Guyana_Chronicle-Epaper_01_18_2021

MONDAY 18th January, 2021

' No.106246

AG wants Haitians matter dismissed

–– cites attorney Wade’s lack of authority to institute proceedings Thieves drink 15 communion wine during church break-in PAGE

Bahamas supports Guyana in border controversy -says country’s sovereignty must be preserved

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After a busy Sunday market in Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara, this fish vendor stayed behind to finish cutting and cleaning the fresh fish she had for sale (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Major upgrades to Linden water-treatment plants this year –– Covent Garden, Grove plants to become fully functional

RESIDENTS of Linden, Region 10, can expect improved water supply this year as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) plans to execute major upgrades and maintenance works to the five water-treatment plants in that area.

Currently, the Mackenzie, West Watooka, Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc water- treatment plants are functioning at reduced capacity, according to GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh.

“We have five water-treatment plants in Linden alone and there is a problem there…because nothing has been done in Linden over the last five years to upgrade and maintain the systems,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The CEO said funds for those works were included in the 2021 National Budget. “We have to upgrade the water-treatment plants before they collapse,” he added.

Baksh said works would also be done at water treatment plants at Covent Garden and Grove, East Bank Demerara. Those plants have not been fully functional over the last three years.

Upgrades were done to the Eccles plant during the latter part of 2020. Baksh said the residents are now receiving treated water through their taps and there have been minimal complaints from those areas.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated, Shaik Baksh “The plants were not operating as treatment plants; that is Eccles, Covent Garden and Grove. Actually, raw water was coming through those plants. Also, the

water was treated by a chemical known as Sequest and we have discontinued that because it is a huge cost. This Sequest to treat iron content in the water cost this utility over four years, $1.8 billion and we are now flushing the wells and they are minimum complaints,” Baksh explained.

Works would also be done to improve water quality at the wells in the Essequibo Islands. These projects, Baksh said, are part of GWI’s overall plan to provide 80 per cent access to treated water by 2025, in keeping with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 0.3 milligrams per litres of iron content or less.

Currently, 96 per cent of Guyana’s population has access to water; however, the treated water coverage that meets the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard is only 52 per cent from a total of 27 water-treatment plants.

Therefore, the government plans to construct new water-treatment facilities to meet the standard and to improve and expand the transmission and distribution network to maximise coverage from existing treatment plants.

There are also plans to install water meters to monitor, control demand and increase revenue.

GPL metering issues at Bath Settlement to be probed

AN investigation will be launched into complaints from residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, that there are faults in the new metering system installed by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, gave the assurance during discussions at a community meeting on Friday last, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

“Their claim is not unreasonable, that they have been paying a certain bill for the past 20 years and as soon as a new meter went

on, their bill went up three-fold and that was 90 per cent of the complaints,” Minister Indar was quoted as saying by the DPI. He added: “The head of the metering section [of GPL] is here to go through every single account and do an investigation; to visit every home in their area where the complaints came from to see what is going on.”

W h i l e i n v e s t i g ations are ongoing, no resident will face disconnection. Minister Indar said this decision has been taken because the root causes of the significant differences between bills are unknown. Minister In-

dar said a report from the probe would be submitted to his office to guide further decision-making.

Meanwhile, concerning allegations of poor customer service at GPL’s Onverwagt office, the minister called on the staff to execute their public duties with high standards of professionalism.

Member of Parliament, Faizal Jafferally and Regional Chairman for Mahaica-Berbice, Vickchand Ramphal, were also present at the meeting. Since assuming office, Minister Indar, who has oversight responsibilities for the energy sector, has met residents in numerous

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar communities that may have concerns about GPL. Just last Saturday, the minister engaged residents of Lust En Rust and pledged to ensure that the community receives first-time access to electricity. GPL was given two weeks to realise that promise.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

AG wants Haitians matter dismissed

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–– cites attorney Wade’s lack of authority to institute proceedings

By Richard Bhainie THE Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers has filed an application seeking an order to strike out the case in the High Court involving the Haitians migrants who were allegedly ill-treated while in protective custody.

This application was filed on the grounds that attorney-at-law Darren Wade lacked authority to institute the proceedings.

The proceedings were initially filed by private citizen Allandres Archer for and on behalf of the 26 Haitians, contending that a breach of their fundamental rights had occurred when they were placed in protective custody at the Hugo Chávez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Onverwagt, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Archer, however, recently came forward claiming that he was unaware that he was the person bringing the action against the Attorney General; he has since withdrawn his name from the proceedings.

“I was contacted by Attorney-at Law Darren Wade to give an affidavit to be a witness and it ended up I was the person who

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC was taking the government to court,” Archer said in a video recording released recently by the National Communications Network (NCN).

The Attorney General’s Chambers, in its application seeking a dismissal of the case, submitted to the court that Wade breached his duty as an attorney-at-law when he failed to inform Archer of the contents of the documents and the consequences of the execution of such documents before he (Archer) had signed it.

The AG’s Chambers further contended that the proceedings were instituted by Mr. Wade, a member of the legal profession,

Allandres Archer without the authority of the apparent respondent (Archer), which is so fundamental a flaw as to make the proceedings a nullity.

Archer, in the video recording, claimed that he was ‘tricked’ into signing the court documents, saying: “I never asked Darren Wade verbally or in any writing for him to represent me on behalf of any Haitians or anything and it end up I am the person taking the government to court, something I didn’t agree to.”

The AG’s Chambers further argued that given the fact that Wade’s authority to institute the proceedings is disputed, it is for him to prove he has lawful authority.

Attorney-at-law Darren Wade The court documents explained that on January 8, 2021, around 15:15hrs, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., had a telephone conversation with Wade pertaining to the matter.

During the said telephone conversation, Wade acknowledged and verified that it was Archer who was in the video recording, and explained that he (Wade) did not deal with the matter personally, but rather had his secretary address it.

The court was informed in the application that if Wade delegated his duty, then it is his responsibility to ensure that the person to whom he is delegating

his duties, conforms with the proper protocols with which he is required to conform.

The Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, on December 3, 2020, issued a conservatory order halting the deportation of the 26 Haitians in the action filed

by Wade, contending that the order for deportation issued by the magistrate was arbitrary and in violation of the fundamental rights of his clients.

When questioned by the Chief Justice on December 18, 2020, on whether the Haitians are within the jurisdiction, Wade indicated that based on the instructions that he received, they had left Guyana.

This newspaper had reported that the foreign nationals, 10 men, nine women and seven children, had arrived in Guyana on November 7, 2020, and were reportedly granted a six-month stay.

However, the Haitians allegedly gave incorrect information to immigration officers about where they would be staying while in the country, and days after, they were found at a city hotel and in a minibus on the Linden-Mabura Road, which constituted a violation of their stay.

The police claimed that they were suspected to be victims of a human- trafficking ring; an allegation the Haitians have consistently denied.

The court matter was fixed for ruling and/or clarification on January 27, 2021; the chief justice, during the hearing of the case on December 18, had asked the state to show how the 26 Haitians who were detained and ordered deported went from possible Trafficking in Persons (TIP) victims to ‘prohibited immigrants.’ The chief justice also asked the state for full disclosure of the treatment meted out to the Haitians while in the state’s care.

The Chief Justice had then denied Nandlall’s request to dismiss the case on the grounds that there were some “important questions” that the state must answer for future guidance and for preventing a recurrence.

She had said that what happened with the Haitians should never happen again and she is interested in finding out whether the procedures which have been put in place by law to deal with both TIP victims and prohibited migrants, had been followed.

Zeelugt businessman robbed of gun, other items in NWD POLICE are investigating the armed robbery committed against 28-yearold Hanson Forde, a businessman of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, which occurred on Saturday at Eye Lash Backdam Junction, North West District (NWD).

Police Headquarters, in a state-

ment, noted that the victim left his grandmother’s home at Heaven Hill, Matthew’s Ridge, (NWD) on his A.T.V enroute to Chi Chi Backdam, and while in the vicinity of Eye Lash Backdam Junction, he was stopped by two males about 04:40hrs. They were both wearing masks; one was armed with a shotgun

and the other with a cutlass.

The bandits ordered the businessman to turn off his A.T.V, to which he complied; they removed his haversack from his back, which contained a phone charger valued $5,000, a battery pack valued $6,000 and a flash drive valued $10,000.

The suspect, who was armed with

the cutlass, then removed the victim’s licensed .32 Taurus Pistol, bearing serial #FHP 37012, with one magazine containing seven matching ammunition valued $198,000; all to a total value of $219, 000.

The suspects then escaped; police investigations are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Region 10 to get agro-processing facility

– farmers urged to expand agri practices THE government will soon be establishing an agro-processing facility in Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10) to increase the production of value-added commodities there.

This is among several major agricultural opportunities that would be made available to farmers and residents, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, announced this initiative on Thursday last, during a Cabinet outreach to the Region.

“We are now trying to secure a building in Linden to have agro-processors store and package their produce, so that they can have more valued-added product and to ensure they sell overseas and also out of Linden,” the minister said during the engagement at Watooka House.

According to the DPI, he said the initiative would create employment and provide training opportunities for persons within the region. The New

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

Some Region 10 residents during the meeting at Watooka House

Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) would also be engaged to provide assistance, even as the government moves to revamp operations at the entity.

“We also have an initiative at NAREI where we have secured almost $15 million in shade house materials, which we are now selling at a minimal cost,” Minister Mustapha added. Already, the government has awarded a $150 million contract to create a conservancy at West Watooka to provide adequate irrigation to cultivated lands.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General and

Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, urged residents and farmers of Coomacka and its environs to expand and get involved in livestock and cattle rearing.

“I want to encourage you to do animal farming; duck rearing, fowl, sheep, goats, cows, and also have pigs. You have all the resources here.

Where we live on the East Coast and in Georgetown,

you can’t get a blade of grass, that’s the biggest challenge for farmers on the coastland.

