Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-03-2021

MONDAY 1st March, 2021

' No.106287

Eco-Resort to be opened in Mashabo

Penalties for rapists are not harsh enough – Dr Persaud

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Stena DrillMAX sails into Guyana’s waters –– to begin exploratory, appraisal drilling at ExxonMobil’s Longtail-3 well SEE PAGE 03

The Stena DrillMAX has sailed into Guyana to commence exploratory and appraisal drilling at ExxonMobil’s Longtail-3 well in the Stabroek Block (Photo courtesy of Stena Drilling)

Pastor dies in WCB accident

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Penalties for rapists are not harsh enough –– says Human Services Minister

By Rehana Ahamad DURING a recent visit to Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, reached out to the 98-year-old woman who was raped and beaten in her home a few days ago.

Moments after meeting the distraught elderly wom-

an, Dr. Persaud contended that perhaps penalties for rapists in Guyana are not harsh enough.

“Maybe we need to relook at that. It might not be a popular sentiment, but I think people should not be allowed to get away with this kind of thing in this country, not against anyone, and certainly not against elderly people,” the Human Services Minister

After benefitting from free eye care services a few days ago, 69 persons received their spectacles on Saturday from Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

emphasised.

Dr. Persaud said that she was quite saddened to see the state in which the former educator had been living. The home in which she was raped is dilapidated and without electricity and potable water.

“It really was very difficult to see and hear...and then to look at her having the kind of spirit, that would break most people. At 98 years old, she had great will power,” Dr. Persaud noted.

Since the assault, four men have been taken into police custody. Minister Persaud is hopeful that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be dealt with condignly and face the full force of the law.

“To suffer that kind of horrific atrocity was quite something; I just want the perpetrators to be brought swiftly to justice,” she emphasised.

The minister told reporters that the incident highlighted the need for more

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

to be done to address the safety and overall wellbeing of elderly persons across the country.

“We have decided to work with our Elderly Commission and to look at programmes where we can improve the lives of the elderly outside of the regular ones like pension,” Dr. Persaud informed.

“We now have to start thinking about how people can be safe; what we should do to ensure people who live alone, especially elders, and

what precautions they should take, so we will be looking at some of those programmes and some other things to improve their quality of life,” the minister explained.

She encouraged Guyanese to pay more attention to elderly persons within their communities, and to examine how either they or the Human Services ministry can assist in improving the lives of these persons.

“Reach out; look out for them. Maybe they just don’t have anyone else to do it,”

Dr. Persaud reasoned.

In the meantime, she pledged the Human Services Ministry’s commitment towards improving the assaulted woman’s living conditions. As Dr. Persaud wrapped up her visit to the nonagenarian, she presented her with a few hampers, and promised to provide even more assistance.

The News Room understands that the elderly woman lives alone and was discovered in a battered state by her caregiver on February 23, 2021. The caregiver explained that the woman said the she was beaten, choked and that the suspects pushed their hands down her throat.

The caregiver didn’t immediately suspect that the elderly woman was raped; it was only when she was dressing her to go to the hospital that she noticed her underwear was torn and there was blood.

The caregiver later found a bloodstained sheet, and subsequently contacted the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Stena DrillMAX sails into Guyana’s waters

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–– to begin exploratory, appraisal drilling at ExxonMobil’s Longtail-3 well

The 18 discoveries made by ExxonMobil and its partners, offshore Guyana

By Navendra Seoraj WORK in Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum sector is progressing expeditiously, with Stena Drilling’s DrillMAX sailing into local waters to commence exploratory and appraisal drilling at ExxonMobil’s Longtail-3 well in the Stabroek Block.

Public and Government Affairs Advisor at ExxonMobil Guyana, Janelle Persaud, informed the Guyana Chronicle, on Saturday, that the vessel arrived offshore less than a week ago.

The Stena DrillMAX

joins the Stena Carron, the Noble Don Taylor, the Noble Bob Douglas and the Noble Tom Madden offshore Guyana.

“It will begin with exploration and appraisal drilling of the Longtail-3 well in the Stabroek Block,” Persaud said.

Exploratory drilling is defined as the initial phase of drilling for the purpose of determining the physical properties and boundaries of a reservoir, while appraisal drilling is done when oil or gas has been discovered, in order to assess how much

there is, how big the field is, the possible rate of production, and the properties of the oil or gas.

According to Stena Drilling, the Stena DrillMAX is a harsh environment dynamically positioned DP Class three drillship, capable of drilling in water depths up to 10,000ft.

ExxonMobil, in June 2018, had announced the discovery of a high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir at the Longtail-1 well.

The well was safely drilled to 18,057 feet (5,504 meters) depth in 6,365 feet (1,940

Well-known pastor dies in Berbice accident

A HEAD-ON collision between a speeding minibus and a motorcycle on the Number 29 Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), on Sunday afternoon, claimed the life of 45-year-old Okechi Farley, a well-known pastor of Number 37 Village, WCB. Farley was the Pastor for the Revival Tabernacle Gospel Crusaders Inc. and also the School Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) training centre in Port Mourant. He was also a mechanic.

