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FRIDAY 22nd November, 2019

In one accord No.105829

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…APNU, AFC to contest March polls as coalition …agree to 70:30 ratio, five ministries for AFC …President to head list, name ministers

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MARCUS BISRAM GOES TO PRISON

…charged, remanded for murder of Corentyne carpenter

Halliburton’s Area Manager of the Caribbean, Franco Delano signing the MoU as Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Professor Paloma Mohamed, Chancellor of UG, Professor Edward Greene and other officials look on (Delano Williams photo)

UG gets US$2.2M from Halliburton 14

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― to support faculties of engineering, technology

Over 800 Venezuelan children in school

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― Minister Felix hands out food 09 items to scores of EBD squatters

GPSU credit union to offer home, car loans

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…IMC says AGM to be held next year to elect management body 11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

IN ONE ACCORD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

…APNU, AFC to contest March polls as coalition …agree to 70:30 ratio, five ministries for AFC …President to head list, name ministers

By Svetlana Marshall THREE months of rigorous, and at times, heated negotiations between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) ended on an “excellent” note with the two sides agreeing on a revised Cummingsburg Accord. The new accord, which is expected to be signed within days, will see the APNU and AFC moving into the 2020 General and Regional Elections as a coalition, as was done in 2015 when they brought an end to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) reign in government. The two sides struck a deal on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency during a high-level inter-party meeting with Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity, President David Granger and Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan. APNU’s Chief Negotiator, Volda Lawrence and her counterpart David Patterson were present. Emerging from the meeting with a smile on his face, Ramjattan, who was identified as the AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, told reporters that the meeting was “excellent.” He said there should be no doubt that the APNU and AFC are entering the electoral battle field as a single unit. “Certainly, we are going into elections as a coalition, I can tell you

that. Together is better,” the AFC Leader told reporters. “No comments,” the AFC Chief Negotiator told reporters as he exited the Ministry of the Presidency’s compound. On the other hand, APNU’s Chief Negotiator made it known that the coalition remains intact. “We met and you will hear from us shortly. The coalition has always been strong. We are good, you will hear from us shortly,” Lawrence told reporters.

the old Cummingsburg Accord, the APNU was allocated 60 per cent of the seats won by the Government in the National Assembly, while the remaining 40 per cent went to the AFC. Under this new construct, Guyana Chronicle was told that the APNU and AFC have agreed to a 70:30 ratio-- a formula which was proposed by the APNU. “It’s based on the perceived and real reduced electoral strength. I think it’s a reasonable argument. My sense

cratic Councils. Last Monday – November 18, the APNU Executive met and agreed on a post-election formula for the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs). It is believed that the formula agreed upon on Thursday is in keeping with that proposed by the APNU Executive. President Granger has repeatedly said that the coalition partners are better together.

APNU Chief Negotiator Volda Lawrence flanked by AFC lead negotiator, David Patterson (left) and Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan (right) as they exited the meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency with President David Granger (Esan Griffith photo)

Though the APNU and AFC officials were tight-lipped on the contents of the new accord, Guyana Chronicle understands that the AFC – the smaller of the two coalition partners – agreed to receive 10 per cent less of the seats it had bargained for in 2015. Under

is that the AFC acknowledges this, and would settle for a reduced portion of seats,” a source had explained to the Guyana Chronicle. The formula will guide the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and at the level of the Regional Demo-

Last Wednesday, he explained that once the two sides agree on a revised Cummingsburg Accord, they will then move to establish a manifesto, paving the way for their elections campaign to be launched. Ahead of the negotiation, the parties had agreed to a number

of core principles which guided the negotiations, and will continue to guide the coalition as it seeks a return to office when elections are held in March, 2020. The Guyana Chronicle reported back in September that the parties had committed to upholding the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and to ensure that no agreement or action collides with or contradicts articles of the Constitution. This newspaper also understands that as part of the core principles, the parties agreed and committed to the establishment of a system of inclusionary democracy and the advancement of the country’s Green State Development Strategy, Vision 2040. They also committed to seeking electoral majorities at the general and regional elections and local government elections and agreed to select candidates for the aforementioned elections through participatory and transparent processes, which guarantee that candidates enjoy the majority of their respective constituencies and satisfy all legal criteria for election. On the issue of allocation of seats in the National Assembly, the Cabinet, Regional Democratic Councils, Municipal and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, the sides agreed that this would be done on the basis of a formula. The sides agreed too that the prerogative of the President to appoint members of cabinet

and ministers and to assign specific ministerial portfolios is explicitly embodied in the Constitution and is inviolable. Common manifesto, campaign Meanwhile, other aspects of the core principles include the cultivation of respectful relations and at all times the parties will act collectively in the best interest of the coalition. They also agreed to speak with one voice on issues of public policy, to support a common manifesto and to issue joint media bulletins and releases on electoral matters. Additionally, the parties agreed to abide by the principle of collective responsibility in respect of decisions emanating from Cabinet and to holding common positions on bills, motions and resolutions in the National Assembly. Each party also pledged to inform the other in advance of its inability at any time to support any measure in the National Assembly. Other areas covered in the core principles are that of the publishing of a joint manifesto comprising 12 broad fields: constitutional reform, good governance, economic growth and development, education improvement, energy sector, environmental protection, indigenous peoples, infrastructural development, international relations, social protection and social cohesion, security and human safety, women, gender equality and youth.

64 police ranks graduate from UG The Commissioner had also graduated with a Commonwealth Master’s in Public Administration. Mr. James was appointed to pilot the Guyana Police

Force in August 2018. During his visits to the various Policing Divisions at the time he was studying, he urged ranks to pursue higher learn-

ing, while commending those who had already done so, either from the University of Guyana or other Tertiary institutions.

The Georgetown American University continues to make strides ...Second batch to graduate with Medicine Degree

(Center) The Top Cop seated while flanked by senior officers who graduated from the University of Guyana

POLICE Commissioner Leslie James expressed heartfelt congratulations to some of the sixty-four members of the GPF who, last Saturday, grad-

uated in a number of academic disciplines during U.G’s 53rd Convocation at its Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, Guyana.

Flanked by very senior officers Thursday in the Commissioner’s Conference Room, the Commissioner congratulated the ranks.

The Georgetown American University ‘occupies’ a small campus at 81 Croal Street. Its Clinical Sciences Office is in the USA. The Guyana Campus is efficiently managed and lecturers are all highly qualified. The institution is registered with the Accreditation Council of Guyana and has international recognition. ISO certification has been a recent acquisition. The University’s 2019 graduation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, commencing at 16:00 hours. It will be the second batch of students to be graduating with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. Several of the students have already successfully completed the Caribbean Association of Medical Council Board Examination, thus allowing GAU to maintain its 100 % pass rate at the Board Exam.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Netanyahu charged in corruption cases, deepening Israeli political disarray JERUSALEM (Reuters) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was charged with bribery, breach of trust and fraud on Thursday, a criminal indictment that plunged Israel deeper into political disarray. The decision announced by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit was the first of its kind against a serving Israeli prime minister and represented the gravest crisis in the political career of the man popularly known as

“Bibi”. Netanyahu, in power since 2009, has dominated Israeli politics for a generation and is the country’s longest-serving leader. He has denied wrongdoing in three corruption cases, saying he is the victim of a political witch hunt. The indictment posed no immediate threat to Netanyahu’s decade-long hold on power, a grip loosened by elections in April and September in which neither the right-wing Likud leader

nor centrist challenger Benny Gantz secured a governing majority. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister and is under no legal obligation to resign once charged. The opening of a trial could be delayed for months by a possible new election and any moves by Netanyahu to secure parliamentary immunity from prosecution. “This is a difficult and sad day,” Mandelblit said, announcing the indictment in a televised statement. Mandelblit, who was appointed to his post by Netanyahu, said he had a duty to Israel’s citizens to ensure that no one was above the law. Netanyahu, 70, was due to make a

statement from his official residence at 1830 GMT. CASES 1000, 2000 AND 4000 Police recommended in February that Mandelblit file criminal charges against Netanyahu in the long-running investigations dubbed Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000. Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting $264,000 worth of gifts from tycoons and of allegedly dispensing favors in return for favorable stories about him in Israel’s biggest selling newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, and the Walla website. Case 4000, the most serious of the three, alleges that Netanyahu granted regulatory

22 November, 2019 01:00hrs - ~02:30hrs

favors worth about 1.8 billion shekels (about $500 million) to Israel’s leading telecommunications company, Bezeq Telecom Israel (BEZQ.TA). In return, Mandelblit said, Netanyahu and his wife often received positive coverage on the Walla site, which is owned by Bezeq’s former chairman, Shaul Elovitch. He indicted Netanyahu on charges of breach of trust and fraud in all three corruption cases against him, as well as bribery in Case 4000. Netanyahu could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum 3-year term for fraud and breach of trust. Earlier, during one of the most unusual days in Israeli political history, the country’s president told lawmakers to name a candidate to form a new government after Netanyahu and Gantz both failed, a development that probably sets the stage for a third election within a year. “These are harsh dark days in the annals of the State of Israel,” President Reuven Rivlin said as he announced that Gantz had not mustered enough support for a stable coalition. The prolonged political stalemate comes at a tricky time for Israel and its most prominent statesman on the domestic and internation-

al fronts. Its conflict with arch-foe Iran has deepened - Israeli warplanes hit Iranian targets in Syria on Wednesday after rockets were fired toward Israel - while fighting with Palestinian militants in Gaza flared last week. The introduction of criminal charges could further complicate the eventual rollout of the U.S. administration’s long-delayed Middle East peace plan by imperiling the political future of one of the key players whose support is needed. And if a new Israeli election is in the cards, Netanyahu would be running as an indicted suspect, displaying a rare vulnerability that could entice potential challengers within his own party to make a move against a weakened prime minister. Palestinians greeted the news with grim pleasure. Palestine Liberation Organization official Wasel Abu Youssef said that for years Netanyahu had sought to avoid this outcome by “launching wars against the Palestinian people” to boost his domestic popularity.

Wednesday November , 2019

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November 15 2019

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Guyana CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

CADRES poll predicts DLP victory in December 6 general election ROSEAU, Dominica, Nov 21, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES) Thursday said many Dominicans expect the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to win the December 6 general election, but cautioned “that this is not necessarily an expression of voting intention”. CADRES director Peter Wickham, speaking at a news conference, where he unveiled the results of a poll conducted here during the month of October said 48 per cent of those polled said they expected the DLP to win the elections, while 25 per cent said they expected the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) to win and 27 per cent were unsure or preferred not to say. The regional political scientist told reporters that the survey was based on just over 1,000 interviews that were conducted in all 21 constituencies across Dominica and the questionnaire used was structured and sought information on the main issues of concern, including the leader preferred to lead the island over the next five years and the respondents voting intention. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus five per cent. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in power, while his main challenger is Opposition Leader Lennox Linton. Wickham told reporters that the issue of leadership is always a critical indicator and in this regard respondents were asked which leader they would “prefer” at this time and the majority -39

per cent- said that they would prefer Prime Minister Skerrit, while the second largest quantity (31 per cent) opted for Linton. But he noted that 26 per cent of those questioned did not answer the question and four per cent said they were genuinely uncertain about which leader they preferred. “In this regard, the preferred leader responses were cross tabulated with party support, in particular the “Uncertain voter” who did not opt for Labour or UWP in the party support question and a majority of these persons (69 per cent) did not commit to either leader. Among those who did, the majority (13 per cent) preferred Prime Minister Skerrit while eight per cent preferred Opposition Leader Linton,” Wickham said. He said when respondents were asked about their voting intention and their expectation regarding the outcome ‘”some 48 per cent said they expected the DLP to win the December 6 elections, while 25 per cent said they expected the UWP to win and 27 per cent were unsure or preferred not to say. “This conveys a sense that Dominicans expect the DLP to emerge victorious, but it should be noted that this is not necessarily an expression of voting intention,” Wickham said. He told reporters that over the years he has noticed an issue in Dominica, which he referred to as “voter lethargy” which he described as the “extent to which voters are not excited to vote or alternatively a lot less enthusiastic about the voting than they were in the previous election.