And here, you have so much lands and so much grass and so much greenery,” Nandlall was quoted as saying by the DPI. He committed to making representation at Cabinet to seek ways in which assistance could be rendered to farmers in the community, even as he stressed the importance of being self-empowered.

“We also want to see an agriculture that is market-driven where we have investment coming to rural area to create job opportunity and food security, those are the long-term and medium-term objectives of our government. What we have done over the last few months since we have assumed office, some of the commit-

ment that we have made in our manifesto, we started to deliver. For example, we have reduced land rentals and D and I charges where no farmers are receiving disposable income, saving almost $210,000 annually,” AG Nandlall said.

Since taking office in August 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has, among other supportive measures, reduced value-added tax on agricultural equipment, machinery, pesticides and fertiliser. It has also restarted several programmes which were discontinued under the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition.

Student tests positive for COVID-19 at The Bishops’ High School A STUDENT of The Bishops’ High School tested positive for COVID-19 at the weekend, following separate incidents where two teachers at two other schools in Region Four also tested positive for the virus last week.

According to reports, on Thursday last, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of The Bishops’ High School, had become worried about a situation developing at the school, after a teacher reported sick and some students showed symptoms similar to those common to the COVID-19. A message was subsequently sent out and circulated among students and parents.

“The PTA Executive is concerned and has discussed the risks of having students in school at this time. In the interim, we believe that it is necessary to take the most basic precaution against the risks, and are asking parents to consider keeping their children at home. Teachers

will be asked to revert to teaching online, in the interest of all concerned,” the message read.

Subsequently, according to reports, many of the students did not turn up on Friday, and many of the teachers took to online teaching.

“The statement was sent out Thursday night and Friday there was limited turn out to school. We don’t know if what was in the statement was true or false, but because of its content obviously it would have scared students, and scared parents into keeping their children at home,” a teacher from the school noted.

Prior to the situation at Bishops’, last week, teachers from the St Rose’s High and Diamond Secondary, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Testing was carried out at each school on Friday last based on contact tracing of persons who would have been in contact with the teachers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Legislation for emergency medical services being pursued

By Rehana Ahamad

ALTHOUGH critical, the provision of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is relatively new to Guyana, which means that there is an absence of important legislation to govern its functions.

According to Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, efforts have commenced to ensure that all legal measures are in place for the smooth operation of Guyana’s EMS. “There are a number of things that we are considering, because we don’t have specific EMS legislation, which is one area that we are looking at,” Dr. Anthony confirmed in a recent interview with this newspaper.

He explained that the Ministry of Health is currently compiling a draft of the EMS legislation. “That legislation would cover the kinds of body that the administration of the EMS [would be],” Dr. Anthony related.

The composition of the document is being spearheaded by Dr. Zulfikar Bux, initiator and Director of Guyana’s EMS. Contacted on Sunday, Dr. Bux said that he is being assisted in the process by colleagues from his faculty at the Vanderbilt Medical Center, who had initially supported his efforts to design an EMS model for Guyana.

Dr. Bux explained that he is responsible for creating the technical framework which would have to be submitted to the Minister of Health, who would then liaise with the Minister of Legal Affairs, in an effort to convert the document into a legal paper that can be presented to the National Assembly.

“In terms of timelines, our goal is to get that docu-

ment submitted to the government within the next two months,” Dr. Bux posited.

He highlighted too that 2021 is likely to see a massive growth in the national EMS, which was launched in 2016. “We budgeted for expansion for this year,” Dr. Bux noted.

He said that the expansion is likely to see the EMS functioning outside of Region Four. “The plan is to get it to Region Three, Region Five and parts of Region Six, at least by early next year,” the EMS Director said.

In view of the projected expansion, Dr. Bux is hoping that the EMS legislation could be implemented at least by the end of 2021. “It would be ideal to get it before we expand, or at least while we are expanding, because the more people you start to transport, the more intricacies and issues you would start to find happening,” Dr. Bux emphasised.

He said that while a year-end implementation is his expectation, he recognises that the process is one that includes other parties and processes. As part of the expansion, Minister Anthony is hoping to build Guyana’s complement of ambulances operating on land in water via air. “… and of course, to train more persons to respond; this is a work in progress.”

Since its implementation in 2016, the National EMS has responded to approximately 15,630 medical emergencies that were reported via the Guyana Fire Service ‘912’ emergency hotline. In excess of 100 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have been trained, along with nine emergency medical responders; 32 emergency medical dispatchers; 618 police officers; 48 ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics FROM PAGE

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Student tests positive ....

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, had confirmed the cases at St Rose’s and Diamond on Friday.

“A teacher tested positive at St Rose’s and a teacher tested positive at Diamond Secondary. So both schools were called in to manage the issue, and both schools had testing done on site at the schools.

It was determined who the contact tracing would

be done with based on interviews with the teachers, and who the teachers would’ve been in touch with,” the minister noted.

“Whatever the [Ministry of Health] advised is what we did, so if a student would not have been in contact with a teacher then there would’ve been no need to test that student, so we followed the advice,” Manickchand said.

Unit (CANU); 21 surveyors from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; 115 firefighters; 165 staffers of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI); and 24 workers from the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA).

Despite a host of limited resources and infrastructure, the trained EMTs have been able to successfully resuscitate lives and deliver several babies en-route to the hospital. Dr. Bux said that he is pleased with the continued success of the

to have been left behind in this regard. As it is, public-spirited citizens are the customary first responders for almost any medical tragedy occurring locally, including road accidents.

Dr. Bux has often stressed that even though untrained first responders may have good intentions, their mishandling of patients often have fatal outcomes. It was this that inspired establishment of the EMS, the demand for which continues to grow.

Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Director of the national Emergency Medical Services

More ambulances are required for the comprehensive expansion of Guyana’s Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services thus far, and hopes that it would grow holistically and exponentially. Dr. Bux is hopeful that by the end of 2025, the national EMS would have the capacity to respond to emergencies within a 15-minute period, within any major thoroughfare in the country.

Even though Emergency Medical Services are critical to the health system of any country, Guyana seems

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

An engaging approach to leadership GOVERNMENT’S outreach to Linden, which unveiled a range of historic socioeconomic projects for the town and demonstrated a deep care and concern for the mining town from state leaders, signals a refreshing era and dispensation of national cooperation, a real reaching out beyond divides and political walls to make sure that every Guyanese in every corner of this land benefits from Guyana’s imminent rise in the status of the world. President Ali shows this knack for generating a wave of hope and optimism when he rubs shoulders with the citizenry.

Wherever he visits, in communities across the country and interacts with people of all walks of life and every political, religious or ethnic persuasion, the President reaches out to them with a genuine, tangible, sincere and authentic desire to see their socioeconomic status improve by leaps and bounds.

This would make Guyanese look forward to the nation’s future with hope, when they see their President reach into every corner of this land to bring real development and to generate genuine prosperity and to see Guyana rise to its magnificent legendary potential, without any consideration at all for political or ethno-religious persuasion.

The newspapers reported one resident as lauding government’s Linden outreach, noting that the President knew what the town needed instinctively, even before she

could give a speech about it. Also, President Ali instantly solved a problem that a re-migrant Guyanese was facing, causing the businessman investor to gush praises for the government.

A team of ministers visited the mining town with the President, and every minister posted on social media their utter joy and pleasure to be in the town and its environs, enjoying their interaction with residents.

Citizens also posted excited pictures of their encounters with ministers.

Here is what is so significant about this state trip to Linden: this is the main political stronghold of the opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For change. Yet, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and state officials walked into town as heroes, with a red-carpet welcome.

Lindeners came out in droves to meet with them and share their concerns and cares with freedom of and heart and soul.

Guyana stands unique in world history, as the only Cooperative Republic in the world. This spirit of cooperation underlines the nation’s being, its heart and soul. When the coalition was in government, it seems they ignored this idea, that not only in name, but also in substance, Guyana could be a global example of a nation that knows what it means to exercise the value of cooperation as its national ethos.

The PPP/C government is exercising

this cooperation concept with real teeth, and hopefully this national policy would engineer a Guyanese nation that would always see cooperation as the main driver in how Guyanese relate to each other. In this new era, the opposition would hopefully learn to develop the same spirit and join the journey of Guyana’s progressive forward move.

It is wonderful to see the country flow along so smoothly, with the few negative voices who refuse to get on board the development train not finding an influential national platform. Although some media houses still promote divisive and non-cooperating viewpoints, Guyanese citizens are assured that their government today works in their interests.

Human society suffers from a serious anthropological fact, called the scapegoating phenomenon; a theory that the French thinker Rene Girard developed, and which forms an instructive sociopolitical consideration, when one looks to design a constructive, forward-thinking, cooperating national platform. Scapegoating, on the political front, is the process whereby naysayer elements show up in society to find fault, scapegoat and blame others for perceived shortcomings. They refuse to see any good happening. Even for such an amazing and positive Linden government outreach, for example, some folks would find fault, criticise the outreach, and scapegoat others. The scapegoating phenomenon is an aspect of

base human nature at play, but as happens with so much of human nature that is base and uncouth, nations learn to implement democratic structures and systems to prevent scapegoating from harming the country.

Today, Guyana stands secured that the President and every minister and Cabinet member, could be engaging personally with Guyanese in every community across the land; so much so that naysayers are finding it hard to find traction with their negative spirit and scapegoating agendas.

Guyana is now on the path to eradicating the scapegoating agenda before any longterm damage afflicts the 55-year- old body politic. The PPP/C seems to have mastered this leadership skill and the President and ministers are all on board, their shoes hitting the ground every day. The President is leading an extraordinary state policy to personally reach out to, engage with, and provide real, tangible solutions to citizens’ concerns.

The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is on the move up, and the state-citizen embrace that happened at Linden is a magnificent transformation in how Guyanese cooperate and work together for everybody’s benefit and development.

Guyana is in a new dispensation of real, on-the-ground cooperation, and the leadership of the government to engineer such a national alignment must be lauded and encouraged

Humans are the trustees of God’s resources, not the owners Dear Editor,

JUST days apart, we saw another dolphin wash up on Guyana’s shores.