Police Headquarters in a statement informed that the pastor was proceeding east along the northern pathway on his motorcycle (CK 3573) while the minibus (BXX 3321) was proceeding west on the southern carriageway “at a fast rate”. It is alleged that the speeding minibus driver, identified as Quaison Abrams, of Huntley Village, Mahaicony, East

Coast Demerara, overtook several vehicles and ended up in Pastor Farley’s lane, resulting in a head-on collision.

Pastor Farley was flung from the motorcycle, which was broken into pieces, while the minibus crashed into a utility pole before coming to a halt. Police said the pastor “was dragged several feet on the northern parapet.”

The driver of the minibus, along with three unnamed passengers, were taken to Fort Wellington Hospital and later transferred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital. Pastor Farley was pronounced dead at the Fort Wellington Hospital. The accident occurred at around 14:40h.

The horrific accident has left the residents, Pastor Farley’s relatives and his co-workers in a state of shock.

A statement issued by

the GuySuCo Training Centre on its social media page, extended condolences to his relatives. They described Pastor Farley as a “dedicated and outspoken” individual.

“Today marks a sad day for the Farley family and the GuySuCo Training Centre as we begin to mourn the loss of Mr. Okechi Farley. Mr. Farley was the School's Programme Co-ordinator (SPC) of the Centre. A dedicated and outspoken individual who always puts his best foot forward when it came to fulfilling his duties.

“A jovial and vibrant individual; a pastor, father, friend, counsellor and much more. There is so much that could be said about Mr. Farley. We have suffered a great loss to our team. Gone too soon,” the statement noted.

Police are continuing their investigation into the accident.

meters) of water.

It is unclear what the anticipated depth of drilling at the Longtail-3 well will be, but it was reported that the well will be spudded in March. The outcome of this exercise will see ExxonMobil and its partners, acquiring additional information on the Turbot-Longtail area.

Chief Operating Officer of Hess Corporation, Greg Hill, was reported as saying: “Moving to April, we expect to spud the Uaru 2 appraisal well, utilising the Noble Don Taylor Drill Ship. Success here and at Mako-2 which will be drilled later this year could move the Mako-Uaru area forward in the development cue.”

Explorations will then turn to the Retail-1 well, which will be spudded in May. ExxonMobil is aiming to drill 12 -15 exploration and appraisal wells in 2021.

Current development activities at the Stabroek Block include the Liza Phases One

and Two, and the Payara projects. ExxonMobil’s first offshore Guyana project, Liza Phase One, began producing in late 2019 well ahead of the industry average for development time. Liza Phase Two remains on track to begin producing oil by early 2022.

Liza Phase Two will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates, using the Liza Unity FPSO, which is under construction in Singapore.

Payara is the company’s third project in the Stabroek Block and is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after start-up in 2024, using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres) with current discovered recoverable resources estimated at more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels. The 18 discoveries

on the block to date have established the potential for at least five FPSO vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2026.

ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is operator of the offshore Stabroek Block with a 45 per cent interest. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

Guyana has so far earned over US$200 million from its petroleum sector. Those funds are being kept in the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana receives two per cent royalty and 50 per cent profit oil, which is what remains after the producer recovers the production cost.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Face-to-face learning may be possible with rollout of COVID-19 vaccine

THE Ministry of Health is slated to undertake a ‘comprehensive’ rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in March of this year, which, once

successful, may see schools being reopened for face-toface learning following the Easter holidays.

While this statement was made by Minster of Educa-

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

tion, Priya Manickchand, in an update shared on the ministry’s Facebook page, she cautioned that this would be dependent on further advice from the Health Ministry.

Heeding worldwide concern regarding education loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister explained that the recommended plan of action is to move back to faceto-face learning “as quickly as

Monday March 1, 2021 –– 04:30hrs Tuesday March 2, 2021 –– 04:30hrs

possible”, for all levels.

“We continue to benefit from the learning across the world, that the best thing to do, as far as we can, to try to continue to engage our children in face-to-face learning.

The research suggests that the longer schools stay closed, the more long-term disadvantages we will have; the more students are likely to drop out, the more students are likely

to suffer from learning loss, or severe learning loss.”

While noting that students and citizens across Guyana may suffer long-term negative effects from COVID-19, and the inclination to reopen schools to reduce the educational diminution, she highlighted the ministry’s responsibility within the government to keep teachers, learners and their families safe.

As such, she outlined the efforts made to establish a balance since her assumption of office on August 2, 2020.

“We didn’t bring children back into the classroom, except for our fourth, fifth and sixth formers (10th, 11th and 12th graders), but we employed a series of different means to engage our students. The Guyana Learning Channel was refashioned to deliver education in a scheduled, timetabled way that matches the curriculum; we continue to deliver education on the radio; we have crafted and created worksheets that are specific, and follow the curriculum, and are defined by week in every subject.

