Issuu

TUESDAY 12th November, 2019

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Youths get into position to tap oil wealth

No.105819

… new organisation formed to get them involved in oil 03 and gas sector PAGE

Tobacco company rakes in $1.3B 09 in profits PAGE

… credits performance to clampdown on cigarette smuggling

Adel’s Rainforest Resort: The closest you’ll get to Paradise centre pages

‘Chop Shop’ suspects to be charged this week 05

Partners and media operatives signing the banner to indicate their commitment to joining the campaign to bring awareness to road safety (Adrian Narine photo)

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Arapaima Primary School Pupil, Ezekiel Berkley, poses a question to panellists at the Department of Energy’s Interactive Session on Oil and Gas, which was held at the St. Ignatius Benab, Upper Takutu-Upper Demerara (Region Nine).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

AG participated in Washington World Bank forum

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, recently visited Washington, D.C. to participate in the Law, Justice and Development Week 2019, organised by and held at the World Bank, under the theme, “Rights, Technology and Development”. Each year, the Law, Justice and Development Week gathers leading voices in the field of law and development, to help define a shared responsibility for a better world for all and to exchange views on how countries can build measurable development outcomes that would benefit those that need them most. In a release, the Guyana’s Embassy in Washington said the Attorney General participated in several of the VIP Closed Door Sessions, including on “Justice Sector Reform and Technology”, “Rights and Technology” and “Advancement of Science, Technology and the Environmental Rule of

Law”, where he made presentations, from Guyana’s perspective. The Attorney General also paid a visit to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, where briefings were provided on the operations of the court and its use of technology. During his visit, the Attorney General took the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Gonzalo Konke, Chief of Staff to the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), a cross-section of the Guyanese diaspora residing in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, as well as the Editorial Board of the Washington Times, to provide updates on the developments in Guyana. The meeting with the Guyanese community at the Embassy of Guyana was a lively affair marked by a spirited exchange of views on the potential role of the diaspora in Guyana’s development efforts.

AG Basil Williams participated in a panel discussion during the World Bank event

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Williams SC MP with Ambassador of Guyana to the United States of America, Mr. Riyad Insanally, and staff of Guyana Embassy, Washington DC

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Youths get into position to tap oil wealth

… new organisation formed to get them involved in oil and gas sector

By Navendra Seoraj A GROUP of young people have pooled their resources and ideas together to form the Youth and Oil Association (YOA), which is aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and professionals to take advantage of direct and indirect opportunities in the budding oil and gas sector.

The association is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and not-forprofit organisation, which was established to help youth-based businesses become more viable and sustainable, so that they can benefit from the various opportunities as well as the spill-offs from the oil industry. Lewis said the associ-

to Guyana or how someone in the transportation sector will benefit from the oil and gas sector. “Our aim is to bring this information to the young people and assist them in getting the right standards and quality, the right certifications, so they can be competitive like the other businesses,” said Lewis. The mission of the YOA

in talks with local and international bodies which are in agreement with the calls for the association,” said Lewis, adding that the association is also engaging partners and organisations, which will offer technical services or provide capital for startup businesses. One of the association’s affiliates, the Masterclass Institute, has already pledged

local laws,” said Lewis. The organisation, along with its affiliates, will also provide simplified information on oil and gas to its members. The association already has a total of 53 members from different regions and five affiliates. Going forward in its first year, the association will be open and free so that young people could benefit from

President of the YOA, Dennon Lewis

Members of the Executive Committee of the YOA (Adrian Narine photos) Over the years, young people have been taking a front seat in development, so it was only fitting for them to feel the benefits from what is expected to be a massive petroleum industry. “The YOA came about as a result of Guyana’s two richest resources, youth and oil, which we have in abundance…one is being explored and extracted and the other is yet to be explored and extracted, so we took it on ourselves to bring about something which young businesses and individuals are in need of,” said President of YOA, Dennon Lewis, during his remarks at the launch of the association, last Thursday.

ation hopes to educate individuals on the direct and indirect benefits in oil and gas, and to advocate for the right policies, which would result in young people benefitting from the emerging industry. The YOA already intends on pushing for the implementation of the Local Content Policy which has been on the discussion table for a while. As they push for local involvement, the group also intends on paying close attention to the reality that many young people are yet to understand the direct link between their ventures and the oil and gas sector. For instance, it is unclear how an entertainer brining artistes

is to create opportunities for Guyanese youth from oil and gas through education, advocacy and support. YOA believes that by educating individuals about the oil sector, persons would be more equipped to benefit from the ripple effect of the sector and will be further empowered to cash in on the other opportunities available through indirect industries and sectors. The team, headed by a youth-centre executive body, will be working closely to provide support in the form of financing, coaching and technical expertise through partnerships with multiple organisations and companies. “As it is right now we are

$3M in scholarships for members of the association, who need training in the areas of entrepreneurship, technology, agriculture and leadership/management. Another YOA affiliate, Kaizen Consultancy, has also offered to assist young people with the process of business registration and to guide them through the legal aspects of business in Guyana. “Young people are often discouraged from getting grants and funding because of the paperwork or they just find the process tedious… the consultancy company will help with things such as GRA, NIS and business registration so that every business that comes through is compliant with the

the services offered. From the second year, based on operation costs, there will be a membership fee. “We have members as far as Berbice…if we have thousands of young people we will consider having arms in various regions because if we put a cap we will limit persons,” said Lewis. To become a member of the YOA, persons must be between the ages of 16 and 35 years and must have a business or a business idea. Legal Director of the YOA, Ayodele Roache, said persons have to be 18 years old to legally own a business, but the association has their limit at 16 years old because they intend on

Legal Director of the YOA, Ayodele Roache championing the call for the law to be changed. She said there is a lot to be done, but the association will “hit the ground running” and ensure that young people start seeing the benefits soon.

GPL completes repairs to damaged 69kV submarine cable THE Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) has successfully repaired the damaged 69kV Submarine Cable, which links the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Power Plants. The armour and insulation protection of the cable was damaged at two locations in June and August by vessels traversing the Demerara River. Due to the extent of the damage, two repair kits had to be sourced from China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC), the company that laid the cable in 2012. Repairs to the cable were delayed due to the discovery of the second damage in August, which required additional diagnosis and testing. Consequently, both kits were manufactured and shipped to Guyana. Following the arrival of the kits, the contractor, CMC immediately commenced work to retrieve and repair the compromised

sections of the cable, approximately 0.7 and 0.8 km offshore the Kingston Power Plant. GPL, in a press release on Monday, confirmed that the cable has been repaired and power transfer was restored on October 24, 2019. The power company, however, advised mariners and local pilots operating in the Demerara River to be cognisant of this development and to exercise extreme caution when traversing in proximity of the cable. GPL has requested the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to closely monitor the movement and mooring of vessels in the vicinity of the cable. As part of GPL’s contingency response to the damaged cable, a smaller 13.8 kV submarine cable was laid across the Demerara River in June, to transfer 5.5 Megawatt of power from the Vreed-enHoop Power Plant.

The route of the cable

SDA youths hold successful clean-up exercise at Victoria

ON Sunday morning following the grand celebration of Victoria’s 180th Anniversary, the Victoria Youth Leadership Awards Club (AYLA) held a clean-up exercise at the Victoria Community Centre Ground where the event was held. Colin Hunter, an elder at the Victoria Seventh-day Adventist Church stated that, the AYLA embarked on the initiative to host a clean-up exercise as a means of giving back to the community. “Today we have come out to keep the brilliance of the village even though it needs much more to be done; we can just do what we can in terms of the clean-up exercise. We had lots of garbage around after the event, bottles, bags and all the like,” Hunter stated. He added that, one of the AYLA’s goals is to keep its community clean and ‘green’ and promote positive development not only in Victoria, but also in every village in Guyana. “We have tried to lift the environment and keep it clean and ‘green’ and this is part our initiative, whenever

and in whatever way we can be of positive impact we will try our best to do so. We are pleased this morning to be associated with this clean-up exercise and we’re grateful for the opportunity and we look forward to share in what ever activity that lends a hand to positive development,” Hunter stated. Samantha Williams, a member of the AYLA club noted that, the clean-up exercise is the club’s way of giving back to the community and promoting a ‘green’ economy. She added that the club will be donating three bins to the community which will be placed at strategic points in the village. The AYLA club was created earlier this year by members of the Victoria Seventh Day Adventist Church. The club aims to promote the development of the youths in the community; the club intends to host an activity every Sunday for the youths of Victoria to engage them in arts and craft, to assist their creative, psychical and spiritual development.

Vagrant found dead at Bourda POLICE are investigating the murder of 35-year-old Andrew [only name given] called “Sponge Bobb” of Timehri Dock Area, East Bank Demerara.

Reports indicate that Andrew is a known vagrant and his body was found lying motionless on Monday morning at the corners of Regent and Light Streets, Bourda.

The body was clad in black short pants and bore an incised wound to the left side neck. Investigation disclosed that the deceased was last seen alive by persons in the area on Friday at Bourda Market. When contacted, police confirmed the death and said investigations are in progress.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

‘Trini’ in fake kidnapping appeals sentence THIRTY-three-year-old Trinidad national Sawak Maraj, who was recently sentenced to four years imprisonment for faking his own kidnapping, has filed an appeal to challenge his conviction and sentence. In October, Magistrate Fabayo Azore, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, had found Maraj guilty for faking his kidnapping in 2017. Maraj was also found guilty of providing false information to the police, and was also sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, which will run concurrently. The appeal was filed by Maraj’s attorneys, Paula and Brandon DaSantos. Particulars of the case allege that on October 27, 2017 and in Georgetown, Maraj knowingly gave false information to the police, stating that he had been kidnapped, and that his abductors had demanded US$700,000 for his release. It is further alleged that on the same day, while at the Madewini Resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway,

Maraj conspired with two other persons to obtain the ransom money. According to the police, Maraj arrived in Guyana on October 27, 2017, claiming to have come for a job interview. He was picked up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport by two other Trinidadians who had arrived in the country earlier that week. Later that same day, Maraj’s relatives in Trinidad reportedly received a call from an unknown person claiming to have kidnapped Maraj shortly after his arrival here, and demanding that a ransom be paid for his release. The man’s family was also sent a photograph showing him clad only in his underwear and socks, and one of his alleged abductors holding a cutlass to his neck. After being contacted by the man’s family in Trinidad, local police and agents from the Force’s Major Crimes Unit immediately sprang into action. The first thing they did was to review footage from