Although environmentalists have yet to ascertain the cause of death or to justify these rare events, it breaks my heart to see the carcasses of these magnificent and innocent animals in the manner in which they were found.

Further to these cases, we saw dead fish in their numbers floating in a trench between Mandela Avenue and Cemetery Road in November, 2020. It is suspected that this was caused by the seepage of chemicals from a nearby dumpsite.

These incidents are cause for great concern. They prove how human activities have a serious impact on the natural environment, so much so that the world in which life depends is constantly being destroyed. The culprit? Human beings! There are no other species that destroy the earth more so than human beings themselves! Humans have the capacity to think, which enables them to create and/or to destroy. Because of these faculties, they abuse them out of greed and egoism for the accumulation of wealth and control. As a result of this, they have lost their connection with nature. As Mahatma Gandhi eloquently said, “The earth can pro-

vide for everybody’s need, but not enough for one man’s greed.”

As human beings, I am of the conviction that we need to restore our moral precepts by returning to the teachings of our divine religions. I say this because I believe that our environmental problem is not only a product of materialism, but also a moral one. Consequently, we need to adjust certain policies and practices so that the current environmental and ecological crises do not intensify into an uncontrollable phenomenon. Simple practices, such as composting instead of throwing our waste and trash into oceans and waterways, would be more a rational and environmentally friendly approach. Human beings, though, with their knack to destroy, would rather pump their filth into the air, polluting our air, or spill their waste and garbage into our oceans and waterways, because by these means it is “easier and faster” to dispose of. What humans fail to understand, though, is that after a while, these practices affect life while destroying our environment. As a result, we cannot swim or even breathe properly, as toxins and waste emit a foul stench or, as I say, an odour of death.

We see the owners of these massive oil firms proclaiming that there are no environmental consequences whatsoever

in the scope of their work. However, we have seen from these same oil rigs how cyanide wastewater enters the ocean and impacts aquatic organisms, plants and microscopic forms of life. Subsequently, as water flows through our waterways, it destroys more and more lifeforms. Water is a sacred element through which God has created all life. As the Quran says, “We made from water every living thing.”

(Quran 21:30) What humans ignore is the fact that creation has been made to work as a whole. Each part of life, including humankind, plays its own self-preserving role and in so doing, supports the rest. The whole of creation was made to work within a defined pattern. We are all mutually dependent on each other for survival. Furthermore, human beings need to recognise that all that God has created is made up of their own ‘nations’ or ‘communities.’ As the Qur’an says, “There is not an animal [that lives] on Earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but [forms a part] a community like you.”

(Qur’an 6:38) As a result, we must honour and respect each organism and life form as they are part of a bigger picture.

As human beings, we have been created to be the “trustees” of the Creator and to preserve nature as a sacred sign and trust of the Almighty God. The human being is

the vicegerent of God on earth, and just the resource manager, not the owner. He/she is just the beneficiary, and not the disposer.

We should therefore strive not to abuse, exploit, or distort the environment and/ or its inhabitants. As human beings we are enjoined with a certain responsibility towards every living creature. Islam teaches that on the Day of Judgement, we would be answerable for how we treated and cared for these creatures. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states: “If without good reason anyone kills a sparrow, or a creature lesser than that even, the living creature will put his complaints to God on the day of judgement, saying: “So-and-So killed me for no purpose.” In this regard, we must understand and recognise that any act of destruction is strongly condemned, whether it be in respect to human beings and/or other living beings.

Man has the capacity to destroy, and he also has the capacity to create -- to function in unison with the universe and God. Mankind needs to mature and have some power of thought to protect his environment, so that our children and generations to come will live and prosper.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Remembering Martin Luther King JR. today Dear Editor, MANKIND’S quest for the ultimate purpose of life in this world remains inexhaustible.

Although the answer remains pronounced in the philosophy of the saints and sages, guided by the choice of religious influence, acknowledging and adhering to these principles and concepts remain two-fold.

The refusal to acquiesce to any form of confinement, relishes the splendour of independent thinking and action, not necessarily carefree or careless, and, reserved is the freedom of choice. But, what eventually surfaces, is the burning question of obtaining peace of mind and the undying search for the road to peruse and discover the secret of this possibility with all probable elements. The conditioning of the mind as taught by the discipline of yoga and meditation spontaneously emerges rather than submerges.

Mahatma Gandhi is indisputably the modern-day world’s keeper of peace and is a symbol which represents striving for emulation, not imitation. He has created a precedent, a road difficult for others to follow and his methodology, challenging to adopt. He has millions of followers and admirers throughout the universe and his teachings and lifestyle have inspired many to become more responsible citizens of the world, profess his concepts and implement his principles. America, the land where dreams come through, is fertile with many such students and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King JR., bears testimony to this statement.

There was a time when African-Amer-

icans were barred from participating in ordinary life.

They couldn’t eat at the same table, attend the same school, use similar bathrooms or share the same washing machines with white Americans. Segregation was enforced by Jim Crow laws down south. It made Africans mixing with whites illegal They policed them and Africans had to live in separate neighbourhoods.

They had specific jobs and they had to talk to whites with the utmost respect.

Any retaliation resulted in jail time, injury or death. Up north, there was no Jim Crow laws but an unspoken law which limited Africans to second-class citizen status. Martin Luther King JR. grew up in a middle-class family in the midst of all that inequality in 1929, having been born on January 15th. His great grandfather and father were pastors at the local church.

He attended religious colleges up north in Philadelphia and Boston. He noticed blacks and whites mixing more freely than he had seen while growing up. King JR. moved to Montgomery, Alabama, with his wife Coretta in 1953, becoming pastor and community leader.

His life changed when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. King JR. joined forces with activist JoAnn Robinson to organise a massive boycott of the Montgomery Bus System. This was to be the beginning of a hallmark in history for Blacks in the world. For one year, they refused to ride and walked. Many were attacked just for walking instead of taking the bus. Dr. King’s house was bombed.

Along with many other protesters, he was thrown in jail. This injustice drew national attention to the issue. Eventually, in 1956, a Supreme Court decision banned segregation on buses. After that victory, King JR. organised a group of churches dedicated to non-violent protests for civil rights.

He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi whose non-violent leadership helped free India from. Over the next decade, he led many marches and protests all over the country. The biggest was the march on Washington for jobs and freedom in 1963. Hundreds of thousands gathered at the nation’s capital.

It was there that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King JR delivered his momentous “I have a dream” speech. “One day, right there in Alabama, little black boys and girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and girls as brothers and sisters. I have a dream today.”

King’s gift for public speaking helped inspire millions of people. His words gave the hope and courage to believe in the future he envisioned.

Two years later, the protests he led throughout Alabama caught the world’s attention. People watched in shock as local police turned fire hoses and attack dogs on peaceful protesters. People felt threatened by change. In fact, making folk uncomfortable was kind of the point with all these protests.

In a letter written from a jail in Alabama, King said, “Non-violent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has constantly refused to negotiate, is forced to confront the issue.”

In other words, things change only when conditions are made stressful, people demand it. Despite his numerous arrests and degrading treatment, the result was worth it.

His work pressured Congress to pass ground- breaking laws, moving society closer to his vision.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 overturned segregation laws around the country. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He went on to fight against poverty and the Vietnam War. Then in 1968, MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His killer, James Earl Ray was captured months later.

MLK was only 39 years old, but in his short life he changed the face of America.

Without his influence, who knows how long it would have been before equal rights were protected for everyone.

We still struggle for equal rights.

But thanks to Dr. King JR. and other Civil Rights leaders, we know that great change is possible. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., marking his birthday and observed on the third Monday in the month of January.

There is an urgent need for many in Guyana to emulate the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Mahatma Gandhi and to follow in their footsteps. All Guyana will enjoy peace, equality, progress, liberty, prosperity and justice.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

A partisan call Dear Editor, THE call to hold government to fulfil promises made to an opposition stronghold, while as it should be, can be seen as

partisan.

We have not been told what promises made to its stronghold when in government were kept and delivered, but now we are adamant that promises made by the incum-

bent must be properly fulfilled and not just ‘curry favouring’ with the region.

All promises made by any government should be kept and fulfilled and the call should be

across all regions and not just a partisan call, because it is the opposition’s stronghold.

Yours sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Health Ministry gears up to tackle climate change …as global temperatures continue to rise

By Rehana Ahamad AS we reported on Sunday, the notable rise in global temperatures will have a series of adverse effects on several sectors in Guyana, including food production and threatened sea defence due to the projected rise in sea level.

Also, of major concern are the threats that increased temperatures would have on the nation’s health. The United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that “global warming will worsen human health conditions, especially in tropical regions.” In countries such as Guyana, an increase in temperature indicates an increase in mosquito populations, thereby escalating the risk of a variety of insect-borne infections. “…and those mosquitos would bring with them, a number of different types of diseases such as dengue and malaria, and chikungunya, and so forth,” Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said in an invited comment.

He acknowledged the threats that global warming could have on a country such as Guyana. “In addition to vector-borne diseases, which are traditionally found in the tropics, you would also see an increase in flooding, and because of flooding, you can also contract other water-borne types of diseases,” the Health Minister highlighted.

Reflecting on the many

environmental tragedies that occurred in 2020, Guyanese Scientist, Dr. Michelle Kalamandeen had told the Guyana Chronicle that climate change has inevitably created the deadly monster that is the novel coronavirus.

In a previous interview with this newspaper, the biologist expressed confidence that the emergence of the COVID-19 is a consequence of global administrations ignoring, and, by extension, failing to address the critical connection between the environment and human health.

She explained that three out of every four new infectious diseases in people come from animals.

“More specifically, from our wildlife and from the livestock we keep in ever-increasing numbers…if an area becomes too hot or too cold for certain wildlife, they will migrate to new places, where they interact with other animals that they have never encountered before,” Dr. Kalamandeen had explained.