We send out worksheets that contain what the students would have been learning in the classroom, had they been engaged face-to-face. Those facts and notes are accompanied by lessons and activities that try to reinforce that learning,” she explained.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Education continues to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health on issues relating to COVID-19, to work towards the safe delivery of education.

For now, schools remain

closed for face-to-face learning for the month of March for all grades except Grades 10, 11 and 12. Teachers are encouraged to continue utilising WhatsApp, Zoom, Facebook, Edmodo, Google Meet and Classrooms, and other media by which learners have been engaged online.

“We encourage teachers to continue marking worksheets, and we encourage parents to continue giving us the hand you’ve been giving us. We know this has not been an easy time for anyone.

We’re all terrified that we’re not teaching and delivering to our children the way teachers would. But let us be forgiving of ourselves, and do the best we can in these circumstances,” Minister Manickchand expressed.

The Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana continue to work feverishly to get students back into classrooms as promptly as possible, while maintaining the general safety of students, teachers and their families. Until that time, all Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of the disease.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Sophia NGO appeals for help to set up sports ground COMMUNITY-BASED non-governmental organisation (NGO), Sophia Community Development Association (SOCDA), is seeking help from public and private stakeholders in acquiring funds to establish a sports ground.

The association is looking to give young people a safe space where they can engage in recreational activities.

SOCDA’s main purpose is to provide programmes and activities aimed at promoting youth empowerment and education to reduce the prevalence of crime and violence in Sophia and the surrounding communities.

“Currently, the ground is used as a staging area for infrastructural development work, but at the same time, I don’t want that to stymie attracting people, or ‘good Samaritans’, to come and help upgrade the ground—or maybe even a portion of it, to be used as a playfield for playing football, or cricket and so on,” Programme Director of SOCDA, Leroy Adolphus, who also runs the Sophia CSEC Night School, detailed.

According to the 39-yearold, the ground was identified by the previous government as a location for a community centre, a project to be implemented by the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

However, he noted that since the coalition was no longer in power, the NGO remains at a loss as to whether the centre would become a reality.

Adolphus explained that the NGO, which was founded in 2016, had previously relied on sponsorship from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), among other

had a sound secondary education, a “second chance” at learning, in order to assist them in procuring jobs, applying for higher stages of education, or simply to impart knowledge.

Programme Director of SOCDA, Leroy Adolphus

private sponsors.

“About three years ago, we had a grant from USAID, which was $35,000 US, and we were able to build our capacity institutionally. So we strengthened our government system, our accounts and operational management, just like a typical NGO. So we were able to use the money we got for the strategic planning.”

It was following this strategic planning with residents of Sophia, Adolphus explained, that the idea for the sports ground was brought forth.

“Because of COVID-19, we had to create innovative ways for which we handled our operations. The organization is 100% funded by donor and project funding. So last year again, USAID gave us another grant for a social enterprise, and we created the Orinduik Outlet Store in Region Eight. COVID-19 has caused a lot of NGOs to become self-sustaining, so we try to wean ourselves off of overseas funding. We created

the Orinduik Outlet Store, and it’s in operation now.

Since COVID-19 hit last year though, getting goods into the interior [is difficult], because the only way to get in there is by plane,” he explained.

Due to the laggard pace of economic activity, members of SOCDA brainstormed the idea of a ‘C-Spot Grill’ to provide food services to Sophia residents, while using the earnings to fund the NGO’s activities and classes for learners at the Night School.

“We’re doing some good work, but if we don’t get private sector assistance, we might lose other gains we’ve made,” Adolphus stressed.

“We saw Minister Ramson going around and looking at grounds and so on, so that gave us a bit of hope.

It would be really good if he could get this for us, because it would be good for the entire [Sophia] community,” he concluded.

The Sophia CSEC Night School serves to give persons who might not have

Penalties for rapists are ...

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Meanwhile, Minister Persaud also visited the children whose mother died after she was forced to consume a poisonous by her reputed husband who placed a cutlass to her neck. The incident occurred on February 03, 2021, at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB). Sattie Jagmohan was hospitalised but died 14 days later at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Prior to her death, she managed to

tell the police what happeed.

The children are currently being cared for by their maternal grandmother and other relatives. Dr. Persaud has already engaged the family on several areas of assistance.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will also be providing counselling services for both the children and the elderly woman.

Additionally, Dr. Persaud

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also returned to the Albion Community Centre where she distributed a quantity of spectacles to persons whose eyes were tested during a previous outreach earlier in the month.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and Revision Optical.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Engaging discourse on development GUYANESE society today functions within the context of the Age of Information, of a global Knowledge Society, of the pervasive openness of the digital frontier evolving with such rapid pace.

And the boldest implication of this state of society is that every nation around the world, in order to advance, must be open to new ideas, fresh thinking, innovative solutions, and creative-design thinking. Guyana could only achieve its noble development goals if it cultivates such a public square.