“I can tell you at this point that voter lethargy is definitely up in Dominica. I don’t believe that comes as a surprise to anyone in that there’s an increase lack of enthusiasm in voting and I am talking about voting for either party on this occasion”. Wickham said as a result the question of success at the polls would hinge on which of the parties is better able to motivate voter “at this point in time. “I should point out that the issue of voter lethargy can impact negatively on our projections for a Labour win. Certainly if Labour is able to get its voters out on election day and is able to deal constructively with this issue of lethargy then Labour could win. “If however, the opposition is better able to exploit this issue of lethargy and get its voters out then UWP could win,” Wickham said, adding it depends on how the lethargy issue is dealt with by the parties. “Certainly I would see this as being the significant issue in this election,” he said, noting that what CADRES has found in the Caribbean in recent times “is that expectations of victory, are sometimes the greatest problem for a party that is likely to win. “It creates a situation where people expect it to happen and they certainly don’t want to go, or certainly don’t feel inclined to vote,” he added. Wickham said that while a swing of seven per cent would be required to ensure the removal of the DLP from power, he has been noticing “ a couple of interesting phenomena …in specific constit-

uencies where the movement is interesting. “But I think you could see a situation where at the national level Labour loses support, but Labour is able to impact on some non-traditional seats in this election, which I find is a very fascinating movement.” CADRES said that the

data also showed that when asked which candidate they intended o vote for, 37 per cent were were committed to the DLP, while 30 per cent were committed to the UWP and one per cent said “Another party” which presumably spoke to a political entity that did not materi-

alise on nomination day. It said a total of 32 per cent did not commit either way and this group is referred to as the “Uncertain” Vote and is clearly large enough to influence the outcome of the election in either way.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Taking care of our children ON November 20, World Children’s Day (WCD) was observed. All would agree that the dedication of a day to the observance of the interests of the world’s children is not only appropriate, but also necessary. After all, today’s children are the business leaders, politicians, doctors, lawyers, carpenters, engineers, farmers, economists, and scientists of tomorrow; just to name a few. Fortunately, Guyana has a president, Brigadier David Granger, who genuinely cares about children, and is committed to ensuring that children have a good future, perhaps better lives than our generation has had. World Children’s Day, also known as Universal Children’s Day, was officially established by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 1954. This day is promoted and coordinated by UNICEF and the United Nations Children’s Fund

which also works towards the improvement of children’s welfare. According to UNICEF, WCD is “a time to celebrate and a time to demand action.” UNICEF elaborates, stating that “it is time for every child, to have every right.” In 1954, World Children’s Day was first established as Universal Children’s Day, and it was decided to observe and celebrate the day on November 20 of every year. The General Assembly on December 14, 1954, by the resolution 836 (IX) recommended that all the countries institute a Universal Children’s Day as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. This day is also devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the United Nations (UN) Charter and the welfare of the children of the world. November 20 is also significant because it was on that date in 1959 that the UN General Assembly

adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Additionally, it is also the date on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. The Convention is focused on protecting children’s rights. The document articulates the responsibilities of governments with regard to children. It also states that all rights are connected and cannot be taken away from children. According to the Convention, children are not just objects who belong to their parents and for whom decisions are made, children are not adults in training. Rather, they are human beings and individuals who have their own rights. Further, it is mentioned that childhood is separate from adulthood and lasts until 18. It is a special

time in which children are allowed to grow, learn, play and develop. Clearly, the importance of the Convention cannot be overstated. Guyana is, of course, a signatory to the Convention. President David Granger has always emphasised the importance of taking care of Guyana’s children. In fact, His Excellency expressed his personal feeling on the matter. The President said, “I have no doubt in my mind that the happiest moment in my life is when I was 26 and my first daughter was born all of 48 years ago. It is a sense of responsibility; there is a sense of joy, knowing that you participated in bringing a human life into this world.” Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ms. Ann Greene agrees with President Granger’s view. Ms. Greene said, “Children have the right to survival, children have a right not to be abused, they

have a right to care, they have a right to be educated – to be sent to school, children have rights, a whole lot of rights, just like adults…a right to have a name, a right to an identity…their right to a family, if they don’t have a family, the State should provide a family.” The Agency of which Ms. Greene is Director is a statutory one with legal powers. The Agency derives its powers from several Acts of Parliament such as the Childcare and Development Services Act of 2009, Sexual Offences Act of 2010 and the Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Act of 2011. As the David Granger government works towards the eradication of physical and sexual exploitation of children, the elimination of child labour, and other noble objectives, the Granger government is also working to ensure that every child gets a good education. Programmes such as the presi-

dent’s 5Bs initiative are but one example of such positive intervention. Under the 5Bs programme, some 4,000 bicycles, 29 buses, 14 boats, books, and meals have so far been made available to children, schools, and communities countrywide, with the objective of increasing school-attendance. As Guyana joined with the international community to observe the day, we should remember that the ideals emphasised on World Children’s Day, each year, apply, not only to one day per year, but to every day. And, while we have come a long way in recognising the importance of taking care of our children, there is still work to be done towards developing the minds, bodies, and spirits of our greatest asset-- our children. Fortunately, parents may rest assured that the future of our children is in good hands.

Court takes precedence over all other police duties Dear Editor,

THE Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). What is so special about this agency or group of persons. One would have thought they possess the ability to investigate these many, many white collar crimes, institute charges, and prosecute in any court of law with the main objective being about conviction. But looking back, the amount of cases that are being dismissed on legal

technicalities are simply because the charges being laid are bad in law, and the prosecution witnesses absent, the Prosecutor has failed to prove its case or the Prosecutor is absent from court. The amount of persons charged in the many fraud cases and the hundreds of millions involved are reasons for all to be concerned. It is certainly disturbing when one reads about a Prosecutor being absent from court on numerous occasions, thereby causing the case to be dis-

missed. During my training at the Eve Leary Police Training School, we were told repeatedly that Court takes precedence over all other Police duties, a doctrine that all ranks must subscribe to. I am not sure what the recruits are being taught currently by the instructors at the many Police Training Schools now. But what is evident now is that policemen and women (ranks) are often late for court or absent, knowing fully well that they had cases to be

heard on that date. I can remember that only when a rank is on Sick Leave, he or she may be absent from court, and a Medical Certificate would have to be shown to the Magistrate by the Prosecutor. Off duty or Annual Leave may be deferred until after you attend Court. Of course, those were the days when ranks would pride themselves in being dressed in their uniform, and give evidence and be cross- examined by both the Prosecutor and the Defense Counsel, and

would cut a forlorn figure and look very dejected when the Judge or Magistrate’s verdict is ‘not guilty’. What we are experiencing currently is that most Public Officials, both seniors and juniors, do not have regards for the public, or more so, moral values and ethics are no longer their watchword. For a lot of them, divine intervention is needed. It is surely difficult to suggest a reason or reasons why this Special Prosecutor did not attend court on the day in question, and on

previous dates, but by now, the Subject Minister should know. The general public has a right to know what are the special reasons this Special Prosecutor from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was absent from court, and as a result the dismissals in this high-profile case, for the want of prosecution, this nation must know. Regards, Archie Cordis

CN Sharma distances self from ‘JFAP giving up its seat in the coalition’ comment Dear Editor, THE Justice For All Party (JFAP) wishes to make it pellucid that no individual has the authority to make statement or bargain on behalf of the party. All statements and positions taken will be issued under the hands of the JFAP Leader, CN Sharma, or the JFAP General Secretary, Mrs.

Savitree Sharma. The Justice For All Party notes that statements were made with respect to the JFAP giving up its seat in the coalition. We remind the press and officials of the organisation that they can seek clarification and position on issues by contacting the JFAP Leader or General Secretary. The JFAP symbol is the scale, and will remain the scale.

Regards, Chandranarine Shama, Leader Savitree Singh Sharma, General Secretary Justice For All Party

Guyana CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Let them sound their voices if they are honest Dear Editor,

It was never a secret that former president, Bharrat Jagdeo harboured ambitious intentions of a third term of office, although he had signed the Constitutional Act that had decisively proscribed such an ambition. In fact, the then distinguished president of the Court, Sir Dennis Byron, in his written decision was known to have said: “Democracy allows for reasonable restriction.” In layman’s interpretation, this should mean that even when sought liberally, political power must have its limits. Such a decision was groundbreaking, for it settled once and for all, a question and a hope by an almost visible cabal of ‘Jagdeoites’ who had begun to lobby for Jagdeo to have a third term. Except that they did not cater for the CCJ’s

ruling. Of course, hopes were dashed; and whereas the CCJ’s decision was hailed as a victory for the Constitution and for democracy by the coalition government, there were muted criticisms of the Court’s decision by the PPP/C, inclusive of attempts to brand the Judges as making a racial decision. This was not unexpected from a party that had always believed that the local courts were obliged to make decisions in their favour, as in the decisions by the High Court and Court of Appeal respectively, which favoured them in prior decisions on this important constitutional matter. In fact, one will remember the then acting Chancellor of the Judiciary postponing his retirement leave so that he could have adjudicated such an important matter, for which he ordered that arguments be

made via written submission. There was never a doubt as to the outcome and nature of the eventual decision. It occasioned much discussion for the manner in which it was being heard. Editor, despite the great pretence of having “other interests” besides wanting to be president again, as claimed by Jagdeo when asked about third term intentions, there was never any doubt as to his true intentions, as he continued to lead a political assault movement of destabilisation with the intention of replacing the President David Granger administration. Finally, the nation witnessed the centrepiece of the hoax of the NCM which has brought us to the current climax of preparations for national and regional elections come March 2020. One could have predicted such a pitch from Irfaan Ali, testing the public’s waters as

to a Jagdeo vice-presidency should the party win in March. Therefore, the excuses of Jagdeo, “...We never discussed this. I think this is his expression, his desire...” is a load of dangerous pretence and deception, since he is painting a political scenario of a seemingly independent Ali making such a decision that would be pivotal to his party as a possible government. But, Guyanese are all too aware as to the puppet that Ali really is, and would be, in such a realized situation of a PPP/C government. For this is a Jagdeo bottomless craving for power that has no limits as to his highly desperate attempts at getting next to the presidency. But it is illegal, since one does not need an explanation in the context of Guyana’s amended Constitution, Article 90, in respect of a former president who would have already served

two terms. No doubt, we are not hearing about the civic component, a make-believe and concocted appendage of the PPP/C, about its possible Prime Ministerial candidate. But the silence is deafening as to those constitutional “experts”’ who had gone to the most ridiculous of ends to distort and interpret the CCJ’s rulings for the crooked ends of their political horse. And this is inclusive of the Private Sector and its AMCHAM sidekick. One remembers very well Sanjeev Datadin, a leading PPP/C legal voice at the hearings of the CCJ, who, in the immediate aftermath of the decision, publicly declared that the Court’s decision also meant that Jagdeo cannot become prime minister in a PPP/C government, since it will automatically make him successor to the presidency in

any instance where the President cannot fulfil his duties. Perhaps, this attorney should now speak, re-affirming his earlier and correct opinion; or is he afraid of Jagdeo? As well as all the Nandlalls, Ramkarrans, Rams et al., those ‘well learned men’’ of constitutional law who would have re-written the Constitution of Guyana, giving it some of the most disingenuous twists imaginable. They have been a revelation to constitutional dishonesty. Ali’s announcement is another one intended raid on the Constitution.

schoolgirl, taken by a taxi driver to a hotel, a public place, and allegedly violated, without questions being asked by presumably the reception desk, as to her age etcetera. Editor, the Sexual Offences Act 2010 is specific about persons being complicit in reporting child sexual abuse. Under the Sexual Offences Act, “A person who attempts to commit, conspires with someone else to commit, encourages, aids or assists someone else to commit

any sexual offence is guilty of an offence.” The relevant law(s) that exist in our jurisdiction debars underage girls, more so dressed in school uniforms, to be taken to such a place as a hotel, without instant eyebrows being raised or immediate objections being raised at the point of entry/enquiry and reported. This fact is emphasised because, since it is an offence to be engaged in any form of sexual liaison with an underage, then it is carried that hotels

ought not, for any reason of whatever kind, be part of aiding and abetting such an illegality, by accepting for accommodation of such an activity any child, particularly where the underage may be discernable. These laws are already in existence in the Sexual Offences Act 2010, should be known by every hotel owner, especially reception staff. If infracted, then there should be penalties, as there must be when such violations of the law do occur.

Further, if there are hotels, in spite of existing laws, that support such an illegality of permitting sexual activities involving the underaged, then action must be taken against them. Editor, the fact is that sexual violence in all its predatory forms is endemic in our society, particularly with a significant number of its victims being young under age females. While one must agree that the judiciary has not been sparing in its

condign conclusion to those found guilty of such predatory behaviour, it is absolutely necessary that all support be given in taking the battle to wherever such monstrosities are known to take place, such as hotels. Both the law and society have a duty towards our young underage females, protecting them from the sexual fiends.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

Laws must protect underage girls being taken to hotels Dear Editor, THIS letter is not about the guilt or innocence of the alleged accused of a reported very serious crime, “Taxi driver to face High Court trial over alleged rape of 12-year-old girl” in News Source of November 19, 2019. Such a determination, one is certain, will be made by a competent court, as reported. My concern here is about the fact that a 12-year-old

Regards, Carla Mendonca

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

Min. Hughes attends Americas telecommunications confab in Ecuador

MINISTER of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes is representing Guyana this week at the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) sixth “Accessible Americas: ICTs for ALL” conference in Quito, Ecuador. The annual conference concludes today. It is an annual gathering of government leaders in telecommunications and product developers to report on the strides each participating nation has made to include Persons with Disabilities into the natural course of life and living. It is also intended to encourage other nations that have not begun to develop inclusionary programmes. Minister Hughes, in her Guyana report, spoke of the Web Accessibility Trainthe-Trainers programmes

her Ministry of Public Telecommunications has held with the ITU mainly to lead local IT Developers towards creating easily accessible assistive software for use by people with disabilities

(PwD), a release from her ministry said. She spoke about working in close collaboration with the National Commission on Disability, especially on the new tax exempt policy

for the purchase of vehicles and smart devices by PwDs which was mandated in the 2019 national budget. The minister also highlighted the November signing of a Memorandum of Under-

Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes and other delegates at the conference

Man convicted for rape and sexual activity with six-year-old appeals sentence

WEEKS after 45-year-old Selwyn Lancaster was sentenced to 15 years in prison, for raping a sixyear-old girl in 2018, and also engaging in sexual activity with her, he has filed an appeal to challenge his conviction and sentence. On October 29, 2019, Lancaster was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, at the Sexual Offenders Court at the High Court, for rape of a child under the age of 16 and sexual activity. The first charge stated that, on October 6, 2018, in Linden, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16. The second charge alleged that, on November 6, 2018, Lancaster engaged in sexual activity with the child, by touching her vagina. He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on the first charge and 7 years’ imprisonment for the second charge. Justice Morris-Ramlall had ordered that the sentences run concurrently. Lancaster’s attorneys, Gordon Gilhuys and Yondessa Welcome-Mercurius,

moved to the appeal court and filed an appeal to challenge their client’s conviction and sentence. One of the grounds of the appeal was that Justice Morris-Ramlall made an error in summing up the evidence to the jury.

