Chronicle 11 15 2015

SUNDAY No. 104373

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2015

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Only child of Patentia cane-cutter, seamstress tops UG Centre

Sachin Ramsuran (right) his mother Karmwattie and father Diaram

UG to set up Transformational - Chancellor calls Task Force on graduates to use ‘initiative’ Guyana in solidarity with France Page

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Gov’t orders dredge operator to cease mining operations at Isseneru 10 7 Page Page

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Army celebrates 50th anniversary with city march WITH the rising of the sun, officers and ranks from various units of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) marched through some city streets to the Square of the Revolution in a ceremony to mark the Army’s 50th anniversary.

President Brigadier David Granger, who received the

salute during the route march, was joined by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips.

After taking off from Base Camp Ayanganna, the ranks took a circular route through Georgetown, marching along Durban Street and into Cemetery Road before giving the salute at the Square of the Revolution.

Also joining the party at the Square of the Revolution were Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

This Saturday morning activity was one of several planned to celebrate the army’s 50th anniversary. Other events planned are: the Military Command competition, slated for November 27 at Base Camp Stephenson; a Veteran’s Day event on November 20 at Base Camp Ayanganna; and a grand military Tattoo Display on November 21 at Camp Ayanganna.

Celebrations began with a church service on November 1. At that time, President Granger announced that November 1 would be celebrated every year as “Defence Force Day.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

UG to set up Transformational Task Force - Chancellor calls on graduates to use ‘initiative’

By Ariana Gordon

THE challenges facing the University of Guyana (UG) must be addressed decisively as a nation.

This is the view of Chancellor of the institution Professor Eon Nigel Harris, who in an address to the Graduating class of 2015 said the university's council approved on Friday the creation of a Transformation Task force' aimed at working with all stakeholders to devise a credible plan to address some of the "chronic governance and resource problems we face."

UG he said is not solely a government responsibility nor UG management and staff responsibility, but "it is a national responsibility and it is critical that all sectors of our nation re- engage more to carry this institution to the next level for our sake and for the sake of generations to come."

Some 1, 508 students graduated from the faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Education and Humanities, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Technology and the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

“While the good news is that a university education may be a clear advantage to you, a degree by itself will certainly not be the sole determinant of your personal advancement.

“I believe that there are three essential ingredients necessary for advancement in whatever field one has chosen: they are initiative, passion, and persistence,” he told the graduating class.

"It is true that initiative alone may not be enough. One does need some intellectual ability and common- sense, but all other things being equal, it is often those who are prepared to go the extra mile at whatever they do will prevail."

Grades he noted may be important in "landing you your first job, but they will probably not be enough to land your second or third job."

The Chancellor noted that the university is not in a position to prepare each student for every job available on the market, especially with today's rapidly developing world.

"The nature of jobs will change many times in the course of a lifetime," he added.

"Initiative expects that you are continually looking to improve the service or the products or systems your organisation is providing. Confining yourself only to the 9 to 5 job, where you restrict yourself only to work given neither helps you nor the organisation employing you.”

Government departments and businesses in the Caribbean often find an absence of sufficient desire among employees and their managers to "engineer improvement and change,” Professor Harris said.

"We live in a world that is galloping along with new technologies, niftier ways of getting tasks accomplished more efficient means of collecting and analysing data.

“Yet, so many in our space seem content with the status quo.

“I believe that we need a culture- one in which we actively seek to solve problem , to make processes easier, to seek customers who will select our organisation, our country, our Region over the rest."

Professor Harris stressed that it is imperative that one uses initiative. "Initiative involves thinking outside of the box, being bold, taking calculated risks to undertake new ventures.

It is equally important to develop a passion with respect to "developing an enthusiasm for what one is doing.

"Everything in life may not be ideal, but the ability to develop a consuming interest in whatever one does is an important factor in doing a job well." Persistence he noted is needed to see projects through. It is an important ingredient to success.

The former Vice- Chancellor University of the West indies (UWI) said it is not an easy task to predict how one's like can evolve, but "I urge you not to limit yourselves the jobs assigned to you, but strive to identify new ways to make better whatever organisations of which you will

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

France vows ‘merciless’ response after attacks kill 127 PARIS | By Ingrid Melander and Marine Pennetier

(Reuters) AN angry President Francois Hollande on Saturday promised a “merciless” response to a wave of attacks by gunmen and bombers that killed 127 people across Paris, describing the assault claimed by Islamic State as an act of war against France.

In the worst attack, a Paris city hall official said four gunmen systematically killed at least 87 people at a rock concert by an American band at the Bataclan con-

Poland said that the attacks meant it could not now take its share of migrants under a European Union plan. Many of the migrants currently flooding into Europe are refugees from Syria.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged world leaders gathered for a summit in Turkey on Saturday to prioritize the fight against terrorism, saying the Paris attacks showed the time for words was now over.

terrorist attacks, raising questions about how the attacks were able to occur.

It was the worst such attack in Europe since the Madrid train bombings of 2004, in which 191 died.

Hollande said the attacks were organized from abroad by Islamic State, with internal help. Investigators were focusing on to what extent the militants were from France or from abroad.

Sources close to the inquiry said one of the dead gunmen was French with ties to Islamist militants.

The holder of a Syrian passport found

“MERCILESS” Hollande pulled out of the meetings but told Erdogan by telephone that his foreign and finance ministers would attend.

“Faced with war, the country must take appropriate action,” Hollande said after an emergency meeting of security chiefs. The president also announced three days of national mourning.

“France will be merciless towards these barbarians from Daesh,” he said, using an Arab acronym for Islamic State.

During a visit to Vienna, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said “we are witnessing a kind of medieval and modern fascism at the same time”.

In its claim of responsibility, Islamic State said the attacks were a response to France’s military campaign.

It also distributed an undated video in which a militant said France would not live peacefully as long as it took part in U.S.-led bombing raids against the Islamic State.

“As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market,” said a bearded Arabic-speaking militant, flanked by other fighters.

A French government source told Reuters there were 127 dead, 67 in critical condition and 116 wounded. Six attackers blew themselves up and one was shot by police. There may have been an eighth attacker, but this was not confirmed.

The attacks, in which automatic weapons and explosives belts were used, lasted 40 minutes.

“The terrorists, the murderers, raked several cafe terraces with machine-gun fire before entering (the concert hall). There were many victims in terrible, atrocious conditions in several places,” police prefect Michel Cadot told reporters.

French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13, 2015. REUTERS/ Christian Hartmann cert hall before anti-terrorist commandos launched an assault.

Some 40 more people were killed in five other attacks in the Paris region, the official said, including a double suicide bombing outside the Stade de France stadium, where Hollande and the German foreign minister were watching a soccer game.

The assaults came as France, a founder member of the U.S.-led coalition waging air strikes against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, was on high alert for

near the body of one gunman passed though the Greek island of Leros in October, a Greek minister said. A Greek police source said the passport’s owner was a man who had arrived in Leros with 69 refugees and had his fingerprints taken.

Police declined to give his name.

The Paris attacks are sure to become a factor in the debate raging in Europe about how to handle the migrants crisis fueled by the conflict that has emerged from the uprising in Syria.

In a sign of potential divisions ahead,

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General view of the scene with rescue service personnel working near covered bodies outside a restaurant following shooting incidents in Paris, France, November 13, 2015. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Outcast! Community turns on 19-yr-old man for returning $100,000 he found (Jamaica Observer) NINETEEN-year-old Jabary Williams has found out the hard way that acts of kindness and honesty are not always appreciated in a society where morals are on the decline.

Williams says he was walking in his inner-city Kingston community, recently, when he found a bag containing approximately $100,000.

The former City College student told the Jamaica Observer that the reaction from members of his Kid Lane community when he decided to return the bag of money has left him dumbfounded.

He said that when he found the money he was struck with so many emotions, he was left confused.

“When I found the money several ideas ran though my mind; I didn’t know how to feel, I was shocked, at one point, happy at another and then sad,” the teenager said in an interview at the Observer’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston.

Williams said he struggled with the thought of giving back the funds as he reflected on his own life and

the struggles he was facing as a poverty-stricken young man growing up in the inner-city.

He said he carried the money home and could not get rid of thoughts of

Williams tells his story of honesty and disappointment. (PHOTO: ANTONIO GRAHAM) spending it.

After all, his mother was ill and he needed clothes along with so many other things.

The youngster, who works at a bakery, said that while he sat at home staring at the money, trying hard to

ignore the voice in his head, he overheard a man telling his father that he had lost a large sum of money.

He said he listened further and heard the man describe the bag.

Williams said he went as far as inspecting the bag that the funds was in, and found an identification card with the picture of the man who was asking around.

“When I saw all of that I, decided to return the money,” Williams told the Observer.

He never imagined that his act of honesty would almost cost him his life.

Williams said the first thing that happened was that the owner of the $100,000 gave him “a measly $100” for his troubles.

“After I gave back the funds the man who lost the money gave me $100 dollars,” said a dejected Williams.

But things got worse when news about his return of the money began to circulate around the community.

Williams said since that time he has been subjected to several verbal attacks from residents of the area.

“I have even gone to play football and have been

Caricom leaders condemn Paris attacks CARIBBEAN Community (Caricom) political leaders were Saturday standing with the international community in condemning the terrorist attack in Paris on Friday night that left more than 120 people dead.

The Bahamas government says it “stands with the international community in expressing its deep regrets over the loss of life from the horrific shootings in Paris.

“We condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest terms. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims,” the Perry Christie government said, adding that Nassau stands “ready to work with our Caricom allies and the international community to combat this problem”.

In a statement, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said that her country joined “all civilised, peace-loving peoples around the world in condemning the heartless and barbaric terrorist attacks perpetrated on the night of 13th November 2015 against the nation and people of

France.

“We are heartbroken that the cowardly acts of terror appeared to target the youth of the city of Paris and have, in the process, claimed the lives of over 120 innocent men, women and children and left numerous others wounded.

“We reiterate our utter condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and renew our commitment to fighting this scourge in co-operation with the international community and in defence of the universal values of life, liberty and peace for which Jamaica stands as a nation,” she added.

The Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat also “strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Paris.

Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque, in a message of condolence, also extended the Community’s deepest sympathies to the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those who were wounded in the tragic events.

told to leave the field,” said the youngster.

According to Williams, since the incident he has been made to feel like an outcast.

“To the way people in the area treat me it has made me feel bad, but if I had to do it again I would,” said Williams, adding that from a tender age he always tried to be honest.

Since then Williams’ kind act has caught the attention of his employer who has moved to highlight his case.

“It is really sad to see the state that the country has gone, where an act of honesty is frowned upon,” said Williams’ boss Peter Bent.

Bent said he was encouraged that, in spite of the pressure, Williams has been able to remain focused.

“When I see things such as these, it makes me believe that all is not lost. Despite all the pressure, there are still people among us who have morals and values,” said Bent.

Moves to protect whistle-blowers

(Newsday) GOVERNMENT yesterday tabled legislation designed to protect whistle-blowers and tackle corruption by introducing fines and jail-time for persons who seek to hinder others from coming forward to report wrongdoing.

The legislation – which was referred to a Parliament committee for detailed study – seeks to protect whistle-blowers in the public and private sector. All employers are obliged to take steps to ensure internal mechanisms exist to ensure reports can be received.

“We believe there are many decent and God-fearing people who are willing to testify as to crime and criminality within the public and private sectors, provided they are clothed with adequate protection,” Attorney General Faris Al Rawi said as he tabled the Whistle-Blower Protection Bill, 2015 in Parliament. “The fear of victimisation and reprisal for honest exposure is not only perceived, but real.” The new bill, which has been obtained by Newsday, proposes that all employers shall, “have in operation internal procedures for receiving and dealing with disclosures relating to his organisation.” A whistle-blowing reporting officer is to be appointed in each organisation. If the organisation does not set up this structure, the employee may make a report to a designated external whistle-blowing authority.

Clause 16 states the whistle- blower, should not be subject to any, “detrimental action on account of his having made a protected disclosure.” This includes, “any criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings for having made such a disclosure”. Any detrimental action which is taken may be remedied through an application to the High Court, which shall be empowered to grant, “any other relief as it deems fit”, including an injunction and/or monetary compensation.

Clause 21 proposes that it shall be an offence punishable by $15,000 and two years’ jail on summary conviction for restraining, intimidating, or threatening a whistle-blower. At the same time, anyone who makes a disclosure under the law knowing it is, “false or misleading” or is reckless also commits an offence.

On indictment, the penalty rises to $50,000 and ten years jail.

The line minister – which is likely to be the Minister of National Security – would be empowered to issue specific regulations under the law.

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Guyana

EDITORIAL

Race in a multiracial society

RACE will continue to live with us, and rightly the Guyana Constitution, in its preamble, gives each citizen the right to belong and celebrate their diversity. A push to deny persons the right of belonging reflects a misunderstanding of race, since it is not the right to belong that threatens society’s stability; it is the discriminatory use of race as the base factor in determining who gets or is denied what, when, where and how.

Even as Article 149 protects citizens from discrimination on the grounds of race, the society awaits laws to deepen and strengthen the constitutional intent. And this must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Race has historical bad experiences for us. Working to overcome negative perceptions and actions requires acceptance of its significance, including its exploitation by bigots.

For while this group ensures their survival and relevance, overall their actions do a disservice to the masses and society.