She reasoned that this usually results in humans increasingly sharing the same spaces and vying for the same food as various species of organisms, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of diseases from animals to humans.

Dr. Kalamandeen had explained that even though climate change continues at its own pace, the changes effected by humans are making matters far worse. “Carbon dioxide emitted from our everyday

consumption of fossil fuel is shifting climate zones,” she posited.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

She is adamant that the current COVID-19 pandemic is yet another warning shot of

survey our health facilities across Guyana and to look at how we can make them more

The continuous rise in temperatures can result in the proliferation of various vector-borne diseases

Increased temperatures are likely to result in heat waves that can have fatal effects for vulnerable persons

the consequences of ignoring the critical connections between the environment and human health. It would appear that these warning shots have not evaded the attention of Minister Anthony. He explained that the Health Ministry has embarked on a series of initiatives geared at tackling these climate-related threats head-on.

“In Guyana, we have started to look at the effects of climate change in a very holistic way,” Dr. Anthony affirmed.

He said that the government’s project to convert a number of health facilities into ‘Smart Hospitals” is also part of the comprehensive plan to address the effects of climate change.

The conversion of these facilities is being executed in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). “…and through that initiative, we have been able to

climate resilient; meaning, to prevent them from being flooded, to make sure that the services that they offer is more efficient, and to utilise things, such as rain water, for the purposes of the hospital,” Dr. Anthony related.

He said that those were just some of the Health Ministry’s efforts related to reducing our carbon footprint. “…and also to move to renewable energy; so we have a plan for these facilities of how we are going to change over to these things…we have initiated the process with five facilities,” Dr. Anthony added.

These pilot hospitals include the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, the Leonora Regional Hospital, the Mabaruma Hospital, the Lethem Regional Hospital and the public hospital in Paramakatoi. Works have already commenced at the facilities in Diamond and Leonora.

“Once this works well, we are going to adopt it for the rest of the system,” the minister posited.

In the meantime, he said that the ministry will be continuing and even heightening its surveillance efforts for various diseases that are likely to be found in Guyana. “Also, we are setting up our new 10year plan for the Ministry,” Dr. Anthony indicated.

He explained that this comprehensive strategic plan will examine a plethora of ways that the ministry can respond to climate change. “…and our preparedness in terms of health response to things like pandemics and flooding and so forth…we want to ensure that we build that capacity to respond to effects of climate change, and try to make our systems more climate resilient,” Dr Anthony asserted.

HEAT WAVES AND THE VULNERABLE In addition to vector and water-borne diseases, global warming also paves the way for increased heat waves, which would result in prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures that can have serious health effects on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the sick.

“This was already seen during the 2003 heat wave in Europe, which claimed approximately 35,000 lives,” a recent UN Climate Change report indicated.

The United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change further predicts that global warming will lead to hot days, followed by nights of high temperatures, which can result in persons developing potentially fatal hyperthermia or heatstroke.

This is a concern shared by Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings, who has been paying keen attention to the rise in temperatures, globally.

“There has been a trend of increasing temperatures globally, and this has serious effects on the world’s eco-system; 2020 happens to be one of the warmest years on earth, so this has a series of major implications,” Dr. Cummings said.

Global warming also poses a significant threat to persons with asthma and other respiratory diseases.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Bahamas supports Guyana in border controversy with Venezuela –– says country’s sovereignty must be preserved SUPPORT for Guyana in its border controversy with its western neighbour, Venezuela, continues to grow, with The Bahamas being the latest nation to state that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be maintained and preserved.

The Government of The Bahamas, in a statement on Friday, announced that the island nation has joined with its CARICOM counterparts in standing with Guyana in its ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

Tension related to this controversy increased recently when President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro, issued a decree claiming Venezuela’s sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River.

Based on reports emanating from Venezuela, the decree points to the creation of a strategic zone for national development called the “Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade”, which the Bolivarian Republic envisages will provide adequate protection and safeguard its jurisdiction. However, since Guyana has sovereign rights over the coast west of the

Essequibo River, as far as Punta Playa, it follows, consequently, that only Guyana can enjoy sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights over the adjacent sea and seabed.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on January 12, 2021, issued a statement expressing deep disappointment and concern over action taken by Venezuela pertaining to its long-term border dispute with Guyana, including intimations of the creation of a strategic area of national development called “Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade.”

“The Bahamas joins CARICOM in standing in solidarity with Guyana and repudiating all acts of aggression by Venezuela against Guyana and fully supporting the judicial process underway at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Guyana/Venezuela dispute,” the Bahamas government said.

On June 30, 2020, Guyana in its virtual presentation in the Arbitral Award of October 1899 (Guyana v.

Venezuela) case said that not only is Venezuela’s current interpretation of the Geneva Agreement illogical and erroneous, but is also in stark

Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Dr. Hubert Minnis

contrast to the interpretation the Spanish-speaking country had when it signed the very agreement in February 1966.

Represented by a battery of international lawyers, Guyana said the agreement, in unambiguous terms, empowered the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to determine an appropriate resolution mechanism to enable a peaceful settlement, which is the ICJ. Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899

57 new cases of COVID-19, 39 recoveries AN additional 57 persons were infected with the COVID-19 virus but 39 more persons recovered, according to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard for January 17.

These new cases take the country’s total to 6,908 cases recorded since March, 2020. Importantly, 6,165 of the persons infected have recovered thus far. The number of deaths remain at 170. The new cases were recorded in Region Two (two cases), Region Three (three cases), Region Four (15 cases), Region Five

(nine cases), Region Six (19 cases), Region Seven (four cases), Region Nine (one case) and Region 10 (four cases). And, they were recorded from 339 tests done.

There are also 607 active cases, three of which are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 525 in home isolation, 34 in institutional quarantine, and 45 in institutional isolation.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from January 1, 2021, until January 31, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an

assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The current curfew time is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Most recently, the ICJ on December 18, 2020, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana, Venezuela border controversy case. It was reported that Guyana is confident that the international court will resolve the issue

in its favour and that this will also settle the issue of maritime rights in the adjacent sea and seabed. But, under international law, this is now for the ICJ to decide.

This judicial process is one which CARICOM supports, since the regional bloc believes that it is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries. The Commonwealth, Canada and the United States (U.S.) have also called on Venezuela to respect this judicial process.

The Canadian High Commission, in a statement posted recently on its Facebook page, stated that Venezuela’s recent claim that it has sovereignty over the area adjacent to Guyana’s Essequibo coast is concerning.

“The decision is in the hands of the International Court of Justice, and this judicial process must be respected,” the High Commission said.

Assistant Secretary (ag) of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, said too that the U.S. supports the ICJ’s ruling that

it has jurisdiction in the Guyana-Venezuela territorial border issue, which is the legal and peaceful way forward.

“Maduro’s aggressive claims don’t change this; they only show the world his disregard for his neighbours and international law,” Kozak asserted in a post on his official Twitter page. Also, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, reiterated the North American country’s call for a legal, peaceful resolution to the border controversy.

“I remind that sovereignty over this coast and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali affirmed during a recent address to the nation.

He said that regrettably, by decreeing that the seas adjacent to this territory belong to Venezuela, at least two fundamental principles of international law have been violated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Sex is not love

(Names have been changed to protect identity)

TOO many of our young women who grew up without fathers are looking for something they will never find. Coming from what can be termed as a broken home, there is definitely something missing from their lives. That ‘something’ has affected their decision-making and coping skills. It has also left scars and wounds unseen by the

naked eye, but apparent in their life choices.

Davina-Rose came from a broken home and had a child at 19, with a man who loved her and whom she believed she loved also. But the young couple never thought through a plan for their family future.

They took every day as it came; having fun with their friends, or going to night clubs and raves. There was very little family life or togetherness between mother, father and child. After eigh-

teen months of tolerance, which involved some domestic abuse, they parted.

Now, this would be the perfect time for Davina-Rose to take a moment to reflect on her life. She is 20 years old with a young daughter, estranged from her father. What would be the best thing to do for the child? What would be the best thing to do for herself and their future? How can she, and should she move forward? What essentials does she need to survive?

These are the logical questions that make sense after a break-up, whether it was amicable or painful.

Once there are children involved, their well-being and welfare must be prioritised and considered along with all plans. Davina-Rose needs time and space. Time to think about the implications of the break-up and get her thoughts in order.

How will she tackle the future? She also needs room to breathe; to take a good look at herself. To acknowledge her strengths and weaknesses and to identify where she needs to better herself.

It is impossible to make the right decision when your mind is in turmoil. Therefore, after any significant event in life, we must give ourselves time.

But not Davina-Rose, she already had her eye on someone. The young man at the wash bay, would always ‘trouble she’ when he saw her walking out with her daughter. He knew she had a man so he would only make jokes about ‘how good she looked’ and ‘if only he could find a nice girl like her’ etc.

They both knew the jokes were his way of saying he wanted to be with her and It wasn’t long before they hooked up. Davina-Rose knew nothing about him

the night she invited him over ‘to talk’. And before she learnt the salient facts, e.g. that he already had two children with two ‘child mothers’ so she should at least, use protection; she was ‘child-mother’ number three.

At the age of twenty-four, Davina-Rose had two children with different fathers who were not in their lives. Although the first father, to his credit, did try to visit and bond with his daughter, Davina-Rose stopped the visitations, citing this reason - ‘Unless he could support the child financially, he could not see her’.

The children grew fast and enjoyed a mishmash of childhood sometimes living with their mother and sometimes staying with a Miss Lillian Fung, while Davina-Rose was ‘in the bush’. They attended school sporadically and got by the best way they could, which meant, a little stealing, a little begging and a lot of lying and getting beat.

Davina-Rose fell out with some people in the bush and decided to move back to town. She rented an apartment on the East Coast for her and the children. For a while, their lives were stable, the children attended a new school, and Davina-Rose worked as a sales assistant in

the local supermarket.

Aged six and seven at this stage, the children had spent crucial developmental years without the fundamental guidance, love and attention of a mother or father.