Selwyn Lancaster

Another ground stated that the trial judge misdirected the jury when she proposed to them that she would not read all the evidence while summing up. Further, Lancaster’s attorneys are arguing that the Judge’s ‘summing up’ was not balanced and favoured to the prosecution. The court of appeal is yet to set a date in this matter.

standing (MoU) with the University of Guyana to insert Web Accessibility modules into the curricula of the University’s Computer Science Department. Accessible Americas is held within the framework of the implementation of the Regional Initiative on Accessibility and Affordability for an Inclusive and Sustainable Americas Region that was adopted by the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2017. It focuses principally on IT solutions to eliminate barriers of access to web content for persons with disabilities, and others in vulnerable situations. At the conference, a prize was awarded to Enzo Telles Poeta, the Portuguese-speaking creator of a computer programme

that translates video subtitles into sign language performed in real time by an interpreter. Another prize went to Carlos Pereira, CEO and Founder, Livox International LLC, who led the team that developed a teaching/ learning software to enable non-verbal people and persons with hearing impairment to access regular learning material. Around the world, there are more than one billion people with disabilities who are at high risk of social exclusion. When it comes to education, many cannot communicate verbally to ask or answer questions. The Livox software enables non-verbal disabled people and others with motor, cognitive, or visual disorders to communicate.

Teen sentenced for possession of illegal gun and ammunition

19-year-old Shamal Plass was, on Thursday, November 21, 2019, sentenced to two years in prison, for the possession of an illegal gun and ammunition. Plass appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced by Magistrate Faith McGusty for two offences. Particulars of the first charge stated that, on November 3, 2019, at Laing Avenue, he had in his possession one .38 revolver without being the holder of a firearm licence. The second charge stated that, on the same day, and at the same place, he had 3 live rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence. Magistrate McGusty sentenced Plass to two years on each charge and ordered that the ‘sentences’ run concurrently.

Plass, on his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, pleaded guilty to the charge and stated that, “I went to buy powder and pampers for my baby and Sherwin Fordyce come n give me a black bag to hold and I check it and see the gun in a cloth. I take it out and put it in my waist cause I didn’t know what to do with it, and the police pull up and snatch me”. According to information, on the day in question, around 06:30 hours, the police received information and based on the information received they went to Laing Avenue where they found Plass sitting on the corner. The police approached Plass and asked that he subjected himself to a search and the gun and ammunition were found in his pants waist. Plass was told of the allegation and was later charged.

Man sentenced for stabbing friend in neck MAGISTRATE Rhondel Weever, on Thursday, November 21, 2019, sentenced a 25-year-old fisherman to two years in prison, for unlawful wounding. Kevin Allicock, of 32 James Street, Albouystown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced for the offence. Particulars of the charge stated that, on April 17, 2019, Allicock unlawfully and maliciously wounded Joseph Barker with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or to cause grievous bodily harm. According to information, on the day in question, Allicock and Barker were at a shop consuming alcohol and ‘playing around’ with knives. While playing, Allicock picked up a knife from a table and stabbed his friend to the neck. Barker was then taken to the hospital where he was treated. The matter was reported to the police, an investigation was conducted, and Allicock was arrested.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

Over 800 Venezuelan children in school ― Minister Felix hands out food items to scores of EBD squatters

OVER 800 Venezuelan children are registered in schools locally, as government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), ensures that children are in school and are under hygienic conditions.

Demerara (EBD), between Grove and Herstelling. He said that a Ministerial Committee is overlooking the Venezuelan migrant situation throughout Guyana. Scores of families that include Venezuelan migrants were among 600 persons who squat along

Grove and Herstelling, EBD, along the seaside. About 30 of the migrants are children. He explained that, from April last, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reached out to countries surrounding Venezuela and asked for Ven-

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, overlook the distribution of supplies to EBD squatters, during an outreach with the CDC

This is according to Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, during an outreach with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), on Thursday, to share out food stuff and other supplies to Venezuelan migrants and Guyanese squatting along East Bank

the EBD. Officials from the Ministry of Public Health and the Guyana Police Force’s Immigration Department visited earlier this week to assess the needs of the migrants. Minister Felix said the squatter settlement of almost 150 Venezuelans is between

ezuelans not to be deported or targeted but be treated humanely. “As a result of that we have been embracing the Venezuelan migrants, however they come, as a result of the policy not to return them. We have been giving them ‘three-month stays’ which are

renewable,” Minister Felix said. He explained that many of the squatters were not in compliance with the renewal of their stay, but the circumstances, under which they live in Guyana, were being examined. Minister Felix said that

Soldiers with the CDC assisted persons with fetching supplies to their homes built in the squatting areas

Immigration and the Ministry of Health would interface with the Venezuelans, “and if they were not previously vaccinated or registered by the police that has to be done here.” He noted that a discussion with the UNHCR and the

Donald Rodney protests, to mount vigil DONALD RODNEY, the brother of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader, Dr. Walter Rodney, who was killed during a bomb blast in 1980, on Thursday, 21 November 2019, held a protest in front of the Court of Appeal building, High Street, Kingston. Donald is calling for a hearing date to be set in his appeal against his 1982 conviction for possession of explosives. “I will be mounting a vigil outside of the Court of Appeal as action for a date to be set for my appeal in the Court of Appeal to proceed, and calling for a thorough investigation into the previous, unlawful High Court hearing purporting to dismiss my appeal.” Donald Rodney said. The vigil will be held one day per week, Donald Rodney said as he explained that he will also be launching a ‘I am Walter Rodney” petition to be signed and submitted to the Court of Appeal Registry and the Chancellor.

On May 23, 2019 the Court of Appeal ordered that Donald Rodney’s appeal against the 1982 conviction for possession of explosives be allowed to proceed, but a date has not yet been set.

as follow-up to previous visits, asking for a hearing date” he stressed. On May 23, 2019, Rodney said, “the Appeal Court also ordered that the High Court appeal hearing pur-

Donald Rodney

Walter Rodney

The applicant explained that, on October 14, 2019, he was promised that the Registry would “contact” him that day, or the following day. “To date, over a month later, there has been no such contact despite a letter to the senior registry officer pointing this out, and requesting a date to be set. This was the second letter to the Registry,

porting to dismiss my appeal against the 1982 conviction was unlawful for lack of jurisdiction”. “This is serious since, in addition to that unlawfulness, neither I nor a representing attorney-at-law was notified beforehand or present at the hearing. Yet two senior judges, in the presence of the prosecution,

International Organization for Migration (IOM) will facilitate further discussions on relocating the Venezuelans to a more habitable surrounding. The Minister noted that all donations and resource allocations to Venezuelan migrants must be passed

staged, effectively, a secret hearing and dismissal of my appeal” he disclosed. Last year, Rodney said, that he had written the Supreme Court Registrar, Ms Sueanna Lovell, requesting the name(s) of those purporting to file his appeal, but did not receive a response. The younger Rodney was convicted for being in possession of an explosive, which killed Dr Rodney and served an 18-month sentence. Donald Rodney was reported to have been the person to witness the explosion which killed his brother on June 13, 1980. A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) had been set up on February 8, 2014 to determine who was responsible for the death of the world-renowned historian by examining the circumstances which lead to the bomb blast. The report of the commission did not point to any one person or entity.

through the CDC. “Any person or company wishing to make donations to the migrants must go through the civil defence commission. No one is authorized to do so directly,” he said. He said that the Ministry of Social Protection was part

of the committee and accommodation and cash grants were given to scores of Venezuelans to start living a new life on their own. “If the migrants find their own accommodation, support is given; similarly the international community is instrumental in finding accommodation and support in whatever way,” the Minister said. Meanwhile, approximately one mile along the riverbank was decorated with many tiny shacks made of scraps of wood, pieces of plastic and old zinc sheets. Some shacks in the migrant community in some cases house more than 12 persons. The condition in which these migrants live is below the normal standard of living. There were no toilet facilities visible, no proper security measures to protect these refugee families from thieves and severe weather conditions. One man who came from San Felix, Bolivar State, Venezuela, said that his wife and children, including himself, came without any documentation. The man said that he accepts that it is against the law to enter a country without permission. But he could not allow his family to endure the crisis in Venezuela any longer.

Robbers target GWI Chesney office thrice

The GWI Berbice Chesney office

BANDITS, for the third time, attempted to burglarise the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Chesney, Berbice office, Tuesday evening. According to GWI, the security officer on shift reported that the lights surrounding the building had come off temporarily but when they came on, he decided to carry out checks around the premises. The water company noted that while the security guard was patrolling the compound, he spotted two masked men clad in black. They did not see him. The guard then rushed to solicit the assistance of the security officer stationed at a next-door building, during which time the bandits used the opportunity to escape since the area was then illuminated. The police were then contacted and arrived on the scene moments later. The bandits were reportedly armed with a handgun and a cutlass. GWI noted that this is the third such attempt on the water utility’s Chesney office this year. The first attempt was in February and the second in June. GWI will be conducting a thorough investigation to find the culprits involved, in addition to putting mechanisms in place that should thwart any future occurrences.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

Increase for sugar workers has to be decided by GuySuCo’s board

Six arrested, guns seized in police operations

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

IN light of calls from sugar workers for an increase in wages and salaries, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, has said that the decision to grant an increase is left on the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). “Sugar workers come under a board and they will have to deal with the realities of the corporation,” said Minister Jordan during an interview on the sidelines of Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit & Exhibition (GIPEX) at the Marriott Hotel, on Wednesday. Jordan said although GuySuCo is a state corporation, it has to be “commercially run” and “profitably engaged.” Workers of the Albion and Blairmont Sugar Estates had recently conducted picketing exercises, calling for an increase in wages and salaries but the management of GuySuCo has not yet responded to those requests. In the past, it was reported that increases were not given because the sugar

industry had to be reassessed and restructured in order to return to profitability. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, had said, within the first 20 months of assuming office, the coalition Government had advanced a total of $32B to save the jobs and livelihoods of sugar workers. In an effort to save the industry, Government had implemented a divestment plan which, according to Minister Jordan, has slowed down because of the current political environment. “Hopefully after the elections we can accelerate it because it has been difficult to sell land of any size in this period…some investors are wary concluding deals now because of threats and so on of reexamination and so,” said Minister Jordan. He said no further deals will be made because Government cannot commit to signing any major deals in the current political environment. Early this year, President David Granger had said that the sugar industry was being restructured so that it can be

revived. “Our sugar industry is going to recover from the difficulties it is facing. This sugar industry is not on the point of death…I am not here to bury the sugar industry. I am here to find out what your problems are. I have come to fix things. We are in the process of restructuring this industry to respond to changes, which have taken place both externally and internally. “It is being restructured so that it can be revived; so that we can make this industry not just sustainable but profitable. We are not here to merely survive; we are here to thrive! We are here to guarantee employees’ livelihoods. We are here to guarantee sugar’s position in the national economy. We are here to safeguard the rural economy,” said the President. Despite criticisms, since 2015 the APNU+AFC administration has been doing its utmost to ensure the industry thrives. Following the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the industry, a task force was established to develop recommendations

on its restructuring after which, a State Paper on the ‘Future of the Sugar Industry’, was presented to the National Assembly. He said that a Corporate Restructuring Plan (CRP) was initiated following these processes and a part of the plan is to produce 147,000 metric tonnes of sugar in the shortest possible time. President Granger believes that the CRP is at the heart of the revitalisation of the sugar industry and the Corporation projects that, with effective agricultural management and through capital investments, it can lower production costs to about US$0.40 per kg, making the industry more viable and profitable. Additionally, the corporation’s short-term plans involve the rehabilitation of field infrastructure; the modernisation of production including cost-effective mechanisation; the retooling of factories including energy-efficient equipment and technologies; and increasing milling and other processing capacities.

Big names on board with ExxonMobil for first oil A NUMBER of oil and gas service companies are on board with US oil major, ExxonMobil, as the company prepares for the production of first oil in just about a month. Among them are the Texas-based industrial service company, Baker Hughes, Italian oil and gas industry contractor, SAIPEM, and global oil and gas company, TechniFMC-- a United Kingdom (UK) company that provides complete project life-cycle services for the energy industry. These companies, which provide direct services in various areas to ExxonMobil, were on display at the ongoing Department of Energy’s GIPEX 2019 forum at the Marriott Hotel. Oil field

service company, services oil field operators, including ExxonMobil. Trinidadian Brandon Leloy, who is a field engineer attached to Baker Hughes, said “We provide a range of services for both drilling and completion as well as production. So, we service both the upstream as well as the downstream side of the oil and gas industry,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI). The company provides everything from getting the oil out of the well to the completion of the well. “Baker Hughes produces the well to make sure the oil is on-spec (sic) so that Exxon can actually sell the oil; Baker Hughes is involved in providing those production services. It is a full scale,

full-service company,” Leloy explained. Italian-based contracting company, SAIPEM, has branches worldwide. Quality Control SAIPEM Guyana, Gazelle Edwards, said the company provides services in the engineering, procuring, construction and installation of subsea pipelines. “Currently, for the Liza Project, SAIPEM scope for work is responsible for the fabrication, quoting and laying of the pipes as well as the fabrication and construction of the Subsea structures.” Local recruitment company, Strategic Recruitment Solutions (SRS) has positioned itself to assist both skilled and unskilled Guyanese who are seeing employment in the oil and gas

sector. The company’s Talent Acquisition Executive, Theresa Seeram, said persons who want to work onshore usually receive training based on necessity. “Our mandate is towards our Guyanese. We promote local talents. We do recruitment for both onshore and offshore- on land and sea.” She explained, however, that services by the company are not limited to recruitment. The entity provides salary surveys, marketing information and payroll management. Other companies at the exhibition were Texas-based oilfield services company, Schlumberger, and Dutch-based global group of companies, SBM Offshore, among others. (DPI)

Guns seized in Agricola

FIVE persons were arrested, on Thursday, after three unlicensed handguns and 25 live rounds of ammunition and a small quantity of suspected cannabis were found in First Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara. The intelligence-led operation was under the command of a Senior Superintendent. The five persons, inclusive of two females, one of whom obstructed the ranks in the execution of their duty, were arrested and are assisting with the investigation. Meanwhile, police ranks

stationed in Regional Police Division 4(a) (Agricola-Cummings Lodge), acting on intelligence, visited Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt where another firearm was seized. Reports indicate that about 10:45hrs on Thursday, police conducted a search on a male; an unlicensed pistol, with two live rounds, was found concealed on his person. The twenty-year-old unemployed suspect of Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown, was promptly arrested and is being processed for court.