Given allegations and evidence over the years, efforts must now be made, in a sustained manner, to investigate and address charges of discrimination and exclusion. Where the constitution makes provision for the Ethnic Relations Commission and Human Rights Commission, both institutions ought not to be inoperative. When properly put to work, they can facilitate conversations in an open, frank and honest manner, supported by evidence that will shape national policies and guide law-making.

It would not be unfair to say that the legislature did not move with the needed urgency to address racial healing and the promotion of equality over a number of years. While the PPP had the greater opportunity within the last two decades to deliver this leadership, they failed the people. And though the recent claim by the party of an ethnic imbalance in GECOM ought not to be dismissed, but examined, it is also instructive to note that

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Guyana in solidarity with France GUYANA has joined the international community in standing in solidarity with the Government and people of France, following the grave acts of terrorism committed in Paris on Friday.

A statement from Guyana says the country strongly condemns the despicable acts of evil committed against innocent citizens as it sends condolences to the people of France and French citizens throughout the world.

“These acts remind us that there still exist among us evil forces which use the cloak of a peace-loving religion as justification for their murderous agenda.

The Government of Guyana recognises Islam as a religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims lead peaceful and law-abiding lives in their ummah. We reject those who use Islam or any other

religion as a front to attack the people of any nation,” the Guyana statement said.

The BBC has reported that French President Francois Hollande has since imposed a state of emergency after the worst peacetime attack in France since World War Two. It is also the deadliest in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings.

The violence began soon after 21:00 hrs (20:00 GMT) as people were enjoying a Friday night-out in the French capital. The BBC said a gunman opened fire on Le Carillon bar in the rue Alibert, near the Place de la Republique, before heading across the road to Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia), killing 15 people.

“We heard the sound of guns, 30-second bursts. It was endless,” resident Pierre Montfort said.

GECOM, as presently staffed, is an inheritance from the PPP, which lends to suggestion that the present outburst is more characteristic of extremists plying their trade.

This nation would be doing itself a disservice traversing a path determined by the bigots in our midst.

The time is now to move to embrace and accept race as a given and put structures in place to facilitate equality, dignity and respect for every group equally, as structures must be put in place to deal condignly with those who profit off racism, racial mischief and divisions.

In a land of six peoples, where some were brought against their will, the fact that we are all occupying this land called Guyana demands that systems be deepened and strengthened to ensure peaceful co-existence and equal opportunity for development.

This country must no longer allow any group to be systematically denied employment, as happened in the public service, particularly the Foreign Service, where a policy was personally executed by Clement Rohee as Minister of Foreign Affairs that targeted the removal of African-Guyanese career diplomats. Neither must there be continuity in denying economic opportunities to persons on the basis of race. It is time for Equal Opportunity laws, inclusive of tabulation for evidence and scientific reference of the opportunities, given the various demographics.

It would be marking time to on one hand acknowledge and complain about division, and on the other hand fail to do something in structured and legitimate manner to address defects. For instance, it is divisive to call for ethnic balance in the public sector and ignore the private sector as a requirement to ensuring equality across the board. Tempting as it may be for the private sector to argue that they reserve the right to determine who they employ, in a racially charged society as ours, such is a disservice to the ethos of promoting and ensuring equality for which the private sector too shoulders

A few streets away, the BBC said, diners sitting on the terrace of La Casa Nostra pizzeria in rue de la Fontaine au Roi were also fired on, with the loss of five lives.

France’s Chief Prosecutor, Mr Francois Molins, said 19 people were killed at the Belle Equipe bar, while the toll from the attack on the Bataclan concert hall stood at 89.

At around the same time, on the northern outskirts of Paris, 80,000 people who had gathered to watch France play Germany at the Stade de France heard three explosions outside the stadium. President Hollande was among the spectators, and was whisked away after the first blast, the BBC said.

According to Mr Molins, investigators found the bodies of three suicide bombers around the Stade de France.

corporate and social responsibilities.

In political participation, voting along the lines of race is protected in one’s right to freedom of association (Article 147). And this is why, giving true meaning to inclusionary democracy which allows for all groups to be involved in the management and decision-making processes of the state on matters that impact their well-being (Article 13) is relevant and important.

Race also has significance in social and health issues. For instance, African-Guyanese are more predisposed to diabetes and sickle cells. This means that national planning, while it aims to address these illnesses universally, also needs to pay greater attention directing resources in managing same to the group most affected. The same goes for suicide that is prevalent among Indian-Guyanese, and so forth. Gathering statistics on race allows analysis of the strengths and weaknesses that exist in each community. The data can be fed into the national development programme, which allows for tackling issues in a scientific manner and removing the one-size-fits-all approach that has been applied over the years and also, at times, deliberately used to deny others.

This nation must work for racial equality as constitutionally required. Equality means all must be given the same opportunity and treatment. This cannot be achieved in the absence of programmes that target the disadvantaged. Where groups were historically disadvantaged, there must be special provisions/programmes put in place to bring them up to the level of the historically privileged as a starting point. While it is the collective that historically a nation’s development is measured by, its GDP, given that the world has taken a shift where poverty, rights and sustainable development are new measurements in economic performance, identification and targeting of race/ethnic groups become more necessary.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

The uphill battle to address mental health care in Guyana

By Ravin Singh

THE cold, unpainted pavement which reeked of rotten meat and stagnant water in central Georgetown is where they’d eat, sleep, dwell and live most of their lives. Six, sometimes seven or eight of them on a given day, would lie half-naked, sprawled, and almost lifeless at popular spots, one of which includes the eastern wing of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) in the city’s capital.

Their stories are all different, one would assume.

Perhaps most never being told as to why these citizens were in the state they were - perceived insanity. Neighbouring retailers claim that at times these vagrants had all experienced fearsome delusions associated with schizophrenia.

One who remains trapped in this constant battle of being mentally stable and collapsing psychologically, is Christopher France, a thirdyear medical student at the University of Guyana (UG), who suffers from depression, as a result of epilepsy – a condition which he was diagnosed with in 2014.

Some medical publications support the idea that causes of depression in people with epilepsy may be brain injury; the area of the brain responsible for mood may be affected in people whose epilepsy is caused by brain injury, leading to a variety of mood changes, including depression, which France admitted he first discovered in his mid-teens.

“In my mid-teens I started experiencing what we could call depression; sudden mood changes. And since then, it has been a constant battle for me.”

But mental illness is not limited to depression or suicidal thoughts. Head of the psychiatric unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Dr. Bhiro Harry, explained that common forms of mental illness include anxiety, depression, substance use disorders and psychosis – better known in Guyanese terms as the “mad man syndrome.” Among these, psychosis makes up about two per cent of all mental illnesses globally.

Revealing that no one is immune from mental illness, Dr. Harry notes that every day, cases of mental illnesses are diagnosed, both locally and globally, with 98 per

cent of the diagnosed cases being common in people who appear sane.

This condition can be caused by a combination of environmental, psychological and genetic factors, he said, adding that sometimes, it is the psychiatric manifestation

DR BHIRO HARRY of a physical medical illness like a thyroid disease or a low calcium level.

Additionally, the use of licit (such as alcohol) and illicit (such as marijuana and cocaine) substances can cause mental illness.

And while Dr Harry agrees with this, he says most mental illnesses could be prevented through healthy lifestyles - physical exercise, relaxation, a balanced diet, no drugs and effective coping styles.

For those cases which cannot be prevented, he explains that life-long treatment is required, just as it is for Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. However, these cases are in the minority.

The majority, he says, are resolved completely with appropriate treatment and healthy lifestyles.

Treatment available at the GPHC includes counselling, psychotherapy and medication, he adds.

But presently, while Guyana struggles with only six practising psychiatrists, there is currently no mental health unit at the GPHC, according to Minister of Health Dr. Karen Cummings.

Dr. Cummings, who inherited this state of the medical faction of the country from the last government, explained that mental health is currently a front burner issue for the Health Ministry, since a Mental Health Strategy has been developed by the ministry, through a collaborative effort with the Pan American

mental illness which needs individual attention; perhaps the most important of these being suicide, since Guyana was ranked as having the highest suicide rate in the world, according to a UN report published last year.

KAREN CUMMINGS At a staggering rate of 44.2 suicides per 100,000 people, Guyana surpasses the global average which is fixed at 16 per 100,000.

With three of the local psychiatrists stationed at the GPHC and the other three based at the National Psychi-

to have a mental health team in each regional hospital.

At the GPHC too, there are currently two psychologists and one psychologist at the National Psychiatric Hospital. There are five General Physicians in the department.

There are two social workers in the department of psychiatry at the GPHC and one Social Worker at the National Psychiatric Hospital. But according to the head of the Psychiatric Unit, there is a need for more mental health professionals.

But with these limited resources available to a population of just over 750,000 people, health activist Sherlina Nageer, who holds a Masters’ Degree in Public Health, believes that concrete issues related to mental health are not being addressed by the relevant authorities.

According to Nageer, the scope of mental health is one which is very broad, since once has to take into account abusive relationships and poverty and the impact those have on a person’s mental health.

In light of this, and her conviction that most of the medical services are not available “out of town,” Nageer maintains that there is no understanding of the

Vagrants, known to exhibit attitudes common to mental health patienets, outside the Guyana Post Office in Georgetown.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, some of the early signs of mental illness include withdrawal, drop in functioning, problems with thinking and concentration, increased sensitivity, apathy, nervousness, sleep or appetite changes, and mood changes.

Health Organisation (PAHO).

With a National Mental Health Action Plan 20152020 under way, and a proposed mental health unit in the pipeline, the Health Minister explains that mental health needs to be examined in its entirety, given that there are many subsets of

atric Hospital in Region Six, Dr. Harry is of the conviction that there needs to be more psychiatrists.

One doctor is currently being trained in Cuba in child psychiatry, Dr. Harry revealed, adding that “very soon specialists will be trained locally” as the plan is

root causes, which, if promoted, could ultimately aid in addressing the issue of mental illness.

France, like Nageer, believes that there has been a shortcoming on the part of the authorities to push an education campaign. “We have all of these studies being

done. All these reports coming out and articles but no work is actually being done” he says.

He reflects on an experience a few years ago, after having written a blog on suicide and mental illness,

CHRISTOPHER FRANCE since Guyana’s suicide rate was climbing, there was no suicide hotline number to call for counselling if one was in need. This, he says, is imperative, not only in addressing suicide, but mental illness on the whole.

A “Suicide Helpline” was however launched earlier this year under the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF’s) Social Crime Prevention programme.

Calls to the hotline’s number proved that it was functional.

While on academic attachment at the West Demerara Hospital, France recalls that one of the male wardens would refer to one of the wards as “the poison ward,” since everyone in the room, at some point in time, had attempted suicide.

He opines too that, “There is a stigma with depression and mental illness in Guyana.”

According to him, people are ashamed to admit that they are in need of help.

And this he says seems to be woven into the fabric of Guyanese culture.

“Imagine a big strong man in his mid-thirties confiding in his bros’ that he’s depressed. People will torment him and say ‘budday you acting like a girl.’”

But mental illness is not something people can just get over. Depression, from which he suffers, is like any other illness.

“You can’t tell someone to get over cancer or diabetes, so why tell someone who has mental illness or depression to get over it?

They can’t just get over it.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Despite security concerns, Guyana to attend Paris Climate Summit

By Rabindra Rooplall

DESPITE the security nightmare of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, Guyana will attend the United Nations Climate Summit in early December, Governance Minister R a p h a e l Tr o t m a n confirmed Saturday.

Tr o t m a n m a d e t h e statement at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre during a public consultation on Guyana’s participation at the Summit.

Attending the consultation was Guyana’s Lead Negotiator Andrew Bishop, Guyana Policy Forum representatives Joycelyn Dow and Mike McCormack, civil society organisations and others.

Trotman said in Paris there are scenes of death, brutality and gore which raised the issue of a quest for world peace in all our actions. “ We r e m e m b e r t h e victims of war and terror in Paris and other parts of the world; we join with the people of France in condemning terrorism.

“For me we must go to Paris, because if we don’t go we would be handing a victory to those who are trying to prevent the good that needs to be achieved; we must go there and find agreements on behalf of the rest of the world,” Trotman stated.

He said it is the intention of the government to have a “Guyana position” as representatives aim to have Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) which will focus on forest and the energy sector.

change sector. Guyana’s participation at the Belize workshop is part of the country’s preparation for COP 21. He noted that the rapid rate of global climate change continues to consume the attention of world leaders,

environment, our nation’s patrimony and world as we consult on Guyana’s position on Climate Change and the INDC. “ We w e l c o m e t h e initiative of civil society in proposing further comments

Stakeholders who were present at the Public Consultation on Guyana’s position at the UN Climate Summit.

“We must acknowledge that this issue of environmental protection, climate change, and climate mitigation must not be treated with a cursory glance but must be embraced by all stakeholders,” He said it is in Guyana’s best interest to stand united and confident in what is there to offer the world and what is being sought for protection for the future generations.

According to the G o v e r n a n c e M i n i s t e r, consultations were held locally with the indigenous peoples and other stakeholders in the climate-

as continuous brainstorming sessions and conferences are convened, focusing on ways to mitigate its effects.

In Guyana, the government is sparing no effort to this cause.

Cabinet had earlier in the year approved the appointment of a taskforce t o a d v a n c e G u y a n a ’s engagement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. “ We a r e t h e r e f o r e gathered to do justice to our individual and collective responsibility to our

on the document that were submitted which resulted in the forum,” Trotman emphasised.