Their mother’s decisions were beneficial to her, but not in the best interest of the children.

Some might argue that Davina-Rose did the best she could with the knowledge and resources she had at her disposal, but children need secure families and positive role models. Broken people, from broken homes, keep doing broken things without seeking to heal themselves; and children are the casualties of their actions.

A young woman might look for love and commitment, and someone to show her he cares because she lacks self-esteem or has a bad relationship with her parents. Maybe she needs someone to talk to, or someone to shower her with admiration and compliments.

These desires usually lead to sex - a quick solution to a much deeper problem.

What she needs is to try some self-reflection and ask herself, why does she have these yearnings and misplaced feelings? How can she manage her emotions?

From where do her anger or feelings of abandonment stem? Young women should stop taking different men into their lives until they know themselves and understand their priorities. Exposing children to different men puts them at risk. It is time these women realise; love is not sex, and sex is not love.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Resources must be shared with riverain communities – Minister Indar

By Telesha Ramnarine A visit to Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) recently by government officials has revealed that those who reside in farflung, riverain communities are in dire need of electricity and internet, especially with the restrictions that the Coronavirus Pandemic has imposed.

And the government, according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, is bent on ensuring that resources are shared with these communities.

“The riverain communities are top on our agenda and that’s why we were in there,” Indar told Guyana Chronicle Sunday afternoon, as he noted how people in these sections of the country are not receiving even the most basic necessities.

“Water and light, ownership of their land,” he reflected, are some of the things lacking in the riverain communities. “The people I went to didn’t see a minister in five years. That tells you that developing the lives of those in the riverain communities was not something on the previous government’s priority list.”

Indar, along with Member of Parliament, Jennifer Westford and other officials met with residents at 58-Mile, 47-Mile and Mabura Hill, in Region Ten.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, during his recent visit to Region 10

Concerns related to forestry, mining and access to potable water were raised. Indar reminded the residents of the grant by the Indian government which will see the procurement of some 25,000 that will be distributed across the country, especially to riverain communities.

“Everywhere you go in the hinterland, everyone asks for energy. For the far-flung areas, solar energy is the only

Officials from the government listen to concerns being raised by residents of Region 10

thing that they can depend on,” Indar noted, adding, “We already got the quotations, we know what the prices are; it’s just a matter now for the procurement to be done.”

This project was accelerated following discussions between President Irfaan Ali and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, K.J Srinivasa, along with the officials from the Ministry of Public

Works.

“Very shortly, the final programme will be announced because it is currently being designed where we can see household units possibly 20,000 to 25,000, being procured which will speak to an upgrade from 65 watts to 100 watts for our brothers and sisters in the hinterland communities,” the Department of Public Information had quoted Public

Works Minister, Juan Edghill as saying.

Meanwhile, Indar said, during the recent visit, issues with titling for Amerindian lands were raised and the people further asked for their community to have their own concessions relating to subsistence logging and mining.

Other issues also included the lack of an ambulance at 58-Mile and 72-Mile which makes it difficult to

transport sick people in the event of an emergency. It is also difficult for the children in the villages to learn because of the lack of electricity and internet. At the moment, they are making do with the materials being provided by the Ministry of Education. The road to Rockstone is also in a bad state and the government is working to have repair works completed.

Over 500 km of GPL’s distribution network upgraded RESIDENTS in several communities in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six could expect a better quality of electricity supply following the upgrade of more than 500 kilometres (km) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s distribution network.

Some 830 km had been identified under the company’s Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) for infrastructural upgrades.

The project is currently in its second phase - “Lot B”, which covers the upgrade of approximately 220 km across 87 communities.

Works are currently ongoing in Meten-MeerZorg, Tuschen, Zeeburg, Vergenoegen, and Parika in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and Tain, Clifton and John Set-

tlements in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) The first phase of the project “Lot A” covered the upgrade of 361km of the network across 89 communities in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six, and included works in Patentia and Goed Intent on the West Bank of Demerara; Tucville and Guyhoc Park in Georgetown; Ogle, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Annandale, Melanie Damishana, Bachelor’s Adventure, Ann’s Grove, Nabacalis, Clonbrook, Bee Hive and Supply on the East Coast Demerara; and Overwinning, Winkle Road, Angoy’s Avenue, Williamsburg, Hampshire, Grant 1803 and Grant 1802 in Berbice.

“The GPL’s PUUP completed a total of 581km of distribution network with

focus on the reduction of overall electricity losses and the improvement of safety and reliability of the system,” shared Chitra Singh, PUUP’s Social Management Coordinator.

She added: “From the 581 km, 361 km were successfully completed under the Lot A that involved 89 communities whilst 220 km completed under Lot B, which is on-going in 87 project areas.” The project has a third phase, “Lot C” during which 31 priority areas will be targeted.

The infrastructural upgrade is one of three components of the PUUP, the other two being the “Strengthening of GPL’s Management Capabilities” and the “Operational Efficiency”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

25 new doctors, health professionals join healthcare system THE University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association on Saturday night held a virtual white coat ceremony to honour the students of the graduating class of 2020.

The brief but significant ceremony saw 25 new doctors and health professionals being welcomed into the local healthcare system. Delivering the keynote address to the students, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony charged the new healthcare professionals to tap into their full potential and to work alongside the Health Ministry to provide the best possible healthcare services to the people of Guyana.

He also congratulated the graduating class for their achievement and resilience during the pandemic to complete their medical education.

“Let me start by congratulating all of you on this milestone and this achievement … your graduation is a milestone achieved with much grit and determination,” he said.

He added that the task is

now up to them to work to the best of their abilities to see the betterment of the country’s healthcare sector.

“Now the difficult job of embarking on a career begins.

I wish you luck. We in Guyana need each of you to succeed to add to our country’s betterment and development, whether you all serve your career at home or part of your career in Guyana,” he said.

The minister told the students that while their graduation may feel as though it is the end of a road, it is actually the beginning of a grand journey and commitment to the service of humanity and saving lives.

“I have heard on many occasions too many young people describe this day, like today…as the end of the journey and one that requires celebration. It is not the end of the journey, but we can celebrate,” he said, adding: “Today calls for celebration, putting on your white coat signifies your entry into a

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony

profession that commits you to the service of humanity.

Wearing a white coat today and for the rest of your life [sic] brings responsibilities.”

The white coat, he added, is a symbolic reminder for future healthcare professionals to serve with humility, compassion, and to always commit and serve to the best of their abilities.

University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma MohamedMartin

“As you strive for individual excellence, the path will be filled with many ups and downs and twists and turns and the challenge will not be to just bask in your successes, but to learn from your failures,” the minister said.

Sharing a few words of wisdom and encouragement

with the graduates, the minister quoted Nelson Mandela, who said: “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and are passionate about what they do.”

Minister Anthony expressed the hope that the new healthcare professionals are all “passionate about medicine and to serve the people of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, UG’s Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin expressed her delight at the accomplishment and perseverance of the graduates.

“We are elated that despite all the curve balls thrown at our wonderful and brilliant young doctors in the last year, you have shown want it takes to overcome,” she said before congratulating them and their families, lecturers and others who supported them during the journey.

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Bahamas supports...

In the first violation, as outlined by President Ali, no state can unilaterally determine its international boundaries, whether land or maritime. President Ali contended that the fixing of an international boundary under international law can only result from an agreement between neighbouring states, or a binding determination by an international court or arbitral tribunal.

“Therefore, this attempt

by Venezuela to attempt, unilaterally, to fix both its land and maritime boundaries with Guyana is a legal nullity, which cannot, and will not, be respected by any other state in the world, including Guyana,” the Head of State affirmed.

The second violation of fundamental international law referenced by President Ali is based on the fact that under well-established rules of international law, there is a fundamental principle that says, “the land dominates the sea.”

This means that sovereignty and sovereign rights in the sea and seabed emanate from title to the land that forms the coast to which those seas and seabed are adjacent.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Avoid ‘poor quality’ investors by improving –– says local economist ease of doing business

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Doing Business in Guyana rankings from the World Bank

By Vishani Ragobeer WHILE it is apparent that investors are zeroing on Guyana, Senior Economics Lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Thomas Singh, has emphasised that the barriers to investments should be addressed so that the country can avoid poor quality investors.

Regional experts have highlighted that it is crucial for Guyana to improve its ease of doing business, since it has been, comparatively, more difficult to engage in business activities here. Previously, Trinidadian Senior Economist, Dr. Roger Hosein, told the Guyana Chronicle that if the country is successful in improving ‘doing business’ in Guyana, greater private capital injections and foreign capital injections will be facilitated.

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report for 2020, Guyana was rated 134 out of 190 countries in terms of the ease of doing business. But, this ranking was made known since October 2019, months before the novel coronavirus began spreading around the globe, resulting in significant disruptions.

“We have to address the impediments to investment.

If not, the investment promotion effort will attract only poor quality investors and high-risk ventures that are looking for a high return,” Dr. Singh posited.

He, however, explained that alongside investment promotion activities, there must be government spending geared towards improving the “doing business” indicators. A country’s ease of doing business is determined through the use of numerous

Senior Economics Lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Thomas Singh

indicators. These include: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts,

and resolving insolvency.

This past week, President Irfaan Ali highlighted that the central government will be engaging the regional bodies on the modernisation of the institutional and legislative infrastructure to establish the single window approval system for building permits and construction permits. This, he emphasised, will greatly enhance competitiveness and improve productivity.

Dr. Singh also warned about ‘over-investing’ in activities within or closely aligned to the oil and gas industry. Instead, he said that emphasis should be placed on diversifying the economy.

“We must think of oil and gas as another in the string of commodities that Guyana has had. Commodity dependence does not make for easy diversification,” he contended.

But, should Guyana focus on real diversification

Over 500 km of GPL’s distribution ...