The gun seized in South Ruimveldt

Duo committed to stand trial for murder HEEMAN Gocool and Khemraj Persaud were, on Thursday, November 21, 2019, committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate Faith McGusty, for the murder of 53-year-old Rohan ‘Khanhai’ Persaud. Magistrate McGusty stated that, after the prosecution’s evidence was presented, she found sufficient evidence against the men. The men appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were not required to plead to the indictable charge. Particulars of the charge stated that, on February 13, 2019, at Samatta Point, Grove, Gocool and Persaud murdered the 53-year-old man. Persaud’s body was found with a wound to the lower abdomen. Reports indicated that Gocool was living at Persaud’s home due to a family dispute. However, while living with his friend, Gocool was allegedly having a sexual relationship with Persaud’s reputed wife. Persaud and Gocool were constantly engaged in quarrels and this caused Persaud’s reputed wife to take up residence with relatives at Timehri, East Bank Demerara. According to information, on the day in question, Persaud was drinking with Gocool and Khemraj Persaud when an argument ensued. It is alleged that Persaud accused Gocool of being a “Sweet man” and of having sexual intercourse with his reputed wife. As a result, a scuffle ensued between the two, during which, it was alleged, Gocool took a stingray bone and stabbed Persaud to his abdomen, causing him to ‘drop dead’.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

GPSU credit union to offer home, car loans …IMC says AGM to be held next year to elect management body

By Alva Solomon SINCE its installation in May 2018, the interim management committee (IMC), installed to manage the Guyana Public Service Credit Union (GPSCCU), has made several significant moves to enhance the development of the cooperative. At the same time, moves are afoot to introduce online applications for its 25,000 plus membership and if all goes well, the union may soon be issuing vehicle and housing loans to eligible applicants. This was noted on Wednesday by officials of the GPSCCU during an interview on the Guyana Chronicle’s online programme, the Vantage Point. Amid some controversy, the IMC was installed to manage the affairs of the credit union and although the management committee faced several uphill challenges, including being taken to court over its installation by the Chief Cooperative Development Officer of the Ministry of Social Protection. Vice-chairman of the IMC, Patrick Mentore, noted that the committee was installed at a time when allegations arose about mismanagement of the union by the previous management committee. “We had to overcome court challenges because the members of the previous management team felt that they should have probably stayed there forever,” he said, even as he noted that all the court proceedings filed by that previous body were thrown out by the courts. He said the IMC is awaiting payment of costs awarded to the committee by the courts in that regard. MORE FRIENDLY Mentore said that the IMC created in the credit union a “more member-friendly environment. He explained that the committee identified several shortcomings including training of staff, which he said, was necessary. A decision was taken to send ordinary members on over-

seas training, against the old practice of only directors being afforded such opportunities. As it is, he said two directors would be sent on training programmes, along with a majority of ordinary

was altered by the IMC. Loans can now be accessed as late as a week before Christmas and members can access same within the first week of 2020. Mentore said in 2018, the IMC and staff identified

the union has engaged those entities which have fallen down in arrears payments, and they have responded positively. He said the union recognizes there may have been reasons for shortcomings and the union is work-

The offices of the GPSCCU on Hadfield Street

employees and two members of the union. He also disclosed that a financial software is being used by the credit union but employees did not understand the optimum features of the software. As such, training was proposed and undertaken. SECURITY When one visits the GPSCCU, there is noticeable efficient change as well as added security at the entrance and within the Hadfield Street office of the union. Mentore said the credit union “operates in the mould of a bank”, and as such, its security was recognized as an area which needed upgrading. Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) and smoke detectors were among the initiatives undertaken to better secure the premises. He added that the building was also rehabilitated. LOANS The credit union is famous among its membership for its loans. Previously, the window for the applicants to access loans would have closed in November each year. However, Paul Clarke, the union’s public relations officer (PRO), said that this

that there were a limited number of member’s children who performed well at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations benefitting from bursaries. He said it is not only about the ‘high flyers’ who needed to be recognized, adding that the number of awardees was increased to 50 students. Clarke said this year 106 applications were made and that entire figure secured bursaries which entails coverage of costs for tuition and school supplies. ONLINE APPLICATIONS In an effort to reduce the cost for members travelling to the union to undertake business transactions, the credit union is in the process of developing systems to enable applicants to apply for loans online. The union’s officials have travelled to the various administrative regions and has identified contact persons who can assist members in this area. “We are doing our best to ensure no additional cost is borne by the member,” Mentore said. DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS Mentore explained that

ing to address such issues. MEMBERSHIP Since 2014, some persons applied for membership and the IMC was able to address that backlog. The current total membership of the credit union lies in the vicinity of 25,000 and of that figure, 1622 are new members since the IMC was installed. HOME OWNERSHIP/VEHICLE LOANS In 2020, the credit union aims to have an annual general meeting (AGM) which would see the IMC handing over control to an elected management body. Clarke further said that members have been requesting loans to procure new homes or add features to existing homes. These sums are then used as a deposit at the commercial banks but

the union recognizes that it can work towards issuing loans for home-ownership. He explained that the sums would be sums which are “livable”, noting that the union is “known for its interest.” Additionally, in 2020, the union is looking to issue motor vehicle loans. He said there are financial institutions who undertake promotions for vehicles and to obtain the down-payment, members would visit the credit union and head back to the bank. He said the union wants to now issue those loans even as he cautioned that there are rules regarding cooperatives which will be examined. The bulk of the GPSCCU’s membership is drawn from the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education, public sector agencies with the largest number being public servants.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

MARCUS BISRAM GOES TO PRISON …charged, remanded for murder of Corentyne carpenter

By Nafeeza Yahya HOURS after being extradited from the United States, murder accused Marcus ‘Brian’ Bisram appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim’s Magistrate’s Court in East Berbice, Corentyne to answer to the charge of murder. He is accused of killing 26-year-old carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, some three years ago. Neatly dressed in a blue suit, Bisram, backed by his team of high-profile lawyers, appeared comfortable in the packed courtroom as the charge was read to him by the magistrate. He was not required to plead to the indictable offence and was remanded until the 2nd December, 2019, at the Camp Street Prison. Attorneys-at-law Sanjeev Datadin and Dexter Todd questioned why their client will be kept at Camp Street, Georgetown, instead of New Amsterdam. They were told by Stacy Gooding, the state prosecutor that the Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels, made the request for their client’s safety. Further, the defence team questioned why their client was hastily brought to the Whim Magistrate’s Court instead of the Springlands Magistrate’s Court which, according to the defence, is the jurisdiction for the matter. The State prosecutor explained that she is not the person to decide the location of the matter and could not provide an answer at that time. The magistrate then ordered the prosecutor to get the details and make them known to the court on the 2nd December, 2019, for the second appearance. Earlier in the day, Bisram made a stop at the Criminal

Investigations Department headquarters, Eve Leary, where he was processed before being escorted by ranks of the Major Crimes Unit to Corentyne. As he made his way through the courtyard under heavy guard, he smiled and waved at his mother and other relatives and ignored the strong stares of the parents and relatives of the murdered carpenter.

Bisram arrived days after the family of Narinedatt observed his third death anniversary. He was killed on November 01, 2016. Narinedatt’s body was found around 03:30hrs on Tuesday, November 01, 2016, on the Number 70 Public Road, East Corentyne, Berbice. His death was initially reported as a suspected hit-and-run accident. It was later report-

Marcus Brian Bisram being escorted into the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday

Mother of Faiyaz Narinedatt, Bibi Azeez

Speaking with this newspaper after the court proceedings, Bibi Shakira Azeez, mother of Narinedatt, expressed gratitude to the Guyana Police Force and other authorities including President David Granger, for getting Bisram back to Guyana to stand trial for the murder of her only child. “I am satisfied that he is here because he tried hard not to come back, but God is good and now he understands that money is not power. It will not bring my son back, but he must face the consequences of his actions. Justice will be served, by the grace of God, and they will know how I have been grieving all along for my son.” She noted her son’s life was taken away at an age when he was blossoming in life, when he had just started a family and had two babies, but all that was taken away from him in a flash.

ed that Bisram made sexual advances to Narinedatt who objected to the latter’s advances. Bisram, who holds dual citizenship, became a person of interest to the police after they began investigating the death of the carpenter. He is accused of ordering the fatal beating of Narinedatt, a young father of two. In July 2019, Bisram lost his appeal against an order of extradition made by a district court in New York. The court in New York had upheld that the US had signed an extradition treaty with the UK on December 22, 1931. The treaty remained in effect even after Guyana obtained its Independence. Bisram was initially charged here in absentia, while five others: Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob have also been committed to stand trial for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt. On

Min. Jordan prepares for high-level meetings in India with Bank of Baroda officials HIGH-LEVEL discussions are scheduled with top officials of the Bank of Baroda, the Indian government and financial stakeholders next week. Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan, and the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga, will depart on Friday, November 22 for Mumbai, India, to meet officials at the Baroda Bank’s Headquarters. Minister Jordan explained the meetings are, “pertaining to operations in Guyana and how they can better serve the community in light of oil and gas sector.” The Finance Minister said the occasion will also be used to conduct meetings with the Bank of India, the EXIM Bank of India and others. The trip is sponsored by the Bank of Baroda and entails some four days of scheduled meetings. The Bank of Baroda has two branches locally, and 9,583 branches worldwide with 69 million customers. The Guyana subsidiary’s total business stood at almost $15B at the end of September 2018, down from $21B at the end of March 2017, and $21B at the end of March 2016. In late 2018, moves were afoot to sell the bank’s local operation. This was reversed following the announcement of the discovery of oil.

February 14, 2017, following an investigation into Narinedatt’s death, Guyana submitted a formal request to the US Department of State for Bisram’s extradition to face a charge of murder, after he had fled to the US. However, on October 12, 2017, a judge in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, issued a Certificate of Extraditabil-

Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt

ity, certifying to the Secretary of State that there was probable cause to believe that Bisram committed the murder and authorising the secretary’s extradition of Bisram to Guyana. But, on November 17, 2017, Bisram’s attorney filed

a petition of habeas corpus in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, challenging the Certificate of Extraditability. On October 31, 2018, following several extensions, the district court denied the petition, concurring with the judge’s determination that there was “reasonable ground” to believe that Bisram committed the murder as charged. Bisram, through his attorneys, appealed the district court’s denial of his habeas corpus petition on the grounds that the evidence presented to the extradition court failed to establish a reasonable ground to believe that Bisram committed the murder, especially in light of a witness subsequent alleged recantation of his original statement to police and that Bisram received constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel during the extradition and habeas corpus proceedings. However, the US court differed: “We agree with all three reasons the district court gave for declining to issue a writ of habeas corpus

to Bisram on the basis of (a witness’) alleged recantation. At a minimum, we cannot say that the district court erred in concluding that the evidence submitted by Guyana surpassed the minimal threshold of ‘any evidence warranting the finding that there was a reasonable ground to believe the accused guilty”. It added: “We have considered all of Bisram’s remaining arguments and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court”. Family members of Bisram gathered in their numbers on Thursday at the packed courtroom. His mother, Sharmilla Inderjeet, was seen hugging and kissing him while he made his way down the stairs from the courtroom, as other relatives looked on and waved at him. Prior to him entering the courtroom, he was seen waving and smiling as he made his way past onlookers. The family of Narinedatt vowed to see the matter to the end.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

UG receives US$2.2M in support from Halliburton ― support to be directed to Faculty of Engineering and Technology

MAJOR improvements are in the pipeline for the University of Guyana (UG)’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and one of the world’s largest oil field service companies, Halliburton. The MoU, which was signed on the sidelines of the second Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX), on Thursday, will see UG benefiting from support valued about US$2.2 million. “This was a philanthropic understanding for about US$2.2 million in lab equipment, staff and

other support,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Professor Paloma Mohamed, who signed the MoU on behalf of UG. The cooperation between UG and Halliburton was birthed in May this year, during a meeting which was brokered by Guyana’s Department of Energy, in Houston, Texas. UG and Halliburton had agreed to collaborate on projects which will focus on staff development, programme and teaching support, and expert engagements. The agreement will also address the provision of

specific software support, in the first instance, for creating and equipping a Drilling Fluids Laboratory for teaching purposes. The required lab equipment includes mud balance, viscometers, HPHT filter press, retorts, fumehoods, lab glassware, lab coats, stationery supplies, racking, plastic bottles, and other various lab-specific consumables. “We are grateful for this investment in our human capital and we believe as we continue to grapple with discussions around local content, enhancing capacities and ensuring Guyana is able to retain a substantial portion of oil revenues, the companies will continue

to demonstrate this kind of commitment,” said Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe.

Guyana seeks to build capacity to address the oil and gas sector and the emerging “new Guyana.”

Dr. Bynoe said cooperation between stakeholders in the oil and gas industry is not just about money that is earned, but it is about the knowledge that is transferred and the technologies that are shared. There have been multiple discussions on how companies like Halliburton could assist Guyana in building capacity, said the director of the department of energy, adding that the MoU between UG and Halliburton is a tangible demonstration of what needs to be done as

Halliburton’s Area Manager of the Caribbean, Franco Delano, said the company is indeed committed to ensuring that there is a transfer of knowledge and technology. “We are really proud to be part of this business with you and we would like to say that in addition to monetary support, our intention is to transfer knowledge and technology,” said Delano. Halliburton is an American multinational corporation which has operations in more than 70 countries.