One of the main differences between highly developed societies around the globe, and mediocre nations, is this difference between inculcating quality and high thinking in the public discourse, or allowing mediocre minds to influence the public square. In other words, a nation today needs to exercise enormous care and attention to cultivating a social environment that fosters new ideas, fresh thinking, and high-quality constructive critical public conversations. In acting out this country’s democratic integrity, for example, of the voice of the people making a real contribution to their nation, leaders of this government are showing up on the street in communities everywhere to listen to the grassroots, to cull ideas and suggestions from ordinary people, from farmers and labourers and sugar workers, on what it would take to advance Guyana’s new future.

Guyana could foster either a closed society, or an open, engaging, cooperating social environment, where citizens and leaders engage in an evolving national conversation that moves things forward to everybody’s general satisfaction, contentment, and ben-

efit.

However, to achieve such a state of an uplifted, exalted, advanced social space across the land, it is absolutely necessary that Guyanese do not encourage groupthink conformity to be entrenched on the national scene. This government is showing the confidence and integrity to foster an open social atmosphere.

The days of groupthink conformity and subjugation to political diktat, as practised under the Coalition, are over.

This newspaper believes that the Guyana Government is secure and confident in its ability to manage and lead this nation that it does not need to muzzle, stifle, or harness the public-owned media as its mouthpiece and propaganda arm. Indeed, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic does an excellent job through its own well-developed party public relations and community relations structure, which spans every community across the land. And the Department of Public Information exists to carry out the public outreach job for the state. Thus, the job of this newspaper, this national voice, the domain of the people, is to foster openness, fresh ideas, and new thinking.

This government is confident in its own abilities, and is mature and sophisticated and so grounded in its embrace of democracy, that it is well able to foster a Guyanese society that practises openness, love of new ideas, cultivation of fresh thinking, and the exercise across the society of constructive, critical thinking, sound analyses, and well-researched conclusions on matters of national interest.

It is with such an approach to the future that the President Ali administration is advancing this country, with confident openness and a deep desire to see democracy flourish across every facet of the nation.

This idea that the Guyanese society cultivates an open, democratic, fully engaged public space and national platform, is a necessary structure to achieve the socioeconomic vision and goals of this government.

Development is not a matter of only building material things. Rather, development entails the fine cultivation of a nation that is sound in its social well-being, in Guyanese being able to feel the pulse of excitement that were they to make a constructive contribution to the national stage, their voice would be welcomed.

The nation saw this practice happen with graphic details during the national resolve and togetherness that defeated those in the Coalition who wanted to trample the democratic integrity of Guyana. Led by the PPP/C, the entire nation, and indeed the world, came together in a beautiful unity, a chorus in unison, to denounce that effort to derail Guyana’s future.

Thus, such is the new state of affairs for this country today, with the President Ali administration committed to a nation that is well-developed, that cooperates and exercises national unity with the singular goal of moving forward, and that encourages new ideas, fresh thinking, and constructive criticism to flourish on the public platform.

This is why this newspaper’s goal is to foster a positive, engaging forum that bridges the communication needs between

the people and their democratically elected government, to engage the nation on the agenda of government to ramp up development across all sectors, and to connect citizens with their state leaders in a way that establishes the free flow of ideas, new thinking, and solutions.

The government respects the fact that the opposition represents a major segment of the population, and President Ali and other senior government officials have reached out to opposition leaders in a spirit of cooperation and camaraderie. It is for the opposition to return the favour and show that they want to engage and be constructive.

One of the clear necessities of these times is for the government to implement deep and far-reaching policies, programmes and plans to cultivate nation-wide, this democratic structure of Guyana, for everybody to engage in generating a national, social atmosphere of fostering openness, a constant search for new ideas, and a love for fresh thinking.

In schools, public institutions, including the National Assembly, and across every strata of the society, this embrace of openness and new thinking and engaging conversations on the national stage, of encouraging a robust, energetic, confident national discourse, must be inculcated into the inner fabric of how this nation functions, operates, and carries out the affairs of developing a Guyanese people of world-class public rhetoric, a Guyanese nation that seeks always to contribute to Guyana being the best it could be.

ERC ignored legal officer’s advice to summon Coalition leaders for statements made during the violent West Coast Berbice protest Dear Editor, GIVEN what is unfolding in the public domain, I feel compelled to offer a response as I did when I disassociated myself from an apology the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) issued to Member of Parliament Catherine Hughes.

On numerous occasions, I argued that the commission must be non-partisan, consistent and timely in its action and, in keeping with its mandate, meaningful intervention should have been made with regard to the political impasse from 2018-2020. On those occasions I was firm that the good work done through messaging for racial healing and numerous interactions with stakeholders across the country would be overshadowed by what

appears to be a sense of partisanship.

Sadly, the commission, in my view, failed to offer impactful and definitive responses and take action when it should have on election-related matters pre- and post-March 02, 2020. It is no secret that the commission was heavily criticised for not responding to aspects of what had transpired, especially during the five-month period following those elections.

One may question why my response now, its relevance and the timing. Both, in my view, allow for clarification. I did speak out internally with the expectation that the commission as a whole would have responded in a manner expected and in keeping with its mandate. While support was found in a few, in the end the majority prevailed. In hindsight,

maybe I should have gone public long before.