He said the collaborative nature of what is being forged is important to note as Guyana is at the end of its first phase with its agreement with Norway and is keenly interested in strengthening the relationship which will benefit all Guyanese and the rest of the world.

“Guyana has already signalled to Norway that we are interested in an extension of our agreement, and we have been in touch with the Norwegian Ministry of

Climate Change to further discussions, which will take place on December 8, 2015 in Paris,” he said.

“As we transition into a green economy, one that truly represents the country’s image and status as a world leader in environmental protection…”

He said government is pursuing the best energy mix for the country with the abundance of water, sun, wind and other natural resources.

According to Andrew Bishop, who did a presentation of issues and positions for COP21, Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) supports the development of the REDD+ international agenda and architecture.

The primary goal is to help establish a global, binding, long-term post-2012 regime that will ensure the necessary and sufficient cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions to limit global temperature rises to no more than 2°C. He explained that governments from countries around the world are working to design policies that will stop climate change, help people adapt to the changes that have already happened, and better prepare for changes that are likely to happen in the future.

Countries work through international organisations

that help governments work together to make policies on many important issues, including climate change. The international organisation that leads international policymaking is the United Nations (UN), which includes 192 countries—almost every country in the world.

Meanwhile, Guyana Policy Forum representative Joycelyn Dow said Guyana is among the world’s richest countries in forest carbon stocks per capita, and Guyana enjoys unique opportunities to benefit from the increasing concern among the global community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

She explained that this will not curb the country’s economic development, but rather provide benefits from conserving our forests that in some cases can out-compete extractive alternatives in today’s marketplace. “ G u y a n a ’s e x i s t i n g Community Monitoring Reporting and Verifying (CMRV) gives us a strategic advantage in providing verifiable emissions results for any REDD+ agreement…

U n d e r o u r a g re e m e n t with Norway, the focus has been on deforestation (and gold- mining has been the primary driver of deforestation), but the UNFCCC’s focus in Paris and beyond is emissions,” Ms Dow explained.

THAG wants 8% VAT rate for tourism sector Finance Minister deems case compelling

PRESIDENT of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Shaun McGrath, is calling for a flat VAT rate of no more than 8 per cent for the tourism sector and licensed tourism service providers.

Current Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes, had made a similar pitch as an Opposition Member of Parliament.

In The Bahamas, the standard VAT rate is 15 per cent, but the rate applied in its tourism sector is 10 per cent. In Barbados, the VAT rate in 17.5 per cent, but its tourism sector enjoys a concessionary rate of 7.5 per cent.

Similarly, Dominica has a VAT rate of 15 per cent, but it is reduced to 10 per cent for its tourism sector.

McGrath was keen to point out that tourism is currently the only export in Guyana that is subject to a domestic tax. He also pointed out that the VAT burden on

tourism is not shared evenly, since VAT is waived for the entire sector in the Rupununi, and this leaves industry players in all other regions at a distinct disadvantage.

Accompanied by senior THAG executives, McGrath shared his views at a meeting

serious restraining factor on development of the sector, and proposed that licensed companies be given dutyfree status for up to three suitable vehicles once every five years.

Minister Jordan told the THAG delegation it had

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

THAG President Shaun McGrath

with Finance Minister Winston Jordan during a recent budget consultation.

He also cited the lack of a duty-free incentive scheme on vehicles for tourism as a

made a most impassioned plea and compelling case for the sector to be examined differently. He assured the delegation that the increased allocation for tourism

in this year's budget is an indication of government’s commitment to the sector, and that more efforts would be made to boost the delivery of Guyana’s tourism product.

INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS Minister Jordan said works have already begun on some of the infrastructure for the sector through the rehabilitation of two hinterland airstrips, and that the Finance Ministry is actively seeking the help of donors to refurbish the others.

The minister also raised the issue of disaggregating the data on tourist arrivals in Guyana. The THAG delegation told him there is no definite figure, as the data put out by the airport encompasses all the visitors to Guyana.

McGrath said that THAG had lobbied the previous government for the breakdown of the figures, but to no avail.

Nevertheless, he hazarded a guess that of the 205,000 visitors who came to Guyana last year, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 would have been classified as genuine tourists.

Minister Jordan advised that data on tourist arrivals are critical to the consideration of proposals for concessions and incentives, while at the same time recognising that the industry provides employment to a vulnerable section of society, namely women.

Among other proposals mooted by the THAG delegation were investment incentives and concessions for tourism, including dutyfree importation and waivers of VAT on supplies, building materials and equipment for construction; rehabilitation or refurbishment of tourismrelated buildings; tax writeoffs for marketing; as well as training of staff by tour owners and operators.

McGrath said THAG would support the creation of an effective system that

allows genuine operations to easily and quickly access concessions, and he suggested that letters of recognition and recommendation be issued to operators by THAG and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). He also said that companies applying for concessions should be registered for VAT or be exempt and compliant with all statutory requirements.

He added that companies claiming to be in the tourism industry should be subject to inspection or be made to provide proof of involvement through audited accounts; physical inspection of property and/or office by the relevant authorities, where applicable; printed tourismrelated materials, such as brochures, and electronic materials such as websites and other social media promoting their business.

The meeting concluded with an undertaking from the minister to consider a fiscal incentive regime for the sector.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Daibetes - a death sentence?

By Azeem Khan

THE thirst was unbearable; she was drinking water at frequent intervals. Everywhere she went she had to take along liquids, and at nights, there was a big bottle by the bedside to quench her now bone-dry mouth.

Mildred was under the belief that she was going through “some phase” and perhaps that was a sign until she decided to see a gynaecologist because of other episodes she was witnessing.

The gynaecologist did not reveal what possible diagnosis he had in mind, but requested that she do some tests. Mildred decided to go straight away to a private hospital and get it done. The blood was drawn, and then it came the day for the results – September 26th, 2014.

Mildred said she had never felt so terrible in her 35 years of life. The doctor, after reading the test results, disclosed that Mildred has diabetes mellitus, a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is insufficient, or because the body's cells do not respond suitably to insulin, or both.

Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience frequent urination; they will become increasingly thirsty and hungry - all signs and symptoms Mildred was experiencing.

The doctor wanted to hospitalise her for further observation, but she declined and begged the doctor for a prescription, promising that she will start taking medications for her Type 2 diabetes immediately.

He acquiesced and she promptly filled it at a nearby pharmacy.

The reality hit that her life would forever be changed with that diagnosis. It was what she called a death sentence, because she saw how her mom suffered with the same illness.

Mildred is only one of many thousands who have diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, and that this Non Communicable Disease (NCD) is not only a burden to sufferers, but takes a toll on the government's coffers.

PREVALENCE In 2011, it was estimated that about 40,000 Guyanese had diabetes, and in 2014, this jumped to about 62,000, with many more unaware they have the life- threatening illness. In 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes was 9%, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which predicts that this disease will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030.

Most of the deaths (80%) occur in low and middleincome countries.

Worldwide, around 387 million adults aged between 20 and 79 have diabetes, a number that is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035. In 2013, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that five countries have more than 10 million people with the condition:the U.S., China, India, Brazil and Russia.

TYPES There are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Type 1, was previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset and is characterised by a lack of insulin production and necessitates daily administration of insulin. The cause for this type is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge.

Type 2 is caused by the body ineffectively using insulin.

It is mainly as a result of lack of physical activity and obesity and accounts for 90% of those affected by diabetes. Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia with blood glucose values above normal, but below those diagnostic of diabetes, occurring during pregnancy, according to the WHO. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery.

DIABETES AND ITS CONSEQUENCES This disease can impair the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves and increases the risk of stroke and

heart disease. The WHO, quoting a multinational study, said 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke). Patients can suffer from reduced blood flow, neuropathy (nerve damage) foot ulcers, and subsequent infection and this may lead to amputation of limbs.

Then there is diabetic retinopathy, a critical cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long-term, amassed destruction to the small blood vessels in the retina.

Diabetes is among the principal causes of kidney failure, the WHO reports.

PREVENTION Lifestyle changes play critical roles in delaying or preventing the onset of diabetes, according to physicians.

A most recent study states that obese women who skip breakfast may be on their way to acquiring diabetes.

Healthy diets and exercise are key factors to prevention of diabetes.

MANAGING TYPE 2 DIABETES It's is no secret that this type of the illness is on the rise, so a person who is afflicted can do a lot to deal with it. Sue McLaughlin, president of Healthcare and Education for the American Diabetes Association says that " Basic principles of good health like eating right, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can be as effective as medicine in the management of type 2 diabetes for most people."

She recommends a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables like broccoli, carrots and lettuce, whole grains, beans, lean meats, and low- fat dairy products.

Diabetics should avoid white rice, white bread and sodas as these drive sugar levels up. Physical activity such as walking helps push glucose out of the blood and into the cells, resulting in better blood- sugar levels, McLaughlin advises.

So with all this advice from Mc Laughlin, what has Mildred done about her illness? She has been encouraged to join a clinic in her district and has been maintaining her doctor's appointments!

EDUCATING THE YOUNG Inculcating changes at a young age definitely helps, as such, the Public Health Ministry plans to target schoolchildren; to encourage them to eat healthy and be active.

Junior Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings said the disease “has to be attacked from all fronts in terms of education and educating parents as well because they are the ones who give their children the money.”

She is on record as saying that, “We want to target our schools, childhood obesity is also on the rise, persons are no longer exercising and eating healthy, they rely on fast foods and we have to change this sort of lifestyle,” she said.

Dr. Cummings said the coalition government plans to extend the pilot School Feeding Programme in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 to the coastland, targeting the most vulnerable, to ensure they have a balanced diet.

There will be focus on primary care. Patients will be spoken to about their medications and why they need to take them. “We are going to improve the patient-doctor relationship, so that they can know about the disease. I find that the average person does not know about diabetes and what it can do to them,” Dr Cummings said.

THE ALL-IMPORTANT FOOT CARE Dr Kumar Sukhraj, head of the Diabetic Foot Care clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital, says patients must take extreme care with especially their feet as this can help to lessen foot complications.

He stated in an article he wrote on November 1, 2015 that currently in Guyana there are many diabetic patients who develop complications with

their feet. His advice for diabetics include: 1. Keep your blood sugar in your target range as much as possible, to prevent infection, speed healing and prevent further damage to blood vessels and nerves.

2. Wash your feet with mild soap and warm water every day. Dry the areas between toes and around nail beds to prevent fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

3. Inspect your feet carefully every day and check between the toes. Use a mirror if needed to detect any problems such as cuts, blisters, red spots, or swelling.

4. Cut toenails straight across and not too short.

You should be able to see a small rim of white nail beyond the pink nail bed. Have a trained professional trim your nails if you cannot do it yourself to avoid ingrown toenails and to avoid cutting your toes.

5.

Be more active and do activities such as walking. Wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles for a few minutes several times a day to help blood flow to your feet.

6. Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of feet daily. Do not apply lotion between the toes to prevent skin from cracking.

7.

Wear socks with loose fitting elastic. Avoid knee-high stockings. Change socks often if your feet sweat a lot. Tight elastics cut off circulation. Prevent fungal infections by keeping the area dry.

8. Check the insides of shoes daily before putting them on. Use your hand to check for cracks, sharp edges, and loose objects. Any objects or rough edge in your shoe can cause blisters or breaks in the skin.

9. Shop for shoes late in the day, when your feet are most swollen, and make sure they fit well to avoid injuries such as corns and blisters. Take off both of your shoes at every doctor’s visit so your doctor or nurse should check both of your feet.

10. Contact your health care provider immediately when you find a problem such as broken skin. Most foot problems are much easier to treat when they are treated right away.

Patients who have foot issues can visit the GPHC’s Foot Clinic for assistance.

MEDICATION AND TESTING There are many different types of diabetes medicines, or anti-diabetic drugs, and this includes insulin and tablets. Common tablets are metformin and glyclazide.

Insulin is the most common type of medication used in type 1 diabetes, administered through injections. Insulin is also used in type 2.

A glucometer, a small machine is an extremely useful tool for diabetics. Regular testing will ensure that patient knows how his or her body responds to certain foods and will therefore guide him or her in determining what foods are better to eat. It will also save that person from many complications.

CONCLUSION So how has Mildred been coping with her “death sentence?” She related that she is taking her medications, tablets - metformin and glyclazide, taken one each in the morning and evening.

"Do you feel like it's still a death sentence?"

"No. As a matter of fact I am a different person. My life has changed! I have lost weight, I have changed my diet and I make time to exercise in the park.

“Today, I feel better and I am proud to say, yes, my life is different!

“No more do I pity myself, I am still sad that I am afflicted but I have been managing. While it’s not been smooth sailing, I believe that while diabetes leads to death, I no longer see it as a death sentence.”

She even has some advice for others. “Take control of your life. Only you can do it. Be conscious of what you eat, exercise and be careful not to get your feet especially, punctured!”

So for diabetics, the ball is in your court, and as Mildred advises, take control. Control is the key to being on top of the game where diabetes is concerned. (The writer, Azeem Khan, works with the Government Information Agency)

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

UG to set up Transformational Task Force From page 2

become a part, go beyond the routine day- to- day drudge of an assigned job, be bold and daring, be passionate and persistent and in this way, you will fulfil the promise and hard work that brought you to this point today. Go out there and make a difference. " Professor Harris commended Vice- Chancellor (VC) Professor Jacob OPadeyi who will demit office in a few months. "I have been chancellor for just about two months, and I believe that VC Opadeyi has gone to great personal lengths to promote the growth and standards of the university."

