mootoo 3-3 from 6.1 overs). DCC, who lost four wickets in the process, reached the target in 21.1 overs. Yesterday, the Queenstown team travelled to the Eve Leary ground to meet the home team in a decisive clash. The game was important because it keeps DCC in line for a semi-final spot. The top two teams from Zone B will reach the final

four, but so far, it has been a three-team race between the Everest Cricket Club, Police and DCC. DCC lost a heartbreaker to Everest via the Duckworth Lewis method a few weeks ago, so they were in a must-win position against the Lawmen to stay in the hunt. Police won the toss and opted to bowl first. It paid off with opening bowler Steven Harris trapping Joshua Persaud (0) leg before in the first over. Raymond Perez, who has been in form, then joined Dexter George, but the latter became Harris’s second victim to leave the score at 2-23. Although Perez played a few shots, he did spend some time at the crease for his 42 (2x4s, 3x6s), it was not until Ashmead Nedd

joined Derwin Christian that DCC were able to wrest control. The pair added 104 runs, with Nedd hitting 79 not out. The West Indies U-19 cricketer hit six fours and four sixes in his innings. Former national cricketer, Christian, struck three sixes in his knock of 35. DCC ended their 40 overs on 214-6. Harris led the attack with 3-26 from eight overs. In the middle, Police struggled to put together partnerships. Kemol Savory, who was just selected to represent Guyana at this year’s 2019 Colonial Medical Super50 Cup, led the attack with 49 (3x6s), but he fell victim to medium pacer, Dexter George. A few other batsmen had starts, including the

in-form Andrew Lyght Jr., who scored 26 at the top and Kevon Boodie (21), but George was in a no-nonsense mood as he decimated the middle order to pick up 5-25 from

6.5 overs. George’s exploits and two each from Nedd and Christian resulted in Police losing their last eight wickets for 53 runs (168 all out in 38.5 overs).

Daniel Mootoo (left) and Steven Sankar led DCC to victory against Bel Air Rubis II on Saturday.

Arsenal surrender two-goal Woods equals records for most PGA tour wins lead to Crystal Palace

Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka stormed down the tunnel after being jeered by home supporters

(BBC) - ARSENAL captain Granit Xhaka was involved in an angry confrontation with his own supporters as Crystal Palace came from two goals down to earn a point in an ill-tempered atmosphere at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were two up inside nine minutes as Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz took advantage of poor defending at corners - but it was all downhill from there for Arsenal and manager Unai Emery. Palace pulled one back before half-time when Luka Milivojevic scored from the spot following

a VAR intervention after referee Martin Atkinson had initially shown Wilfried Zaha a yellow card for diving in a tangle with Calum Chambers. And Palace were level seven minutes after the break when Jordan Ayew headed in James McArthur’s cross at the far post. The game turned toxic just after the hour when Xhaka was substituted to roars of delight from Arsenal’s fans, the newly-appointed captain reacting angrily to jeers at his slow departure by waving and cupping his ear sarcastically to the home support,

exchanging words before taking off his shirt and disappearing down the tunnel. Arsenal’s frustration and misery was complete when another VAR intervention infuriated Emirates Stadium and denied the Gunners victory after Sokratis scored from close-range late on. As the players returned to the centre circle, referee Atkinson was involved in more debate with Stockley Park, where an apparent foul by Chambers on Milivojevic was detected, causing widespread anger inside an arena that was already boiling over.

(BBC) - TIGER Woods equalled the PGA Tour record of 82 tournament wins with a three-stroke Zozo Championship victory. The 43-year-old world number 10 had seven holes to finish in Japan on Monday as he matched fellow American Sam Snead’s record, set in 1965. It was his first event since having his fifth knee operation nine weeks ago. In April, Woods won his first major for 11 years with victory at the Masters, leaving him three short of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. Snead was aged 52 when he won for the final time on the PGA Tour, while Nicklaus was 46 when he lifted the last of his major trophies. After his record-equalling

victory, Woods said: “The body can’t do what it used to but I can still think my way around the golf course. “I know how to play and I was able to do that this week. There was a time if I didn’t know if I would play again so I am very appreciative.” After his latest triumph at Augusta, Woods, who has also had four back surgeries, missed the cut at the PGA Championship and Open. He did not qualify for the Tour Championship finale, which he won the year before to reach 80 PGA wins and end a five-year spell without a PGA title, so chose to have arthroscopic surgery to repair minor cartilage damage in his left knee. The first official PGA Tour event in Japan was completed on Monday morning at the

Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, after more than six inches of rain fell in a typhoon and Friday’s second round was postponed. Woods played 29 holes on Sunday as the tournament attempted to make up for the weather delays. At 6.30am local time in Monday morning sunshine, he resumed his final round with a three-shot lead over Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. He dropped a shot at his first hole of the day after finding a greenside bunker, but rolled in a 10 foot putt to birdie the par five 14th and finished with a three-under round of 67 and a 19-under total. His first PGA title came 23 years ago this month at the Las Vegas Invitational, in a play-off against Davis Love III.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