The infrastructural upgrade is aimed at rehabilitating GPL’s aged distribution networks in several communities and includes the upgrade of conductors, transformers, service lines and post and paid meters among others. These upgrades are expected to provide customers with a better quality of power which can sustain the life expectancy of customers’ electrical appliances, reduce voltage fluctuation and eliminate faulty connections.

The $4.6 billion contract for the execution of the PUUP

was awarded to China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation/China Synergy Electric Engineering Company (CMC/CSEEC), with the local sub-contractor being Ramoutar and Sons Contracting.

Residents across the country would have seen contractors putting up new poles for the distribution network upgrade, and seen the installation of new conductors.

The upgrade is expected to see approximately 47,000 customers’ service being upgraded to facilitate the use of

smart meters.

The general objective of the programme is to enhance GPL’s operational efficiency and corporate performance, as part of preparations for it to supply electricity in a sustainable manner over the long-term.

The move to upgrade the system came about after it was discovered that GPL was incurring exponential commercial and technical losses.

In 2010, GPL’s Loss Reduction Unit had recorded 19.5% of commercial losses and 14% of technical losses.

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It was determined that “weaknesses in the distribution network not only increased technical losses due to low capability to handle the distributed energy, but [it] also hindered the implementation of focused efforts to reduce commercial losses”.

In 2014, the government secured US$64 million in financing for the initiative through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well as non-reimbursable investment financing from the European Union (EU).

where new and novel sectors are opened up, where there will be leeway for increasing economies of scale, the country would be able to reap greater benefits.

Importantly, the economist

also highlighted, “It is easy to have a more equitable economy when the production base is diversified with lots of sectors contributing to the economy.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Aspiring politician admitted to the bar

By Richard Bhainie CASEY D’Aguiar is now one step closer to accomplishing her dream of being able to make significant contributions to the development of her homeland, after she was admitted to the bar to practise law in Guyana.

Her petition was presented by attorney-at-law Kim Kyte-Thomas, before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on January 13, 2021, at the Demerara High Court. D’Aguiar completed her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School and her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Guyana.

During an interview with this publication, she explained that early in her life she had some idea that she wanted to pursue law as she was intrigued by the popular television show, ‘Judge Judy.’ As she grew older, she witnessed gaps in the legal

system which caused that desire to pursue legal studies to grow stronger.

She believes that law would equip her with the necessary knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions to the development of Guyana’s legal sector and political arena.

“I want to contribute to the enhancement of the rule of law and the maintenance of the integrity of Guyana’s legal system. And the political arena will provide the platform to make changes that myself and others envisage for Guyana,” she said.

Cognisant of the fact that the local political scene is one that is overwhelmed by turmoil, D’Aguiar explained that law alone would not allow her to execute her mandate and contribute efficiently; it is for this reason that she intends to fuse her legal skills with politics.

She elaborated that it is her desire to witness her fellow Guyanese benefitting from

Attorney-at-law, Casey D’aguiar (second from right) with Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry (second from left); attorney-at-law, Kim Kyte-Thomas (far left) and attorney-at-law George Thomas (far right) following her admission ceremony

Attorney-at-law Casey D’Aguiar

the nation’s wealth and participating in the country’s development, especially at this crucial time when Guyana is now an oil-producing nation and is rapidly progressing.

To complement her plans, D’Aguiar stays up to date with regional and international affairs and she intends to pursue a Master’s degree in International Law. She strives to maintain a balance in every aspect of life, and

when not immersed in the law, she relishes the ambience of nature.

The newly admitted lawyer extended gratitude to her mother whom she described as her “biggest cheerleader” and three inspirational lawyers in her life: attorneys-at-law Charles Ramson, Satyesh Kissoon and George Thomas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Thieves drink communion wine during church break-in

By Naomi Parris

MEMBERS of the St. Andrew’s Parish Church, located at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, were, on Sunday morning, alerted that their sanctuary was broken into and raided by suspected thieves.

Annie Charles, a lay minister of the church, explained that due to the pandemic, the congregation has been meeting virtually and at a sister church in an effort to follow the COVID-19 protocols.

Charles told the Guyana Chronicle that a member of the church was on her way to Sunday service at another location when she observed that the back door of the church was open. This was suspicious as no one was scheduled to be there.

The member immediately alerted Charles and a few other ministers and, after investigating, it was discovered that the church had been burgled.

While it is uncertain what time the crime took place, Charles disclosed that the perpetrators had a “bawl” and were able to escape with several valuables.

“We come in here and this

is what we meet…This time they took the water dispenser.

They took the keyboard. They drink out the wine-- we have a barrel. They tried to take the television but it’s sealed in a grill,” she said.

Additionally, the woman disclosed that she believes that the perpetrators were in search of money since they ransacked the building and tore apart sections of the altar.

She noted that they also had a “feast” as they opened a few tins of canned food that the church had packed away for donation purposes and ate

the contents. They also drank the church’s communion wine and left cigarette buds behind the altar.

Charles disclosed that this is the fourth time the church has been robbed.

The woman stated that police made little effort to investigate the previous incidents.

The latest break-in was reported to the police and senior members of the church are currently in the process of estimating the cost of the stolen items and the damage done by the thieves.

A ransacked section of the church

The back door of the church where the perpetrators are believed to have gained entry

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

AMCHAM partners with gov’t to hold first virtual HSSE conference THE American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana, in partnership with the Government of Guyana (GoG), will be hosting its first virtual Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) conference on Tuesday, via the web-conference platform, Zoom.

This is according to a press release posted on the Ministry of Labour’s Facebook page.

It noted the Minister’s commitment to opening the conference, which will facilitate discussions on HSSE issues across several industries in 2021.

The aim of the HSSE conference is to unite leading professionals and experts in the fields of Occupational Health & Safety, Security, and Environmental Management from across the Caribbean and Guyana, in order to share information, raise national awareness and promote

industry standard best practices on HSSE compliance and regulation, and ensure a pathway towards human, economic and environmental security for Guyana, the release said.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, AMCHAM Chairman, Zulfikar Ally, noted that this year, the chamber wants to bring awareness to HSSE through a national conversation which will focus on safe business practices, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important to educate employers on the international best practices that must be adopted to survive the modern day environment, to also help them to navigate the difficult terrain in implementing these standards, and show them the tools that they can utilize to

workers in industrial environments while ensuring that all stakeholders involved are abreast with the measures needed to thrive in the modern work environment.

The conference will be open to the public, but targets mainly employers in the public and private sectors and entrepreneurs.

“We encourage businesses to register, especially businesses that have a large workforce, and operations of an industrial nature,” Ally stressed.

In 2019, AMCHAM Guyana held its first HSSE conference under the theme, “Preparing for Sustainable Development”.

The conference brought together the largest gathering of HSSE professionals from local and international territories.

AMCHAM Guyana

achieve compliance,” Ally expressed.

This year, AMCHAM Guyana wants to zero in on the GoG’s vision for the future of work across the industrial sectors in Guyana.

Tuesday’s conference is expected to be informative.

Participants will be provided with information on existing opportunities to safeguard

is a voluntary, non-profit, membership organisation committed to promoting and enhancing commercial relations between the United States and Guyana. The chamber’s focus includes: representing the collective opinions of the members, providing a network and support structure for U.S. enterprises doing business

Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana, Zulfikar Ally

in Guyana, and creating new opportunities to help build mutually beneficial business relations between Guyanese and American companies.

Representatives of NAMILCO, Exxon Mobil, and GTT are scheduled to make presentations during the conference.

Health Ministry gears up...

Additionally, “People suffering from heart problems are more vulnerable to increased temperatures, especially those living in already warm areas, as their cardiovascular system must work harder to keep their body cool,” the IPCC report indicated.

It explained that, “Hot temperatures increase the ozone concentration, which can dam-

age people's lung tissue and cause complications for asthma patients and those with lung diseases.”

“Increased global warming can also pose a threat to national security, affecting food security, which, in turn, can lead to resource conflicts,” the report noted.

Dr. Cummings had also underscored the food produc-

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tion and sea defence threats that are likely to affect Guyana, in light of global warming. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Public Works are all working to implement climate-smart technologies that address the impending crisis that Guyana could face as global temperatures continue to rise.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

‘Spotlight Initiative’ donates to Rose Hall police outpost

President of St Francis Community Developers, Alex Foster, makes the donation to the Officer-in-Charge of the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, Colvin Melville

President of St Francis Community Developers, Alex Foster

THE Rose Hall Town police outpost is the first to benefit from a donation through the Spotlight Initiative project in East Berbice-Corentyne, on Friday last, in the form of a first aid kit, stoves, mattress, cleaning detergents, stationery, fans, a sink, and a solar light and six chairs.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. At a simple handing-over ceremony at the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD) office in Port Mourant, officers attached to the outpost collected the much-needed items from the President of the SFCD, Alex Foster.

Speaking briefly to this publication, Foster stated that the items were donated after the organisation recognised some of their collaborating partners lacked the resources to execute the mandate of the project, which targets the reduction and, ultimately, eliminates any form of violence against women and girls.

The SFCD, in collaboration with the United Brick Layers, are tasked with delivering six pillars of the project; pillars three and four are focused in East Berbice.

Foster explained that these two pillars deal with behavioral changes, providing counseling and psycho-social support and any form of intervention to help those affected.

Foster noted that the organisation aims to provide a one-stop shop for victims of abuse, but the challenge lies in stakeholders not having

the necessary resources to make this a reality, hence the donation to the Rose Hall police outpost.

“In our experience, in trying to bring the stakeholders together, we found that some of them don’t have the ability or capacity to offer the psycho-social support, they just stick to what they are doing. For example, the police would charge and lock up who they need to and they are done, but people need other forms of intervention, so we are helping them to provide those interventions at the police station until the person gets to other sources or come to us where we have the unique ability to call probation, call health, call education, call everybody and hook them up so they do not have to go to 13 places repeating the same problem,” Foster lamented.

He further added, “And what we are doing gradually is, when we go in the field and identify the victims, we are linking them to access services from our different collaborating partners. For example, we may link them to the Food for the Poor houses; so it’s an ongoing process and as the process go on, we are developing and responding to same.”