Sawak Maraj the surveillance camera at the airport, which showed Maraj warmly embracing his two so-called abductors, who turned out to be the said two ‘Trinis’ who’d picked him up at the airport, before boarding a taxi without incident. Aided by the surveillance tapes, the investigators were able to track down the taxi driver who transported the men from the airport, and trace the call that was made to demand the ransom. It was that call that gave away the location from where the call was made. Armed with such vital information, the agents then hurried to the location, and there they found Maraj, the supposedly kidnapped victim, in an apartment, relaxing and sipping on beverages.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 6, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Harnessing our natural resources THE world is being described as a global marketplace. Each country has a responsibility to put its interpretation to this reality, hopefully a proactive one that will see it working to be an active rather than passive player. In Guyana’s case, it could present multiple opportunities to be a player in any part of the world, plying our products and aggressively competing with others. The potential of this nation’s natural resources could be harnessed for the benefit of the people of this country, and in so doing realise, in real term, the potential they offer. This nation is among few blessed with pristine forests, gold, bauxite, rice and sugar, and should not be contented with only exporting primary products. Guyanese use is being imported. With the amount of lumber at our disposal at this juncture of our development, Guyana should have been a major contender on the market in the exportation of furniture made from our wood. For years Guyanese have been told that the private sector is the engine of growth, but in development, the private

sector is but one sector in the tri-sectoral economy of which all have a role to play in economic development. Any country that has become strong in manufacturing has seen research and development as an important factor in moving the process forward, and in the case of countries like China the government has led the way. The making of furniture in this country is long overdue for deserving attention. As a matter of economic importance pursuing with vigour the furniture manufacturing industry can reap dividends for country and citizens. It may be necessary to get this off the ground, with investment made by the government in training artisans to become furniture makers. This can be done by recruiting proficient trainers from countries that are successful in this line of business. From an economic standpoint, government may find it feasible to invest in kilns to dry wood to specific standards. Investment of such nature can create an industry which can put thousands of people to work in an employment line which includes an array of skills, from the felling

of the trees to that of marketing the product. There is also indirect employment and economic opportunities flowing from these activities, such as food vending, which will rely on the farmers for produce, and so forth. Our forests must be, in the first instance, to benefit the Guyanese society for generations to come. What is required is an indigenous plan, and not one that awaits the initiative and direction of foreign investors. As the government embraces the policy of a ‘green’ economy as its developmental thrust, the society will look forward to the State providing leadership in the sustainable exploitation of our resources, human and natural. From the developed world, countries like Guyana are being advised that free market means that the State must keep it hands off of every business. Today, China is the world’s largest economy, and has achieved this status rejecting the view of the hands-off approach of the State. China has overtaken the United States, which overtook Britain in 1872. The International Monetary Fund estimates that China’s economy will be worth £16.7trillion in 2019, compared to

the United States, which is estimated to be £13.8trillion for the same period. China’s growth did not happen with the private sector leading the way, but the government doing so in a state-led economy. This country has created a model where its State companies are moving to other countries, primarily in the developing world, to invest, bringing their labour and returning the monetary value to the Chinese economy. What China has done and continues to do is to apply political economics not only to meet the needs of its population, but also to become a major player in the global market place, creating various levels of dependency on the country, and by extension increasing its influence on the world stage. Guyana can learn from the best practices of other countries in ensuring the nation’s resources are exploited for the benefit of the country and citizens. This will require a level of self-determination which involves the Executive, National Assembly, stakeholders and citizens. We can and must reach for our potentials.

Freddie is a cheap political trickster and opportunist Dear Editor, REFERENCE is being made to Frederick Kissoon’s letter, “Lewis’ position on the State ads cutoff to SN is nonsensical” (SN Nov 11th). I thank you in advance for facilitating this response to Freddie and all future responses that are likely to be necessary in this continued saga with this gentleman. I’ve always had the inclination to believe he was sick. The content of the instant letter leaves no shadow of a doubt that he is indeed sick; a very sick man. It is obvious that the previous exchange between him and me has left him emotionally battered and psychologically bruised, so he seeks the Stabroek News (SN) matter as an opportunity for a rematch; another opportunity for his unethical showmanship. So he comes out in a frenzied flaying of hands, screaming and frothing at the mouth, throwing abuse left, right and centre, thinking he will take his opponent by surprise. But, once again, he enters the ring recklessly. And once again, he marshalls no evidence other than his emotional outpourings to

support his arguments. So the onslaught will continue in Season Two, as this dishonest intellectual destroys himself by his own mania. He is talking about stupid and idiocy. This ‘vulgarian’ calling others vulgar (sigh!). To date, no point/argument I have made has been out of sync with the Constitution, due process and the court rulings. This is what offends him, because I have countered the mischief-making of those like him who use their privileged access to the media to sow discord and confusion in this society of ours. Some creating this confusion are not accidental on purpose; they are orchestrating disruption to law and order, peaceful resolution to conflicts, and making themselves relevant in these times. Freddie falls in the latter two categories. The argument over the University of Guyana (UG)’s industrial climate is now a Black and Indian context for Kissoon to position himself as an East Indian victim of racism. Why? Because I dare to challenge him and bruise his ego... Lol! The UG matter is long past and gone, and I have moved on. Only to be reminded today, in this first

episode of this new season showcasing the captain of chaos, raging in his glory. I encourage readers to sit back, relax and enjoy. Season Two is going to be entertaining. Yes, I mentioned that Kissoon was behind the confusion at UG, and still hold to that belief. I have marshalled evidence in previous letters to support that argument. These statements were not made like Freddie’s are; in a vacuum. Everyone knows that Freddie is a prolific and self-opinionated writer. His involvement and concern for his involvement at UG had to do more with the fact that he is the creator of confusion. Lying comes naturally to him. He who now seeks to distance himself from the UG matter when he publicly claimed initiating interaction with Ivor English on the issue, and the setting up of a meeting with members of the university leadership with a minister of government. He expects readers to believe that his writings on the issue were the extent of his involvement. On the No-confidence Motion ruling, he is so full of himself and his learning, yet fails to even recognise

that the court never ruled on a specific date for election. He, like many others, fails to acknowledge, or is unfamiliar with the July 12 Judgement by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Let me refer him to Item 7 of the Judgement, which expressly states: “Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the elections which must be held. It would not therefore be right for the Court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act, and thereby pre-empt their performance of their constitutional responsibilities. It is not, for example, the role of the Court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives. This is the primary sourced evidence from which I make my argument on the Court not setting a date for elections, but this dishonest academic has no

value for the importance of such sourcing; something that is readily accessible to all Online. The fact that he has not done this begs the question as to who is really using fictitious arguments about the court’s ruling. It is these facts as evidence which I marshall that upset the equilibrium of him and others. Kissoon uses the SN issue to attack me, and speaks of “...the sordid political transformation of Lewis.” I would like to remind Freddie that, comparatively, we are unmatched when it comes to transformations, for whereas he is just a cheap political trickster and opportunist, intellectually dishonest and willfully deceptive, I have a consistent track record of basing my arguments on objective facts, hinged on Rights and the Rule of Law. I have permanent interests; not friends. He was not of the latter, so there is no love lost here. Every business, without exception, thrives on work, and, better yet, on having contracts with the government. It can be the single most important economic boost for any business ven-

ture. In any context, it would be highly unusual for any business, including that of mainstream media earning millions of dollars from the government to withhold their service and further use their apparatus, in this instance the media, to launch attacks where such payments are not immediately forthcoming. Where government is the clientele, it is customary for certain conditionalities and practices of delayed payment to constitute the contractual norm. This norm allows for payment to be received, even if there is a change of government. I know of no case in the history of Guyana where media has refused government, a multi-million-dollar- paying reliable client, access to publish ads based on delayed payment. I can think of no business locally, or in the world (as Kissoon would say) which would find such action prudent. But then again, this is Guyana, and we are in the silly season. In Season Two, Episode One, this academic continues to fail us. Regards, Lincoln Lewis

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The inmate should be moved to an appropriate place –– for competent professional treatment Dear Editor, IT is a very wise initiative on the part of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to explain its functions and procedures by way of public outreaches. That this would have been greatly assisting citizens with their various matters before the court cannot be over-emphasised, as many would have been seeking clarification from police stations and even their attorneys, without being any better informed as to the future direction of whatever matter. It is good, too, that the assistance being offered is non-discriminatory, since it benefits both victims and accused. However, arising out of this recent report, “Father, 92, worried about mentally ill son” in the Guyana Chronicle of November 09, 2019, is a very disturbing story which reflects just how much work has to be done on prison reform, in terms of the system’s understanding of the types of inmates that are entering its custodial

care, particularly those who may be mentally ill, and the category of such ailment that may be the cause. In saying so, I won’t pretend to be a medical doctor/ mental health practitioner of any kind or social worker. I therefore speak from a position of a purely layman’s view and opinion. But based on the concerned father’s account, it is quite clear that his son has been mentally ill for some time, and has not had any treatment for a year; fell ill again during this period that led to him committing alleged acts of arson; arrested and beaten by police; charged and brought to court, before being placed on remand where, according to his dad, he is being physically abused by both prison officers and inmates. Immediately, this brings into question the issue of the mentally ill, with specific reference to those coming into conflict with the law, and their care and supervision, if there is going to be the custodial circumstances. Of course, Guyana does have mental illness problems, sufficiently highlight-

ed via the numerous public awareness programmes, particularly those that have come from the Ministry of Public Health, in addition to non-governmental organisations. Since such a crisis transcends all social strata, it means that such a category will be among those entering prison. This, editor, you will agree, is not a new phenomenon; except that the question as to the institution’s capacity for being able to manage such individuals is called into question. I have no doubt that among the current plans for prison reform there is going to be very special consideration for mentally ill inmates and appropriate protocols for their management and treatment. In fact, in any modern penal system, all inmates arriving initially for remand should be assessed by a psychiatrist, and not necessarily only those who may be displaying obvious signs of odd personal characteristics. And this should be done at least within 24 – 72 hours for a profile understanding of expected behaviour patterns.

It stands to reason that any inmate found to be genuinely having such signs; a discerned history of serious mental problems, should be removed from the general social milieu of prison, and placed in a special section which every prison should have for such persons. This particular section should only be staffed by prison officers who have a trained background in health-related issues but with emphasis on mental health. Editor, that this point is emphasised is because it is known that many inmates do enter prison in very good mental stead, only to gradually develop mental problems because of the stress of their particular personal circumstances, coupled with the pressures of a very hostile environment, as prison mostly is reported to be. And this is in addition to those who are already in the throes of such mental challenges. One should also refer to the increasing number of inmates who are already serving very lengthy sentences which, with the passage of time, will create a geriatric collective, many of whom will likely develop mental issues and require expert/specialised

care for that and other related illnesses. It is simple for any officer to resort to extreme measures of restraint and control, to apply to any inmate who exhibits out-ofcontrol behaviour, seen and interpreted as such. Such physical methods can only result in the worsening and degradation of the inmate’s mental condition, which will sooner impact on his/ her physical self. Mentally ill inmates are known to die in such circumstances because of a misunderstanding of their condition, lack of appropriate care and neglect. Editor, in the instance of this particular case, as publicised, it is apparent that such an inmate, as he is currently, has not been having medical attention for his condition while a free citizen. This could have only worsened his condition, and may have contributed to his extreme act of arson. It would seem, too, that he has not been receiving the support of, perhaps family, as is so crucial in such delicate circumstances. He is now in the care of the State, and it is reasonable that, given his offence, and what would have been certain outward manifestations

of personal actions that were out of the ordinary, such a person ought not to have been admitted in the same milieu as other inmates, since his personal actions/mannerisms would certainly elicit serious retaliatory responses from those perceived to be offended. Further, it does not help, when, as alleged by his concerned father, prison wardens are physically abusing his son. One notes his threat of “suing the government’’. All measures should be taken to avoid such a situation that can lead to an imminent legal confrontation. Whatever the offence should not be the issue at this time, since the judicial outcome may likely be dependent on a combination of professional assessment for competency of trial and judicial consideration. If what the father of the inmate reported to the visiting DPP’S team is true, then what is needed is for the inmate to be removed to the appropriate place for urgent, professional help that will impact positively on his condition. Regards, Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Convicted J’can ‘trafficker’ suing State for $$$M –– for ‘wrongful detention, inhumane suffering’