B.M. Soat/G.S.S.F. 4th annual costume shooting confirmed

Mr. Munesh Ramsaywack, Supervisor of Marketing Department, hands over the check to GSSF Asst. Secretary/Treasurer and Director, Mr. Andrew Phang in the presence of GSSF Secretary, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon

The 4th annual BM Soat Auto Sales/ Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Costume Shooting match was confirmed as part of the year-end festivities. Recently, GSSF directors met at the showroom of B.M Soat Auto Sales, located at Lot 9 Croal Street, Georgetown, where Mr. Munesh Ramsaywack, Supervisor of the Marketing Department handed over the check. The GSSF committee promised the shoot will be even more exciting with invited participants expected to once again take part donning costumes of their liking, hats, wigs, paint, garb but will have to be within the safe confines of the sport. Four exciting Steel Challenge stages are expected to be set up under stringent security at the GDF Timehri Range and participants will fall under two divisions-Limited and Production. Meanwhile, prizes will be awarded to the top three shooters in each division and medals for a special category of Unclassified Beginner.

U19 Fast-bowlers Performance Training Program…

Clinic will help produce stronger batch of pacers--Barry By Clifton Ross

Guyana and West Indies A physiotherapist, Neil Barry Jr, said his 6-week elite amateur Under-19 fast-bowling clinic will help create a stronger, faster stock of quicks from a relatively younger age. Barry, son of former Guyana player Neil Barry, has been working overtime with regards to ensuring that the local players, those contracted and uncontracted alike, are in the best shape and are always match healthy. He told Chronicle Sports on Saturday that the clinic will target the younger crop of pace bowlers from across clubs in Guyana; while he also expects participation from a few notable players. He cited that the clinic, which last for 6 weeks, will have an hourly session a day, four days a week from 13:00hrs and will help condition young bowlers from the junior levels and get them acclimatized with bowling at consistent speeds. Monitoring of initial speeds, improvements or decline in speeds and the ability to maintain a consistent pace are among some of the areas that data will be collected and stored for each cricketer, Barry con-

firmed. “The programme is looking to provide elite amateur training to bowlers ranging from ages 14 to 19. All players could attend because it’s free and it will be managed by me along with 6 other trainers who will assess their speeds, see how they are able to sustain their speed by the time the clinic ends” Barry pointed out.

The Performance Enhancement Specialist further pointed out that the data recorded will be useful to the players as it helps them to get better when they play overseas. “Most of the player’s get exposed to those types of clinic at a senior levels, so it’s a chance for us to collect data on a larger scale and we want every local club player to get the chance at developing at

the same rate”. Apart from Barry, his six assistants are students from the University of Guyana’s Physiotherapy Department who will be assisting in the facilitating of the clinic, which is also in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI). The first session bowls off today at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC).

Guyana/Windies Performance Enhancement Specialist Neil Barry Jr. and a few of the students from the UG Physiotherapy Department who will be facilitating the bowling clinic

GCB/CWI Kiddy Progression One Cricket…

Wins for St. Pius, The New Guyana School

Jamal Fraser (L) and Donavan Welcome (R)

Jamal Fraser slammed a century, a rare feature in the GCB/CWI Kiddy Progression One Cricket competition which continued over the weekend. Playing for St. Pius against Smith’s Memorial, Fraser benefitted from his school’s opportunity to bat first, smashing an unbeaten 140, which included 13 fours and 11 sixes, to steer St. Pius to a massive 253 for 3 off just 14 overs; a 197 run win. Fraser featured in a 189 runs 4th wicket partnership with Donovan Welcome after the two came together with the score on 64 for 3, to propel St. Pius to the huge total. Welcome stroked 51 not out. Bowling for Smith’s Memorial, Romel Singh claimed 2 for 16. In reply, Smith’s Memorial never appeared capable of challenging the huge victory target set by St. Pius, scraping a paltry 56 off their allotted 14 overs. Bowling for St. Pius, Azarin Wilson took 2 for 1. In another afternoon match, New Guyana School got the better of St. Sidwell’s, mainly through a superb 4th wicket stand of 139 between Alex Bur-

nette and Adain Dharry. Batting first, New Guyana School posted a competitive 152-4 off their allotted 14 overs. Burnette slammed 43 not out, inclusive of two fours and four sixes. Dharry who appeared to be trying to match Burnette with shots, stroked an unbeaten 39, which included four fours and three sixes. The pair came together after St. Sidwell’s reduced The New Guyana School to13-3. In response, St. Sidwell’s could only manage to post 80 for 9 when their allotted 14 overs expired. Bowling for the New Guyana School, Tamala Thomas claimed a hat-trick to end with 3 for 2. Jose Rodrigues supported well with 2 for 4. The New Guyana School won by 72 runs. The tournament continues on Tuesday, 29 October, 2019, with the New Guyana School opposing St. Pius, and the North Georgetown Zone final between Winfer Gardens and North Georgetown. The afternoon matches will witness the commencement of the East Bank Demerara District, with Agricola competing against Eccles and Mocha Arcadia opposing Peter’s Hall.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 28, 2019