In the latter part of December 2020, the SFCD collaborated with the UN and its partners - the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) - to launch the Spotlight Initiative in Berbice.

The G$10 million project will run for four months.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Mayers backing newcomers to perform well against Bangladesh –– Cementing place for future series important for newbies

By Clifton Ross WITH the first One Day International (ODI) bowling off in just a few days, newbie West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers is urging his fellow newcomers to make the most of this Bangladesh series, should they seek to solidify their places for future series.

Back in October 2020, the Bajan Mayers was also named Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against New Zealand, where he later made his debut.

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The hard-hitting all-rounder later in December 2020, found spots in both the West Indies' Test and 50 overs squads for the upcoming Bangladesh clash.

Speaking on possibly making his ODI debut, Mayers said he was super elated but more fixed on giving 100 percent come next week, should he feature in the starting XI for the first match.

"It would mean the world to me (to make my ODI debut). As a child it was my dream to represent the West Indies and being given that honor, it would

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be very special to me". Said the all-rounder during Saturday's press conference with West Indies media.

Prior to the series, a number of high-profile stars opted out because of Covid-19 concerns, resulting in selectors adding a number of new faces while recalling a few past players as part of their new-look side.

Despite some inexperience in the side, Mayers was confident that himself and teammates are willing to make the most of the opportunity; urging them to do well in order to keep their places for the upcoming series following Bangladesh.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the younger guys to establish themselves in international cricket. It's important to gain experience and to try to go out there and play as hard as possible and make themselves available for the next series".

The 28 year-old is among the in-form limited overs players in the Caribbean and with a 4 half-centuries and a ton under his List A career, he said batting well for him is key to this

series.

"I think my batting will be most useful for the side. After assessing the conditions in Bangladesh I think my batting will be most useful in the series.

Also, I think with a bit of experience at the international level I can get there". Mayers pointed out.

Given the likes of Veerasammy Permaul, ODI skipper Jason Mohammed being among the faces to return but more importantly two key spinners along with a seaming Mayers, Chemar Holder and Alzarri Joseph; the Barbados Tridents player is firm that the unity and familiarity among the youngsters will play a key role in the Windies pursuit of success.

"I think the bowling department is a bit inexperienced but the batting to me is very good. I played with these guys in the 'A' team series against New Zealand and they are used to playing with each other.

So apart from that, I think the bowling will be the most difficult part for us". He ended.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 18, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Brian Lara-34 Test centuries (2) Chris Gayle-25 ODI centuries

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many times the WI & BANG have contested ODI matches to date?

(2) What is the scorecard?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Sundar and Thakur pull India back

Shardul Thakur struck a few handsome drives, Australia vs India, 4th Test, Brisbane, 3rd day, January 17, 2021 © AFP via Getty Images

(ESPNCRICINFO) - For the second innings in a row, India found resistance from their last recognised batting pair to deny Australia a strong push for a win.

On this occasion, it was debutant Washington Sundar and fast bowler Shardul Thakur batting together for 36 overs, across sessions, and making maiden Test fifties to help India post 336 after they were reduced to 6 for 186 just after lunch. They added 123 for the seventh wicket.

Australia still finished the day with a handy lead and two full days left, but the rain forecast for the last two days is sure to play on their minds as they seek a 2-1 scoreline for the series, the only one that guarantees the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for them.

But until David Warner’s brief counter-punch at the end of the day, the hosts had looked tired and subdued after what had been a brilliant start. Having started off bowling short to India’s overnight batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, Australia quickly adjusted to a fuller length in the opening hour. Rahane nearly fell to two of those fuller ones, looking to drive Mitchell Starc through cover and finding the gap between third slip and gully on both occasions.

Pujara looked the more comfortable batsman through that period, latching onto anything marginally short for runs through

point, but it was him Australia broke first.

Once again, it took a good length delivery that slanted in and straightened to catch the thin edge of an angled bat. Josh Hazlewood, who was by far Australia’s best bowler on the day, made it five out of seven for such dismissals in the series for Pujara. It was the first of five that Hazlewood would take in the day.

Starc managed to get Rahane in the slips eventually, with a fielder placed exactly where the previous two edges had gone, and India’s captain attempting the same flowy drive outside off again.

With a lead of above 200 at that point, Australia had Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant standing in the way of the lower order.

Agarwal’s return to the team at No. 5 - the first time he’s ever batted there in first-class cricket - was a much more sedate affair than his trials against the new ball earlier in the series. With the prospect of Starc swinging it into him all but out of the picture, he was more assured about leaving deliveries outside off. It also helped that the majority of the early part of his innings consisted of either Cameron Green or Nathan Lyon bowling at him while he picked up runs and confidence going into lunch.

But Hazlewood was back at it in the afternoon session, pecking away in the corridor until Agarwal had a swipe away

from the body to find the slips after he’d made 38. Six overs later, Pant failed to steer Hazlewood past Green at gully, and his 23 became his first sub-25 score in 11 innings in Australia.

Australia were 183 ahead with just under two full sessions left in the day but would soon find the game swiftly being taken away. Thakur, in particular, came out in the swashbuckling manner that characterises his batting down the order in limited-overs cricket. He opened his scoring by hooking Pat Cummins for six and drilling him past his boot a couple of balls later.

It would evolve into a more sedate, mature innings from a man who plays those often in Ranji cricket. Alongside him, Sundar looked compact and organised, qualities that had stood out as he broke into senior cricket as a top-order batsman.

Australia went back to being shorter by the middle of the day, and both Thakur and Sundar copped a few on their hands as they looked to navigate that phase. But every now and again, they managed to find boundaries off their pads, and gradually string a few together to put pressure on Australia.

By the peak of their stand, they were driving with authority, and treating Nathan Lyon with disdain as Tim Paine counted down to the new ball. Except, eight boundaries came within the first 11

overs of that new ball. The partnership went from parody to serious stuff swiftly, with moments that will string along to the many iconic ones India have produced over the course of the series.

Front and centre from Sunday’s collection will be Thakur stepping out and clubbing Lyon over long-on to bring up his fifty, and Sundar picking the same spot with a no-look slog-sweep.

So flustered were Australia, that even after separating the pair, it took nine overs to bowl out the rest of India.

Perhaps nothing told the story of poor strategy as much as Australia bowling bouncers at T Natarajan, a man averaging 2 in first-class cricket, in an attempt to set him up for the yorker (he blocked those with ease). Along the way, Paine had also dropped a half-chance high to his right that would have ended Sundar’s innings earlier, and added two more contentious DRS reviews to his infamous list.

Hazlewood was the only bowler who seemed to stick to the plan that worked best on this wicket - which is, to be on the fuller side of a good length - that seems to be easier to score on the shorter the length.

He completed his ninth five-wicket haul by picking up the last two wickets before Warner and Harris took Australia to stumps 21 for no loss, 54 ahead with a tricky two days to come.

England Sri Lanka cliffhanger looms (ESPNCRICINFO) - It may look like a modest target, but England face a nervous final morning in their bid to wrap up victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

When Sri Lanka’s second innings ended, midway through the final session on day four, it seemed the result was little more than a formality. England had been set just 74 to win, after all.

But within minutes, England were 14 for 3.

The left-arm spin of Lasith Embuldeniya, in particular, appeared to send

panic coursing through the England line-up with Joe Root, their captain, run out by yards as he attempted to complete a highly optimistic single.

By then, England had already lost both openers.

Dom Sibley, desperate not to be drawn into playing at one that left him, instead left a straight ball that hit his off stump. Zak Crawley, meanwhile, was unable to capitalise upon being dropped on one, pushing at one that did indeed turn away from him and presenting a sharp catch to gully.

But it was only when

Root fell that Sri Lanka would have sensed they could pull off one of the great comebacks.

Jonny Bairstow had barely dropped the ball more than a couple of metres in front of him, but seemed to call Root through for a single that was as unnecessary as it was unlikely. He had collided with the bowler, Dilruwan Perera, but was left well short of his ground regardless, as the keeper, Niroshan Dickwella, broke the stumps with his direct hit.

Had Bairstow, looking more than a little rattled,

been run out to the next delivery - he attempted another impossibly quick single and would have out by yards if there had been a direct hit - Sri Lanka might even have been favourites.

But he survived. And in partnership with an impressively calm Dan Lawrence, Bairstow added 24 more runs before bad light forced a slightly early close. You suspect, ultimately, that the damage incurred in Sri Lanka’s first innings will simply prove too deep to mend.

That said, England still require another 36 to win

on the final day, and as the first six overs of their innings showed, it would be wrong to take anything for granted.

If England do go on to win, it will prove an especially memorably performance for Jack Leach. Leach, who came into this game having played just two firstclass games in the last 14 months, has endured a tough time since he last represented England in Mount Maunganui in November 2019. He fell ill on that tour of New Zealand and was subsequently hospitalised with

a case of sepsis that he admitted had him fearing for his life.

While he was recalled to the England squad for the tour of South Africa, he fell ill once again and was eventually sent home early to ensure a complete recovery.

With the outbreak of Covid-19 adding to the concerns of a man with a reduced immune system (a courtesy of his long-term battle with Crohn’s disease), Leach has admitted there were moments when he wondered if he would ever return the Test team.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Dasrat, Nandu, Ashiek Motor Spares among latest BCB sponsors THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to benefit from the assistance of former national players who are based overseas along with several passionate supporters of Berbice Cricket.

The BCB in the first two weeks of 2021 has attracted close to seven million dollars’ worth of support in the form of financial sponsorship and necessary items.

The main feature of the successful marketing drive has been the massive support, the BCB has obtained from former and current players including Clayton Lambert, Ray Joseph, Leslaine Lambert, Kevin Darlington, Kevin Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Shim-

ron Hetmyer, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Vishal Nagamootoo, Narsingh Deonarine, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Jeremy Gordon, Troy Halley.