A MULTI-million dollar lawsuit has been brought against the State by attorney-at-law Darren Wade, who is representing 54-year-old Jamaican national Sandra Russell, who was held for eight months at the East La Penitence Police Station without being charged or making a court appearance. Wade had moved to the High Court and filed a lawsuit against the Attorney-General, Commissioner of Police and Chief Immigration Officer for the wrongful imprisonment and inhumane suffering of his client. The attorney is contending that the police and immigration authorities had no legal authority to hold Russell beyond 72 hours without

Attorney-at-law Darren Wade seeking an extension from the Courts. Wade is also contending that Russell was falsely imprisoned by the Police and Immigration Authorities, and that whilst in custody, she had no proper bedding, the food she was given was

Sandra Russell (Kaieteur News Photo) inadequate, the lock-ups had inadequate space and lighting, and ventilation was poor. The lawyer is further contending that his client’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 139, 141 and 148 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic

of Guyana were not only breached and encroached but also infringed by members of the Guyana Police Force and Immigration Officials. Russell, through her attorney, is suing the State for $10M per day for every day she unlawfully spent in custody; more than $20M for the inhumane and degrading treatment she suffered; and another $20M for the breach of her Freedom of Movement; in addition to $50M for false imprisonment. In 2018, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates Court had sentenced Russell to eight months imprisonment and fined her $135,000 after she threw herself at the mercy of the court. Russell had pleaded

guilty to drug trafficking, the charges for which offence read that on June 25, 2018 at Omai Landing, she had 70 grams of marijuana in her possession. However, while serving her time at the New Amsterdam Prison, she was released early after her sentence was reduced by half, and on November 10, 2018, was released from prison and placed in the custody of a female immigration officer, after being informed that preparation was being made for her deportation back to Jamaica. In court documents seen by this newspaper, Russell is quoted as saying that the Immigration Officer into whose custody she was released, after receiving a phone call from sources unknown, informed her that she was no longer being taken to ‘Immi-

gration’ but rather the East La Penitence Police Station. Russell also alleges that while at the East La Penitence Station, she was not taken before a magistrate or a judge. “While at the East La Penitence Police Station,” she said in the document, “I fell ill because of poor conditions, and not having proper and adequate meals and supplements, and as a result, I was taken to a doctor at the East La Penitence Health Centre, where I was treated and given medications.” She also alleges in the document being denied doing an interview she had scheduled with a Kaieteur News reporter, and eventually becoming depressed and stressed among other atrocities she was made to suffer. On July 7, 2019, Russell was eventually released on $10,000 bail.

GGDMA Consulted on GGMC Restructuring THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association [GGDMA] has recently participated in consultations for the restructuring and reorganising of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)

and hopes to see its recommendations applied. On Thursday November 7, 2019, the GGDMA was visited by officials from the Jamaican consultancy firm A-Z Consultants Inc. to give its position on the matter at

hand which it believes is long overdue discussions. In a release, the association stated that it welcomes the commencement of the much-needed process and hopes that the outcomes are positive as it relates to the restructuring

and reorganising of the GGMC. “Over the years, miners have been greatly affected by the many inefficiencies at the GGMC, which have caused a lot of grievances for miners as they conduct busi-

ness daily at the commission,” the company stated. “The GGDMA hopes that the recommendations of the consultants will be fully taken on board and reviewed fully and not be cherry-picked as was done

in some cases in the past.” The association also hopes that through the restructuring and reorganising miners can be better facilitated to conduct business in an efficient and effective business environment.

Suspected ecstasy traffickers freed … lawyers argue drug not banned under Narcotics Act

TWO suspected ecstasy traffickers were freed on Friday of their charges after the court upheld no-case submissions by their lawyers who contended that the drug is not a prohibited substance and cannot be found in the current Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. Samuel Bruce, called ‘Sammy Wintz’, of Jackson Street, Tucville, and Kelder Roxana Halley of Gibson Street, Guyhoc Park, were jointly charged with trafficking 63 grams of ecstasy pills--an amphetamine substance-- at Gibson Street, Guyhoc Park on October 15, 2018. Bruce was represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas while Halley was represented by Bernard DaSilva. The state was represented by a prosecutor attached to CANU. The trial was presided over by Magistrate Faith McGusty. Attorney DaSilva, in his no-case submissions, contended that the prosecution expert witness-- a drug analyst-- under cross examination, stated that he conducted a test on the ecstasy tablets submitted by CANU. The witness said the ecstasy tablet is a compounded form of a variety of chemicals coming together and he did not find the presence of Amphetamine, which is prohibited under the Narcotics Act. Ecstasy, which is known as MDMA as well as by other names, is a chemical, but as far as the analyst is aware, it is not listed as a prohibited drug in accordance with the Schedule in Chapter 10: 10 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Act. Magistrate McGusty, on Friday, November

8, 2019, ruled in favour of the no-case submissions and dismissed the case against the duo. The prosecution’s case is that on the day in question, Halley called Bruce and together they planned the drop, which, unfortunately, was made to an undercover CANU officer. However, when both parties were arrested and a confrontation conducted, Halley denied calling Bruce who, in turn, accused her of setting him up. In August, a 26-year-old Alberttown businessman, who was on trial for having ecstasy in his possession, was freed from the charge by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, due to insufficient evidence. Darrel John was on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for selling the date-rape drug, ecstasy, to an under-aged boy and being in possession of the drug. Particulars of the first charge stated that John, on February 12, 2018, at Lot 141 Alberttown, had two grammes of ecstasy in his possession. Magistrate Daly dismissed the possession charge against John due to insufficient evidence by the prosecution to prove that the defendant had the drug or that it was indeed a narcotic. In that case, John was represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas. The state was represented by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Narissa Leander. John’s attorney had contended that ecstasy is made up of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and it’s not an amphetamine which is illegal under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE tuesDay, novemBER 12, 2019

Tobacco company rakes in $1.3B in profits … credits performance to clampdown on cigarette smuggling

DEMERARA Tobacco Company has recorded a $1.3B before tax profits for the first six months of this year, representing an increase of four per cent over the corresponding period last year. Chairman of the company, Marcus Steele, noted that gross profit for the period was recorded at $1.8B, reflecting an increase of three per cent over 2018. “These positive results were driven by the excellent trade marketing efforts of the staff members, the on-going and positive distribution efforts by our business partner E.B. Beharry, and the disruption in the supply chain in the illicit trade in cigarettes which flowed from the impact and implementation of some other anti-illicit trade measures by the GRA,” Steele said in a report that was published in the newspapers. Administration, distribution and marketing expenses totalling $425M (2018: $419M) represented a one per cent increase, signalling strong success by the management in maintaining overhead costs and strengthening our operating efficiencies. Steele said the company continues to successfully transition into the new operating environment flowing from the new regulatory measures which have been enacted over the last two years by the authorities. “During the specific period under review, the company has shown institutional and operating resilience in managing both the 10s ban which became effective January 2019, and also the new labelling and packaging regime with the GHW component that was rolled out in February of 2019. There is no doubt that it has been a challenging period for the overall industry, but I remain particularly pleased with the overall management by the company’s leadership during the period, and the continuing strong performance as evidenced by the solid business results,” Steele noted. He said, within all of this, the company continues to be proud of the strength of its brands, and the continuing “loyalty of our business partners, namely our distributor, our retailers and our consumers. Several strategic retailer engagement sessions were executed to ensure a full understanding by our retailers of the

holders of our commitment to protect this legacy.” “We remain very hopeful for the future prospects of the wider Guyana economy, and are carefully mapping the opportunities

DEMTOCO Chairman Marcus Steele tenets of the new legislation and the importance of complying with them.” SMUGGLED CIGARETTES Steele said the company continues to be particularly concerned however, with the growing incidence of illicit cigarettes in the country – those that are either not adhering to the required labelling and packaging requirements (pictorial graphic health warning etc.), those that are still being distributed without the required tax stamps, and some based on the price points which they are being sold, are clearly smuggled products that have evaded the tax authorities. “We therefore continue to urge not only the GRA, but the local police and the Guyana Bureau of Standards to actively enforce the laws to ensure that there is full compliance by all importers and distributors of cigarettes in Guyana.” “The company would however, as always, take this opportunity to congratulate the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the local police and the many other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) who continue to be very vigilant in robustly monitoring the industry for compliance with the law. We are particularly proud with the recent roll out of the latest phase of our Youth Access Prevention (YAP) Program, which has been executed across the entire market, to ensure that our products are not sold to or sold by anyone under the age of 18. As a company, we take this very seriously and have sought to ensure our business partners understand that this issue is paramount. All told, we remain proud of our commitment in marketing and distributing cigarettes in a responsible manner, and once again assure all stake-

and challenges which may emerge from the changing demographics resulting from the rapidly expanding oil industry. We are confident that we have the portfolio, we have the

team, we have the management, and we have the strategic business partnerships, to ensure the continuous delivery of strong shareholder value. The outlook for the company

remains very positive. The Board of Directors has accordingly approved the payment of an interim dividend of $19.00 per ordinary share,” Mr. Steele said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

OSHAG mourns passing of Dr. Theophilus Lewis

FOR almost two decades, Dr. Theophilus Lewis, an American oncologist, visited Guyana with the Organisation for Social and Health Advancement for Guyana (OSHAG), and provided yeoman service to the people of the country. Dr. Lewis died on October 27, 2019 at the age of 67. From the establishment of OSHAG in 2002, Dr. Lewis was passionate in his support, and offered his skills as a surgical oncologist by performing numerous surgeries during his visits to Guyana. During training on new strategies in nursing education whether it was in Georgetown, New Amsterdam or at the Charles Rosa School of Nursing, Dr. Lewis was there in support. Whether it was a donation of an AC unit to

the Oncology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) or the provision of much-needed service to cancer patients, or the opening of an OSHAG office in Georgetown, Dr. Lewis was a driving force behind the initiatives.