I have been consistent in stating internally that any utterance or action by anyone that leads to disharmony must be of concern to the commission. I held firm that, whilst ethnic-related contentions are the main thrust of the commission’s mandate, they are not in isolation of discontent being derived from political developments, especially given the historical impact of elections here.

Others argued that only matters that are premised on ethnic infractions are within the commission’s mandate. I held my position that the commission itself was birthed out of political discord with one intent of trying to prevent same. The commission eventually agreed and wrote some political parties to bring attention to and caution on the use of

language not necessarily premised on racial infractions during the 2020 election campaign and which language was deemed to be undesirable and unhelpful to the promotion of harmony. Some, however, were adamant that no other intervention was necessary during the period of the electoral impasse. The race-related infraction argument and a negative impact on integrity, were cited as major reasons. The reality now, is that integrity has seemingly been lost as a result of inaction.

The difference of opinions led to many vibrant exchanges on how the commission should treat with election-related matters.

Almost in every instance, my views and suggested course of action were in the See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

ERC ignored legal officer’s advice to summon Coalition leaders ...

From page 6

minority.

On numerous occasions, I documented my concerns and even tabled a motion for the commission to officially state its position on the role of the second CARICOM team and the recount. This became necessary since many were not inclined to recognise CARICOM’s involvement and the actual recount and its findings. I still believe some haven’t.

When the motion came up for debate, the findings of the recounts had already been made public and Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali sworn in as President. The motion was rendered irrelevant by the majority and in reality, means that there is no official, documented position of the commission on those two issues. I even questioned the rationale of the commission sending a congratulatory message to President Ali, when there was seemingly no official recognition of the process that led to his swearing in.

I must, however, relate events prior to that to demonstrate what seemed to be a sense of deliberateness to avoid any meaningful statement on political developments, reportedly, by majority, to not offend the then government.

A commissioner, who was vehement that any suggested intervention by the commission to the electoral impasse would negatively impact integrity, ensured that the word “rig” was removed from a letter sent recently to President Ali, was instrumental in changing the context of a press release which is referenced later in this letter and vocal on the need to apologise to Mrs. Hughes.

I disagreed that fundamental issues which led to the genesis of the political impasse were deemed as being outside the realm of the commission’s mandate.

I believe that in any endeavour to resolve situations or conflicts, the genesis has to be identified and related parties confronted with the facts. If not, it could be seen as avoiding the real issue with possible impact on the mediator’s credibility.

I also pointed out that from the standpoint of the commission, it is not about who wins, but about adherence to constitutional procedures in deriving the winner. Constitutional transgression is an affront to democracy and creates an enabling environment for discontent. If the commission could have pronounced, as it did, on some language used during that said campaign, why then it could not pronounce on constitutional transgressions that led to an escalation of racial tension?

That was my concern.

That, in my view, makes it imperative for the commission to not stand, or appear to stand, on the sidelines of particular political developments that precipitate disharmony. While the commission is expected to be non-partisan, I argued that it must take a side; the side of what’s right – Guyana’s side. An objective examination of related positions taken could reveal a seeming hesitancy to call “a spade a spade.” The same for constitutional transgressions.

Point “Q” of the commission’s constitutional mandate speaks to “identify and analyze factors inhibiting the attainment of harmonious relations between ethnic groups…and to make recommendations.”

Political developments that lead to discontent are major historical factors. The post-March 02, 2020, election period was no different and, in my view, should not have been ignored in the context of the commission’s role of promoting harmony.

Permit me to state instances when the commission should have acted but didn’t.

1. Having investigated employment practices at GECOM and from its own findings, the commission, despite calls by a few commissioners, never recommended the reinstatement of Mr. Vishnu Persaud as the DCEO despite its findings that he was the most qualified candidate and that he was the first candidate in the history of GECOM who attained the highest score but was not appointed.

2. As a result of the successfully passed December 21, 2018, NCM and with Parliament not agreeing to an extension of the constitutional 90-day timeframe, the elections were held a year after they were constitutionally due. While court cases ensued, the commission in a September 18, 2019, press release, urged constitutional adherence and a swift resolution to the then political impasse; that was nine months after the NCM; six months after the constitutionally due date for the elections. Before that press release, it was felt by some commissioners that the commission cannot tell GECOM what to do. While that may be so, nothing in my view prevented the commission before September 18, 2019, as disquiet grew, from calling for the said constitutional adherence with regard to the holding of elections within the constitutionally stipulated 90-day timeframe, taking into consideration the impact on race relations.