The latest former players to come on board are former national captain Damodar Dasrat, former West Indies Under 19 all rounder Arjune Nandu, former RHTYSC player Mankarran Singh and businessman Ray Ali of Ashiek and Son Motor Spares.

Nandu, a former member of the historic Port Mourant Cricket Club donated eighty thousand dollars towards the hosting of a one day, four teams tournament at the Port Mourant Ground. Nandu, who

Ray Ali hands over donation to BCB Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman

played for Guyana at the junior and senior level also represented the West Indies at the Under 19 team.

The four teams would be Ramnarine Memorial, Kildonan, No43 and Kennard Memorial. Both Nandu and Singh stated that they were delighted to support Berbice Cricket as it was on the move.

Former senior national captain Damodar Dasrat positively responded to a request from BCB President Hilbert Foster for a donation of a laptop.

The laptop would be used by Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu to issue press releases and assist in the publications of magazines, educational

materials etc.

Dasrat, a former Berbice Captain who had the distinction of dismissing batting Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar during his career, was a useful medium pacer and solid middle order batsman.

Businessman Ray Ali, owner of Ashiek Motor Spares of NO2 Village, Canje donated $50,000.00 towards obtaining intercounty caps for the Berbice Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 and female cricket teams.

The Berbice Cap System, he noted, it was a good way of making sure that players have memories of being a Berbice player.

Yassin writes Minister Ramson on function of GOA and respect for affiliate members … GOA presidents calls for collaboration on sports development

By Rawle Toney

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Kalam Juman-Yassin, has written to the Charles Ramson Jr, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, on areas of collaboration in the area of sports development, while also expressing his desire for the laws that govern sports associations and federations to be respected Initially, Yassin chided the Minister over a release that was published by the Ministry on December 5, where it was stated that their “partnership with Associations/Federations premised on advancing interest of Guyanese Sportsmen/ Sportswomen.”

The Ministry spoke of sanctions being taken on sportsmen and women who act outside of accordance of the laws and constitution of their respective disciplines, adding, that “the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on behalf of the Government of Guyana has ultimate responsibility to, among other things, advance sports in Guyana and the interests of Guyanese sportsmen/sportswomen.”

Yassin explained that the GOA is comprised of over twenty National Fed-

erations/Associations and all of these Federations/Associations are affiliated with their International Federations.

These International Federations, Yassin pointed out, are all affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC is the organizer of the Olympic Games and which games is the pinnacle for which athletes desire to compete and win medals. The IOC recognizes all of the affiliated International Federations as being responsible for their sports world-wide and for them to make all their respective rules with respect to competitions, qualifications to compete at the Olympics and other competitions, disqualifications, constitutions and several other factors.

Guyana competes at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, Central and Caribbean Games, South American Games and the Islamic Games.

All of the aforementioned Games Organizers, except the Islamic Games, recognize the IOC and are guided by the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and ByeLaws adopted by the IOC.

According to the GOA president, National Federations/Associations are guided by their respective constitutions, rules and bye-laws and do not compel clubs or persons to belong or be affiliated to them.

“It is voluntary and clubs and persons when they join or become affiliated to a National Federation/Association agree to abide and be bound by the constitutions, rules and bye¬ laws. As far as I am aware all clubs and persons who are affiliated or join, are totally aware of their obligations,” Yassin said.

Yassin said he has seen Minister Ramson’s enthusiasm and work in his since five months at the Ministry, and the GOA is looking forward to “forging a concrete partnership with you and your Ministry for the development of sports and our young people. I and all our members wish and are working to establish a programme where our athletes can be supported, if not fully, then to a great extent so that their dreams and that of all Guyanese can be realized.”

The former Chief Magistrate who is now an Attorney-At-Law, suggested

that the GOA and the Minister, meet “to discuss the way forward so that there may not be any friction to affect the smooth operation of our continued cooperation.

If any person or group has a grouse with a National Federation/Association then a look at the circumstances can discern the reason and an appeal can be made within the rules to resolve the matter.”

Yassin affirms that rules should be respected by persons in sports and sincerely hoped that his letter would clear up the ambiguities the Ministry’s statement might have caused.

The long-serving head of the local Olympic movement, said the autonomy and independence of recognized National Federations/Associations must be recognized and if they should do anything detrimental to their sports or athletes then they should be called to account within the parameters of their constitution or an appeal can be made to their International Federation.

“I nor the Guyana Olympic Association will not condone or encourage any behavior or conduct that is inimical to the good of sports or our athletes,” Yassin cautioned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 18, 2021

Potential Jaguars’ players battle each other today

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE first of three practice matches for potential Guyana Jaguars players bowls off today at the renovated LBI facility from 09:00 hrs.

The game forms part of the Guyana Jaguars preparation ahead of next month’s Regional Super50 tournament, slated for Antigua and Barbuda from the 7th to the 27th.

Speaking of his expectations ahead of the three games, Head Coach Esaun Crandon is predicting an intense battle among the players.

“I am expecting three keenly contested games. I think looking at the standard and output from the fitness assessment on Thursday last we should expect high quality and intensity throughout the practice matches,” Crandon, the former Guyana fast bowler said.

With the cancellation of the Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Jaguars Franchise 50over tournament last year due to the Novel Corona virus pandemic, the practice games will be crucial for each player, since indi-

vidual performance will give them a change of making the final 15-man touring party.

To this end, the 39-year-old Crandon is hoping for three full games, adding that turf preparation is vital ahead of any tournament.

“You know three competitive games and hopefully we can get some good weather and preparation heading into the Super50,” he reckoned.

The long-serving head coach has presided over the Jaguars winning the West Indies Championship (first-class matches) for five consecutive seasons, but he has watched, come close and failed to cross the finish line in the Super50 Cup during the same period.

However, while the winning formula is yet to be discovered by the Jaguars, Crandon feels with the availability of most of the local top players, the results could be different this time around.

Guyana has not won the Super50 since Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s side bested Courtney Browne’s Barbados by seven runs under the Duckworth Lewis Method 15 years ago at the now decommissioned Bourda Oval. In 14 tournaments staged

since then, they failed to reach the semi-final 11 times, lost at the semi-final three times and in the final thrice.

Meanwhile, with strict quarantine restrictions currently in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cricket West Indies (CWI) was forced to reduce the number of teams for this year’s tournament.

The 47th edition of the tournament will revert to only the six regional franchises taking part, which would mean that defending champions, the West Indies Emerging Players, along with Canada, USA and the Combined Colleges and Campuses would miss out.

This will mean the six leading franchises–Jamaica Scorpions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Guyana Jaguars, Barbados Pride, Leeward Island Hurricanes, and the Windward Island Volcanoes—are the only teams participating this year.

The reduction in the teams competing in the tournament also means a change to the tournament’s scheduling.

Last season, the teams were split into two groups; the fixture reduction now means that the tournament will be played over one

round with each team playing five matches.

Further, Shimron Hetmyer and Leon Johnson will lead the two sides during the practice games.

Romario Shepherd, who recovered from the COVID-19 virus, is expected to be added to one of these squads for the three practice matches. The squads for the practice matches are as follows.

Hetmyer’s team comprises Chandrapaul Hemraj, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Sherfane Rutherford, Akshaya Persaud, Kemol Savory, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Demitri Cameron, Keon Joseph, Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Vishaul Singh, Mavindra Dindyal, Steven Sankar, Sachin Singh and Ricardo Adams.

Johnson’s team comprises Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Jonathan Foo, Christopher Barnwell, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Quinton Sampson, Gudakesh Motie, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Devendra Bishoo, Andre Stoll, Totaram Bishun, Richie Looknauth and Kelvin Umroa.

GFF presents new disciplinary code to Chair GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has presented the FIFA-approved Disciplinary Code to the newly-appointed Chairman of the GFF Disciplinary Committee, enabling the Committee to begin its work with a priority on resolving outstanding cases.

The new composition of the Committee was proposed by the GFF Executive Committee and approved by the GFF Congress in December 2020. It includes Chairman Eusi Anderson, who serves as General Counsel at CSM-DANCO, State Counsel Shawnette Austin and former Guyana Trades Union Congress Vice President Lancelot Baptiste.

The Congress voted to replace the former Disciplinary Committee following a long period of inactivity and a lack of communication that led to a backlog of outstanding disciplinary matters. During a meeting with the new Chairman on Friday, GFF President Wayne Forde underlined the

The Guyana National Football team underwent fitness training last Sunday urgent need to address and resolve the list of outstanding cases as soon as possible.

“It is vital that the new Disciplinary Committee moves swiftly to provide clarity on matters that have remained unresolved for far too long,” President Forde said. “We look forward to seeing progress on those issues as we

work to enhance the governance and reputation of football. The Executive Committee has every confidence that the new, highly-qualified members of the Committee will act with integrity and professionalism in the interests of good governance.”

The GFF Disciplinary Committee is one of three independent judicial

bodies within the framework of football governance, alongside the Ethics Committee and the Appeal Committee.

It examines and passes judgement on all disciplinary matters relating to GFF members, affiliates, officials, players, clubs, intermediaries and match agents.

“I am humbled by this appointment as the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee of the Guyana Football Federation. I look forward to working with the football fraternity in Guyana, our partners in the Caribbean and our partners globally to improve the circumstances of football in Guyana,” Anderson said.

“Undoubtedly there will be challenges, undoubtedly there will be opportunities, but my resolve remains to bring the best of my skills, ability and time to bear in this new dispensation. I look forward to serving everyone in football and working with the local fraternity to build strong strategic partnerships for the overall improvement of football.”

GFF President, Wayne Forde hands over the FIFA-approved Disciplinary Code to GFF Disciplinary Committee Chair, Eusi Anderson.

GFF presents new disciplinary Mayers backing code to Chair newcomers to Potential Jaguars’ perform well See story against Bangladesh players battleon page 23 Kyle Mayers

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Guyana Jaguars Coach Esaun Crandon

Yassin writes Minister Ramson on function of GOA and respect for affiliate members See story on page 22

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MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021