The chancellor outlined some of the achievements by the vice- chancellor. "Among his achievements have been enhancement of the financial accounting and management systems of the university; reduction of the university's deficit by negotiating additional government funding; facilitating the promotion of a number of faculty members while working to ensure that a greater percentage of academic staff has higher degrees; he has played a major role in managing the WE UG Technology support project, which I hope will help transform science, technology and engineering education at UG." He alluded to the fact that the vice- chancellor’s tour of duty has not been without challenges.

"Inevitably, issues of an under-funded institution, noncompetitive staff salaries, gaps in capacity to undertake some teaching and research programmes, inadequate infrastructure, and differing views about how best to address these issues create difficulties for both managers and staff. On behalf of the UG, let me say thanks again to professor Opadeyi for his efforts to improve this vitally important institution and wish him well in the future. " Graduates were also urged to become familiar with the history of the university, so as to gain a better appreciation for the need to remain engaged as Alumni, mentors, adjunct lecturers, advocates and donors of scholarships.

This year's convocation ceremony marked the graduation of the first batch of students with the Master of Science in environmental management, the post- graduate diploma in anaesthesia and intensive care and certificate in industrial engineering.

Eight persons received open prizes and awards for their outstanding performances: The President’s Medal for the best graduating Bachelor’s Degree student was received by Sachin Ramsuran of the Faculty of Technology; the Chancellor’s Medal was awarded to the second best graduating Bachelor’s Degree Student Ashley Bankay of the Faculty of Social

Sciences; Tiffana Ross, a student of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry received the Council of the University’s Prize for the graduating student who attained at least a ‘Pass with Credit’ and has made the greatest contribution in other areas of university activities. Ajay Persaud received The University of Guyana Student’s Society (UGSS) Award for attaining at least a ‘Pass with Credit’ (apart from the Winner of the Council’s Prize) and has made the greatest contribution in other areas of university activities.

The K.A. Juman-Yassin Sport Award for consistently high

and the School of Education and Humanities and has demonstrated leadership through practical involvement in community and / or social services irrespective of sex, race, religion, creed or political persuasion was awarded to Tristana Gouveia.

Meanwhile, Mark Bastian received the Dr. Allan Earp Award for receiving a Master’s Degree and who has the highest grade point average among the students entering the Faculties of Natural Sciences, Social Sciences or School of Education and Humanities.

standard in sports went to Stephon Josiah, while Saraswattie Bharrat was awarded the Dennis Irvine Award for making the greatest contribution to the cultural life of the university.

The Dr. Harold Drayton Alumni Award of the University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, Ontario, for the graduating student who has achieved the highest grade point average in one of the three faculties: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences

There were no nominees for the James Punwasee Memorial Award for the best three final- year projects selected from the Environmental Studies Unit, Division of Mining, Department of Geography and any other project which could advance the development of the mining sector.

The university's Berbice campus graduation is scheduled for Saturday, November 21.

Gov’t orders dredge operator to cease mining operations at Isseneru CONCERNS and complaints from the Toshao and representatives of the village of Isseneru, Region 8, have led Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman to direct that mining works be ceased by the operator of a water dredge in the area.

This order is effective immediately, pending a factfinding mission to be conducted by the ministry in the

area Wednesday, the Ministry of the Presidency said Saturday evening.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment will be fielding a team of relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess the water quality and other issues and concerns related to pollution and adherence to boundary laws. This will allow for a final decision to be taken in this matter.

Village leaders of Isseneru have publicly raised

a number of concerns on the health and well-being of residents, especially the children, since a number of mining concessions are being operated in close proximity to their village.

The government has undertaken the task of addressing the issue of land management and the distribution of lands for various sectors in a holistic manner, with the intention of creating a National Land Use Policy to avoid these occurrences.

8% pay hike for city workers CITY workers are due to receive an eight percent increase in their salaries, retroactive to January 2014.

The Guyana Local Government Officers Union, which negotiates for the workers, was able to reach agreement on the increase following serious deliberations with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. Chairman of the union, Dale Beresford, had proposed a 12% increase in wages for workers, but an amicable consensus of 8% was eventually agreed upon by the two sides.

Speaking during a meeting with City Hall on Friday, Beresford said the workers were deserving of better wages, as “many employees discharge their duties with competence and diligence, and often work beyond the call of duty.”

He said the union’s proposal took into consideration the financial constraints of the council and the economic state of the country.

Beresford noted that he was happy the council did not breach the international labour convention on bargaining for wages and salaries for employees.

Mr Oscar Clarke, chairman of council’s negotiations committee, said the increased wages and salaries are not the only benefit an employee receives, and he underscored the need for the council to receive value for money.

Town Clerk Royston King said the council is at a juncture where it demands excellence. “The union has a responsibility

to implore it members at all levels to improve their service to the municipality and the citizens in general,” King said.

Wages negotiations for 2015 are scheduled to commence before the end of this year.

King and Beresford have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to address the training and information needs of the employees in social areas such as suicide prevention and domestic violence. Beresford noted that these social issues have a negative effect on the workforce, and can adversely affect production.

The union and administration of the council also agreed to use the Guyana Local Government Officers ground and Hall for sports and staff training.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

– Washington DC

Mechanisation of the harvesting process

G

UYSUCO will not make a profit until the majority of its cultivated land is harvested using mechanised cane harvesters. The days are numbered wherein human beings have to toil in the hot sun in slave-like conditions, manually harvesting cane. We must level with the people and help them to understand that their future lies in climbing up the employment value chain into roles such as auto-electricians and machine operators within the industry. Plus, the children of these cane cutters will be hard pressed to consider cutting cane with a cutlass as a profession. People's appetite for this slave-like working condition has reached an all-time low, plus there is no business case for this type of cane harvesting in the world anymore; it is too inefficient.

But harvesting sugar cane is also a tough job for any machine. The sucrose content in the cane stalk is greatest at ground level, and the regrowth process is swifter if the cane is cut as close as possible to the base. This does present a challenge for the machines. If the land is not properly prepared and laid out, the mechanised harvesters will not work optimally, and can miss the best part of the sugar cane. This will cause much loss for the industry.

But do we have a choice?

Can we continue with this same model of having more manual harvesting vs mechanised harvesting? Certainly not!

Manual harvesting of sugar cane is one of the core reasons for the sinking of the industry, because it is extremely inefficient compared to the harvesting practice around the world. But we need some level of manual harvesting over the next 10-15 years, to prevent social and societal implosion in rural Demerara and Berbice.

This is certainly not a legacy that our Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who stood with the sugar belt for 50 plus years, can live with; and thus we can expect that the industry will always have the ears of the government at the highest levels.

In spite of this socio-political inclination, mechanisation has to be accelerated, and that requires heavy funding. So where are we on this mechanisation project?

The evidence reveals that, in 2009, GuySuCo spent some G$450 million to purchase six mechanised cane harvesters for the Skeldon Estate, since all the newly developed lands on that estate were being designed to accommodate mechanised harvesting.

The Broad Camber English Beds are most suitable for mechanised cane harvesting, but the rate of conversation has been a struggle, as the industry continued to bleed

cash and suffered from gross mismanagement under Raj Singh. The magnitude of conversion per estate remains at a "back-breaking," slow pace, with Skeldon being the most advanced in the process.

Under the Hanoman/Bhim/Raj Singh plan, which started as far back as 2008, the expectation was that all existing lands across the industry which are suitable for mechanisation would have been converted by the end of 2014. The plan then was for 44 percent of the total harvestable lands to be prepared and made ready for mechanised harvesting. IT DID NOT HAPPEN for a variety of reasons, but the principal driver of this failure was a poorly designed and executed Turnaround Plan under the leadership of the Gopaul Board. It was clear that the leadership team failed to properly understand and acclimatise itself with the cash-flow situation in the industry. This only confirmed what we already knew -- GuySuCo has a very poor record of rigorous financial and strategic analysis. The leadership team has to relearn the process of getting into the detailed cost analysis and bring back fact-based options to drive decisions. Only last week we saw evidence of this when

the Minister sent the CoI Team back to the drawing board to bring a better quality of quantifiable evidence on how their recommendations will be priced, and what direct financial impact it will have on the industry.

There is no room for “fluff and puff” and theory in this CoI Report. We want the hard facts – where we are

financially; what are your recommendations; what will these recommendations cost the nation, and how best can we achieve the desired outcome within what kind of time frame using what kind of technology.

The dream in the current dispensation is to have about 55 percent of the total harvestable land being reaped using machines, and the remaining 45 percent by humans. That way, jobs will be preserved, and the industry will be on a firmer financial footing because of the greater efficiency of the machines. Of course, we are very far away from that dream since, as at the end of 2014, I was advised that only about 35 percent of the total area under sugar cane cultivation (excluding the private lands) has been converted to accommodate mechanical harvesting.

The arithmetic will show that using a mechanised harvester in Guyana is a more productive process. Data collected by Guysuco in 2014 revealed that manual labour spends some G$4,295 to harvest a tonne of sugarcane, while with mechanised harvesters the cost drops to about G$1,100. With a mechanised harvester at work, Guysuco can reap about 30 tonnes per hour while using manual labour we can only reap about 2.5 tonnes per hour. As labour availability declines as the young people move away from this semi-slave like job, this entire transformation to mechanisation will serve the industry well.

Thus, the entire outlook of the industry has to be about moving away from focusing on cane-cutters to mechanising cane harvesting incrementally. But this transition will not be easy, since the conversion process is extremely expensive, and that is why there has to be cash injection into the industry, for at least the next four years if we follow a stringent work plan to match the 55 percent mechanisation rate.

The quantum has to be properly computed by the CoI as they price all their recommendations.

With mechanisation, many workers will have to be retrained to move up the value chain to becoming service providers in the sugar industry.

There will be opportunities in professions such as machine operators, mechanics, autoelectricians and so on. These employment opportunities will all pay better than what a cane-cutter gets today. Some may even migrate to factory jobs and some to other industries or their own businesses, but change has to come to GuySuCo if it is to survive.

Please share any feedback to sasesin1@yahoo.com.

Until next week.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

‘Remarkable progress’ seen in fight against HIV/AIDS in Guyana - but UN Special Envoy says Trafficking in Persons now a threat

By Ariana Gordon THOUGH there are many challenges to the fight against HIV and AIDS, Guyana has much to be proud of says Dr. Edward Greene,the UN Secretary- Genera’sl Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean.

“I think that remarkable progress has been made,” Dr. Greene said, having looked at a comparative study of Guyana’s prevalence rate between 2000 and 2015.

“In fact, in 2001 you had about 7-8 per cent of persons living with AIDS on treatment and according to figures for 2012, you had approximately 50 per cent of the people living with AIDS receiving treatment,” Dr Greene noted.

But while there has been progress, he said “we need to increase that number (of persons receiving treatment).”

Figures which show a major reduction of death from AIDS in Guyana over the past 15 years is also another reason to be optimistic.

According to Dr. Greene, there has been a 70 per cent reduction in deaths here.

But of the successes achieved in the fight against HIV/ AIDS here, the UN Special Envoy for HIV pointed to the reduction in mother-to-child transmission as one of the leading success stories.

“This is most important, I think you have something to celebrate; in fact, when you look at some of those statistics, Guyana is doing very, very well in this regard.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Martin Odiit, Country Director UNAIDS, told this publication that mother- to- child Transmission of HIV/AIDS is an area [in which] Guyana has “definitely been doing quite well.”

“As you know, the world would like to eliminate motherto- child transmission and this involves ensuring that mothers access treatment.

“Yes, Guyana has been doing very well. We are now at a point where we are yet to determine whether they have reached the WHO and UNAIDS agreed level, where you could say they have eliminated mother- to- child transmission.”

A study Dr Odiit said must be conducted to determine whether Guyana has achieved the status of eliminating mother- to- child transmission. This, he said, should be done over the next few months. Should the results of the survey favour Guyana, Guyana will become certified, like Cuba, for eliminating mother- to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Cuba earlier this year became the first country in the world to receive validation from the World Health Organization (WHO) that it has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

The elimination of transmission of the virus has been described as one of the greatest public health achievements.

“This is a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDS-free generation,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General in June.

As a result, the UNAIDS Country Director believes that the Caribbean is well poised to eliminate mother- to -child Transmission of HIV/AIDS. “The Caribbean is one Region we hope to be the first to declare [free of] mother- to- child transmission,” Dr Odiit said.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS But all is not well in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Guyana. There are several challenges that must be fought.

Dr Greene noted that based on information provided to his office, there has been an increase in HIV/AIDS in “certain areas.”

One such area he highlighted is young women and girls

who are the subject of Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

He explained that there is a tendency for there to be a spike in the prevalence of the epidemic in young women and girls, along with men who have sex with men and commercial sex workers.

“What is really a problem, the biggest problem, is the fact that HIV/AIDS is being linked now to TIP in particularly young girls, some younger than 15 years of age,” Said Dr Greene.

Much more needs to be done in the fight against TIP and the education of persons who are vulnerable, he said, noting that education is key to the reduction of HIV/AIDS. “We are happy to focus on the successes of course, but we also have now at this time to focus on the challenges, because what we are trying to advocate from the UN not only from Guyana, but for the entire Caribbean and world is that we are hoping to aspire to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.”