IMPROVISING TO PERFORM SURGERY Doctors are intrigued by the possibility of participating in humanitarian work in different countries. However, the desire to serve is often tempered by some ambivalence about whether their skill sets are applicable in less technologically-advanced healthcare settings. With Dr. Lewis, he just fit in. Evident on one of his several trips to Guyana, the team came off the plane and

made their way to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were scheduled to see patients and perform surgeries the next day. Just as they arrived at the hospital, a man went into the emergency unit with multiple stab wounds, and Dr. Lewis and his team, without skipping a beat, performed emergency surgery on the man. They immediately improvised using plastic bags to cover their shoes, donned scrubs and gloves and went into the theatre to perform hours of lifesaving surgery. Dr. Lewis and his team saved that patient’s life. He was so comfortable doing what he did best, using his skills as surgeon to save lives; helping mainly women, who had suffered from breast cancer. “Death is the great equaliser for there is no regard for age, colour, class, creed, social sta-

tus or material wealth. Death surely will visit every one of us sometime. We know no knowledge when or how, for it is a circumstance that very few of us have or can take control of. That is why this has been a shocking blow to all who knew Dr. Lewis, loved him, worked with him and those he has so unselfishly helped,” the OSHAG said in a statement. It added, “To those of us who knew him and were aware of how he traversed the road of life, he has enriched the lives of many, facilitated the healing of many with his skills as an oncologist surgeon, his bedside manner, his engaging manner when presenting information to create awareness and edu-

cate the Guyanese public on how they can better prevent cancer and how persons can access cancer treatment, if they are diagnosed with cancer.” The organisation said Dr. Lewis was a doctor with a mission, whose goal was to prevent cancer and to help those afflicted to heal. “It was always a learning experience about cancer, whether the presentation was given at the National Library in Georgetown, or at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus on the Corentyne. Many Guyanese will have a bank of memories of his leadership, achievements, and example that will live forever,” OSHAG said. The Organisation for So-

US Oncologist Dr. Theophilus Lewis cial and Health Advancement for Guyana is a charitable organisation that benefits cancer patients in Guyana. This organisation was founded in 2000 to bring about awareness because of the need for cancer treatment, medical services and healthcare-enhanced training for medical professionals in the various disciplines of healthcare delivery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE tuesDay, novemBER 12, 2019

Office of the First Lady, BIT launch second ICT workshop in Mahdia

THE Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) under its Youth Development Initiative, on Monday, launched its second Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme in Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight). The programme caters for 30 participants from across the region and aims at providing young adults with training in the areas of Information Technology, Literacy and Numeracy, Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics

past rate with an average of 98.6 per cent, far surpassing all the other regions, over the past three years of the programme. At the opening ceremony, Deputy Chairman, BIT, Mr. Donald Ainsworth, noted that in the past, the hinterland regions were neglected, but when they are given equal opportunity and access to education, the region’s youths are just as capable of excelling as those on the coastland. “It is thanks to the vision of President David Granger that we [BIT] are investing so heavily in our youth… We are the custodians of the resources on your behalf and we have a duty to create the opportunities for you to excel

Ministry of Social Protection, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Deputy Chairman, Mr. Donald Ainsworth (seated centre), along with, seated from left – Chief Executive Officer, BIT, Mr. Richard Maughn; Regional Education Officer, Ms. Penelope McIntosh; Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), Mr. Oswald Junior; Chairman of Region Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Mr. Bonaventure Frederick; Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship, David Adams; ICT workshop Chief Facilitator, Mr. Fitzroy Younge; Confidential Secretary to the First Lady, Lieutenant Colonel, Ms. Yvonne Smith; Director, BIT, Mr. Michael Turner along with participants in the First Lady’s Information and Communication Technology workshop for adolescents and out-of-school youth

Participants in the second Board of Industrial Training, Information and Communication workshop in Mahdia, which is spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady echoed these sentiments, (STEM). On completion of and prosper… All you need noting that the administration the programme, graduates is the opportunity and we has made education a priority will receive a BIT-accredited have given you that opportu- and it continues to ensure certificated signed by First nity so that you can learn and that all youth, regardless of Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger. progress,” he said. their geographical location, The township of MahMayor of Mahdia, His are exposed to a high quality dia has recorded the highest worship, Mr. David Adams, of education. Mr. Adams

noted too that the township is young and as development continues, there will be more job opportunities for residents across all of the sectors. “Education is an ongoing process by which your abilities and interest will be developed and I’m happy that the government has indicated education is a priority… ensuring every youth in this country regardless of where they live, are given the opportunity to have a good education,” he said. The mayor reminded that the administration has dedicated the next 10 years the ‘Decade of Development’, explaining that, “for that development to happen you, the young people, would need to have the necessary skills to take us forward [into] the future… Grasp this opportu-

nity. Take whatever lesson there is to be learnt and ensure that you leave at the end of this course with the knowledge that will enhance your livelihood as you get older.” Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer, Ms. Penelope McIntosh noted that the overall response from the region’s youth to the programme reflects a change in the culture as many of them are now embracing and becoming empowered by education and are stepping away from the traditional mining culture and into other careers. She said that 2019 has been a year of excellence for the region’s youth as there has been a marked increase in the pass rate both at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and at Caribbean Secondary Education Certif-

icate examination (CSEC), compared to previous years. Additionally, Regional Chairman, Mr. Bonaventure Frederick expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the Government of Guyana for continuing to provide programmes to empower Mahdia’s youth. “We have seen a rise in region eight and I must thank the government for the opportunities extended to us as a region. We have come a long way and we look forward to our youth being uplifted further,” he said. The programme is being facilitated by Mr. Fitzroy Younge. It is the final workshop of its kind in the region for the year. The opening ceremony was held in the Regional Boardroom. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Reg. 5 to roll out Health Information Systems in 2020

COME 2020, the Ministry of Public Health will be rolling out a series of Health Information Systems in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) starting with the Pharmaceutical Management System, thereby enabling the Regional Health Department to effectively monitor usage of drugs and other medical supplies. This is according to Region Five’s Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Desmond Nicholson, who recently sat down for an interview on Guyana Chronicle’s online programme – Vantage Point. The Health Information Systems’ Project, which is designed to protect patients’ privacy, maintain confidentiality and effectively monitor the usage of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, was initiated in 2017 but encountered some difficulties. Dr. Nicholson said the Regional Health Department, through the Public Health Ministry,

has asked the Ministry of Finance to include in the 2020 National Budget funds to complete the project. It was noted that a large percentage of the funds would be used to purchase computer hardware. “We want to install Pharmaceutical Management programmes or software where we are able monitor our drug usage across the region closely, (so) we can intervene promptly preventing shortages,” the RHO explained. He added that the Pharmaceutical Management System will allow for the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, the Fort Wellington Hospital and the 16 health centres spread across the Mahaica-Berbice District to be optimally stocked with essential medicines. “This system will allow for more accurate forecasting by centre or location and a more accurate regional consumption,” Dr. Nicholson further explained. At the moment, the region is using the Logistics

Management Information System (LMIS), which includes the use of a “series of ledgers,” however, the Health Information Systems Project, in time, would result in the complete digitisation of the regional healthcare system. The RHO said the Pharmaceutical Management System is a good place to start. “Essentially what we would be able to do, is effectively forecast what happens locally and regionally so we wouldn’t have shortages of essential medicines. Our chief pharmacist with this system is able to tap into any database, in any of the health centre at any time to see that there might be a shortage here, there might be a shortage there, or an impending shortfall…and then he would be able to effectively prevent those shortfalls by intervening in a prompt manner,” Dr. Nicholson explained. He iterated that the Pharmaceutical Management System will allow the region

to effectively detect shortfalls. “It also allows us to see where the shortfalls are in one health centre compared to another health centre and then we can quickly move drugs that are in excess in one place to another place because our consumption report is going to be in a digital form,” he further explained. Though there have been reports of shortage of drugs and medical supplies in other parts of the country, Dr. Nicholson said in Region Five there are no shortages. “As of today we are sufficiently stocked with all of the essential medicines that are listed and published by the Ministry of Public Health,” he said. Once the Pharmaceutical Management System is fully implemented, the RHO said the department, through the Public Health Ministry, will be working to implement other Health Information Systems. The Patient Portal System

and the Remote Patient Monitoring System are among those on the table. “Patient Portal – this allows the patient to access their personal health data online. They can see appointment information, their medications and lab results also they can schedule appointments with physicians. Other applications include Remote Patient Monitoring where we monitor blood glucose levels, blood pressure of patients with chronic illnesses. In doing so we can spot downward trends and intervene early,” Dr. Nicholson explained. The Health Information Systems Project is part of a broader public health vision the government wants to see come into fruition by 2020, with three over-arching goals: advancing the well-being of all Guyanese; reducing health inequities and improving the management and provision of evidence-based, people-responsive, quality health services nationally. When the project was

Region 5 Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Desmond Nicholson initiated nationally in 2017, the Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), said that the hi-tech information strategy will dramatically slash waiting-time patients spend at public health facilities. When fully implemented, health providers will have more time to spend improving patients’ health literacy. The novel plan will reduce, drastically, the observable gap in the quality of patient-care currently existent between the country’s coast and hinterland areas.

Adel’s Rainforest

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Resort:

Proprietress of Adel’s Rainforest Resort Ms. Zena Bone and helper, Ms. Roxanne Moses, prepare to warmly welcome a guest

By Wendella Davidson THE common saying, `the beauty of Guyana lies away from the city of Georgetown’ is undoubtedly true, when one considers the beauty and breath-taking ambience of Adel’s Rainforest Resort; there, the tranquillity of the night is broken only by the sounds of howler monkeys or baboons, the croaking of frogs or the occasional throbbing of an engine, as a speedboat traverses the waterway. In the mornings, you awake to the chirping of birds outside your window and the loud but sweet sounds of parrots nearby. And, as you indulge in breakfast, or relax in a hammock, you can see birds perched just at your hand’s reach, pecking away at fruits that were set aside specially for them. This aptly describes Adel’s Rainforest Resort that nestles on a 58.2-acre stretch of virgin land that is surrounded by pristine forest, at Akawini Creek on the Pomeroon River; a family legacy that is now managed by Ms. Zena Bone. Adel’s is accessed by joining a speedboat at the Charity wharf and enjoying a scenic 20 to 45-minute ride up the Pomeroon River. Named after the late Adel Stoll (1882-1984), the resort pays tribute to a daughter of the soil who raised more than 12 children, sold produce from the farm and homemade sweets to take care of her family. It is her grandchildren and great grandchildren who now honour the memory of this much-loved matriarch. Adel is Zena’s grandmother, who lived there during her marriage and Zena, during a recent visit, related to the Guyana Chronicle that she learnt the property was gifted to her grandmother

Arriving by boat at Adel’s Rainforest Resort

Zena relaxes in a hammock at the `hammock area’

A picturesque view of Adel’s Rainforest Resort at Akawini Creek, on the Pomeroon River

A section of the grounds at the front of the resort

as a matrimonial home by her father as a wedding gift. The first five of her grandmother’s children were born there, including Adel’s father, who was the second, and Zena said

from what she has counted, they numbered more than 12. After the fifth child, the senior Adel went to live in Georgetown. One of her sons was Wilfred Golding Stoll

known as W G Stoll, and who was the first local to be the appointed Commissioner of Inland Revenue when Guyana gained its independence. Zena said she learnt her grand-

mother was very proud that her son and three others who were pilots had excelled from their humble beginnings. She related that at the tender age of 13, a mishap happened in the family and her father was one of the children who had to return to the farm in the Pomeroon, in order to assist his mother with the other children in Georgetown. It was as a result of this that her father’s education ended abruptly at age 13. Adel said her father subsequently got married and another of his brothers stayed at the farm, but when the brother died, Adel’s was left abandoned for many years. It was then handed down to another uncle, Wilfred Golding, who was not interested; thus, he handed the farm over to Zena’s brother Timothy Ovid, who even though he had an interest, unfortunately fell ill and subsequently died in 1991. The land was then passed down to Zena. During that time Zena had lived and was working in the hotel industry in Barbados. Upon realising that the industry was declining, she said she grabbed the first opportunity she got to sell her business, with the intention of focusing on the land she was bequeathed in the Pomeroon. Zena said when she returned and visited the land, the entire place was as a rainforest and she could not tell where a single house stood.