3. The Initial draft of that September 18, 2019, press release stated, “The commission also respects the independence of GECOM as safeguarded in the Constitution. However, it believes that any deviation from constitutional[ly] mandated processes could create an environment that potentially impinges on confidence and impartiality. In view of the final ruling and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in June this year, the commission is cognisant of the constitutional timeframe for holding elections catering for the circumstances at hand. It is cognisant that timeframe which should have been adhered to as per our Constitution, would regrettably not be met, thereby creating an opportunity for the belief of democratic regression.” That was edited to read, “The Commission urges patience as GECOM executes its mandate to arrive at a date for the elections.” Urging patience, while necessary, but in the context referred for adherence to constitutional elections timeframe, taking recourse to the court into consideration, can possibly be interpreted as turning a blind eye to constitutional transgression which derives democratic regression, and in turn, a disruption of peace. In that context, I felt that calling for the upholding of democracy is not divorced from the general mandate of the commission.

4. The commission, having observed the voting process and the counting of votes on March 02 at some polling places in parts of the country, issued a statement on March 06, 2020, pointing out those processes to be free, fair and transparent.

It also urged GECOM to safeguard the integrity of the elections by ensuring that the verification and tabulation process with regard to Region Four, as reflected in The Representation of the People Act, is followed, and that transparency is foremost. While the commission subsequently observed the verification and tabulation of Statements of Poll (SoP) for Region Four, it did not pronounce on acts which were revealed and deemed unconstitutional and which further exacerbated discontent.

5. CARICOM recognised the commission as an important stakeholder as evident from the meeting with its then chairperson and the Chairman of the Commission. The commission, birthed out of political gridlock, did not make any public statement on the actual findings of the recount or submitted a final report of its observations. In fact, mention of CARICOM’s role as a stakeholder was edited out from a press release.

All observer groups and the local court in March, declared the verification process of Region Four SoPs as fraudulent and unlawful. All who observed the recount declared it fair and transparent.

I truly believe that the commission missed opportunities to meaningfully intervene over time in the interest of the nation. Sadly, at that time, one commissioner peddled the notion that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was not the highest and final means of legal recourse of our country. That commissioner recently pointed out that misinformation contributed to that conclusion.

I believe, as a commission, we could not continue to ignore the genesis of the political impasse and pointed out that with the public not oblivious of any appearance of such avoidance, might have resulted in them perceiving the commission as being selective, inconsistent, unwilling or even incapable of dealing with contentions that emanated from political developments.

I stated that the commission’s words have weight and with the seeming continual avoidance during its tenure to frontally identify factors that inhibit the attainment of harmonious relations between the ethnic groups with regard to the NCM and

the elections, I asked, what would have been the commission’s position had the PPP/C been in government and the said scenario played out in 2018?

That aside, the commission did not heed the advice of its legal officer to summon leaders of the previous government and others involved to denounce statements made during the violence at West Coast Berbice following the heinous killings of the Henry cousins. Passage of time and escalation of tension were reasons offered for not heeding the legal officer’s advice.

In addition, despite strong recommendations from the legal officer, the commission chose to take a vote to dispatch a letter to current APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan, to note its concerns over comments he made on a social media programme.

Such process was routine for others.

Why the need for a vote on him? Currently, the Head of the Media Monitoring Unit, in his analysis on February 18, 2021, stated that Mr. Duncan, in a subsequent programme, violated the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People Act since the comment had the potential to excite ill-will and foster hatred on the basis of race. No action has been taken thus far. Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, Mr. Lenox Shuman, was immediately summoned to answer for comments he had made on a public programme.

I trust that the inference is not ambiguous.

Respectfully, Neaz Subhan Commissioner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for new Harbour Bridge IN keeping with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Public Works is moving to conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the construction

of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge which is expected to link La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara to Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara.

On Saturday night, the Ministry posted a notice to The iconic Demerara Harbour Bridge

its Facebook Page, inviting eligible consultancy firms to submit proposals to conduct the ESIA for not only the bridge, but for its approach/ connecting roads as well.

“The main objective of this consultancy is for the consultant to undertake a detailed assessment of the environmental and social issues that are involved with, or are likely to arise from, the planned development in the areas of influence of the project,” the notice read.

It specified that the estimated implementation period of the consultancy is expected to be five months.

“Consultants will be selected in accordance with the policies and procedures set out by the National Procurement Act (2003). The Standard Request for Proposal document can be found on the Ministry’s website (https:// mopw.gov.gy/) under the Procurement Tab,” the ministry indicated.

According to the published document, “Bidders are required to submit a combined Technical and Financial Proposal” which must be submitted by Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

Meanwhile, a total of 42 companies are currently in the running to design and build the new ‘fly-over’ structure, which is likely to be a highspan fixed bridge, boasting of four convenient lanes.

According to the Expressions Of Interest published last year, the new design of the Demerara Harbour Bridge will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime traffic, as it is likely to be high-rise structure which will aid in the alleviation of the current traffic woes that are experienced during daily bridge retractions. The new bridge is likely to carry a lifespan of at least 50 years.

An estimated cost has not yet been announced, but Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, had assured [the nation] that the rules of engagement would entail “transparency, accountability, and full disclosure to the people of Guyana.”

In November, the Gov-

ernment of Guyana, via the Ministry of Public Works, had invited “Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Prequalification of Qualified contractors for the Design-Build of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge and Available Financing Options for the Demerara Harbour Bridge.”