Though TIP is a worldwide problem, the situation in Guyana has been described as “troubling.”

Dr Martin Odiitt, Country Director, UNAIDS

Dr Edward Greene, UN Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean

“If you are to deal with Guyana, it is very troubling because in Guyana, TIP we are told, is really something that affects very, very young people; young girls in the mining districts.”

He explained that there are many public health implications that can arise from TIP and those implications could have far- reaching effects.

“There are serious public health implications and specifically implications for AIDS,” said Dr Greene. He believes that there needs to be much more stakeholder participation to tackle the problem of TIP. “So really how we could tackle it? We need to have community workers, we need to have the technical people provide us with the types of policies we need to implement, but most important we need champions.”

He continued: “What I would tell you from our discussions with a range of people here is we have found some champions that would help us to try and take the message and implement the policies, put legislation in place and enforce it; put guidelines in place for schools and community centres and give awareness to adults to protect the rights of children.”

He recognised and applauded the work of First Lady Sandra Granger through her “Every woman, Every Child” initiative, within which TIP is being addressed. “One of those champions is no other than the First Lady.”

STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION On the issue of stigma and discrimination, Dr Greene

said there are three pillars geared at eliminating the AIDS epidemic : treatment, prevention and HIV/AIDS- related stigma and discrimination.

“Those are the things we have to do to end AIDS. “Eliminating stigma is very important, because to the extent people feel discriminated against or stigmatised, to that extent they don’t come for treatment and they can’t be given preventive measures, so what we have to do is try our best to eliminate stigma and discrimination,” he told this newspaper.

To this end, much emphasis has been placed in implementing workplace policies to ensure that persons are not discriminated against or stigmatised.

This process has been rated successful with a few minor hiccups, said Dr Greene.

He said guidelines were developed for workplaces to follow so as to eliminate stigma and discrimination and the majority of Caribbean states have implemented these.

“They have put in practice the elements for the workplace policy to be implemented. That too is an achievement.”

He noted however, that the change of governments in certain states may have hindered some territories from fully implementing the policies. “With respect to workplace policy, I think we have a healthy movement towards achieving it in the short- run, meaning by the end of 2016,” he added.

He noted that much assistance is provided by the Ministries of Education, Health, Social Cohesion and Social Protection in this regard. But, while the support of the aforementioned ministries is good, there must be great support from the Ministry of Finance.

“It shouldn’t be limited to those ministries, it should be across the board, because to eliminate Stigma and discrimination we need a minister of finance to increase the support for this venture,” said Dr Greene.

‘Justice for All’ The Pan- Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) in 2013 initiated a Justice for All (JFA) programme designed to achieve broad- based goals for ending AIDS in the Region. The elements of enhancing family life and focusing on those in need, increasing access to treatment including affordable medicines, reducing gender inequality including violence against women and girls, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, including age- appropriate education, achieving legislative reforms for modifying and repealing AIDS- related discriminatory laws are high on PANCAP’s agenda.

Dr Greene admitted that following the first round of national consultations, a regional consultation held in Jamaica in 2014 produced a PANCAP declaration which CARICOM Heads of Governments deferred at their July 2014 conference, due to objections to some of its elements by a group of faith- based organisations.

Thereafter, at the 19th Special Council for Human and Social Development (COSHOD)- Health, it was agreed that the Declaration be revised on the basis of a new round of consultations that should identify recommendations that can be implemented by the end of this year; in the medium term 105-2018 and long term after 2018.

Dr Greene has since requested to lead a series of engagements that are aimed at adopting a phased implementation of actionable recommendations of the PANCAP Declaration, taking into consideration the new 90-90-90 targets.

“By 2030 we need to get 90 per cent of the people with HIV; 90 per cent of those tested and 90 per cent of those on treatment with viral loads low enough to prevent transmission,” the UN Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean said.

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Psychologists and schools

By Professor Daizal Samad

OUR various leaders are seldom unanimous, but the one thing they may agree upon is that there is a serious breakdown of discipline in society generally. The breakdown manifests itself in numerous ways: parents speak to children in the most vulgar ways, and children emulate that vulgarity. Men demonstrate unabashed disrespect for, and abuse, women in homes, offices, on the roads, in establishments, and so on. This results in our alarming number of domestic violence cases, untold numbers of domestic and social rape, and in suicides.

The "songs" that befoul our airwaves express every antiwoman and racist sentiment that comes to mind. People, drunk as anything, think nothing of jumping into cars and drive to kill. Even when sober, our drivers have little or no consideration for life and limb.

Our serious lack of a sense of civic duty, and our indiscipline have led to a disregard for human life itself.

A life is cheaper than a 200 Guyana Dollar short drop. In such an atmosphere, crime flourishes and simple decency perishes.

This has filtered into the schools, as is inevitable. Almost all of our political leaders have bemoaned this fact at one time or another; and they have all advanced various remedies: "higher" training for our teachers; installing counsellors in schools; having greater and more meaningful parental

involvement in the education of children. This is all wellmeaning, and it all makes good sense. And yet, we must move beyond well-meaning words and get to effective ACTION! Every one of us in our very ordinary ways knows that the re-creation of a civic society must begin in schools. This is hardly genius, although some of us say it with the ring of prophecy. We also say that teachers are the ones who are primarily in charge of bequeathing the future through our children. We knew this even before Christ was sent to us; Socrates and Lau Tze, for instance. The question is this: HOW do we give our teachers a chance at "higher" training and education?

As it now stands, teachers who want to attend our still-pitiful single university battle for time-off to attend classes to obtain their tertiary degrees. The valid argument is that they cannot be given time-off because classrooms would be left without teachers. To leave the classroom bereft of a teacher is to disenfranchise the very children that they are meant to teach. But then if we do not find a way to give them time off for higher education, then the children will be the losers again. Catch 22. And it is not as if they go to UG for free anyway. Tuition is expensive, recently doubled.

What if we have a cadre of retired teachers (we still throw them away when they are 55 years old) who can be paid a modest stipend to hold the classes during prescribed hours when the regular class teachers have to attend UG for

"higher" training? Let's say we have them twice per week for two hours per day. In other places, they call them supply teachers.

At the same time, we may encourage teachers to read for degrees in Psychology, although we have no idea if UG offers any such thing, and we do not know the quality of that degree, even if they have it. There are many people who have degrees in Social Work that happen into schools. A degree in Social Work, as it is now structured at UG, does not amount to a degree in Psychology. Doing one or two courses in Psychology does not a basic psychologist make. And if they had any kind of thought and expertise and imagination at UG, they would find a way to shrink the degree time from this old four-year thing to between two and three years.

This is also not new -- a great many good universities around the world have been doing it since the 1980s.

One entire semester can be cut from the degree programme if we use active case files drawn from work done or research done with actual children. Since this is (or ought to be) an area of NATIONAL priority, we could offer partial scholarships for those who enrol in Psychology. While this capacity-building is being done, some of our "experts" could identify teachers who have a natural gift for counselling. Give these counsellors (new and current) a small private space where they may speak with our at-risk children.

GAWU wants immediate start to wage talks with GuySuCo -as major dispute surrounds API, sugar workers’ benefits

THE sugar workers’ union GAWU is once more at odds with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) regarding benefits for workers and wants negotiations to begin immediately.

GuySuCo said that it was always its intention to meet and address the matter of Annual Production Incentives (APIs) for workers, but GAWU said this intention was not conveyed until last Thursday, when it was invited to have discussions on several issues.

The union claimed that it has been asking, since March of this year, to be engaged in wages negotiations.

However, “it is already mid-November and all we are hearing is discussions on wages must await the government’s discussion on the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).”

GAWU maintained that the corporation is in violation of the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement and the Trade Union Recognition Act (TURA) and with regard to wages, the union maintains that the corporation is not living up to the Collective Bargaining process.

GAWU said it was surprised that the corporation would deduce statements by its President Komal Chand as pointing to a threat of industrial action, come 2016.

“This is rather surprising as GuySuCo should know that over the centuries generations of sugar workers had to struggle for every worthwhile benefit they enjoy and which, so often, are threatened by little bosses necessitating further struggles in the defence of such gains,” GAWU stated.

According to the union, one cannot condemn workers and their representatives for standing up for their rights and a just cause.

“Indeed, such struggles should be applauded as the Komal Chand accruing benefits often go beyond the sugar industry.

“GuySuCo needs to be reminded that for the past 26-years, sugar workers have received increases in pay every year.

“It is to be expected that they will actively demand that 2015 does not become a year of exception,” GAWU stated.

GAWU believes that the sugar workers have

behaved responsibly in the circumstances.

“For most of them, they do back-breaking work and toil in arduous conditions. They are not decisionmakers or belonging to management and working in cushy environments, nor are they the owners of the industry.

“They are simply workers who expend their labourpower and expect a fair compensation for their work,” GAWU stated.

Ina recent statement, the government said it is seeking to put a Ten-Year Road Map and Action Plan in place, aimed at returning the industry to viability.

“It would therefore be ill- advised and indeed premature to commence wages talks before this plan is considered.

“Unions that seek to drag the sugar corporation to the table to do so are obviously pursuing a political agenda, which unfortunately is not in the interest of sugar workers,” the government statement noted.

The government has had to bail out the industry with $28 billion in the last five years alone and now with its debt load of $82 billion and an expected $5 billion needed for capital investment together with anticipated further bailout in 2016, “any strike action in the industry would bring sugar finally to its knees,” the government stated.

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Environmental Health Assistants programme back on in Georgetown - was dormant for 20 years

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are reintroducing a batch of Environmental Health Assistants for the city, and eight persons have commenced the one-year training in this regard. The training would be done by the Ministry of Public Health.

The Environmental Health Assistants programme was dormant for some 20 years. This resulted in an acute shortage of staff for the Environmental Sanitation Section of the Mayor and City Council. And because of this, many business persons and residents were found to be violating the Public Health Ordinance, which stipulates that the owners and occupiers of business premises are to keep their premises in a state to promote the health and well-being of those who dwell therein.

The Environmental Health Assistants and Officers are responsible for carrying out routine systematic and scavenging inspections, and for enforcing the Public Health Ordinance. The ordinance addresses issues such as overgrowth on premises, overhanging trees, refuse receptacles, dirty yards, absence of roof gutters and rearing of large quantities of poultry and cattle, etc.

Persons who violate the Ordinance would be served with notices, and if they fail to comply within the period stipulated on those notices, they would be prosecuted.

As the Council engages various communities, there is a resounding call for return of the Environmental Health Officers. While some people clean and maintain environmentally friendly spaces, others facilitate the breeding of vectors and rodents by the manner in which they keep the environment.

The Mayor and City Council was the first organisation that started training of Environmental Health Assistants (EHA). This training would improve the staff strength and increase the capacity of the Public Health Department to address environmental health concerns.

From 2016, the Council would be involved in the training of Environmental Health Assistants ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS The Georgetown Municipality hosted an Environmental Empowerment afternoon for primary school students in the city yesterday. The main focus was to help children have the right attitude in contributing to a clean environment at a young age, and in the end making the city a better place in which to live.

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Only child of Patentia caneBy Ravin Singh AS a boy, Sachin Ramsuran’s father took him on occasional visits to the canefields.

Far from being leisurely strolls, those trips were meant to teach the young Sachin a lesson: study hard, or join his father in the back-breaking work of a cane-cutter.

Sachin chose to study hard, and Sunday he graduated as Valedictorian at the University of Guyana, having read for a Bachelors’ Degree in Electrical Engineering for which he scored a perfect 4.0 GPA. Sitting on a wooden chair under his parents’ bottom-house, he told us his story - one of humility, dedication and hard work.

He was born to a Diaram Ramsuran, a cane-cutter who admits that he doesn’t know to read or write, and Karmawatie Ramsuran, a part-time seamstress who was never afforded the opportunity to attend secondary school. The three live at Plantation Patentia, West Bank Demerara.

His father recalls that at a tender age, he would take his son to the “backdam” to witness the tedious work he did. He would often ask him in typical Creole refrain: “yuh go guh school or yuh want to end up like me?” The reply would be: “No daddy, me want go school.”

“This man serious; anytime he go school and get homework, since he reach home, sometime the man won’t even take off he shoes and he done start doing it; because he ain’t want end up like he father.”

But securing the best grade in the country at the highest institution in Guyana was not the first recognised mark of success for Sachin.

When he sat the then Common Entrance examination in 2003, he was among the first from Patentia Primary school to secure a place at the prestigious Queen’s College.

He laughs at the fact that it was difficult for him as a “country boy going to town school,” but he managed to groove in nicely.

Completing seven years at the secondary level which included two years of ‘A’ Levels, Sachin was among the top performers in the country, having his photos and grades published in daily local print.

In 2010, he enrolled at the University of Guyana (UG) to read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, after having recognised that this was his calling.

During his first year at the institution, though he had done ‘A’ Levels which was a preparatory step, there were still challenges which greeted him, including the 15 courses which he had to do annually.

“We did 15 courses a year. So over the five years, we

Sachin Ramsuran, his parents and relatives

would have done 57 courses as compared to the other faculties that do 40 courses,” he laments.

Recognising that the field which he registered for was more of a practical one as opposed to theoretical, Sachin explained that he relied on the support of his colleagues who had the institutional knowledge, having worked prior to their academic endeavours. He too, supported them through theoretical assistance, given that this was his strength.