She surmised that some 45 years had elapsed before human hands had touched the land again. In 1995 Zena said she started work to develop a resort complete with accommodation, utilising her experience she had gained in Barbados, working in the United States and her many travels to various countries and where she lived, including Japan, Fiji, England and Barbados among others; and because she knew the history of the place, she named it “Adel’s Rainforest Resort,” in honour of her grandmother. Zena said she received rave reviews from persons who visited and overnighted, and had great plans to expand and attract more visitors. However, when she was forced to leave to lend assistance to one of her daughters in the United States, Zena said she leased the resort to an Englishwoman for two and a half years. The woman, Zena said, gave her “such a nice talk” of the grandiose plans she had for the place, that she was convinced she was leaving the business in good hands; It was a decision she has regretted. As a result of reports received from patrons who were disappointed at how “run down” the place was and the poor service they had received,” compared to when she (Zena) was there, Zena said she paid an unexpected visit and was shocked to find

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

closest you’ll get to Paradise

The dining area at the resort where guests partake of mouth-watering `farm-to-table’ meals

The `meet and greet’ and relaxation area at the resort

Proprietress Zena admires the fruit trees and exotic plants in an area where they grew from bird droppings and she nurtured them

that the place, which was close to her heart, was in a shabby condition. “I had no other choice than to revoke the agreement and the business again went into silent

mode as I returned overseas,” she related. According to Zena, “I never earned a dime from that business arrangement. I have accepted my losses and am on

a determined mission to make Adel’s a tourist destination worth anyone’s money. I want to continue to hear the `oohs’ and `aahs’ from visitors when they arrive; that’s what Adel’s

is known for.” Meanwhile, plans are in train to have the facility further upgraded as a place for destination weddings. The area on which the resort is sited is permaculture, as the heliconia, the almond trees is now a decorative arch, and many papaw, starapple, mangoes, lemons, guavas, are trees that decorate the resort as a result of droppings from the many birds. According to Zena, she is blessed, as all she has done is train and nurture the plants and the rest is history. There are three 40 feet by 40 feet buildings, each self-contained, with the middle building serving as the `meet-and-greet’ lounge, relaxation, reading, and dining area. Guests upon arriving at the resort are offered a glass of cold coconut water and depending on the weather, a hot or cold rag. The number one building consists of two self-contained rooms with two beds in each room that are fitted with nets. A foyer area is described as `a hammock area’ and above, works are underway to create another sleeping accommodation. The third building, Zena explained, had in the initial days of the resort, been used as a conference centre and it is hoped to have the area rehabilitated in the new year to

again be used as such. The resort is powered by solar energy and there is an abundance of water that is had from the Pomeroon River; however, Zena regrets that communication is quite unstable, but added that she is presently in discussions with a company to install a system that will boost communication signals. Activities at Adel’s, which is six miles from the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, depend on the time of visit, as visitors can indulge in night spotting. About three miles away, visitors can have the opportunity of seeing the Scarlet Ibis and White Egrets nesting. Tours can also be arranged to the Amerindian reservations of Wakapao, Moruca, and Akawini. The latter a logging area. Meanwhile, a short distance downriver from the resort is the 1000-acre Enterprise Estate which is also family-owned. On six acres sits the 97-year-old family house where Zena and her siblings were born. The spacious house, she explained, was gifted to her mom as a wedding gift and Zena says she sleeps in what used to be her mother’s room. Her sister, June Van Sluytman, who assists her in managing both the resort and estate when she is overseas, occupies one of the

rooms. Zena also does some farming on the six acres where the house is; the remaining portion is leased to a British company that focuses on the growing of spices and cashcrops. The company is also experimenting on grinding the discarded coconut husks to be used as mulch for plants. Some of the husks end up in the Pomeroon River and pose a serious danger, especially to speedboats. Zena describes Adel’s as peaceful and nature-loving with the forest which does not speak, but breathes, as her neighbour. She is assisted in managing the farm by David Emanuel, 52, of Wakapao, who initially had asked for employment for only three days and has been there for six years; Matthew, a young man whom Zena is grooming like an adopted son and Roxanne Moses, the helper and cook. Roxanne, 30, is the mother of a teenage girl and is an excellent cook who prepares the tasty `farm-to-table’ meals offered at the resort. Roxanne, who is originally from Moruca, but now lives at Grant Enterprise, says she would welcome any opportunity to receive formal training in food preparation, as it was always her desire as a young girl to attend the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Kitty residents air concerns at community meeting

SEVERAL residents of Kitty attended a community meeting at the F.E. Pollard Primary School, David Street, Kitty, last Friday evening and raised a number of issues. The residents left the venue knowing that their concerns were heeded and a commitment was given that efforts would be made to have them resolved. The meeting which was arranged by the Constituency # 2 APNU group that meets at the National Congress of Women (NCW) building on Public Road, Kitty. Key speakers at the meeting were Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood and Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood Mentore. addressing residents of Kitty at the Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore engages Among those seeking assistance were community meeting held at the F.E. the audience K. Bhani ; Jacqueline Lamazon on behalf Pollard Primary School, David Street, of Professor Joycelyn Loncke; Rudolph on Friday Atherley ; Marjorie-Beckles-Arthur ; Martin Parris; Onica Jones and Ms Ramlochan. The discussions were centred on drainage in Pike Street and Gordon Street, flooding, deplorable state of roads, wanton dumping of garbage and garbage not being cleared, housing and apparent shortage of a particular drug at a health facility and parking on the roadway by some people without regard for others. Parris, meanwhile, went a step further than the other aggrieved residents, in that he compiled his concerns into written form, complete with photographs, which he gave to the minister and the deputy mayor. Jones, a young mother of two and a fire victim, requested assistance to secure a house lot. The young lady who had her eldest child with her, said her desire is to have her own home and is currently doing two Kitty resident K. Bhani airs his Onica Jones attended the meeting with jobs towards this end. concerns during the meeting her eldest child The gathering was however reminded that almost all the areas that they said are being neglected falls under the constituency that was won by a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) councillor. The residents were therefore urged to ensure that all of the councilors for whom they had voted, regardless of the political party to which they belong, do not shirk their responsibilities to them. Prior to the residents airing their respective grievances, Minister Yearwood updated the gathering on the government’s undertaking countrywide and in their own community. She said that Guyana as a country is now a `big thing’ in the world and is the country that everyone wants to visit because of its huge oil find; it is important that the younger Some of the residents who attended the meeting generation are properly educated about the developments that are taking place and the three years Guyana will not be the same, is a government for the people, to further government’s position on all levels, adding reiterated the importance of the younger develop the country so that citizens can enjoy that the future of everyone is at stake. generation being told the truth about the ef- the ‘good life.’ The minister, who posited that in another forts being made by the government, which She, however, reminded that there may

be limitations to some levels of assistance, because of its present interim government status as a result of the ruling handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice on the no-confidence motion. The minister, who hails from Linden, recalled that for 23 years the mining community suffered under the previous government, that the city of Georgetown reeked of garbage and draining water off the land whenever the rain falls was a big problem. Minister Patterson-Yearwood added, despite the fact that the government is only four years old, there has been marked and continuing improvement in all areas. She spoke of the strides being made in the education sector, which has been a priority for President Granger and his 5Bs – Buses, Boats, Bicycles, Books and Breakfast initiative, which has been for the benefit of children countrywide. She added that the period 2020-.2029 has been declared the `Decade of Development in Education. In addition to ensuring that there are opportunities for people of all ages to increase their education, there has been a marked improvement with persons being able to access quality treatment at health facilities countrywide. On this note, the minister said there is still a problem with some people who refuse to accept change and change, even though they have been receiving training on how to give better service to the people. Touching on youths, Minister Patterson-Yearwood said she is impressed with the number of young people who are now been embracing agriculture, in particular agro-processing. She referred to 29 new products manufactured by students who have graduated from the Guyana School of Agriculture at Mon Repos. On this note, she identified the packaged Sweet Potato.Cake Mix, De-hydrated CookUp and the latest on the market, different flavours of Plantain Chips that are attractively done in Linden. Mentore in his brief remarks, alluded to the rehabilitation works at the Kitty Market, adding that before the year ends it will again be of service to the people; he also mentioned creation of a roundabout, ongoing works to install security lights, among others. He has undertaken to personally ensure that some action is taken to relieve the complaining residents of their stress. Mr Leonard DaCosta, Chairman of the APNU Kitty North Group, spoke of plans to hold free lessons for school dropouts in the new year among other initiatives. He urged the residents to be members of the group and to attend meetings, so that they can be brought up to date with developments that will benefit them and the community.

ECLAC says overall deceleration persists in Region … low growth is expected for 2020 THE Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) downwardly revised its projections for growth in the Region’s economic activity in 2019, forecasting an average expansion of 0.1 per cent in Latin America and the Caribbean, the commission indicated today in a press release. Meanwhile, in 2020, the organisation projects that the Region will continue along a path of low growth, with a 1.4 per cent estimated expansion in Gross Domestic

Product (GDP). That would mean Latin America and the Caribbean will have spent seven years on a plateau of low growth, which in turn has translated into deteriorating levels of average per capita income. The Region’s GDP per capita is seen shrinking by four per cent between 2014 and 2019, which implies an average annual decline of -0.8 per cent. In 2019, the deceleration in the pace of growth is affecting the majority of Latin American economies (17 out of 20 countries).

This year, the economies of South America – specialised in the production of primary goods, especially crude oil, minerals and food – are seen contracting by -0.2 per cent, which marks the first decline since 2016. In 2020, however, this sub-region is expected to grow by 1.3 per cent on average. Meanwhile, the economies of Central America and Mexico are forecast to expand 0.7 per cent in 2019 and 1.6 per cent in 2020, figures that represent a slowdown versus the average growth

rate seen since 2014 in that sub-region. In the English-and Dutch-speaking Caribbean average growth is estimated at 1.5 per cent in 2019 and at a rate of 5.7 per cent in 2020. It is worth noting that this last figure is very influenced by the high growth rate forecast for Guyana, linked to the start of oil production that is expected to take place next year, ECLAC indicates. According to the United Nations Regional Commission, Latin America and the Caribbean’s economic activity dynamics in 2019 occur in a context in which the global economy is contributing less to the

Region’s growth, a situation that will very likely continue next year. The volume of global trade and the level of global activity have been sharply decelerating, affecting demand for Latin American and Caribbean exports, and there has also been a drop in prices for the raw materials that many of the Region’s countries export. In addition, episodes of increased financial volatility have had occasional negative impacts on financial conditions and the financing flows available to countries, the organisation adds. This external context marked by trade tensions

and high uncertainty exacerbates the difficulties that the Region’s economies often present in terms of insertion in trade and international production, ECLAC warns. The global economy’s weaknesses mean that components of domestic demand have greater relative weight in the dynamics of future growth. The difficulties that the Region’s economies face for expanding both fiscal and monetary policy space are compounded by growing demands for structural change to tackle the deep inequalities that persist in the Region, the commission adds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE tuesDay, novemBER 12, 2019

CSEC camp to help students complete SBAs

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Melissa Cummings now has a new electronic tablet to complete her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) SchoolBased Assessments (SBAs) thanks to the assistance of Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Simona Broomes. Cummings is one of the dozens of students attending a CSEC Camp, which is being hosted by the minister at her residence. There, it was revealed that most of the students hail from marginalised communities, including Plaisance, Lodge and East Ruimveldt. According to the Department of Public Information [DPI], Cummings said that the electronic device will aid significantly in the timely completion of her SBAs as well as help with research, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-enabled studying. She expressed the belief that the device is a ‘God-sent’. “It’s going to help me a great lot because [it’s going to help me to learn about technology]. It will… help me to complete my SBAs on time,” she explained. “Coming here, I have experienced that there is hope, and joy and fun and you could learn through experience. It’s been great working with Minister Broomes’ team.” At the camp, student volunteers, as well as trained graduate teachers, are assisting the students who will be sitting CSEC in May/June 2020, with SBAs and other related subject materials. Teachers are also on board to ensure that the students have the best possible chance of success. Another promising student, Kurt Edwards, age 17, has emerged from a trying background to rise above his struggles. Edwards was in and out of school because of financial constraints. He was forced to work to support his family. He said that with the tremendous support received from the team, he has been able to start his SBAs and get assistance in various subject areas that once posed a challenge for him.