It owns hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands, and divisions worldwide and employs approximately 55,000 people. Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With approximately 60,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities in more than 80 countries, the company helps its customers maximize value throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir – from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimising production throughout the life of the asset. Halliburton joins companies like CGX and ExxonMobil which have made contributions to the capacity building in Guyana. Dr Bynoe said the Department of Energy is also in discussions with Tullow, which has spoken about shared prosperity. “These companies have not just been putting money into capacity building at the university level but there has also been support for TVET, and we want to drill down to primary schools since we want people more conversant for oil and gas,” said Dr. Bynoe.

IN the weeks ahead, a new system will be reintroduced at Fort Island to boost revenue collection for the island’s sustainability. During a visit to the Island on Sunday, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, was told of the many challenges the residents face to maintain the beauty and serenity of the island, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure said in a release. To aid in the maintenance of the island, a resident suggested that a toll system should be reintroduced, whereby boat owners who stop at the stelling to offload passengers and tourists, pay a small fee. According to her, this system was once operation-

al but operators gradually refused to pay the toll due to the condition of the stelling. Minister Patterson said he was in favour of the suggestion but added that it will be implemented after the stelling is repaired. On this note, he pointed out that an assessment was conducted which found that the rehabilitation works could cost in excess of $40 million. The rehabilitation can be facilitated in Budget 2020, the minister said. Residents were pleased with this decision as they explained that the revenue generated could be used to upgrade their school and other public structures. A request was made for street lights to be provided

as tourists would frequent the island at nights, although harmful reptiles are common on the island. In this regard, Minister Patterson committed to supplying the residents with six lights as soon as possible. Accompanying the minister on the visit to Fort Island was Member of Parliament, Michael Carrington, who urged those settled on the island to invest in food businesses and even accommodation for visitors as the island is gaining momentum as a tourist attraction. The youths were especially encouraged to apply for grants from the government to fund their investment ideas.

Chancellor of UG, Professor Edward Greene and Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe (Delano Williams photo)

Revenue system to be reintroduced at Fort Island

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

GCCI on board for fifth Women in Business Expo CELEBRATING massive growth and a new partnership with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Sonia Noel Foundation of the Creative Arts (SNFCA), on Thursday, launched its fifth edition of the Women in Business Expo, at the Pegasus Hotel.

We have exhibitors from Canada; we have from the Caribbean. For the event in March, we are going to have people from across the region and the diaspora,” shared SNFCA and WASD Chairman, Sonia Noel, as she delivered remarks at the launch. The Expo has come a long way since its inaugural hosting in 2016. It started

pating in the Expo for the fourth consecutive year. After starting with just candles, the business has branched off to also doing soap production. “The Women in Business [Expo] has really launched our business afar,” Argyle expressed. Argyle is part of two-day mini exhibition being held at the Pegasus Hotel, in promotion

used to make these candles in glasses, but now here we have the candles in bottles well labeled and well covered. We have 11 fragrances of highly scented candles. Last year I ventured off into organic soap, from the tree to your skin. We are at the Guyana market and we plan to venture off into other big supermarkets very soon,” Argyle said.

in our society is growing. We are seeing a new Caribbean woman emerge, one who is very educated, dedicated and desirous of moving forward. At GCCI it is our goal and desire to continue fostering and promoting the growth of this new and modern Caribbean woman,” Boyer conveyed. Boyer foresees such women leading the way

One of the booths on display at the two day mini Women in Business Expo at Pegasus Hotel (Elvin Croker photo) The Sonia Noel Foundation of the Creative Arts, Vice-Chairman, Richard Young; Chairman, Sonia Noel; GCCI President, Nicholas Boyer; and General Manager of the Pegasus Hotel (Elvin Croker photo)

The two-day event scheduled for 22-23 March, 2020, will be held in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), and is scheduled to see the participation of a number of overseas businesses. “We are going beyond Guyana.

with just 40 participants growing to 70 participants when the event was last held in March 2019. Debbie Argyle, from the Mahaica Women’s Group, credits a lot of her group’s development to being a part of the Expo. Come next year March she will be partici-

of next year’s bigger Expo. “Since we have been with the Women of Business, we lifted our spirits. We started this business in 2010 and we were not going nice, but since we came here Miss Sonia always give you a drive and passion to develop your business. We

An author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, Noel said the growth of the Expo could not be possible without her support team and the assistance she has garnered from a few corporate entities, including the Pegasus Hotel. Noel praised the GCCI for coming on board with the initiative. Present at the launch was GCCI President Nicholas Boyer. “The role of women

in business growth over the next few years. “The next wave of growth is going to come from these women-owned enterprises. They’re going to start out as small and medium size enterprises but flourish into full corporations employing hundreds of people and we as the Chamber of Commerce have to be there to help accelerate that growth. We’re excited for that and

we’re excited for the future as we continue to see these ladies do and expand,” Boyer said. Also present at the launch and giving remarks was Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence. She commended Noel for starting and continuing the initiative. “I said I had to be here. I am here because I would always give support to women activities, but more particularly I want to embrace Dr. Sonia Noel. She really stands out for me as a Guyanese woman, as an icon,” Lawrence said. “Sonia started this Expo several years ago and I was very happy to have been invited to be a part of that embryonic stage of this exhibition. She has continuously held on to her passion and continue to bring other women along with her. This is the reality show of women in Guyana and what they can do. What excites me more is that 90% of the time their businesses are on local products, exhibiting what we can do with all of the things that God has blessed this country with. This is certainly how we are going to build this country.” In addition to the expo, Dr Noel will be hosting the annual charity show ‘Style Mission’ and auction, on November 24, at the Pegasus Hotel, which will raise funds for the victims of the recent Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

New High Commissioner of Kenya accredited President David Granger (centre), His Excellency Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri (second left) High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings (left), Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell (right) and High Commissioner Muchiri’s wife (second right) (Elvin Croker Photo)

HIS EXCELLENCY Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri was, on Wednesday, accredited by President David Granger, as the new High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to Guyana. In his address during the accreditation ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, the Head of State said Guyana can learn from Kenya’s experience and expertise in developing its ecotourism potential and improving wildlife management and protection policy. Kenya’s success in its conservation of wildlife is acknowledged internationally. “Guyana looks forward to working closely with Kenya, at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, in order to strengthen our solidarity through regional mechanisms such as the Caribbean Community and the African Union,” President Granger said. Reflecting on his meeting with Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, during the 3rd United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, in December 2017, President Granger said he had the opportunity

to present his assessment of the threat of environmental degradation and its impact on human security. Guyana, he shared, has promulgated a Green State Development Strategy which will see increased emphasis being placed on the protection of the environment, the preservation of its biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation. “Guyana notes Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan which seeks to address the options for a low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathway. The adverse effects of climate change and the vulnerability of our states are shared national priorities,” the President posited. Meanwhile, High Commissioner Muchiri, in his remarks, said his appointment marks the start of a journey that will produce a new framework for engagements that bring together the people of Kenya and Guyana, for the sake of inspiration, trade investment, collaboration and

cooperation. Highlighting the countries’ cultural and economic simi-

larities, High Commissioner Muchiri expressed the need for the establishment of new

platforms that would allow for greater engagement between African nations and Caribbean and Pacific States. Guyana and Kenya established diplomatic ties in December 1970. Their relationship was founded on the principles of mutual respect

for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

DEXTER COPELAND - A name to remember

‘THE Buzz Magazine’ focuses primarily on Arts and Entertainment, hence we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Guyana is making significant strides in that industry. What is even more commendable is that these strides are being undertaken by our youths. Last week, a 21-year-old Lindener hit the news with a big win. Dexter Copeland copped the first prize in the Digicel Pan Caribbean Film Competition. In a sit down with this young prodigy, we discovered that he is a multifaceted individual, having been a dancer, Junior Soca Monarch winner, photographer, videographer, and now script writer, actor and filmmaker.

What is even more admirable is that at just 21, Copeland has his own studio in Linden. The young man said that from his winnings, he was able to travel to the Turks and Caicos Island, where his mind was exposed to a whole lot more knowledge in filmmaking. “Over the three days I was there, there were three master classes and a wide scope of knowledge being shared on directing, screening, acting, colour correction, all the stuff dealing with cinematography. So I took notes and small classes within that, and widened my knowledge in this field, so I can come back now and teach younger filmmakers,” Copeland said. This, he said, will commence in Linden and that he hopes to make it countrywide as time goes by.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 22, 2019

“In Guyana, a lot of our youths are prone to crime, and a lot of them are talented. But if you attack what they like and give them the opportunities to express that, you will see a decrease in a lot of things,” he posited. Copeland said that his film that was submitted was titled ‘Journey’ and was based on how acts of kindness, honesty and compassion can take you a far way. This, he said, is what needs to be instilled in our society today. The film highlighted a story of a homeless man whose honesty, in response to an act of kindness, transformed his life. Copeland said he likes bringing real-life stories to light. “A lot of homeless people line the streets every day; a lot of them have stories and families, and a random act of kindness from people around them can change their lives and change the world,” the young Lindener said. He said that what people can expect from him now is a lot more films. “Films that will be touching things that happen every day; things like Domestic Violence. I’m also doing a film based on the origin and back story of Mashramani to commemorate the 50th Anniversary. It will also highlight the story behind Linden,” he disclosed. His advice to young people is: “The term or phrase, ‘Just do it’ goes a far way, because, for me, if I didn’t ‘just do it’, I wouldn’t have reached to Turks and Caicos. If I didn’t ‘just do it’ at Soca Monarch, I would not have known I had the ability to win. So don’t limit yourself; opportunities are out there; seize each and every one. Don’t go in with the mentality that someone is better than you; the least-expected person comes out on top. So just stay focused, and ‘just do it’.”

Koffee among five nominees for Reggae Grammy RAPTURE, the five-song EP by teenage sensation, Koffee, is among five albums nominated in this year’s Reggae category of the Grammy awards. Last year, Etana broke the drought of female nominations, and this year, Koffee has set her own record. She has become the youngest solo artiste to earn a Grammy nomination in the Reggae category. The other albums nominated in the category are: ‘As I Am’ by Julian Marley; ‘The Final Battle’: Sly & Robbie vs Roots Radics; Steel Pulse’s Mass Manipulation; and the Damian Marley-produced ‘More Work To Be Done’ by Third World. Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s entertainment minister, congratulated the nominees who she said represent “some of the biggest names in Reggae music”. She thanked them for “bringing Jamaica’s music to all the peoples of the world.” The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards takes place on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will recognise the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, running from October 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019.

KOFFEE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Miss World Guyana 2020 candidates to host empowerment camp for girls

MANY of us may see pageantry as a beauty contest among women for the ultimate opportunity to be crowned a queen. While this may be true for some, Abeena Gomes and Gabriella Chapman are using their platform quite differently. Both women are candidates in Miss World Guyana 2020, but after realising that their purposes are aligned, they’ve decided to collaborate on an empowerment camp for young women. Gomes, a 21-year-old who hails from Wakenaam, founded her organisation last year, the ‘Shine Your Light Initiative’, which aims to give youths the tools they need to ignite their inner light. This she does by conducting interactive sessions focused on the pillars of personal development: Mind, Body and Spirit. Even though this was created before her entry in Miss World Guyana, Gomes is staying true to her purpose and has taken it into the pageant. Chapman, who’s 24 and hails from Bartica, founded her organisation in 2017, The Girl Build Girl Foundation, which is a nonprofit organisation providing programmes for girls between the ages of 14-25 that will foster self-confidence, promote social relationships, strong interpersonal skills and reassert a sense of hope in the future. Like Gomes, Chapman entered the pageant with her already established organisation. Together, the two forces are hosting a oneday empowerment camp on Sunday at the National School of Music dubbed ‘Grow and Glow’. The young women

Miss World Guyana 2020 Candidate, Abeena Gomes

Miss World Guyana 2020 Candidate, Gabriella Chapman

told ‘The Buzz’ that this initiative is geared towards helping young women find their identity, boost their self-worth, and develop a thriving mindset for them to cope through their individual lives, hence the name ‘Grow and Glow’. There are four focus areas for the camp: Undertaking the journey of self-discovery, which will be facilitated by the brothers, Dr. Allister and Dr. Astell Collins; Self leadership, which will be facilitated by Ayana McCalman; Body Positivity being facilitated by Deondra Wishart; and Mental Health and Addiction, by Philip Drayton. The camp is expected to be attended by over 150 girls between the ages of 14-25, and last four-anda-half hours, starting from 13:00hrs. Given that the venue can only accommodate 150 persons, the girls said they were forced to close registration, because 158 girls signed up Online to attend. However, they did mention that this collaboration is the birth of an endless partnership between the two young women, who will continuously seek ways in which to host other activities to continue impacting lives. When asked about how they feel as friends and competing against each other, the queens said that the bigger picture for them is not the crown, but rather the impact they can make on the world. In their message to other young women, they spoke to ending competitions between women and girls, and ending girl-ongirl hate. Instead, they are urging girls to establish bonds and collaborations, and work together to make a difference in each other’s lives, and by extension make a difference in the world.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 22, 2019