Radicals shipped ahead of GMR&SC International Race meet THE SR3 Radicals for the 2019 Guyana leg of the Radical Caribbean Cup were loaded on Friday to be shipped to Guyana. According to photos seen by the Guyana Chronicle, the eight promised radicals entered their respective containers, compliments of Tropical Shipping on Friday. In an invited comment, GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed stated that, “We have the commitment of four Barbadians, two Trinidadians and two Jamaicans whose cars are en route to Guyana.” “At the moment, Kristian Jeffrey is the lone Guyanese that will try to defend home

turf but he has no easy job. The Barbadians have announced recently crowned British F4 champion Zane Maloney as the man that will headline their charge.” “Of course, we cannot overstate one of the most important moving part of this entire operation, Tropical shipping. They are responsible for the movement of these cars across the Caribbean,” he added. According to a release from the organisers, those competing in the final round of the RCC championships are Barbadians Stuart Maloney, Sean Maloney, Zane Maloney and Mark Maloney

while Trinidad will see Kristian Boodoosingh and Luke Bhola and Jamaicans Horatio Brown and William Myers. Apart from the Radicals, there is expected to be competition from the Barbadians in groups two, three and four. Chronicle sport has also been able to confirm that Suleman Esuf is expected to compete in both groups two and three with his Honda Civic Trinidad has also confirmed participation but has not named their team as yet. The November 16-17 championship will take place at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

Suleman Esuf’s Honda Civic being packed into the container

Chase Academy and Charlestown Secondary win schools TT team titles -Wins for Burrowes and Thomas in female singles

CHASE Academy and Charlestown Secondary School registered team victories over the weekend in the Guyana Table Tennis Association, NSC, Ministry of Education, National Schools’ Novices, Elite Teams and Singles Table Tennis Championships, which was played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Chase Academy were able to defeat defending champions Bishops’ High School in the Elite U-18 Boys team battle, while Charlestown got past all rivals in the Novice female division. In the singles, 14-year-old Marian Academy student, Thuraia Thomas, repeated as U-18 Elite women’s winner, while Charlestown Secondary’s fifth former, Samirah Burrowes, gained

a second win when she defeated her twin sister, Sufah, in the Novice female finals. OLD RIVALRY It boiled down to the old rivals duking it out in the Elite U-18 Boys’ team battle. Bishop’s High went ahead with Jonathan Van Lange defeating Terrence Rausch 3-1 (12-10, 13-11, 8-11, and 14-12), before Jamal Nicholas tied the clash with a 3-1 (12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6) win against Krystian Sahadeo. Nicholas and Rausch then edged out national players, Van Lange and Sahadeo 3-2 in the doubles. They won 10-12, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4) to go on top. Van Lange kept Bishop’s in with a 3-2 (13-11, 9-11, 11-7, 6-11 and 11-9)

win against Nicholas, before Rausch got past Sahadeo 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-8) in the final clash to seal the win. According to Nicholas, the side did some training for their rivals. “It was great to beat the guys this year.” Thomas defeated Crystal Melville in the final of the U-18 female battle, that game ended 3-0 (11-7, 11-7 13-11). IMPROVEMENT Meanwhile, Charlestown females were able to work their way to the top in the Novice division. When they played in the last competition, none of the players registered a win, this year round they have become a dominant force. The girls credit table tennis coach Candacy McKenzie for their improve-

Thuraia Thomas defended her U-18 Elite Women’s title.

Charlestown Secondary School players: Samirah Burrowes, Coach Candacy McKenzie, Lisana Ramascindo and Sufah Burrowes. Chase Academy were led by (l-r) Terrence Rausch, Kaysan Ninvalle (who played earlier in the competition) and Jamal Nicholas.

ment. Not only did Charlestown finish first via the racquets of the Burrowes sisters, but their B team (made up of Lisana Ramascindo and U. Hackett) also finished second. Meanwhile, in their battle yesterday in the Novice female finals, Samirah got past her sister, Sufah 2-1 (12-10, 10-12, 11-4).

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Radicals shipped ahead of GMR&SC International Race meet

Two of the 8 SR3s being shipped to Guyana for the final leg of the Radical Caribbean Cup (RCC) which falls under the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s International Race Meeting.

Persaud retains Guyana open The winners of the 2019 edition of the Guyana Open

Male open champion Avinash Persaud and Womens champion Barbados Julia Stephenson. GUYANA’S Avinash Persaud retained his Guyana open title when the 2019 edition of the tournament concluded at the Lusigan Golf Course yesterday. The tournament featured more than 100 participants from across the Caribbean and North America meeting at the East Coast facility for two days of action. Details in tomorrow’s edition.

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Thuraia Thomas

Chase Academy and 27 Charlestown Secondary win schools TT team titles

Woods equals records for most PGA tour wins

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019