Underscoring the importance of support for children’s success was the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Marcel Hutson. He charged the students to do their best in their SBAs as this is directly linked to their matriculation and education success.

Minister of Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes “It was kind of hard. [Minister Broomes] came to a meeting at the school and said she would assist me and since from that day, [she] gave me some assistance and motivated me to stay in school and finish my CXC to better my life,” Edwards recalled. The DPI also spoke with Minister Broomes, who expressed her heartfelt commitment to ensuring that young people have access to the resources they desperately need to succeed. “This is all about supporting our young people, not only identifying the hurdles but [helping them get over the first hurdle]. I think once we start to give them that type of support, they will get more stamina; they will get more motivated… it will bring a bigger outcome and have a better impact in society,” Minister Broomes remarked. This is the second camp of its kind. The programme enlists support from educators and private citizens who all share a vision for Guyanese youth. It was birthed to assist children who experience unforeseen difficulties in completing their SBAs. Astute educator, Orin Morgan, popularly known as ‘Sir Morgan’, explained his drive to help the students in every way possible. “I think we as educators cannot sit by idly and watch [our youth] knowing that they need the help and we can give them this help. Sir Morgan will be providing scholarships for additional classes to several students in the programme.

Some of the students enlisted in the CSEC Camp (DPI photos)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Hope hits unbeaten 109 as Windies complete Afghan ODI clean sweep LUCKNOW, India, (CMC) – Elegant stroke-maker Shai Hope carved out a seventh one-day hundred as West Indies completed a rare series whitewash with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the third One-Day International here Monday. In pursuit of 250 for victory at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Stadium, West Indies recovered from a nightmare position of four for two in the third over to reach their target with eight balls to spare. At the heart of the effort was Hope’s enterprise, the 26-year-old striking a Manof-the-Match unbeaten 109 off 145 deliveries to control the run chase. The knock saw him end the series with 229 runs at the same average, and move his career average to 50. Roston Chase, adjudged Man-of-the-Series for his tour average of 72 and six wickets, finished on 42 not out off 32 deliveries while Brandon King hit 39 from

56 balls and captain Kieron Pollard, a quick-fire 26-ball 32. The result was still somewhat in the balance at 182 for five in the 38th over but Hope and Chase put all doubts to rest in a 71-run, unbroken sixth wicket stand. Afghanistan had earlier managed their best total of the series when they rallied to 249 for seven off their 50 overs, behind Asghar Afghan’s top score of 86 and an unbeaten 50 from Mohammad Nabi. Opener Hazratullah Zazai belted a lively 50 off 59 balls while Najibullah Zadran chipped in with a busy 30 off 32 balls down the order. The hosts were languishing at 118 for five in the 29th over after seamer Keemo Paul ((3-44) hurt the innings with an incisive burst but Asghar and Nabi put on 127 for the sixth wicket, giving West Indies their first real challenge of the series.

Opting to bowl first, the Windies were rewarded in the third over when debutant Ibrahim Zadran missed a flick at a full length delivery from pacer Alzarri Joseph (2-59) and was lbw for two at 15 for one. Zazai, who struck seven fours and two sixes in a polished knock, then inspired a 30-run second wicket stand with Rahmat Shah (10). They were beginning to stabilise the innings when Rahmat lifted Paul to Nicholas Pooran at deep square in the 10th over. When Paul removed Ikram Alikhil’s off stump for nine in the 18th over and then had Zazai holing out to deep mid-wicket at 74 for four in the 20th over, Afghanistan were beginning to wobble. However, Asghar started the turnaround first by anchoring a 44-run fifth wicket stand with Najibullah, before finding a firm ally in Nabi to complete the rescue mission. All told, Asghar struck

three fours and half-dozen sixes while Najibullah counted four fours in a partnership which pushed their side beyond the 100-run mark. Chase eventually claimed Najibullah to a catch at slip by King in the 29th over as the left-hander defended but Nabi joined Asghar to strike three fours and a six off 66 balls, and frustrate West Indies at the back end. Asghar finally perished in the penultimate over, slicing Joseph to Romario Shepherd at short third man. Off-spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman then gave Afghanistan a sensational start, trapping both Evin Lewis (1) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) lbw in the space of four balls in the third over of the innings. Hope remained solid, however, posted a critical 64 with King for the third wicket before adding a further 51 for the fourth with left-hander Nicholas Pooran who made

21.

Circumspect early in his innings, Hope reached his fifty off 76 balls in the 27th over by punching seamer Yamin Ahmadzai to the cover boundary and completed three figures off 133 deliveries in the 44th over, with the Windies all but assured of victory. Overall, he struck eight fours and three sixes – two of these straight hits coming in the 23rd over from off-spinner Nabi as he raised the tempo of the innings. When Pooran holed out to long off in the 29th over, West Indies were facing a required run rate of nearly six an over but Pollard entered to crunch a four and a pair of sixes in a 63-run, fifth wicket partnership with Hope, which put the visitors in command. Against the run of play, Pollard clipped Nabi to Najibullah at short mid-wicket in the 38th over but Chase and Hope quickly settled the issue.

Sri Lanka passes bill criminalising match-fixing By nando

Andrew Fidel Fer-

SRI LANKA has become the first South Asian nation to criminalise several offences related to match-fixing, after its parliament passed all three readings of a bill entitled “Prevention of Offences Related to Sports” on Monday. Offences related to corruption in sports will carry a prison term of up to 10 years, as well as various fines. Aside from Sports Minister Harin Fernando, who presented the bill to parliament, former Sri Lanka cap-

tain Arjuna Ranatunga, who is a cabinet minister, was a strong supporter of the new legislation during Monday’s parliamentary debates. The sports ministry in particular is understood to have worked closely with the ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit during the process of drafting the bill. In fact, although the bill covers all sports, it is the recent ACU investigation into Sri Lankan cricket that is believed to have prompted this legislation. The bill’s ambit is broad. It seeks not only to punish “any person related to a sport” who is directly involved in

fixing, but also those who “provide… inside information”, curators who prepare playing surfaces to suit betting operators, and match officials who “deliberately misapply the rules” for money. In addition, it is now also illegal for former players (and others involved in sports) to provide corrupt figures access to current players. Just as significantly, the bill also criminalises “acts of omission”, which includes failure to report corrupt approaches. This means that Sri Lankan cricketers who are approached by potential corruptors may now have to report

these approaches not only to the ICC’s ACU under the ICC code, but also to a Special Investigation Unit appointed by Sri Lanka’s government.

Although parliament passed this legislation during Monday’s special sitting, it is not law until the Act is gazetted, probably in the course of the next 10 days. A parliament spokesperson said the gazetting is expected to be a mere formality. While Ranatunga was a leading figure during the debate, urging parliament to push an unamended bill through as soon as possible,

former SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala proposed amendments to the bill that were ultimately defeated on the floor. Sumathipala was at pains to mention, however, that he was not against the passing of the bill as a whole, only the contents of certain clauses. Sri Lanka’s cricket has been under investigation by the ICC’s ACU since 2017. Several former players have been charged under the ICC code, the most notable of whom is Sanath Jayasuriya, who was banned for two years in February this year. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Barbados Pride rebound from shock defeat to see off minnows Canada BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Left-hander Nicholas Kirton struck his second half-century in three innings as Barbados Pride rebounded from a shock defeat to CCC Marooners, to crush minnows Canada by nine wickets here Monday. Set a paltry 162 at Conaree Cricket Centre, Pride made light work of the target to get home with 20 overs to spare. Opener Kjorn Ottley finally tasted form following

low returns in his previous two innings, top-scoring with an upbeat unbeaten 70 off 84 deliveries while Kirton was yet again fluent in notching 56 not out off 48 balls. Leniko Boucher got a start with 26 but once he departed in the 13th over, Ottley and Kirton took charge in an exactly 100-run, unbroken second wicket stand. Choosing to bat first, Canada’s innings of 161 was underpinned by Arslan Khan who struck a defiant 76 off

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128 deliveries, after new-ball speedsters Chemar Holder (3-32) and Roshon Primus (3-34) rocked the top order. The 20-year-old Arslan arrived at the crease with his side in turmoil at six for two in the third over and watched as they slipped further to 29 for four in the 15th over. The 20-year-old then put his head down in an innings containing five fours and a six, putting on 21 for the fifth wicket with Kanwarpal Tathgur (5), 38 for the sixth wicket with Harsh Thaker (18) and 34 08:25 hrs Cerberus 08:55 hrs Monkfish 09:25 hrs Iknowwhereiamnow 09:55 hrs Dawson’s Cottage 10:25 hrs Bapume 10:55 hrs Kayf Thou 11:25 hrs Silver Klass American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 High Command Race 2 Art Thief Race 3 Floyd Unger Race 4 Tousled

for the seventh wicket with captain Kanwar Mann (8). Arslan finally perished in the 43rd over, swinging Primus to short mid-wicket where Ashley Nurse took a low catch. In reply, Ottley and Boucher put on 62 off 77 balls for the first wicket to ensure there were no hiccups in the run chase. Left-hander Ottley counted 10 fours while Boucher hit five boundaries in a 48ball knock before missing a straight one from left-arm spinner Shahid Ahmadzai

and falling lbw in the 13th over. Kirton, who featured last season for reigning champions CCC Marooners, joined Ottley and set about the Canadian attack with relish, pummelling five fours and two sixes, to race to his half-century off 46 balls by clearing the ropes at long off with seamer Nauman Zafar in the 30th over. He finished the game with the very next delivery, dragging Zafar to the mid-wicket boundary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Liverpool win over City suggests long wait may come to an end By Simon Evans

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - There is still more than six months of the Premier League season left, with 26 games and no doubt many plot twists ahead, but Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday had the feel of a changing of the guard at the pinnacle of English football. It was not so much the maths, though Liverpool’s nine-point advantage over defending champions City, with a point less over Leicester

City and Chelsea, is a significant gap, especially as Juergen Klopp’s side have lost one league game in 18 months. But it was the manner of Liverpool’s victory at Anfield which suggested that the fans’ nearly 30-year wait for a domestic league title may be coming to a close. City were by no means poor, and played their part in an entertaining encounter, but Liverpool were better in every department. Klopp’s side were sharper in attack, where Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both

found the target, more solid at the back and in the midfield were faster, stronger, harder and more incisive, as always helped by their rampaging full-backs. Liverpool are European champions after overpowering teams of the calibre of Barcelona, bullying them physically, ripping them apart with speedy bursts down the flanks from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson and through ruthless finishing. City, though, have won the past two Premier League

titles thanks to their technical brilliance and mastery of possession football which they executed with relentless consistency. However, this season Liverpool have matched that level of consistency, unbeaten and with 11 wins from 12, they arrived at this game with the only question being whether they could cope with the unique challenge of Pep Guardiola’s City machine.