Rupununi Music and Arts Festival opens --tonight at Theatre Guild THE annual Rupununi Music and Arts Festival starts tonight at the Theatre Guild, and ends tomorrow. The team is bringing a slice of paradise to the city to sell the experience of Rupununi in the city. It is expected to be exciting, entertaining, fun-filled and affordable. The theatre will be buzzing, both inside and outside, with good food, sounds and smells, laughter and lights with music, dance, spoken word and comedy, art and craft and much more, as the Rupununi Music & Arts Festival comes to Georgetown for its second festival event, GT2. Festival Director, Dr. Bob Ramdhani MBE, said that this year they brought the festival to Georgetown in efforts to bring awareness of their plans for next year. “Including Georgetown in the Rupununi Music & Arts Festival programming has been integral to the festival’s strategic plan since inception, and so November 22 & 23 is the second of many events that will staged in Georgetown in the coming years. These Georgetown Connect on events will provide a slice of what you can expect when you join us in November 2020 (13-15) in the Rupununi at Manari Ranch,” he said. International confirmed artistes include Semi (Reggae quartet from St. Lucia); Iryna Muha and Rob Rosa (folk and funk from

Ukraine/UK); Kairi Kaiso (‘old time’ calypso, T &T); David Frank (funky violinist from T&T); Maya (jazz vibes from Suriname); and a dynamic range of local entertainers, including Gavin and Hucky (Folk); Vanilla (Soca); Herbie Marshall (Guitar); Calibro Band (Indigenous + Forró); and Young Bill Rogers (Kaiso/Chutney). Marva Newton, who performs calypso of yesteryear under the sobriquet ‘Kairi Kaiso’ will be accompanied by talented percussionist, James Fenton. They will also be joined by another independent ‘Trini’ solo performer, Tobago-born, David Frank. Guyana, too, will present some of its best in music, spoken word, comedy and dance. There are many Guyanese artistes joining the Festival for the first time; Vanilla will have the house rocking for sure; Herbie Marshall will add his distinctive guitar flavours to the weekend; Ovid Williams will share Amerindians stories and festival favourites, Gavin & Chucky will ‘folk up’ the place Guyanese style, to complement the ‘old time ‘calypso renditions of Kairi Kaiso. There will be some surprises as more artistes are expressing their interest in performing at the Festival. The programme opens this evening with a mixture of local and international artistes and tomorrow, the action begins after lunch when there will be loads of interac-

Festival Director, Dr. Bob Ramdhani and Programme Director, Gavin Mendonca performing on ‘The Live Buzz’

tive workshops to get everyone involved, including a ‘Masterclass in Jazz Guitar by Herbie Marshall’. Children under 12 years of age will be admitted Free and there will be a range of food and arts & crafts stalls. A special feature of the GT2 will be the interactive “Talk Tent”. Programmed for tomorrow afternoon include a small, intimate space, where the audience will be able to engage with some of the artistes directly, as they share their musical journeys. Day passes are for $3,000 and a weekend pass for $5,000 and tickets are available at Zoon (Middle St & Giftland Mall) +

Howard’s Restaurant (Eccles) + MovieTowne. (Call to reserve - 629-4535 / 626-9014) The festival, including the Georgetown Connect, on events, is a genuine Government, private sector and NGO partnership and is supported by The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Banks DIH Ltd, Trans Guyana Airways (TGA), Rent-a-Tent, Giftland Mall, Cara Lodge, Silverbait Design Inc., Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Air Services Ltd (ASL), University of Guyana, Theatre Guild, NCN, MovieTowne and others, who collectively help to make the event a very special treat.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Fay Ann Lyons honoured SJH lime --in hometown Point Fortin DESPITE the high lifestyles of entertainers and celebrities, we often forget that they’re people just like the rest of us. On Wednesday in South Trinidad, Soca artiste and Point Fortin native, Fay Ann Lyons, was honoured by the borough for her contribution to culture, and while the recognition stood tall, the humility of the artiste’s posts to social media

showed a different side to her; a side many would more than likely bypass. Alvarez has always stood unique on the Soca circuit. Her blatant, fearless speech is sometimes misunderstood for aggression. In the heart of it all, Lyons-Alvarez, by all accounts, is a country girl at heart. On Tuesday, even as she was being congratulated for being honoured with the keys to her borough of Point

Fortin, Lyons chose to return to her roots, posting a photo of herself with her Secondary School teacher. She said she could not have left the borough without stopping in to say hello. “Could not pass through and not say hi. This wonderful woman taught me in school #MrsBridgemanand I will always remember her poise and strength…. and toughness! That woman was dread, but we all loved her,”

she wrote. Lyons-Alvarez recently returned from the Uber Soca Cruise where she took her vibe, like several other top-notch Soca artistes, to the people. She has already unleashed a couple tracks heading into Carnival 2020, among them, “One Love” with Jaiga, and Grenada’s Lil Natty and Thunda and “Wha Deh Know” on the Nikholai Greene-produced Cubano Riddim, which also features Jamaica’s Konshens.

THINKING of somewhere you can go and chill during the early afternoon and let your hair loose! Check out the `Bring your own Bottle (BYOB)’ hang’ organised by the St Joseph High School Old Student’s Association at the school, Woolford Avenue from 1400hrs to 2100hrs. Food and drinks will be on sale.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 22, 2019

Is Aidonia a Dancehall legend? --Music insiders divided over DJ’s iconic status LAST week, Dancehall’s 4th Genna boss Aidonia ignited a heated social media debate when he made a tweet referring to himself as a legend in the industry. Some users felt that while the Hot Tool deejay has managed to build an envious career, he has not quite reached the iconic levels it takes to be dubbed a legend. Others, however, believe that with the quality of music the deejay has consistently churned out over the years, he has indeed earned the status.

Among them is MC Nuffy. Pointing out that Aidonia has contributed more than 15 years to Dancehall music, Nuffy said that even for that reason alone, the deejay’s legendary status is unquestionable. “Dat man do him work. Me a do stage show fi 20 years and Aidonia pan a professional level a do bout 15 and once a man pass deh so inna dis industry, a dem levels (legend) him deh. Me MC Nuffy can tell anybody and beat me chest and me stomach hard. Aidonia reach dem levels deh. Him work for it,”

AIDONIA

he said, pointing out that Aidonia has not only contributed to the development of dancehall as an individual artiste, but as one who breaks new talent. “Aidonia nuh kill champion, him build dem just like a Kartel or a Bounty Killer.” DJ YRush was a bit more diplomatic in his assessment. For him, the status is granted based on context. GREW UP LISTENING “There’s levels to this and yuh affi take it in context. He is (a legend) if yuh compare him to all di man dem weh a come from the 2000s to now. If you grew up listening to Aidonia as a young yute under the age of 24, 23, Aidonia a di baddest thing outta this whole crop of artiste. He came out with Busy Signal and him and Busy are the only two artistes from the 2000s to now to really keep certain things,” said Rush. “Relative to the generation before him though, he hasn’t reached the accomplishment and hasn’t shifted the industry the way a Ninja, Shabba, Super Cat, Bounty, Beenie, Vybz Kartel or Mavado has yet.” Nuffy, however, begged to differ. He expressed that one of the main characteristics of a dancehall legend is their ability to introduce new talent. And, according to the emcee, Aidonia has managed to do that like other dancehall bigwigs. “Aidonia a di big man just like yuh would a have a Beenie, a Bounty or a Kartel. Di man deh weh graduate weh yuh can have dem as lead entertainers,” he said. “Give di man weh due to him, man. The work weh Aidonia put in, him deserve it.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

Boost in education, infrastructure bridging gap between coastland and hinterland- Minister Hastings-Williams The APNU+AFC coalition reassures citizens that it will continue to develop the country and move in the direction of ensuring that every Guyanese throughout the length and breadth benefits from the country’s resources. These developments will not be only directed toward development of communities, but toward education, healthcare, and infrastructure, this was according to Minister of State, Dawn Hastings Williams, who spoke on INSIGHT, VOG 102.5FM. Bridging the gap between the Coastland and Hinterland Hastings-Williams, stated that the government is moving toward bridging the gap between the hinterland and the coastland, and so it has been making significant strides to ensure that several infrastructural changes are implemented. According to the Minister of State the commissioning of a new road in Lethem this weekend is slated to be one of these new developments. “As a government we have been talking about bridging the gap between the hinterland and the coastland and we do not just talk the talk we also walk the walk, and by that I mean, we have been making significant strides to actually bridge that gap, point in case we are working to commission the new road in Lethem so that’s a big event that is coming up this weekend, we have built roads all over Guyana, those in remote communities, for example people can now drive from Mahdia to Bartica, that [project] had been stopped for a long, long time, but now the road has been made that accessible, people can come to Mahdia or to Georgetown to purchase their goods and they don’t have to take them to Parika or anything. They can now drive through the road,” Hastings Williams said. She further explained that these changes are going to benefit the citizens not just allowing them to be able to explore the country but that it will function to

benefit the business community, persons would be able to have easier access for transport of their goods, therefore making trading their products somewhat more lucrative. In addition, she related that this would benefit the country as it pushes tourism, this ease of access she said would allow many other persons the chance to be able to travel to many other parts of the country that they may not have had access to, like Annai, Lethem, and Moruca. EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT Further Hastings-Williams highlighted the strides the government has made in ensuring that education is brought to the hinterland regions, stating, “…recently, we’ve heard about the programmes that the First Lady herself embarked on. Resulting from one of the programmes, was a recently held graduation in Kamarang where we had a lot of men and women who were taught computer skills, literacy, mathematics they even did a little bit of robotics and these things help individuals to develop themselves, into citizens that can contribute meaningfully to their community. “Some years ago I would have never dreamt that coming out from a hinterland community [they]could be building a robot. But that is happening, it is real, and this is the progress that is brought through the APNU+AFC government,” the Minister of State pointed out. She related that the government is moving rapidly to ensure that the citizens in this part of the country are able to develop themselves and have every opportunity to do so through the use of education, and training along with so many new systems being implemented to cater to this. “Our young people are now being involved in what they have never dreamt of. And so development is rapidly taking place in our hinterland,” she stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 22, 2019

Guyana CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

District 10 poised to claim fifth consecutive title as ‘Nationals’ wraps up today … Skeete, Tyndall complete sprint double

WITH the 59th National Schools Swimming, Cycling, Track and Field, and Teachers Championship in its final day, current overall title-holders, District 10 (Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani) remain on pace to reclaim their ‘Champion of Champions’ trophy. The 16-time champions lead the table with 526 points, while District #4 (East Coast Demerara) are second with 309 points and West Coast Berbice (District 5), on 292 points, round off the top three. Over in the teachers’ championship, District 10, head into the final day one point (165)

behind leaders South Georgetown (District 13) with 166 and District 11, North Georgetown 162 points. With District 10 running away with the track and field title, placing second behind North Georgetown in the pool and behind District #6 (Corentyne) in the cycling, it would take some sort of act from God to prevent them from hoisting the Champions of Champions trophy for the 17th time in the game’s history, and the fifth consecutive time. North Georgetown, from 1980 to 1984, was the last time a district won five consecutive ‘Nationals’ title. Meanwhile, the penultimate day of the championship saw more records fall, as Attoya Harvey, Wesley Tyndall, Shaquka Tyrell, Loneil Marks, teacher Jonathan Fagundes led the way. Anisha Gibbons, Guyana’s 2019

CARIFTA Games gold medallist reset her record in the Girls’ Javelin, and Chenille Bowen, a teacher, dismantled her own Discus record. Tyndall from District 11, after claiming the Boys’ U-16 100m title, clocked 22.74s to win the 200m, beating Osa Blair’s 22.91s which was set last year. Deshana Skeete ran 25.12s for a photo-finish against Brianna Charles (25.16s) to win the Girls’ U-18 200m. Marks (West Coast Berbice), after being disqualified in the Boys’ U-20 100m, returned yesterday to clock 21.36s, finishing ahead of District 10’s Jennis Benjamin who had to settle for second in 22.32s. Marks’ time was good enough to replace Titus Webster’s 22.14s which was also set last year. Over in the U-18 1500m, Tyrell from District 10, winner of the

800m from the previous day, smashed Joanna Archer’s record of five minutes, 20.26 seconds (5:20.26) with a time of 5:03.99. Harvey of West Demerara, broke her own U-14 1500m, clocking 5:07.47 to win ahead of Rupununi’s Vannytta Francis (5:14.60) and Upper Demerara’s Hannah Joseph (5:17.39). Gibbons of East Coast Demerara, the holder of the Girls’ U-16 Javelin record of 26.64m, which she set last year, had a jawdropping throw of 45.33m to claim gold. Bowen destroyed her own female teachers’ 31-40 Discus record, erasing the old 21.27m with a distance of 24.46m.