Based on the proposals received, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had said that the submissions represented “an unprecedented level of interest in a major infrastructural project in Guyana.”

“The Demerara River crossing is a large and important project; it is one that would make a dramatic contribution to the improvement of our country’s transport infrastructure,” Dr. Singh had said.

The Finance Minister added that the current bridge has outlived both its usefulness and relevance to the Guyana of today.

“One merely has to observe the daily traffic congestion on the East Bank Demerara, both in the mornings and evenings, which has contributed to thousands and thousands of lost man-hours, as people endure the daily commute into and out of the city,” Dr. Singh had said.

Even though the existing bridge is unable to adequately accommodate the daily and growing traffic, it is not necessarily a structure that is substandard.

A few years ago, under the leadership of Mr. Robeson Benn, the then Ministry of Public Works had denounced the “myth” that the bridge had an expiration date. It was explained at the time that the bridge is one that can be constantly maintained, in that almost all of its components are “repairable”. It is unclear whether the government will utilise the structure at another location in the country.

Nonetheless, the administration has set out an ambitious three-year timeline for the completion of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge.w

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

‘One patient is too much’ – Dr Sharma

…as anti-filaria campaign launches in Reg. 6 DIRECTOR of Regional Health Services in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Dr Vishalya Sharma, is encouraging all residents to take their filaria pills in an effort to make Guyana filaria free.

During the launch of the second and final round of the Filaria Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign in the region on Saturday, Dr Sharma sought to drive home the point that “one patient is too much.”

“We all have a role in the elimination of this filaria, and Region Six, as I said clearly, one patient is too much...

We all have a role to play to ensure not just you are in the [elimination] process, but your entire family, your entire street and your entire community, because we all have a role to play to ensure no one else is diagnosed in Region Six.” From Monday, March 1, over 200 pill distributors will be dispatched across the region visiting every house and public space to administer the pills that will help to ensure the infectious disease is eliminated once and for all. Pregnant women, persons who are seriously ill and children under two years, are not eligible to take the pills.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), or filaria as it is commonly called, affects the body’s lymphatic system which functions to remove unwanted fluids from the body and transports ‘lymph’- a fluid which contains white blood cells that help to fight infections. It is caused by bancrofti worms and is transmitted by culex mosquitoes.

Importantly, if someone

is infected with filaria, he/she may develop chronic conditions resulting in swelling of the legs and scrotum. Locally, the swelling of tissues in the leg is called ‘big foot,’ while scrotal swelling is termed ‘goadie.’ There is no cure for filaria, which means that these chronic manifestations are irreversible.

Dr. Sharma explained that the mental, social and emotional trauma associated with Filarisis can make a

tification of being Lymphatic Filarisis free based on the effort that has been put in.

“This is a fight that began a long time ago, we have made impressive progress since we started this fight and we are on the cusp of defeating Lymphatic Filarisis in our country. The dream of eliminating Filarisis is now within our grasp; we can do it in not just our lifetime but in a few short years from now,” said Dr Ramsammy, Former Minister of Health. Dr Leslie Ramsammy, receives his filaria tablets from a pill distributor

support of everyone.

“Health is achieved through a partnership, a partnership with all our people, which is why I am proud this morning to see we have a coalition of forces here.

Ultimately, the expertise, the commitment and hard work of the public health workers only succeed in an empower-

Director of Regional Health Services of Region Six, Dr. Vishalya Sharma, takes her filaria pills

patient think options are not available. She noted that the disease affects 120 million persons globally.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in delivering the feature address, stated that he is positive Guyana can receive their cer-

who also served as Guyana’s Minister of Health for many years.

He, however, cautioned that despite having a very experienced team in the public health system that has aided in the elimination of many other diseases, the goal cannot be achieved without the

18-month-old girl battling for life after crushed by father’s car AN 18-month-old girl, identified as Adena Ramkissoon, is in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after her father reversed his Raum motorcar onto her, on Sunday morning, at their Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD) house.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the father, Danny Ramkissoon,

operates a home-based taxi service, and as he was about to leave home to pick up a customer, he felt as though his vehicle ran over something.

He stopped, exited the vehicle and upon checking, he observed his daughter lying motionless under the left rear side of the car.

He called out for his wife, after which they picked up the child and rushed her to

the GPHC where she was admitted a patient in the Emergency Unit.

Police said statements have not yet been taken due to both parents being traumatised. This incident comes less than 24 hours of another similar incident at Mahaica, ECD where a 20-monthold boy was crushed to death.

ing environment.

“Here we are coming to you with a solution, with a protection, we can end Lymphatic Filarisis, and we can guarantee each citizen in this country that you will not get Lymphatic Filarisis but we can only give that guarantee if we have a partnership to work together,” Dr Ramsam-

my said.