VULNERABLE VISITORS City inexplicably given their huge resources, went into this season with just three established central defenders — John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte. Given that Laporte has been sidelined by injury since August and Otamendi’s form has been haphazard at best, City went to Anfield with

Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scores their second goal (Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)

The only conclusion after 90 minutes of high quality football was that Liverpool have no weak spots. It is hard to think of any team in the world who would enter the intimidating atmosphere of Anfield confident of leaving with a win. City, in contrast, have had a major weakness exposed due to injuries and made an unfathomable mistake in the transfer market by not replacing former captain Vincent Kompany when he left the club in the close-season and that has come back to bite them.

midfielder Fernandinho filling in alongside Stones. Liverpool in contrast were able to replace Virgil van Dijk’s injured defensive partner Joel Matip with the experienced Croatian Dejan Lovren and still had England international Joe Gomez in reserve on the bench. There was no glaring error from City’s defenders but there was an air of vulnerability about them throughout the game and the sense of certainty that Liverpool would punish Guardiola’s back line for any slip-up.

Last season, City delivered a tactically mature and disciplined performance in a goalless draw at Anfield but, as Guardiola conceded, this game was more similar to the 2018 Champions League quarter-final, where City were blown apart after going two goals down in the opening 20 minutes. “If you give them an inch, they will take that and score goals,” said City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva, who grabbed their late consolation goal. “That’s what happens. You can play better than Liverpool and be 2-0 or 3-0 behind. They are maybe the best team in the world with their counter-attack, second balls and set pieces.” City will recover from this loss, surely will strengthen their defence in the January transfer window and it would be a foolish pundit who writes them off. “It’s still November and we still have games to play. We’re not in an ideal position – we don’t want to lose games – and we have to improve,” said Silva. “We were in this position last season. We’ll never give up.” Liverpool’s protestations that this game decided nothing were inevitable but there was no hiding the desire Klopp has to deliver that long absent league title. “Nine points, you cannot imagine that something like this happens,” said the German. “But it’s not important because who wants to be first in early November? We want to be first in May.”

Twin tons power Pakistan to day one dominance BABAR Azam has reinforced his standing as Pakistan’s talisman, scoring a commanding unbeaten century in the pink-ball tour match against Australia A in Perth. Test stalwart Asad Shafiq also reached triple figures before Pakistan went to stumps at 3-336 on day one of the three-day clash. A strong Australia A pace attack led by Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson toiled as Babar (157no) and Shafiq (119no) piled on a colossal 276-run partnership. The hosts weren’t helped by a pink Kookaburra ball which quickly lost its hardness and didn’t offer much even under lights on a tame Perth Stadium pitch. Babar had a lucky escape when he glanced his second ball faced down the leg-side and a diving Alex Carey was only able to get a fingertip to it. From there, it was a chanceless and masterful knock highlighted by the

frequent use of a beautifully-timed straight drive. Pakistan’s T20 skipper reached his century off just 126 balls and had plundered 24 boundaries by the time he walked off the ground. “He’s an exceptionally good player,” Australia Test hopeful Travis Head said. “He’s obviously translated that (white-ball) form nicely today. “We’ll think of some plans over the next couple of days and the next couple of weeks, I guess, for the guys playing the first Test against him.” Having stamped himself as one of the world’s best white-ball batters, Babar will be looking to carry his sparkling form into the Test arena. Babar top-scored with 99 when Australia and Pakistan squared off last October in Abu Dhabi, where the hosts won by 373 runs to claim the series. The right-hander has averaged 53 from his past 11 Test

innings including that knock. Test prospect Riley Meredith snared two early wickets after Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bat. Tasmanian speedster Meredith delivered the highlight of Monday’s opening session, coming around the wicket to lefthander Shan Masood and sending down a vicious bouncer which the opener fended to Abbott at point. The day-night match is doubling as a national selection shootout ahead of the first Test at the Gabba starting on November 21, with Travis Head, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns and Will Pucovski all lining up for Australia A. Coach Justin Langer and chief selector Trevor Hohns will sit down on Wednesday to pick their squad for the Gabba, with Harris, Khawaja and Burns competing to open the batting alongside David Warner.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Ministry of Agriculture Sports 2019

GUYSUCO cop 4th consecutive cricket title ANOTHER successful day of sport for agencies and departments within the Ministry of Agriculture went down on Friday last at the National Park in Georgetown with Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) retaining their cricket championship in the feature event. Playing in cloudy and humid conditions, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) won the toss and asked the defending champions to bat and after their allotted 10 overs, GUYSUCO reached an imposing 172-4. GUYSUCO started miserably when Adrian Singh was dismissed off the first ball of the match but his fellow opener, Troy Matterson and the stylish Andy Mohan added a match-winning second wicket partnership of 121 in just over seven overs. Mohan who began aggressively, smashed 73 from 28 balls with 8 sixes and 4 fours while Matterson accelerated after Mohan

was dismissed scored on 80 from 27 balls with 9 sixes and 5 fours. Keith Salroop who got the early wicket finished with 1/19 while Travis Fung 1/40 was the other successful wicket taker for GRDB.

sistance to the skilled GUYSUCO bowling which was lead by Matterson (2/28) and Mohan (2/6). GUYSUCO won by 65 runs and took their fourth consecutive cricket title. At the presentation cer-

Hydroment Service was the best bowler with six scalps. In other events of the day, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) retained their domino title as well after overcoming Mahaica Mahaicony and

Champions! Guyana Sugar Corporation played unbeaten to win their fourth consecutive title

In reply, GRBD struggled to keep up with the required run rate and stumbled to 107/7 innings closed. Only Jared Persaud (40) and A. Sharma (30) offered any re-

emony, Troy Matterson was named Man- of- the -Match in the final and was also the tournament’s leading run scorer with 238 runs while Arnim Griffith of the

Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA) and GUYSUCO in the final while MMA beat GRDB in the cards final for their fourth consecutive title as well.

There was added excitement with the novelty games which saw good participation by persons from the various departments and agencies. Like the sporting events, the winners of the novelty events won trophies, medals, hampers and other tangible prizes that were presented at the closing ceremony. The day began with the march pass of athletes from the agencies where Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Aretha Henry (Admin) and Dacia Ferguson (Finance) and Technical Development Officer (TDO) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Seon Erskine took the salute. In her welcome remarks, Henry encouraged the athletes be good ambassadors of their agencies and to take the opportunity to bond with colleagues from the other departments while Erskine praised the Ministry of Agriculture for being the only government agency to have a day of sports. The NSC TDO further

stated that sport unites a nation and was happy that so many different persons with so many different skill set professionally and from so many different parts of the country can come together because of sport. The annual sports day wraps up Agriculture month which is observed annually in October and has seen increase in participation every year. At the closing ceremony, trophies and other prizes were presented to all winners including the Fisherie Department won the basketball competition, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) were crowned champions of the volleyball competition, NDIA took the table tennis title, MMA won the football championship, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the Fisheries Department were tied for first place in circle tennis and the Hydromet Service who won the march pass.

Dindyal ton, Lord all-round efforts Khan spins way to 15-wicket match haul in Everest first-division victory lead GCC to comprehensive win LEG-spinner Amir Khan 30. Khan having already claimed

WEST Indies U-16 cricketer, Mavindra Dindyal, and Devon Lord, back from a stint in Canada, were able to register solid performances over the weekend to give home team, the Georgetown Cricket Club, a comprehensive victory

Mavindra Dindyal scored 101 for GCC

against Ace Warriors in their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Noble House Seafoods Two-Day Second Division cricket clash. Young Dindyal batted

sensibly to score 101 (8X4s, 1X6) while Lord and Ronaldo Alimohamed supported with half centuries to lift GCC to 285-5 declared, on Sunday, before they again bowled out a depleted Ace Warriors unit for a paltry total, which resulted in an innings and 204-run victory. On Saturday, GCC, defending champions of the competition, had taken control of the clash by restricting the visitors for 38 runs, after left-arm spinners Stephon Wilson and Lord had grabbed 4-7 and 3-15. Winston Forrester supported with 2-1 from three overs. The home team had reached 127-3 by the close of play with Dindyal unbeaten on 37 and Alimohamed on 13. On Sunday morning, the pair continued to build on their lead, with Alimohamed hitting three fours and a six in a score of 52. After Alimohamed, who

captained the side, fell, regular skipper Lord joined Dindyal in the middle. When the side declared in 45 overs, Lord was left unbeaten on 54 after having struck four fours and an equal amount of sixes. The left-arm spinner

spun his way to a whopping 15 wickets and his Everest Cricket Club team to an innings and nine runs victory over GNIC when action in the GISE Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall First-Division competition continued over the weekend at the Everest ground. Everest batted first after they lost the toss on Saturday, but were able to put together a workman-like total of 256, with Ritchie Looknauth leading the charge with 70 (6X4s, 1X6). Ronaldo Renee supported with 45, while Khan added 37 and David Williams

Premchand Sookdeo finished with 3-62 for the visitors. By the close of play, GNIC were on 96-4 with

Amir Khan spun his way to match figures of 15 wickets for 70 runs in 29 overs

4-26 from 10 overs. On Sunday, the visitors folded. They lost their last six first inning wickets for 34 runs as they succumbed for 130 in 44 overs. Khan continued from his first-day dominance by taking four additional wickets to finish with figures of 8-31 from 17 overs. The home team then enforced the follow on and Khan again did the damage. He grabbed 7-39 from 12 overs to help dismiss GNIC for 117 from 33 overs. Along with Khan, who took wickets at regular intervals, Looknauth also picked up three wickets.

Kenya’s Kiptum gets four-year ban for doping Devon Lord scored a half-century and took a match haul of 7-36

then nabbed 4-21 to help restrict Ace Warriors to 43-7 in 18.1 overs. Ace Warriors only batted with eight players in their second innings.

(REUTERS) - Kenya’s former world half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum has been banned for four years over an anti-doping violation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said here The AIU, which oversees integrity issues in international athletics, including doping, had provisionally suspended the 30-year-old on April 26 for an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) violation. The passport uses blood tests to detect the likelihood of doping rather than testing for specific substances. Kiptum’s four-year ban commences from that date

and all his results going back to Oct. 13, 2018 — includ-

Kenya’s former world half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum

ing a half marathon world record (58 minutes and 18 seconds) that he had set in Valencia later that month — have been disqualified. His time was five seconds better than the previous mark set by Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese in Lisbon in 2010. K i p t u m ’s c o m p a t r i o t Geoffrey Kamworor broke the world half-marathon record by 17 seconds in Copenhagen in September. Kenya is known for its middle and long-distance running pedigree but has suffered damage to its reputation due to a number of doping violations in recent years.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

VAR has been a success despite criticism, says Swarbrick LONDON (Reuters) - The use of the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) in the Premier League has been vindicated despite several controversial decisions and criticism from fans and pundits, the system’s chief Neil Swarbrick said on Monday. Speaking to the media after the latest round of matches in which Sheffield United had a goal disallowed for offside against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City were denied a penalty for handball against Liverpool, Swarbrick defended the technology. “We are in the infancy with VAR, 12 match weeks into the Premier League season, and you need to give us time to operate and utilise it,” he told Sky Sports. “It is working as we wanted. It’s taken quite a few years for other competitions or sports - the likes of cricket

and rugby union - to get to where they are today regarding technology. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

“If the mark now is seven - early days - in two years’ time I’m hoping for maybe an eight and a half

VAR system’s chief Neil Sawrbrick

VAR was introduced in the Premier League this season after trials in the League Cup and FA Cup. Asked by the BBC how he would rate the use of VAR on a scale of one to 10, Swarbrick said: “I’d give us around about seven-ish. We have more decisions correct with VAR than without it.

or nine. “We are open to evolving with this - it’s not a case of we’re not budging. We will listen to feedback and where we can improve things, we will do.” Some pundits were less enthralled with the system which has also infuriated fans around the world, mostly

for decision-making delays which take up to several minutes. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton was one of the system’s harshest critics. “Seven out of 10? Did he really say that with a straight face? Come on, are you serious?” Sutton told the BBC. “There have been so many high-profile, horrific mistakes. They’ve got too much wrong. I wanted VAR to work, I backed VAR, but they are making such a mess of it.” Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson also pulled no punches in criticising VAR. “It’s been a bit of a disaster,” he said. It’s still a matter of opinion because it doesn’t clear up a clear and obvious error, It’s just someone else’s opinion. “It’s been a complete mess from day one and it’s caused more problems than it’s worth.”