Windies Women suffer whitewash, as India sweep T20 series 5-0

CLASSY half-centuries from Veeda Krishnamurthy and Jemimah Rodrigues piloted India women to a thumping 61-run win over West Indies, sealing off a commanding T20 series win with a bang on Wednesday night. India piled up a daunting 134 for 3 in their 20 overs, after capitalising on the 117-run partnership between Krishnamurthy who stroked 4 fours in her unbeaten 48-ball 57. Her partner in crime, Rodrigues supported well with three fours in her even 50, as the Windies bowling proved ineffective yet again with Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Allen and skipper Anisa Mohammed ending with a wicket each. It was another below-par performance by the hosts who were left to ponder as much after ending on 73-7 when their 20 overs expired. Kyshona Knight hit 22 and Guyanese vice-captain Shamaine Campbelle ended on 19 not out, to headline a shoddy batting performance. Indian off-spinner Anuja Patil was the star with ball in hand, grabbing stingy figures

of 2-8 as she landed double strikes to remove opener Natasha McLean (9), who opened her account with a big six, and Chedean Nation (0). The in-form Poonam Yadav (1-15) got into the action by dismissing Chinelle Henry for 6 before Matthews had her stumps disturbed by a beauty from Pooja Vastrakar (1-14); leaving the Windies reeling at 31 for 4. After top-scorer Knight was removed by off-spinner Harleen Deol (1-13), the wheels began to fall off the Windies, as their last 5 overs required them to go at 10-plus runs an over, in order to have a chance at victory. Spinner Radha Yadav served up a `beauty’ to account for the dismissal of Guyanese Sheneta Grimmond (5) before running out Shabika Gajnabi for 3. Hayley Matthews was dismissed for 2 leaving Campbell on 19 and Aaliyah Alleyne on 1 still at the crease when the 20 overs expired Earlier in the night, after hitting a six, India’s leading run-scorer 15-year-old Shafali Verma was caught-and-bowled

by Matthews while skipper Mohammed removed her opposite number Smritri Mandhana for 7. With both openers back in the dressing room with just 17 on the board, Rodrigues and Krishnamurthy applied themselves. The pair took India past the 50-run mark with some well-timed boundaries which lifted the spirits in the Indian camp. A continuation of effective stroke-play saw the team’s 100 come up in 16.4 overs with Krishnamurthy casually creeping towards her half-century. Rodrigues soon after making 50 was bowled by Allen, breaking the century partnership. Following the match, the Indians also made a clean sweep of the awards, adding a number of individual awards to their T20 Trophy. Krishnamurthy was adjudged MVP for her fifty while the 15-year-old sensation Verma ended as the leading run-scorer with 158 runs from her 5 matches and bagged the coveted Playerof-the-Series award. (Clifton Ross)

Scorpions’ Merchant reported for suspect action BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Jamaica Scorpions off-spinner Jamie Merchant has become the second bowler to be reported for a suspect bowling action during the ongoing Super50 Cup. The 30-year-old was brought to the attention of tournament officials, following last Saturday’s fixture against Canada which Scorpions won by four wickets at Warner Park. During that match, Merchant went wicket-less from his 10 overs which cost 33 runs.

“CWI will now arrange for an opinion report of the bowling action of Merchant from an independent assessor, but he is permitted to continue bowling until the results of the assessment are known,” Cricket West Indies (CWI) said in a statement. Footage of Merchant’s action will be sent to Loughborough University in England for the opinion report. Merchant was outstanding against Barbados Pride on Wednesday,

snatching a four-wicket haul as Scorpions beat the Group A leaders by 26 runs at Conaree Cricket Centre. On Wednesday, Guyana Jaguars fast bowler Ronsford Beaton was suspended from bowling after an independent assessment from Loughborough University confirmed his action exceeded the permitted 15o level of tolerance. Beaton had been reported following his outing against United States last Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

First Test at the Gabba, Brisbane

Starc leads the way as Pakistan bowled out for 240 SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Mitchell Starc took four for 52 as a middle-session blitz and some late new-ball fireworks helped Australia to dismiss Pakistan for 240 to bring a close to the opening day of the first Test in Brisbane yesterday. Pat Cummins took three wickets (3-60) and the third quick, Josh Hazlewood, grabbed two as the Australian bowlers took the honours on a sunny day at the Gabba. Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq offered most resistance to the barrage from the Australian pace battalion with a fine knock of 76 before he was ousted by a Cummins delivery that removed his middle stump. Left-armer Starc took the second new ball in the final hour of the day and made good use of it, dismissing Yasir Shah (26)

Mitchell Starc finished with four wickets. (Getty Images) with a trademark yorker and Shaheen Shah (0) in successive deliveries to put himself on a hat-trick. Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old fast bowler who was playing his first Test, faced the next delivery and, without appearing to know much about it, managed to keep the ball

from hitting his stumps with a thick inside edge. The teenager was the last batsman to depart, caught-andbowled by Starc for seven, to bring an end to a day that ebbed and flowed with long periods of Pakistani resistance punctuated by bursts of wickets.

“In the end, not a bad result,” said Australia captain Tim Paine. “We weren’t quite at our best in that first session, we thought we bowled a bit short ... But apart from that we stuck to the task and got better as the day went on.” After losing the toss, Australia had been frustrated by an opening stand of 75 from Azhar Ali (39) and Shan Masood (27) in a partnership that lasted throughout the first session and into the second. The Australian quicks finally found their length, however, and removed both in three deliveries before swiftly adding the wickets of Haris Sohail and Babar Azam for one run apiece. That spell of four wickets at the cost of three runs had the tourists rocking and a rout looked in order when Iftikhar Ahmed departed for seven to leave Pakistan on 95-5. Cummins was fortunate to make the next breakthrough when he dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 37 as the replays, when reviewed, showed what looked to be a no-ball. “I look at the scoreboard, it says a wicket,” Cummins added. “I’ll take it but I was really nervous until they put the finger up.” Asad clearly enjoys playing Down Under, however,

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings

Shan Masood c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins Azhar Ali c Joe Burns b Josh Hazlewood Haris Sohail c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc Asad Shafiq b Pat Cummins Babar Azam c Joe Burns b Josh Hazlewood Iftikhar Ahmed c Marnus Labuschagne b Nathan Lyon Mohammad Rizwan c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins Yasir Shah b Mitchell Starc Shaheen Afridi c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc Naseem Shah c & b Mitchell Starc Imran Khan not out Extras: (b-4, lb-8, nb-1, w-1) Total: (all out, 86.2 overs)

27 39 1 76 1 7 37 26 0 7 5 14 240

Fall of wickets: 1-75 Khan 2-75, 3-77, 4-78, 5-94, 6-143, 7-227, 8-227, 9-227. Bowling: Mitchell Starc 18.2-5-52-4 (w-1), Josh Hazlewood 20-6-46-2, Pat Cummins 22-7-60- 3, Nathan Lyon 17-3-40-1, Marnus Labuschagne 8- 0-24-0, Steven Smith 1-0-6-0.

and backed up centuries in Pakistan’s two tour matches at a ground where he scored 137 when the tourists came close to chasing down an unlikely victory in 2016. Reflecting the discipline that the openers had earlier employed, he brought up his 24th Test halfcentury in a partnership of 84 with Yasir before Australia took the

new ball and seized the day. “We are not too unhappy but it could have been a lot better,” said Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis. “The first session we thought would be difficult we got through pretty well, but then we gave it away. We need a really good session tomorrow to be in the game.”

Kiwis rue missed chances as England battle through to 241-4 onfirst day WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand were left ruing a day of missed opportunities as England battled to 241-4 at the close of the first day’s play in the opening Test at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui yesterday. England all-rounder Ben Stokes provided some late fireworks, which included hitting Trent Boult for four successive boundaries, to finish on 67 not out, leaving his side well placed to extend their advantage today. Stokes’ last four of that run came after the ball burst through the hands of Ross Taylor at first slip after he reacted late to the ball flying towards him. “We created a lot of chances which didn’t go our way but they showed a lot of patience, took their time and batted pretty well,” New Zealand pace bowler Neil Wagner told reporters. “Anything we threw at them they played quite well, at times they had a bit of luck, but sometimes you need a bit of luck.” The missed chance on Stokes was one of three gilt-edged opportunities New Zealand wasted on a day when their bowlers toiled on a pitch that offered them little assistance. Even so they were still able to put pressure on the tourists.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings Rory Burns c BJ Watling b Colin de Grandhomme 52 Dominic Sibley c Ross Taylor b Colin de Grandhomme 22 Joe Denly c BJ Watling b Tim Southee 74 Joe Root c Tim Southee b Neil Wagner 2 Ben Stokes not out 67 Ollie Pope not out 18 Extras: (b-1, lb-4, nb-1) 6 Total: (four wkts, 90.0 overs) 241 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-113, 3-120, 4-203. Bowling: Trent Boult 22-6-61-0, Tim Southee 21-6-46-1, Colin de Grandhomme 19-5-28-2, (nb-1), Neil Wagner 23-4-77-1, Mitchell Santner 5-0-24-0.

Ben Stokes ended the first day on 67 not out. (Reuters) Taylor and second slip Tom Latham had let a thick edge from Rory Burns fly between them when the opener was on 37. He went on to make 52 before being caught behind off Colin de Grandhomme. Burns, who played and missed several times during the middle session, also appeared to get a thin edge through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling on

the final delivery of the fifth over of the day when on 10 and England were 14-0. There was a half-hearted appeal but captain Kane Williamson chose not to review, even though technology suggested Burns did nick the ball. Wagner felt New Zealand were still well in the game heading into day two. “By no stretch have they got away from us, if we can come back in the morning and get a couple of early wickets, we’ll be in a really good position,” he said. The second match of the two-Test series takes place in Hamilton from November 29 to December 3.

Guyana CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

Humble Mourinho vows to bring success to Spurs view I’m relaxed, motivated and ready and I think the players felt that these two days. I’m ready and I’m here to support them. “In life you go through periods like this, where it’s not about myself, it’s about my players and my club.” He also paid tribute to his predecessor Pochettino and backed the Argentine to find happiness at a different club. Mourinho said the club’s

By Ken Ferris

LONDON, England (Reuters) - New Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho, who described himself as happy and humble, has vowed to bring success to the struggling north London club and said they could even win the Premier League next season. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against West Ham United, a smiling Mourinho told a packed news conference at the club’s training ground that he wanted to bring stability to the team and would make a few big changes. Mourinho, who took charge of Tottenham on Wednesday, has inherited a squad that finished in the Premier League’s top four, in four consecutive seasons, but are currently languishing in 14th after a poor start to the campaign. Asked if he had a Christmas transfer market wish list he

New Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho declared himself happy with the squad but added that he would be making some tweaks to improve their performances. “The best gift is the ones (players) that are here. I don’t need players. I am happy with the ones that we have.” The Portuguese returns to club management 11 months after being sacked by Manchester United, where he made a poor start

to last season and was criticised by fans and pundits for playing dull, defence-minded football. “I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I’m going to make new mistakes. I’m going to be stronger,” said 56-year-old Mourinho, who cracked jokes and seemed completely at ease unlike the grumpy manager who left Old Trafford under a cloud. “From an emotional point of

Joshua fears loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in rematch will tarnish his legacy

ANTHONY Joshua will not be happy with his boxing legacy should he fail to become a world champion once again. In one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history, the 30-year-old lost his WBA, IBF & WBO world heavyweight titles when he was dropped and stopped by underdog Andy Ruiz Jr in June. The pair are set for their rematch in Saudi Arabia in just over two weeks’ time on December 7, and regaining the belts he lost in Madison Square Garden is the only thing on the British heavyweight’s mind. “I don’t think I would be content if I don’t win the titles,” Joshua told the BBC. “For me as a man it means more than anything.” Asked whether his legacy hinges on the result of the rematch with Ruiz, AJ said: “When it’s all said and done and I hang up my gloves, that’s when we can have the debate about legacy.” Already a one-time world heavyweight champion, Joshua said he wouldn’t be content ending his career there, wanting to reclaim his titles. “I’ll beat Andy next time,” he added. “You’ll be asking me a whole heap of different questions on December 8.” Joshua says his first career defeat at the hands of the MexicanAmerican was down to a lack of experience and nothing to do with the many conspiracy theories that came about after his stunning defeat. “It wasn’t burnout,” he said. “The issues I faced in the last camp, it’s just down to lack of experience.” “Even though it was at a high level, we were still finding experience.” Ruiz was selected at just five weeks’ notice for the first fight. He was abused because of his shape and dismissed.

Andy Ruiz stopped Joshua in the seventh round. (Photo credit TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) During the week nobody outside of Ruiz’s tiny entourage thought that he could triumph. Joshua seems more focussed now, more serious. He has become a ‘smarter’ fighter ahead of their fiercely anticipated rematch and he believes he will be regaining his titles. “Andy Ruiz is good but I don’t think he should beat me twice. “I used to hear guys say you have to take a loss and I would think: why? “Now I can understand it and know what it takes. I have more understanding now and my ears are open to new information so that is making me smarter as a fighter. Anyone can be hungrier, I am smarter. “The blessing is I have a second chance and here we are.” Both are fearless, both have something to prove and both have prepared very differently from the first fight. Joshua confirmed he had brought in a number of top-quality sparring partners to test him, including former world title contenders Dereck Chisora and

Bryant Jennings, as well as the cruiserweight Andrew Tabiti to try to replicate Ruiz’s style. “I feel like sparring has added a different element of preparation for this fight,” AJ added. “Last time let’s say I didn’t invest in the sparring I need.” Joshua was shocked by the devastating speed of Ruiz in New York. He looks trimmer, but said he wasn’t focussed on what the scales read. “I am not really focussed on my weight, I am just focussed on my sparring. Everyone in the team has different opinions on my weight but I like going off of my sparring.” Manny Robles, the coach in Ruiz’s corner confirmed that his training camp for the rematch was going to be harder. “You are going to see a better, faster and slimmer Andy Ruiz. He knows that one win is not enough - he has to get in the ring and win again. He has to prove now that he is a real champion.” There will be no shortage of shocks before the winner has his hand raised, but whose will it be? (Yahoo Sport)

door will always be open for Pochettino, who guided Spurs to the Champions League final last season where they lost to Liverpool in Madrid. “I have to congratulate him (Pochettino) on the incredible job he did,” Mourinho said. “This club will always be his home, this training ground his training ground. He is always welcome here. “Tomorrow is another day. He

will find happiness soon. He will give everything like he did at this club. He will leave with sadness with the feeling that he did great work. It is what everyone at the club felt.” Mourinho will be looking to end Tottenham’s run of 12 league away matches without victory when they visit 16th-placed West Ham, who are bidding for a first win in seven league matches.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, November 22, 2019

Bhuvneshwar, Kuldeep return for India’s limited-overs series against Windies

(REUTERS) Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned to India’s squads for next month’s limited-overs home series against West Indies, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday. Bhuvneshwar has been nursing a hamstring strain since returning from the limited-overs leg of the West Indies tour in August.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav

The 29-year-old returns to the fold for three Twenty20 internationals and three onedayers alongside Kuldeep, who also makes a comeback for the first time in three months. Captain Virat Kohli, who had been rested for the T20I leg of the Bangladesh series, is back to lead the team. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who last featured in a T20I in 2017, was also picked,

while selectors left out Khaleel Ahmed and Shardul Thakur. Deepak Chahar was included in the one-day squad after he produced the best-ever T20I figures against Bangladesh, while young all-rounder Shivam Dube retained his place in the shortest format. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja returns to the limitedovers squad for Krunal Pandya as a like-for-like replacement.