Having acknowledged that the last Valedictorian to emerge from the faculty of Technology was in 1996, he adds that he had no intention of aiming that high, and concentrated on maximising his potential.

“My colleagues and I recognised from the inception that we had to work together if we wanted to achieve what he have achieved today.”

Listing his challenges as a student at UG, the 23 year old explained that the quantity of courses was most challenging.

This was coupled with the fact that he had no practical experience in a field which required same. Understanding the psychology of lecturers too, whom he described as “the judges, juries and the lawyers” was critical to his achievement.

But what stood out for this young man was probably the fact that he had no internet at home for the five years to support his studies, and relied entirely on the WiFi provided at UG to aid in his research. He said this calmly, and with a genuine

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-cutter, seamstress tops UG his achievement, since it is also an achievement for them.

Questioned on the next move, the young scholar disclosed that his next attempt is to acclimatise to Guyana’s industry and workforce, by seeking local employment .

He hopes to within the next five years pursue his Masters’ Degree in an area in Electrical Engineering which suits his liking.

His father would be happy if he secures a job and finds a wife.

Teacher Nando also offered words of encouragement to his nephew, reminding him to strike a balance in his academics and moral values.

“My encouragement to him is for him to go out into the world and do great, but don’t forget your religious alliance.

Sachin Ramsuran

smile as if it was not a bother.

He boasts of the support received from his hardworking parents who, supported by his uncle and aunt, paid his tuition fees in cash rather than have him depend on student loans.

His mother too, attests to the fact that the absence of a financial strain can be credited to the fact that support was rendered by his uncle and aunt who played an integral role in his life.

“Financially we tried hard. But it wasn’t too hard for us, because we always tried to cater for his studies. We saved and paid cash for UG with the support from his aunt and uncle.”

His domestic life was not too much of a challenge he noted, since his parents were au fait with his academic commitment which demanded most of his limited time.

Having to leave home at 7:00 am every morning for classes and returning at 8:00 pm, Sachin revealed that work at home was not too demanding, given the support from his parents.

“I had it easy because my parents were very supportive.

I am an only child, so one would expect me to be of much help around the house, but my parents understood that I had a lot of obligations in academic life and they supported me.

“I didn’t have to do housework and so.

“The little day- to- day activities that you need to do to get through the day was provided for me. So I had the opportunity to focus on my studies.”

When quizzed on what ultimately was his long-term motivation behind his success, his answer was rooted in his religious upbringing.

According to the Valedictorian, reflection on Chapter One of the Bhagavad Gita – the holy book of Hindus – where Lord Krishna encourages Arjuna to fight after he (Arjuna) had given up, was the greatest motivation.

“During my stay at UG, when I thought about giving up, I’d constantly remind myself of that chapter in the Gita and that gave me the motivation to press on,” he said.

But this religious response came as a result of him not limiting his life solely to academic involvement.

In fact, he reveals that in 2003, just prior to him sitting the Common Entrance examination, he was exposed to religion on a new level, which birthed his enthusiasm and eagerness to become involved and contribute meaningfully to his faith.

“This was the beginning of my religious education. It was from that point, with the support of my uncle, I started to study the Hindu Holy Scriptures,” he recalled, adding that his only regret in terms of religion is the fact that he could not play a more integral role in the Hindu Society at UG due to his academic workload.

His uncle though, Teacher Nando, praised his involvement in spirituality, revealing that the top student is also the lead singer of the Chowtal group at the Mandir which the family attends, and he can also perform classical Indian dances.

“He is very talented,” Teacher Nando said, adding that Sachin would do whatever research the Mandir is in need of.

And as a result of his achievement, Teacher Nando boasted that the members of the Mandir are extremely happy about

Because there may be so many distractions and I would like to see him help to build this nation and be an example to young people across this country.”

Sachin concluded his interview by reminding all Guyanese that while his parents didn’t come from a strong education background, they never wavered in their attempts to give him a good education.

This he says, should be a model adopted by every family in Guyana; that even if parents were not educated, there is no excuse for them not giving their child the opportunity to have one.

“If your children have the potential, you need to give them the support.

“Not coming from a rich family is no excuse.”

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25 illegal Guyanese arrested in Trinidad A TOTAL of 53 illegal immigrants, including 25 Guyanese, were detained Friday in Trinidad when a joint task force swooped down on known hideouts along the East/West corridor.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service said the two-hour exercise, which was held at varying points along the Priority Bus Route (PBR), from the Aranguez Savannah to Morvant Junction, began at 6 am, and initially led to the detention of 107 foreign nationals.

Apart from the Guyanese, those held were 39 Jamaicans, 18 Chinese, five Ghanaians, six Colombians, five Nigerians, two Cubans, one Filipino, two Dominican Republic nationals, one Vincentian and five Grenadians. A total of 16 women were among the detainees.

The Police Service said the task force stopped passenger vehicles travelling along the PBR and foreign nationals suspected of being illegal immigrants were detained after being unable to verify their immigration status at the time.

The detainees were taken to the Immigration Investigation Department, Port-of-Spain, where further enquiries were conducted leading to the release of 54 foreign nationals whose status in the country was verified and found to be legal.

The remaining foreign nationals were taken to the Immigration Detention Centre, Aripo, pending further investigations as preliminary enquiries suggest they are in the country illegally.

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Nothing’s bad in seeking help -says policewoman who attempted suicide -mental health clinics to be built in all regions

By Tajeram Mohabir “ANYONE can be a v i c t i m . ” R o x ’s s o b e r reflection on suicide would register with many families who have had to live through the tragedy of their loved ones taking their own lives.

But Rox, a policewoman, makes yet another sobering reflection: “Everyone has a role to play in prevention.”

Though she came forward bravely to tell her story, Rox asked that her real name not be publicised because she fears being ridiculed by members of the public. As a policewoman, she is expected to be a ‘strong’ woman. And aside from this, the act she attempted is illegal.

The young mother, a divorcee, is nevertheless “happy to be alive”, and believes that God wanted her to live.

The law enforcement officer related that she was driven to the edge after her son -- whom she toiled to ensure lives a comfortable life and get an education -deserted her home to live with another family member, so that he can enjoy a “freer” life.

The boy was 16 years old at the time, and was in fifth form preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary School Certificate (CSEC) examination.

According to his mother, “He had too many friends in the street, some of whom played a role in misleading him.”

And though she attempted to take her life because she was terribly upset about his decision, the boy never changed his mind.

Ever since that incident, Rox has been taking life into her stride. She told this publication that she is coping well in getting over the “unfortunate situation”.

She has been counselled by family members and friends, but believes that the regional authorities can do more in all that they do to stop persons from committing suicide.

According to the mother of five, home visits by social workers can work as well as stronger policing of the sale of poisonous substances, especially to farmers.

Rox, a Berbician, tried to take her life by ingesting kerosene. The policewoman, in the line of duty and even off duty, has counselled many men and women in stressful situations; but, she noted, everyone needs support at times.

A few weeks ago, vibrant social activist Zenita Nicolson committed suicide by ingesting carbon tablets.

SEEK HELP To many, Nicolson was seen as strong enough to

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton avoid such a dreadful act, but Rox said, “Persons, from time to time, get into situations that are overbearing, and they need to seek help to get out”. Suicide is 100 per cent preventable.

Savitri (not her real name), a housewife who lives on the East Coast of Demerara, told the Guyana Chronicle that about two years ago she contemplated suicide to escape her abusive husband. The mother of two related that through counselling from family members and members

Suicide is 100 per cent preventable. Seek help when in distress of her church, she was empowered to rethink her position. Today Savitri has a greater appreciation for, and a broader perspective of life; and with the intervention of the church, her husband has managed to curtail his physically abusive and drinking habits.

According to the young mother, even though the relationship with her husband is not perfect, her life is far better. Savitri believes that faith-based organisations can

and should play a key role in the national fight to prevent suicide.

With a reported rate of 44.2 suicides per 100,000 people, when the global average is 16 per 100,000, Guyana has been listed by PAHO/WHO as having the highest suicide rate in the world for 2012. However, local health authorities continue to question the data.

When the statistics by PAHO/WHO were released in September 2014, the Ministry of Health under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration said the figures were 34.7 suicides per 100,000.

ERRONEOUS DATA According to current Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, the suicide rate being reported by the local and international media is wrong. He noted that the data being reported was not subject to scrutiny, and what was worse, was released without the permission of the ministry.

He related that data from the former ministry appears to be more accurate, since from all accounts it was verified.

While both Rox and Savitri were counselled by family members, with the latter also getting help from a church, a large number of Guyanese do not seek help.

And outside of their family support system, the options are extremely limited.

Guyana has less than five psychiatrists and more than 100,000 Guyanese suffering from some form of mental health disorder. According to the draft National Mental Health Strategy for Guyana 2015-2020, between 78,000 and 114,000 Guyanese are suffering from a mental disorder and require some level of mental health care service.

Dr Norton told this publication that his ministry has recognised the shortage of mental health specialists, and has begun work to train persons to fill the gap.

STRONG CENTRAL UNIT He said the objective now is to build a strong Mental Health Unit, which will gather information in regions and work to reduce the high number of mental health cases. Dr Norton related that the Public Health Ministry intends to build mental health clinics in every region, and will be moving aggressively to tackle the problem.

A few months ago, the Guyana Police Force, through

the Ministry of Public Security, established a hotline to talk persons with suicidal thoughts out of committing the act. Efforts have also been made to police the sale of dangerous chemicals to farmers.

Dr Indhira Harry, in a presentation earlier this year titled: “Profile of suicidal behaviour in Guyana: A

retrospective study from 2010-2012”, told the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 60th Health Research Conference in Grenada that from 20102012, some 359 persons in Guyana committed suicide by drinking poison, of which 191 were men. Local health workers say deep poverty in rural areas, high levels

of alcohol abuse, and easy access to deadly substances are some of the chief contributors to the scourge.

While all stakeholders have agreed that everyone has a role to play in the prevention of suicide, it will require the collective will of all to make a meaningful change in addressing the problem.

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Williamson leads Kiwi fightback after Aussies declare ––Warner dismissed for 253

By David Gray PERTH,(Reuters)- Kane Williamson burnished his growing reputation but the spectre of the follow-on still loomed large over New Zealand who reached 140 for two at stumps on thesecond day of the second Test at the WACA yesterday.

Williamson was unbeaten on 70, the 25-year-old’s third successive 50-plus score in the series, after Australia had earlier declared their first innings at 559-9.

Ross Taylor (26) was batting at the other end with New Zealand 419 runs behind and still needing another 220 to avoid the ignominy of the follow-on.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc trapped Martin Guptill lbw for one in the third over of New Zealand’s innings, while Tom Latham (36) fell to Nathan Lyon after raising 81 runs with Williamson.

E a r l i e r, A u s t r a l i a n opener David Warner was finally dismissed for 253 at the start of the opening session after adding just nine runs to his monumental overnight tally.

The hosts lost five wickets after lunch for the addition of just 73 runs as the Australian batsmen tried to build up the score ahead of the declaration.

Steve Smith also declared in both innings of the first Test Brisbane, which Australia won by 208 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

New Zealand’s bowlers had managed just one maiden between them as Australia racked up 416 for two on

Kane Williamson swivels and pulls in his unbeaten 72

Friday and the nine they notched up in the opening session were indicative of a far more disciplined effort.

WARNER REWARD Their first reward was the key wicket of Warner, who had savaged the tourists with two centuries in the first Test at the Gabba and wreaked carnage with his maiden double century on Friday.

Clearly fatigued after nearly seven hours batting in the fierce Perth heat, the 29-year-old became the 12th Australian to score 250 in a Test before being caught at second slip by Mark Craig off the bowling of Trent Boult.

Warner had faced 286

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday November 15, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 175 runs at 87.50 runs per innings 27 players

Today’s Quiz:

Which SL player scored most runs in the just-con cluded WI/SL T20 series?

Which WI player scored most runs in the just-con cluded WI/SL T20 series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

balls over 409 minutes in the 11th highest innings scored on Australian soil, notching 24 fours and two sixes and taking his tally for the series to 532 runs at an average of 177.33.

Captain Smith followed him back to dressing after scoring 27 runs from 91 balls when he tried to heave young paceman Matt Henry out of the ground but only managed to edge the ball to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

That set the tone for a second session in which Australia’s middle and lower orders, deprived of batting in the series so far by the success of the top order, looked to ramp up the tally.

Western Australians Adam Voges (41) and Mitch Marsh (34) made the most of their chance, while the wickets of Peter Nevill (19), Mitchell Johnson (2) and Starc (0) added some respectability to off-spinner Craig’s figures (3-123).’

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings J. Burns b Henry 40 D. Warner c Craig b Boult 253 U. Khawaja c Latham b Bracewell 121 S. Smith c Watling b Henry 27 A. Voges c Watling b Boult 41 M. Marsh c&b Bracewell 34 P. Nevill st Watling b Craig 19 M. Johnson st Watling b Craig 2 M. Starc c Latham b Craig 0 J. Hazlewood not out 8 N. Lyon not out 4 Extras (b-4 lb-1 nb-4 w-1) 10 Total (for 9 wickets declared, 133 overs) 559 Fall of wickets: 1-101 J. Burns,2-403 U. Khawaja,3-427 D. Warner,4-462 S. Smith,5-512 A. Voges,6-539 M. Marsh,7-547 P. Nevill,8-547 M. Starc,9-547 M. Johnson Bowling: T. Southee 29 - 6 - 88 – 0, T. Boult 26 - 2 - 123 - 2(w-1), M. Henry 22 - 2 - 105 – 2, D. Bracewell 25 - 1 - 81 - 2(nb-4), M. Craig 23 - 0 - 123 – 3, K. Williamson 3 - 0 - 11 – 0, M. Guptill 3 - 0 - 7 –0, B. McCullum 2 - 0 - 16 – 0.