Powell tops Fudadin to keep Hurricanes unbeaten BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Test discard Kieran Powell stroked his fourth List A hundred to cancel out a wonderful century from Assad Fudadin, as Leeward Islands Hurricanes won their third on the trot with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions here Sunday. Chasing 263 in the Group A contest at Conaree Cricket Centre, Hurricanes reached their target in the 46th over, with Powell seeing them home with an elegant unbeaten 121. The left-hander struck eight fours and three sixes off 124 balls, sharing vital partnerships with fellow opener Montcin Hodge who made 64, Amir Jangoo who struck 37 and Devon Thomas who was unbeaten at the end on 32. Opener Fudadin’s 107 had earlier formed the foundation of Scorpions’ 262 for nine from their allotted overs, after they were sent in. The Guyanese left-hander faced 133 deliveries and struck 12 fours and two sixes,

receiving support from Nkrumah Bonner who narrowly missed out on his fourth List A hundred with 97 off 81 balls. The defeat was the second for Scorpions in as many matches, keeping them without a point.

Assad Fudadin hit 107 for Scorpions

Scorpions lost cheap wickets early on but Fudadin held the innings together, posting 23 for the first wicket with Aldaine Thomas (12), 37 for the second with Jermaine Blackwood (7) and 21 for the third with Andre McCarthy (9). However, when McCarthy edged a cut at off-spin-

ner Terrance Warde and was taken at slip by Powell in the 22nd over, Scorpions were 81 for three and in need of a solid partnership. They got it courtesy of Fudadin and Bonner who combined in a 133-run, fourth wicket stand to put their side

Kieran Powell remained unbeaten on 121 for Hurricanes

in a strong position. Fudadin reached his fifty off 78 deliveries but stepped up his scoring to reach his second fifty off as many balls and complete a second List A hundred. Bonner, meanwhile, was the more aggressive, lashing four fours and three sixes in

an attractive innings. Fudadin was eventually run out in the 45th over and Bonner followed in similar fashion in the final over, pinching a sharp single off the first ball in a failed attempt to get on strike. In reply, Powell dominated from the outset, putting on 130 for the first wicket with Hodge who counted seven fours and a six in a 79-ball knock. Powell scored briskly to reach his half-century of just 46 balls, and marched to three figures in the 41st over off 113 deliveries. When Hodge eventually missed a straighter one off Bonner’s leg-spin and was lbw in the 23rd over, Jangoo joined Powell to add 74 for the second and further consolidate Hurricanes’ position. Jangoo faced 47 balls and struck three fours before driving a chest high catch to cover off McCarthy’s off-spin but Thomas arrived to put on 60 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Powell, and hasten the end.

India crush Windies Women again, cruise to 2-0 series lead

Fifteen-year-old Shafali Verma finished on 69 not out to complete her second consecutive half-century

INDIA women defeated West Indies women by 10 wickets in the second T20 International at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground to take a 2-0 series lead on Sunday. Anisa Mohammed, the stand-in captain as Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of the series due to injury, won the toss and elected to bat first. Once again, the runs were hard to come by, as Hayley Matthews and Stacy-Ann King opened the batting. King was the first to go for 7, followed by Shemaine Campbelle for a four-ball 0. Chedean Nation steadied the Windes middle order with Matthews, as the pair added 34 runs before Matthews tried to hit a straight six and was caught in the deep for 23. Nation fell soon after for 32. Natasha McLean was the only other batter to reach double figures, she made 17. The West Indies Women finished their 20 overs on 103 for 7. Deepti Sharma was the best bowler for India Women with 4 for 10 from her 4 overs. Shafali Verma for the second match in a row took a liking to the Windies Women’s bowling and the pitch at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The fifteen-year-old struck her second consecutive half-century to lead the Indians to victory in the eleventh over. Verma finished on 69 not out and with her was Smriti Mandhana on 30 not out. India won the match reaching 104 without loss in 10.3 overs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday November 12, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Chris Gayle-117 (vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007) (2) Mohammad Shahzad-118 (vs ZIM, Sharjah, 2016) TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who is the first player to captain the WI in a T20 International game? (2) Who is the first player to lead Afghanistan in a T20 International game? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Police win Inter-Service Annual Swimming Championship POLICE were able to gain grounds in the 2019 Inter-Services Championships, by winning the swimming battle against rivals, the Guyana Defence Force, on Sunday, at the National Aquatic Centre at

Liliendaal. The four-team battle ended with the Guyana Police Force, led by their male swimmers, including Andrew Fowler, who represented Guyana this year at the World Aquatics Championships in South Korea, winning by 36 points. After 12 competitive events, Police finished on 213 points, while GDF ended on 177 points, the Guyana Fire Service on nine points and the Guyana Prison Service on four points. Although Police’s Nikita Feidtkou, another national swimmer, finished as the best individual female with 28 points, the Guyana Defence

― National swimmers excel

Force ended on top in the women’s battle. GDF’s women finished with 100 points, while Police’s women ended with 98. The army’s Kenita Mahaica won the women’s 50M breast-stroke race

Police emerged victorious at the event

Daniel Scott was the GDF’s top individual performer in the pool

TWT/GUYOIL Schools football League

President’s College, Lodge record latest wins WHEN the Trade Wind Tankers/GUYOIL Schools football league continued on Monday, President’s College railroaded Charlestown 4-1. A breezy Monday afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue saw the out of town men run circles around the Georgetown lads. Allister Henry (23rd minute) Jushawn Bayley (27th), Shalom Chisholm (48th) and Breon Allicock (60th) were the scorers for the PC side while Charlestown pulled one back with Tariq Pryce in the 58th. In the other game, Lodge Secondary outplayed St Johns College 4-0 thanks to some fancy footwork from Troyston Louisy who scored in the 32nd and 64th minutes.

in a time of 44.09s, just ahead of teammate Asanti Mickle, while seasoned national swimmer, Soroya Simmons, led GDF to victory in the 50M backstroke in 35.78s. She was able to finish ahead of Fiedtk-

The other two goals came from Nicolas Trotman (24th) and Joshua Denny (30th). In Sunday’s matches, Annandale railroaded Cummings Lodge 8-0. Dual hat-tricks from Colin Henriques (1st, 28th,65th) and Seon Haywood (11th,17th,40th) along with a brace from Omari Glasgow (10th,55th) ensured the margin was large enough that a comeback could not be staged. Meanwhile, Bishops’ High beat St. Stanislaus College 2-1 thanks to Malachi Richards (9th, 27th). Marian’s Academy were also 1-0 winners over Queens College thanks to Recardo Percival in the 10th minute. Matches continue next weekend.

ou (36.69s) and Mickle (40.06s). The GDF ‘A’ team then won the female 200M Medley Relay in 2:26.38, ahead of GPF ‘A’ team (2:28.06). Feidtkou, who finished with 28 points, won gold in the 200M freestyle in a time of 2:27.52, to surge past another excellent national swimmer in Britany Van Lange (GDF). The Olympian clocked 2:33.03, while the dominant Amy Grant (GPF) finished third in 2:33.41. Feidtkou also won the 50M freestyle event in a time of 29.40s, just ahead of Van Lange who finished in 29.58s and Grant, who finished in 29.76s. Also registering a vic-

tory for Police was Grant. She won the 50M butterfly in a time of 31.31s. Noelle Smith (GPF) finished second in 33.83s, with Van Lange just behind in 33.94s. Van Lange and Grant finished with 22 points each,

while GDF’s trio of Mahaica, Mickle and Simmons ended on 19, 18 and 15 points respectively. Fowler won two events, but finished behind GDF’s Daniel Scott overall on the points table. National swimmer Scott ended on 28 points, while fellow national swimmers, Fitzroy Thom (GPF) and Fowler ended on 26 points each. In the 400M freestyle, Scott stormed to victory in a time of 4:27.40, ahead of Thom (GPF), who clocked 4:51.68 and Fowler (4:54.02). Scott also won the 50M breast-stroke in a time of 32.81s, ahead of Andrew

National swimmers, Andrew Fowler and Nikita Feidtkou, helped Police to claim their victory

Jordan 33.57s. Fowler, on the other hand, claimed victory in the 50M butterfly. His time of 26.88s was slightly faster than Scott’s 26.91s. Jordan (GPF) placed third in 28.69s. Fowler, the US-based university student who travelled home for the meet, also won the 50M freestyle event in a time of 25.23s. Thom placed second in 26.19s and Jordan third in 26.76s. Thom also claimed a victory when he won the 50M

backstroke (30.83s); fellow Police swimmers, Joseph Seguina (32.87s) and Jamaal Sobers (34.39s) placed second and third. Earlier in the day, the Guyana Defence Force had registered a win in the road race. According to reports, GPF finished second, the Guyana Prison Service third and the Guyana Fire Service fourth. The championships is scheduled to continue later this week with the Track and Field events.

Pitbull 3.0 crowned new Rawle Toney/ Mackeson 3X3 Classic champs

PITBULL 3.0 walked away with GY$300,000 and the Rawle Toney/ Mackeson 3X3 Basketball Classic trophy, following the conclusion of the tourney this past weekend at the Burnham Court. After a total of nine opening matches were played in the round stages, the eventual champs managed to edge opponents and runners-up, Smooth, as well as third-place winners, Plaisance Ballers. In the end, it was a 22-12 scoreline, led by MVP Ryan Stephney which saw the Pitbulls thrash their opponents in front of a decent crowd. After advancing from the preliminary stages, both Pitbull 3.0 and Smooth watched as the likes of Ion Know, Dark Knight, Unstoppable and Plaisance ballers did battle among each other. Ion Know got into the semifinals by beating Dark Knight 18-15 while Plaisance Ballers managed to stop the Unstoppables 19-10, which set up a match between Smooth

and Ion Know with the Pitbulls facing Plaisance Ballers. Smooth, in the semi-finals, defeated Ion Know 17-16 while

Pitbull 3.0 thumped a hapless Plaisance Ballers 15-06 to help secure a spot in the finals. Stephney pocketed

$25,000 and the Andrew Ifill trophy, compliments of FireSide Grill, for his MVP performance.

The victorious Pitbull 3.0 share a photo with tournament founder, Rawle Toney

Hope hits unbeaten 109 as Windies complete Afghan 19 clean sweep

Shai Hope smashes one on the leg side (Getty Images)

Page Roston Chase was adjudged Man-of-the-Series for his tour average of 72 and six wickets

Sri Lanka passes bill criminalising match-fixing 19

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Sri Lankan fans had reasons to cheerÂ (BCCI)

VAR has been a success 22 despite criticism, says Swarbrick

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Neil Sawrbrick

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2019