India play West Indies in the first T20 in Mumbai on December 6. T20I squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami,

Bhuvneshwar Kumar ODI squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Beaton suspended from bowling PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that the Opinion Report by an Independent Assessor at Loughborough University has found the bowling action of Guyana Jaguars pacer Ronsford Beaton to be illegal and, as such, he has been

suspended from bowling in domestic West Indies matches with immediate effect. The assessment revealed that Beaton’s deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under playing regulations. Beaton will remain suspended until such time as his action

is found to be legal, either by an Opinion Report from Loughborough University or by an independent analysis from an accredited testing centre, in accordance with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Beaton suspended from bowling

He is expected to undergo remedial work supervised by the Jaguars franchise and can apply for a reassessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with the Regulations. The 27-year-old Beaton was reported for a suspect bowling action during Jaguars’ game

against the United States last Monday in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup. Beaton’s action was cited by match officials after he bowled eight overs for figures of 0-37 during the game at the Queen’s Park Oval, which the Jaguars won by 13 runs.

Albion, RHT Thunderbolt in main clash as round two bowls off BCB/Banks DIH 2-Day 1st Division Cricket Round 2

INTENSE action continues this weekend when round two of the 2019 BCB/Banks DIH 1st Division 2-day cricket tournament continues, with a number of thrilling matches lined up. Powerhouse Albion recorded the only outright victory of the opening round, while Rose Hall Town (RHT) NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour their opponents for round 2, along with Blairmont and Tucber

Park, were among those who recorded first-innings points. Much to expectation, given the vast talent floating around in the competition, it didn’t take long for players to get themselves going as a few centuries along with 5-fers were registered in round one. The all-round talents of Eon Hooper, Rajiv Ivan, opener Kandasammy Surujnarine and others produced tons, while a handful of bowlers returned

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 22, 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) Kieron Pollard (First T20) (2) WI 15; AFG 12 Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for the WI in the recent T20 series against Afghanistan? (2) Who scored most runs for AFG in the recent T20 series against the WI? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Former Guyana all-rounder Rajiv Ivan was among the centurions and wicket-takers following the end of the first round.

figures of 5 wickets or more, to get the tournament off to a flying start. Leading in points, Albion head Zone B while RHT Thunderbolt Flour are in second place with Blairmont and Tucber Park being leaders and runners-up, respectively, in Zone A. Albion and RHT Thunderbolt Flour will clash at the Area ‘H’ ground, while Rose Hall Canje visit Port Mourant ground to play the home team. Both matches bowl off today and will wrap up tomorrow. Zone A’s two matches which runs from tomorrow to Sunday,

will see encounters between Blairmont and Young Warriors at Cumberland Ground as well as Tucber Park versus West Berbice at the Bush Lot ground. Albion will be rallying behind their in-form stars, former Windies spinner Devendra Bishoo, centurions Ivan and Surujnarine, along with the upcoming talents of Kevin Umroa, Adrian Sukhwa and others. The home team will bank on the in-form Eon Hooper, fresh off a century, national players Kevlon Anderson, and Junior Sinclair, Shawn Pereira and few more stars which they

possess. Kevin Jawahir, who hit a sublime 196, leads a strong Blairmont team into battle featuring Seon Glasgow,

Marvon

Prashad,

Javed Karim, Nigel Deodat and Shabeer Baksh. Their

opponents

Young

Warriors are hoping their stars like Trevon Stanislaus, Alex Algoo, Suresh Dhanai and Ishwar Singh show up as they did in round one.

Maradona to stay on at Gimnasia BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Diego Maradona decided to stay on as coach of Argentine club Gimnasia y Esgrima in a surprising about turn on Thursday, two days after saying he was leaving his job at the struggling first division side. “He’s going to continue at Gimnasia,” Maradona’s agent Christian Bragarnik

told an Argentine radio station. His lawyer Matias Morla told a news conference the former World Cup winner changed his mind after the candidates for club president agree to put their differences aside ahead of Saturday’s election. Maradona took the job in September on the condi-

tion Gabriel Pellegrino stay on as club president and Pellegrino’s decision not to run caused Maradona’s surprise resignation. The announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from fans, many of whom turned up at the club to call on Maradona to stay. It is not clear if Pellegrino will be the consensus

candidate in the upcoming ballot. Maradona, who won the World Cup in 1986 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, took over the club from La Plata, just outside Buenos Aires, charged with helping them avoid relegation.

Guyana CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

GASA’s Short Course Swimming Championship splashes off today FOUR days of exciting swimming splashes off this afternoon when Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) holds its National Short Course Swimming Championship at the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal. According to information from the association, swimmers from several of the country’s top clubs will compete. Among the clubs are Dolphin Speed Swim Club, Dorado Speed Swim Club, Orca Speed Swim Club, Silver Sharks Aquatic Swim Club and Swim Academy Sea Otters. The event, which is expected to attract a number of national

Most of the country’s top juniors who competed in Monday’s 59th National Swimming Championship will battle in the meet.

swimmers, will start at 15:30hrs with an hour-long warmup session before swimmers compete in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) and the 100m breaststroke. Tomorrow there will be two sessions. After a 06:00hrs warm-up, swimmers will compete in the 1500m freestyle (males), before the ladies take to the pool for the 800m freestyle. The swimmers will also compete in the 200m butterfly in the morning session. At 13:00hrs there will be another hour-long warmup session before swimmers compete in the 400m IM, the 100m backstroke, the 50m

butterfly, the 200, breaststroke and the 50m freestyle. There is just an afternoon session on Sunday. After an hour-long warm-up, swimmers will hit the pool from 14:00hrs to compete in the 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 200m backstroke. The competition is expected to conclude on Monday afternoon with the 50m backstroke from 16:30hrs, followed by 200m freestyle. Among the main sponsors are Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. Unicomer (Guyana) Inc. and GGDMA Trading Inc.

Farfan & Mendes Junior Skill Level Squash Tournament 2019

Ince-Carvalhal, Gomes among winners as final Squash tourney of 2019 begins MICHAEL Alphonso, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal and Kirsten Gomes were among Wednesday night’s top performers as Guyana Squash Association (GSA)/Farfan & Mendes Junior Skill Level tournament spiked off at the Georgetown Club Courts. The final event of the year on the calendar saw Category ‘A’, being led by Alphonso, battle a brave Gianni Carpenter for a straight three-set win.

Kirsten Gomes

Alphonso pulled away for the 11-8 win. He then dominated the second with the skill that gave him the Under-15 Caribbean title. Carpenter came back fighting in the third although he was only able to secure 8 points again as Alphonso took his first win of 118, 11-5, 11-8. In the other Category ‘A’ bout, Ince-Carvalhal battled the talented Nicholas Verwey and after a crushing firstgame defeat, he found himself

9-4 down in the second before clinching it 11-9. After winning a set 13-11, Ince wrapped up procedings to take the match 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-9. The only girl in the advanced Category B Gomes defeated Lucas Jonas in four games. The Caribbean U-15 Girls champion Gomes kept a much improved Jonas deep in the back corners to secure a confident first night win 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9.

Results of the matches played on Wednesday were as follows.

Category A Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Nicholas Verwey 5-11, 11-9. 13-11, 11-9. Michael Alphonso beat Gianni Carpenter 11-8, 11-5, 11-8. Category B Kirsten Gomes defeated Lucas Jonas 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9. Mohryan Baksh trounced Ethan Jonas 11-3, 11-4, 11-4. Category C Louis DaSilva crushed Joshua Verwey 11-7, 11-1, 11-3. Shiloh Asregado whipped Lajuan Munroe 11-5, 11-5, 11-2. Category D Beau Fernandes beat Lucas Persaud 11-3, 4-11, 11-7. 11-5. Teija Edwards overcame Rayad Boyce 11-8, 11-9, 11-9. Category E Safirah Summer bettered Kaden Pynaendy 11-8, 9-11, 11-9. Category F Abhinav Singh defeated Rylee Rodrigues 11-8, 11-7. Brenno DaSilva thrashed William Escarragga 11-6, 11-6. Bradley Walton defeated Demetri Lowe 11-9, 11-7. Category G Solomon Ince-Carvalhal prevailed over Jnae Singh 11-6, 8-11, 11-8. Tiana Gomes trounced Mya Dean 11-2, 11-1. Nandishraj Singh got the better of Kassie Walcott 11-3, 11-9.

Fray to lead 15-man Bermuda squad in World Cup 2023 series HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Terryn Fray has been named captain of a 15-man Bermuda squad to take part in the first series of the ICC World Cup Challenge League B against Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya and Uganda. The series, taking place between December 2 and 12 in Muscat, Oman, is the start of the road to the 2023 50-overs World Cup in India. Between 2019 and 2021, there

Terryn Fray has been named captain. will be 90 matches between both League A and B with each team

playing 15 games and fighting for points to move on to a qualifier play-off in 2022. Bermuda’s most recent international outing saw them finish 13th of 14 teams in a qualifier in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for six places in next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. They lost all six of their games with only Nigeria, late replacements for suspended Zimbabwe, finishing below them with an inferior net

run rate. The squad shows a raft of changes from the team who were largely outplayed in the UAE, with Tre Manders, Justin Pitcher, Kyle Hodsoll, Zico Burgess and Pierre Smith called up. Manders is returning after suffering a broken ankle in a motorcycle accident in July. Left out of the squad are Allan Douglas, George O’Brien, Oronde Bascome, Charles Trott, Malachi Jones and Macai Simmons.

Also missing is 44-year-old Janeiro Tucker, although he will continue to serve as assistant coach under head coach Herbie Bascome. Bermuda’s first game will be against Hong Kong on December 3. Calvin Blankendal, the Bermuda Cricket Board’s executive director, said: “This is the beginning of our three-year qualification campaign which will also aid in increasing our international ICC rankings.”

Bermuda’s one appearance in the historic 50-overs World Cup came in the 2007 tournament staged in the Caribbean, when they failed to advance from the group stage after losing heavily to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. England are the current champions, having beaten New Zealand in this year’s final at Lord’s in London, by virtue of hitting more boundaries after the teams tied and a super-over still could not separate them.

Warrican, Cornwall prove lethal, Ambris presses case LUCKNOW, India (CMC) – West Indies spin duo Jomel Warrican and Rahkeem Cornwall exploited friendly conditions to combine for nine wickets as the Caribbean side took control of their tour match against an Afghanistan Cricket Board XI here yesterday. Left-armer Warrican snatched five for 38 and off-spinner Cornwall, four for 54 – two accurate and unrelenting spells which saw the hosts crumble for 158 in their first innings and concede a 10-run lead to the Windies.

Opener Javed Ahmad converted his overnight 21 into a top score of 56. No other batsman shone. Sunil Ambris then slammed a stroke-filled 66 while Roston Chase fashioned a patient 57 as West Indies reached 217 for seven in their second innings at the close. Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer yet again got a start with 30 while Shai Hope got 20, but opener John Campbell (17) failed again along with Shamarh Brooks (7). Hamza Hotak again led the attack with three for 59 while fellow

left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman picked up two for 54. Resuming the second day at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Stadium on 49 for three, the Board XI started strongly as Ahmadi added 41 for the fourth wicket with Asghar Afghan (10). But Warrican and Cornwall quickly became acclimatised to conditions and asserted themselves, scything through the middle and lower order as the Board XI lost their seven wickets for 68 runs. Cornwall looked menacing

throughout his 22-over spell and got generous turn while Warrican, who has played seven Tests, demonstrated immaculate control in his 23.1 overs. Warrican’s fifth wicket was the highlight of the day – Cornwall pulling off a tremendous low catch at first slip to dismiss Hotak to end the innings 20 minutes after lunch. Speaking to CWI Media at the ground after the day’s play, Warrican expressed great satisfaction with his performance and indicated he was eagerly looking forward to next week’s

one-off inaugural Test here. “We had a plan to bowl them out under our total, so we were very clear in our minds what had to be done out there …, especially in the morning session,” the 27-year-old said. “They started at three wickets down for about 50 runs, so we were playing with just over 100 runs … things had to be very tight.” He continued: “The pitch helped us as spinners but as the ball got older it got softer, so you had to be very disciplined and be patient. I

did that today and that brought me the five wickets. “You had to vary your pace and work with what was available. I thought I did that really well and I believe I’m in the right frame of mind for when the Test starts next week.” In their second turn at the crease, West Indies lost Brathwaite in the second over without scoring, caught by the keeper low down in front of first slip off seamer Nijat Masood.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday November 22, 2019

District 10 poised to claim fifth consecutive title as ‘Nationals’ 27 wraps up today PAGE

West Demerara’s Attoya Harvey (first from right) on her way to winning the Girls’ U-14 1500m, in a record-setting time of 5:07.47 ahead of Rupununi’s Vannytta Francis (second from right) and Upper Demerara’s Hannah Joseph (third from right).

Windies Women suffer whitewash, as India sweep T20 series 5-0 27 PAGE

The winning Indian Women are flanked by their coaching staff following Wednesday night’s 5-nil end to the T20 series. (Clifton Ross photo) Player-of-the-Series Shafali Verma receives her cheque from National female player Lashana Toussaint. (Clifton Ross photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019