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings M. Guptill lbw b Starc 1 T. Latham c Smith b Lyon 36 K. Williamson not out 70 R. Taylor not out 26 Extras (lb-4 nb-3) 7 Total (for 2 wickets, 42 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-6 M. Guptill,2-87 T. Latham To bat: B. McCullum, B. Watling, D. Bracewell, M. Craig, M. Henry, T. Southee, T. Boult Bowling: M. Starc 11 - 3 - 17 – 1, J. Hazlewood 11 - 1 - 48 - 0(nb-1), M. Johnson 8 - 1 - 34 – 0, N. Lyon 8 - 1 - 24 – 1, M. Marsh 4 - 1 - 13 - 0(nb-2).

Intense competition on night one of Guinness Greatest In Da Street THE Georgetown leg of the 2015 Guinness Greatest In Da Street Futsal competition kicked off on Friday night at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac and immediately heated up competitiveness.

On a night which seemed hard to score there were five slim victories out of the eight matches, while the others were goalless draws. However, a point is awarded for a draw in the prelims while the victor pockets three.

In the opening match North Ruimveldt defeated Island All-star 2 – 0 as both goals were scored in quick succession by Nickosie Barker (12th & 13th).

North East La Penitence needled Queen Street Tiger Bay, following the second match between South Ruimveldt and Festival City Street Fighters which ended in a draw. Calvin Moore drew first blood in the fifth minute for North East but that goal turned out to be the decider.

After that Cross Street and Globe Yard contested the night’s second draw then West Back Road got past South Sophia 1 – 0. Jamal Haynes’ fourth minute strike was enough to get points on the board for West Back Road.

Game six, the final drawn match of the night took place between Albouystown B and Holmes Street Tiger Bay. The penultimate showdown on Friday saw East Front Road defeat Alexander Village 2 – 0. A goal each from Dillon Kelly (7th) and Shaka Jones (12th) was enough to give their side the win.

Sparta Boss wrapped up the evening with a two possession win over Broad Street Bullies that also included a clean sheet. The two sides battled to a goalless first half but the match’s weight shifted when Dennis Edwards and Sheldon Shepherd struck in the 18th and 19th minutes to gain the upper hand until the regulation whistle was sounded.

The competition continues on Tuesday night at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre Tarmac.

(Kizan Brumell)

16th Diamond Mineral Water 50-mile cycle road race set for today THE 16th Annual Diamond Mineral water Cycle Road Race will pedal off at 08:00hrs this morning from outside the Wales Police Station.

After moving off from Wales, West bank Demerara, the veterans, mountain bikers and ladies will travel to Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara before turning back to finish at the Demerara Harbor Bridge.

The open and junior riders will do battle to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo and turn back to complete the 50-mile distance at the Harbour Bridge also.

Hamzah Eastman won the event last year with a time of one hour 59 minutes 42 seconds.

The junior category was won by Romello Crawford, while Talim Shaw was the first veteran to cross the finish line.

Oziah McAully won the mountain bike category and Walter `Buck Man’ Issacs was the oldest rider to finish the race.

This year however, a number of top cyclists are showing very good form and it will be interesting to see if Eastman can stave off their challenge.

He would definitely have to be wary of Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Andrew Hicks who won the feature 35-lap event in the National Park yesterday, Alonzo Greaves, Orville Hinds, Akeem Wilkinson and a host of other riders if he is to make it back to back victories.

The event is being coordinated by Hassan Mohamed.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Chairman Urling satisfied with performance of Normalisation Committee … challenging experience

By Ras Wadada (Chronicle Sport had the honour of an exclusive interview with Chairman of the FIFA installed Normalisation Committee (NC), Clinton Urling, on the eve of his well accomplished tenure that lasted just over a year).

Q. How challenging was your tenure as Chairman of the NC? A. It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I have held many leadership positions, including starting organisations, preceding the FIFA appointment.

I was the Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCC) and also vice-president of the Private Service Commission PSC), but this football experience was more challenging than the two years I was at the helm of the GCC. We were called to serve at a very short notice and with virtually no experience, after there was discord and mistrust within the GFF, the world governing body FIFA intervened and appointed the NC with specific mandates to be completed in a specified time frame. It was a crucial time as it was close to the usual busy year end football activities.

We had to navigate and figure out the landscape and make important decisions immediately. Throughout the year putting systems in place, that never existed before was time consuming and a challenging process.

Some people underestimate what the NC has achieved in just over a year in football when you think of what we met when we came in there was literally nothing in place.

When you look at what was accomplished by the GFF the year before we took charge you will understand.

We met a debt verified by FIFA of $450,00US (G$90M), we had a President operating with a reduced Executive due to resignations and suspensions, we had two aborted Congresses despite the presence of FIFA Officials, Financial and Management control systems were the weakest in the entire Region and it led to unaccounted Income and Expenditure.

There is a Forensic Audit that was commissioned by the previous Executive currently being circulated but it just covers the 2011 and 2012 period. From all indications from our Auditors, in terms of Financial Systems and Controls, after 2012 up until the NC came in, the situation got worse. When we arrived we had

staff on the job for months without being paid because FIFA was not supplying any funds and there was zero sponsors on board with the Federation, there was no organized football, no Technical Director or General Secretary.

We went through a very transparent process in filling those positions since FIFA had given us a January 2015 deadline.

The NC worked tirelessly throughout the festive season interviewing persons.

Q. There has been talk on the ground that there was no Transparency in the pro-

Outgoing chairman of the FIFA installed Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling. cess of appointing the NC, what is your reaction to that?

A. The process was one of recommendation by CONCACAF to FIFA. I got a call the week before the appointments were announced, informing me that based on recommendations I was appointed to chair the NC and I accepted. The statutes of FIFA under Article 7 provides for the appointment and installation of an NC as a temporary caretaker of the game.

Q. What are the major accomplishments that make you feel satisfied that the NC has achieved something tangible for the game?

A. The main one for me is the acquisition of the nine acres of land at Providence to construct a home for football. The value of that plot of land is G$1.2 billion and more importantly we have been able to engage and attract the attention of FIFA’s

Goal Project to build a world class facility which can make the GFF a sustainable Organisation for the first time.

The other proud accomplishment of the NC is the establishment of the Elite League that included clubs being licensed in Guyana for the first time. We took a risk with a $250,000US investment in the League and so far we are seeing promising gate receipts.

The challenge for the new Executive is to build on what the NC has started and more importantly make it viably sustainable. We are also proud of the Financial Systems we have put in place and the fact that we have set up the various Judicial Committees.

The Ethics Committee is going to play a key role in keeping the Executive and members in line. They have the power to remove an entire Executive, and don’t think FIFA would take that lightly when they get the report.

I want to touch on the incorporation of the GFF which recently had some misleading information in one of the dailies.

The GFF was not registered and we needed legal status and there were two options – Friendly Societies Act or Incorporation.

The former clearly contradicts the statutes of FIFA so there was no other choice and so people must not be deceived by the misinformation that the NC owns the GFF. Under the Company Act Laws the Constitution of the GFF is the By-laws and the members are the owners. That particular article by that particular Daily is a no-no.

Q. What is the thrust you would share with the incoming Executive?

A. The biggest advice is to embrace what both teams claim to represent – Integrity and Unity. I was delighted when I saw the names of the two slates and thought well this is a positive start since these are the foundations for good governance along with other things Q. How important is direct dialogue with all stakeholders of the game?

A. It is pre-eminent and very important.

You must keep the members engaged Q. What are your future plans as it relates to your involvement with the sport?

A. I will probably establish a club or work in a Football Academy. Guyana’s football cannot develop if we continue to use the same systems we have been using.

We need more rounded players. More than often Guyanese footballers make the wrong decisions on and off the pitch so

for me working in an environment where education is very much part of the program is where I would prefer to be and it must be long term.

I am also seriously thinking about pursuing a Masters in Sports Management.

Q. What are your parting words for the football fraternity?

A. Football has the greatest potential to really link the divide between sport and development. It is a very popular sport and has a financially viable economic power that could secure livelihoods for all the stakeholders, including the Media.

Once there is an Administrative level where it has structure in place and there is peace and stability. The Executive cannot afford to lose their integrity because they will not be able to speak to the other members.

The challenge for the new executive is to continue building on the platform the NC has set. As a group the NC has been able to stick together and I must admit that the work put in by the group was phenomenal.

We didn’t agree on everything, but we listened, especially to our TD and our staff. If it makes sense and is logical we implement, we change course or we adjust and this is the same professional approach the new executive must take.

We promised we would pay at least half of the $90M debt we inherited and today I am proud to inform we have repaid $62M so the incoming executive have a much smaller debt than we had when we arrived.

In another few months, once FIFA is satisfied, the GFF will receive close to $700,000US to work with. They are coming in on a strong footing. They have a good staff and structure in place as well as money from FIFA which we did not spend so it is a stable environment.

Of course we made some mistakes along the way, but a lot of it could have been avoided if we had put the right people in place or if we had advice from the right people. Delegation is good but when you delegate people and they have to make hard decisions they are afraid.

All the mistakes came from people who professed to know. The mistake we made was relying on them which is part of delegation. In spite of all this we have been able to accomplish the mandates set out by FIFA and it is now time to move on. On behalf of the entire NC we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the sport and thankful for all the support.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Berbician Andrew Hicks dominates Payless Variety Store feature 35-lap cycle race BERBICE cyclist Andrew Hicks dominated the feature 35-lap event of the Payless Variety Sponsored 11-race cycle programme in the National Park yesterday, winning the event in a time of one hour 26 minutes .07 seconds.

From the start of the feature event, Hicks stuck with a bunch which included Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Orville Hinds, Paul DeNobrega, Paul Cho-Wee-nam and Alonzo Greaves, but after completing 24 laps around the inner circuit of the National Park, Hicks changed gear and broke from the pack and with nine laps remaining, he established a healthy lead over the others that seemed to be playing the `cat and mouse’ game and opened an almost half mile lead over them.

With seven laps remaining, Hicks was a mere 350 metres behind those that were chasing them.

Hicks connected to ChoWee-Nam who seemed to have been struggling at the time during the 28th-lap of the 35-lap event and together they worked in tandem and closed in on the chasing pack with hicks’ intention supposedly being to lap (overtake)

them.

The chasing pack, on realizing that Hicks was close on their heels to overtake them, then changed into overdrive and pulled away from being embarrassed.

With three laps remaining,

in the end, breezed home an easy winner.

In the battle for the other top five positions, the sprint for the finish line started approximately 200 metres from the finish by Williams but at the 125-metre mark, Alonzo

Williams won three of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Hicks won two.

DeNobrega, Cho-WeeNam and Akeem Wilkinson won one each.

Hicks however had to

Narine won the three-lap race for boys and girls 12-14 years of age. Second was Adeli Hodge.

The five-lap race for veterans under 50 years of age was won by Eon `Dumb Boy’ Jackson. Second was

Prize winners of the various categories of yesterday’s Payless Variety Store sponsored 11-race cycle programme strikes a pose with their trophies and other prizes.

Hicks continued his dominance and caught up with the chasing pack with only one and one half laps remaining and stuck with them for the remainder of the race and

Greaves broke from the rear of the pack and crossed the finish line ahead of Orville Hinds, Williams, Cho-WeeNam and Paul DeNobrega respectively.

settle for second in the 10lap event for juvenile. This race was won by Nigel DeDeGoed, while Christopher Griffith placed third.

In other results, Ronaldo

Jaikaran Sukhai and finishing third was Shameer Baksh.

Linden Blackman was the only rider in the 50 years and over five-lap race and he

romped home an easy winner.

John Niles won the twolap race for BMX boys 6-9 years old ahead of Shane Sue-Han and Antoine Van Denburgh respectively.

Sieon Chee won the twolap race for BMX boys 9-12 years old ahead of Zab James and Sue-Han respectively, while Hodge won the three-lap race for the 12-14 age group.

The five-lap race for mountain bikers was won by Seon Budhan. Second was Nicholas Alphonso.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, race organizer Hassan Mohamed thanked the sponsor and athletes for making the race a success.

He said it was his final race in the National Park for the 2015 cycle season and wished them the best for the 2016 season.

A representative of Payless Variety Store who was on hand to assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, echoed Mohamed’s sentiments about the athletes’ participation in the event and promised that come next year, the programme will be bigger and better (Michael DaSilva).

India in command despite de Villiers defiant 85 (REUTERS) AB de Villiers’ masterly 85 in his 100th Test could not gloss over South Africa’s spin frailty as India took charge of the second test after dominating the opening day at Bangalore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium yesterday.

Spin duo Ravindra Jadeja (4-50) and Ravichandran Ashwin (4-70) spun a web around South Africa, who were bundled out for 214 in their first innings on a track that contained no demons.

In reply, India cruised to 80 for no loss with Shikhar Dhawan (45) and Murali Vijay (28) looking largely at ease against South Africa’s depleted pace attack.

Vijay got a reprieve on 21, though, when Imran Tahir spilled a simple catch off Morne Morkel’s bowling at square leg.

The hosts, who lead the four-match series 1-0, would be particularly happy with Dhawan’s return to form after the southpaw scored a duck in both innings of the first test.

Earlier, South Africa crossed the 200-mark for the first time in the series before being all out for a below-par

Playing in the city he represents in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, each of the 11 boundar-

AB de Villiers walks back after being dismissed for 85 in his 100th Test match. total with de Villiers exhibiting the kind of decisive footwork that was missing from his team mates.

ies and the six de Villiers hit was heartily applauded by the large crowd who chanted “ABD, ABD” throughout his

knock.

BIGGEST BLOW The early moisture in the wicket prompted Virat Kohli to opt to field and the India captain introduced Ashwin after seven quiet overs which immediately paid off.

The spinner trapped Stiaan van Zyl plumb in front and, three balls later, had Faf du Plessis caught at short leg as South Africa slumped to 15 for two.

Dean Elgar (38) refused to let Ashwin dictate terms and stepped out to hit the bowler over his head for a towering six before his team suffered another setback.

Varun Aaron had watched all-rounder Stuart Binny pip him to the new ball and the speedster responded by castling rival captain Hashim Amla with the final delivery of his second over.

Elgar perished in the first over after lunch, JP Duminy (15) could not shine on his return to the squad and Dane Vilas (15) fell to a soft dismissal to compound South Africa’s crisis after lunch.

Jadeja then dealt the big-

gest blow in the final delivery before the tea break when wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha took a diving, one-handed catch to send back de Villiers.

With Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander both

out injured, South Africa’s pace attack lacked the usual sting. The visitors also dropped off-spinner Simon Harmer, bringing in a fit-again Morkel, fellow paceman Kyle Abbott and all-rounder Duminy.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings S. van Zyl lbw b Ashwin 10 D. Elgar b Jadeja 38 F. du Plessis c Pujara b Ashwin 0 H. Amla b Aaron 7 A. de Villiers c Saha b Jadeja 85 J. Duminy c Rahane b Ashwin 15 D. Vilas c&b Jadeja 15 K. Abbott run out (Dhawan, Saha) 14 K. Rabada c Pujara b Jadeja 0 M. Morkel c Binny b Ashwin 22 I. Tahir not out 0 Extras (lb-2 nb-6) 8 Total (all out, 59 overs) 214 Fall of wickets: 1-15 S. van Zyl,2-15 F. du Plessis,3-45 H. Amla,4-78 D. Elgar,5-120 J. Duminy,6-159 D. Vilas,7-177 A. de Villiers,8-177 K. Rabada,9-214 M. Morkel,10-214 K. Abbott Bowling: I. Sharma 13 - 3 - 40 - 0(nb-4),S. Binny 3 - 2 - 1 – 0, R. Ashwin 18 - 2 - 70 – 4, V. Aaron 9 - 0 - 51 - 1(nb-2,0 R. Jadeja 16 - 2 - 50 – 4.

INDIA 1st innings M. Vijay not out 28 S. Dhawan not out 45 Extras (b-4 nb-3) 7 Total (for no loss, 22 overs) 80 Fall of wickets: To bat: C. Pujara, V. Kohli, A. Rahane, W. Saha, R. Jadeja, S. Binny, R. Ashwin, I. Sharma, V. Aaron Bowling: M. Morkel 7 - 1 - 23 - 0(nb-3), K. Abbott 6 - 1 - 18 – 0, K. Rabada 5 - 1 - 17 – 0, J. Duminy 2 - 0 - 9 – 0, I. Tahir 2 - 0 - 9 – 0.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 15, 2015

Kristian Jeffrey, Matthew Vieira take pole positions

By Stephan Sookram KRISTIAN Jeffrey will start on pole for this morning’s Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship ahead of Barbados Mark Maloney and Trinidad’s Kristian Boodoosingh.

Jeffrey who posted a 33.592 second time just a shave off the 33.3 lap record at the South Dakota Circuit while his nearest competitor, Barbadian Maloney posted a 34.296 time and Trinidad’s Boodoosingh, a 34.461.

Jeffrey, speaking to Chronicle Sport after confirmed that he had made some changes on the car ahead of the meet and they worked out well.

He added, “We have one or two tweaks to do. This is the first time since we ‘ve got the car in Guyana that its done 33’s and I think we are couple seconds off the lap record tomorrow, something I hope to achieve once the weather is the same tomorrow.”

Fourth on the grid is Kevin Jeffrey (34.763), while Andrew King (34.992) is fifth.

On the two wheel end of things, .1 of a second separates Matthew Vieira from his cousin Elliot as superbike action stole the show yesterday.

Matthew posted a

–Shan Seejattan takes Gp2 pole

34.101 time ahead of Elliot’s 34.279s , indicating to Chronicle sport that today’s race will be one of excitement while adding “I’m pretty confident going into tomorrow, lets see how

Kristian Jeffrey during scrutineering earlier yesterday

things go.”

Elliot on the other hand concluded that he can make up that dropped time today adding that he can make that “with the right amount of pressure on me. I ride better under pressure.”

Joel Neblett’s 34.404 time puts him third on the grid while no time was recorded for Stephen Vieira.

On the group 3 end of things, Ravi Singh of Trinidad and Tobago sits first ahead of Paul Vieira, a Trinidadian as well while Suriname’s Oliver TjinLeipShie sits third.

Group two which is expected to be a firecracker

is led by Guyanese Shan Seejattan who posted a time of 38.148, indicating to Chronicle Sport that “I have got to drive tomorrow, tomorrow is the proving ground and its going to be a battle.”

He is joined by Barbadian Kenrick Husbands (38.499) and current CRMC group 2 point leader Marc Gill (38.537).

Today’s programme commences at 08:30hrs and will also feature the Formula 4 demonstration by Guyana’s Calvin Ming.

Among the day’s sponsors are GTT, Fly Jamaica and Rent-A-Tent.

Barnwell and Motie put Jaguars on top

Pacer Alazarri Joseph recorded his first regional five-wicket haul

By Kizan Brumell

CHRISTOPHER Barnwell and Gudakesh Motie rocked the Leeward Islands top order late in the afternoon session to put the Guyana Jaguars in an imposing position at stumps on day two of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day match at the Guyana National Stadium.

Guyana Jaguars declared their first innings at 419 – 9 a few overs after tea and bounced back to restrict the opposition to 48 - 4 at the close of play, a lead of 371 runs.

Sherwin Peters and Shane Jeffers began the run chase for the Hurricanes but the latter fell for nine with the score on 25, caught and bowled by Barnwell. Two deliveries later the new batsman Daron Cruickshank was trapped leg before wicket by Barnwell without scoring.

Motie then joined the party when he got rid of Nkrumah Bonner leg before wicket for a duck, then drew Orlando Peters off balance to be stumped by

wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, without coming off the mark.

Barnwell and Motie pressed until the end of play but Shane and Steve Liburd, the captain, fought back to prevent further damage during the 31 overs they faced. Liburd is unbeaten overnight on 20 while the opener has 15.

Earlier in the day, Guyana resumed on 218 – 5 with Singh on 111 along with Barnwell (19) at the other end. Alazarri Joseph claimed the wicket of Barnwell on 48, caught by Liburd with the score on 266. Singh added 39 runs to his tally to reach 150 then was bowled trying to paddle Jacques Taylor around the corner.

He recorded only 13 boundaries after facing 384 deliveries.

Bramble and Barnwell batted well down the order as Jaguars went to lunch on 306 – 7 and rallied to 403 – 8 at tea.

Joseph recorded his first Regional five-wicket haul when Bramble was out hooking, caught on the square leg boundary for 42.

Former West Indies Under-19 captain Steven Jacobs played an impressive

innings down the order as he reached his fourth regional fifty. He was left unbeaten on 63* when Guyana made their declaration after Ronsford Beaton (18) was the last wicket to fall.

Joseph ended with 5 – 99 from 27 overs while Taylor supported with 3 – 70 from 24.1 overs.

Play continues today at 9:30 hrs.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars first innings (o/n 218-5) A Fudadin lbw b Joseph 5 R Chandrika c Peters b Joseph 7 L Johnson c Liburd b Joseph 0 V Singh b Taylor 150 S Chanderpaul c Cruickshank b Taylor 65 R Reifer b Cornwall 0 C Barnwell c Liburd b Joseph 49 A Bramble c Taylor b Joseph 42 S Jacobs not out 63 R Beaton lbw b Taylor 18 Extras: (nb-2, w-3, lb-4, b-6) 15 Total: (for nine wickets; 150.1 overs) 419 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-16, 3-21, 4-192, 5-193, 6-266, 7-306, 8-365, 9-418

Bowling: Tonge 18-3-48-0, Joseph 27-1-99-5, O Peters 14-3-47-0, Cornwall 43-1479-1, Cruickshank 6-1-21-0, Taylor 24.1-9-70-3, Bonner 9-3-27-0, S Peters 2-1-8-0, Liburd 7-3-10-0

Leeward Islands Hurricanes first innings S Peters not out 15 S Jeffers c &b Barnwell 9 D Cruickshank lbw b Barnwell 0 N Bonner lbw b Motie 0 O Peters stp b Motie 0 S Liburd not out 20 Extras: (nb-2, b-2) 4 Total: (for four wickets; 31 overs) 48 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-25, 3-264-26 Bowling: Beaton 5-3-7-0, Reifer 6-3-6-0, Jacobs 9-3-21-0, Barnwell 6-4-5-2, Motie 5-2-7-2

Four teams advance to round of eight tonight in Mayor Green seven aside FOUR of the teams registered to be a part of the Mayor Hamilton Green’s 81st Birth Anniversary seven-a-side football tournament will advance to the round of eight this evening when action continues at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara with four matches.

From 17:00hrs this eve-

ning, Buxton Youth Developers will face Lima Dam, while from 17:30hrs, Victoria will face New Amsterdam.

Ann’s Grove will face off with Haslington in the third match while the feature match brings together Golden Grove and mahaica.

The tournament which is being coordinated by former national coach and player

Lennox `Mullen Arthur and which is scheduled to conclude next Sunday has at stake $200,000 for the winning team of the final, while the runners up will receive $100,000.

The third and fourth place teams will earn $70,000 and $30,000 respectively.

Prizes are also on offer for the Most Valuable Player of the tournament as well as the

Highest Goal Scorer.

The other four round of 16 matches is scheduled for Wednesday at a venue to be announced.

On that day, Grove will meet Den Amstel in the opening game, while Uitvlugt will face Goed Fortuin, Kitty will come up against Stewartville and Agricola will take on Pouderoyen.

Mayor Hamilton Green

Sport CHRONICLE

Kristian Jeffrey, Matthew Vieira take pole positions –Shan Seejattan takes Gp2 pole

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

See story on page 31

Wayne Forde - Guyana’s new football boss

From L to R...Neil Cochrane (General Secretary CFU), Keith O’Jeer (Committee member), Dion Inniss (Committee member), Gordon Derrik (President of CFU), Wayne Forde (President of GFF, Clinton Urling (outgoing NC Chairman), Bruce Lovell (1st VP of GFF, Magzene Stewart (Committee member) and Ryan Farias (Committee member). (Delano Williams photo)

…Team Integrity truimphs By: Ras Wadada THE cries for change in the governance of Guyana’s football were answered yesterday when Team Integrity defeated Team Unity in the electoral contest held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston. Businessman and President of Fruta Conquerors FC, Wayne Forde is the new President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) after a close finish over Team Unity led by high profile attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.

Forde secured 12 of the 22 votes to emerge as the 2 nd Bartician to head the ‘Beautiful Game’ in Guyana while Hughes’ slate received 10 votes and immediately left the venue sourly disappointed.

In a last minute effort to woo the voters, members of Team Unity called

on their nominated 1st Vice President to withdraw his candidacy but he bluntly refused, much to the dismay of his team members. Former President of the 70s, P.Q DeFreitas is the first born-Bartician to be elected to the top football position of the country.

In his brief remarks after being declared the newest head for football in Guyana the 45 year old Forde expressed his thanks to all and promised to bring all on board.

“On behalf of my executive body I would like to say thank you to the Guyana football fraternity for expressing their confidence and their faith in us to transform the landscape of football in Guyana.

For many years we have been listening carefully to the cry for change and I think the members of the Guyana football fraternity

have demonstrated their faithfulness in the possibility of that change.

I can tell you with complete confidence that change has come to Guyana football.

We expect that this is going to be a challenging task but I am confident in the members that I have here before me and I am also very confident in the support that we will receive from the football fraternity, the media, the Government, the private sector and all stakeholders.

This is a journey that we cannot take alone, we need all hands on deck and throughout the campaign we have expressed

at every opportunity, the importance of including all stakeholders and I believe that will be the hallmark of this executive for the next four years…Thank you very much”.

The GFF’s Congress was graced with the presence of Caribbean Football Union’s President and General Secretary, Antiguans Gordon Derrik and Neil Cochrane.

In congratulating Wayne Forde on his victory, the CFU President expressed great hope for the sport, “The future looks so bright you’re going to need shades’, Derrik exclaimed, which brought laughter to the audience.

See Berbician Andrew Hicks story on dominates Payless Variety page 30 Store feature 35-lap cycle race

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015