Guyana did its first round of the MDA in 2019 and managed to achieve a 100% geographical coverage by using a triple drug therapy, Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole, popularly referred to as IDA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

What a man has to do

I WOULD have never thought that talking to a child could be difficult, and the fact that I’m the father of the child only makes it worse. My palms are sweating, and although I’m hungry, my stomach feels full.

I’m not looking forward to this encounter, but it has to be done. I can’t put it off any longer.

He will be here soon, and now my throat feels dry; I better drink some water. That’s better. Peering through the window, I can see them coming down the

street, my son and his sister.

He’s walking in front, in his usual big brother manner.

She tries to slap his shoulder but misses because he saw it coming and ducked away from her. He jeers, she scowls and chases him all the way home; they’re here at the front door. Soon our talk will begin.

We live in a sexualised society. Every day children are exposed to sexual images, language, and music through media, minibuses and subliminally in advertisements and cartoons. Due to this

bombardment, children gain a fair amount of knowledge about sexual behaviours, intercourse and intimacies long before they are developmentally ready to understand these. In most cases, their childhood is infiltrated and robbed of its magic and innocence before they have reached adolescence.

Children are heavily influenced by the adult behaviours and attitudes they see around them. They are further guided by popular culture, their environment and their peers. To ensure

they receive the correct information, parents should have age-appropriate talks with them about sex as they grow.

These conversations should be natural - the subject of sex should not be taboo.

They are changing their school clothes, and then he’ll come out here to sit with me on the verandah; I hope I haven’t left it too late. Maybe I should have approached the subject a little bit at a time while he was growing. We’ve got a good connection; that would have worked. But now I have to find the right words so that neither of us is embarrassed by this talk.

A boy in his class had a ‘wet dream’, and as children do, he discussed his strange and new phenomenon with his peers, one of which was my son. These boys are only ten and eleven years old, but you can’t control the age at which puberty begins, can you? Anyway, he came home and asked his mum loads of questions about his bodily functions.

Long story short, here I am tasked with doing the honours. They say to be forewarned is to be fore-armed; this is something I have to do to protect him. I want him to be fore-armed because I love and care about him. I want him to make informed choices. My palms are sweating again, but I must stay calm. I can hear his footsteps in the passage; in the living room; he is looking for me; he has spotted me on the verandah.

Here he comes, I’ll put on a welcoming smile. ‘Hey buddy, you had a good day at school?’. He replies, ‘Not

bad, but a bit boring…next week is sports’. He throws himself in the hammock opposite me. It’s now or never.

Healthy sexual advice begins with teaching children how their body will change during puberty and how the body prepares itself for procreation. It happens to every healthy person on the planet.

Girls have periods to prepare their wombs for conception, and boys have ‘wet dreams’ and produce sperm to aid conception- they need each other to copulate and make a baby.

Sexual urges usually arise during adolescence, but young people do not have to give into them. Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the best option. Regardless of what their peers do, young people should never feel pressured into sexual activity. Sexually active young people should stick to one partner and use contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Just to make sure the coast is clear, I ask. ‘So, what is your sister up to?’.

He replies, ‘She’s taking a five. She wants me to wake her at 6, so she can finish off her homework’. Great, well, here I go; I need to say the right words. “Your mum told me you’ve been asking her questions about your body.

It’s only natural to be curious, so that’s okay. What did you want to know?’.

That felt surprisingly good, natural, and it flowed well; my palms are dry, but what will he say? I can see his face, and he looks thoughtful; that’s a good sign. His

pre-adolescent voice begins, ‘I told mum about the boy in my class… he wet his bed, but he says it wasn’t pee and something about sex…, but I don’t understand’.

Here’s my chance to fill in the blanks, be supportive and pass on useful information. ‘Okay, son’, I keep my tone even and friendly, ‘Let me explain, ….’ He sits up in the hammock, paying attention and formulating questions for me in his mind.

I mustn’t get too technical, but give just enough food for (ten-year-old) thought’. I’m so glad I took this initiative.

IMAGINATION COMPETITION The Childcare and Protection Agency in collaboration with UNICEF held an IMAGINATION COMPETITION late last year. Children Aged 9-17 submitted over 96 entries of poems, artwork and short stories based on what should be done to eliminate child abuse and exploitation in Guyana. The winners are: Aryan Ali (12) Renika Anand (15) for their Short Stories.

Coleen Winter (12) Dave Nickel Chowtie (13) for their Poetry. Amesha Allie (10) Shamar Sampson (13) for their Artwork.

We take this opportunity to sincerely thank all entrants. 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

Man robbed of motorcycle at traffic light –– main suspect caught with mirrors

POLICE have arrested 35-year-old Khemraj Shaffie, of Lot 28-29 Hadfield Street, Georgetown, in connection with the robbery of an East Bank Demerara man who was relieved of his motorcycle on Saturday night by four bandits at D’Urban Park, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that Shaffie is the main suspect in the

robbery and he was found in possession of the victim’s motorcycle mirrors.

The victim was relieved of his motorcycle bearing licence plate #CK4912 valued at $250,000, one Samsung cell phone valued at $25,000 and $1,500 cash.

According to the police report, the victim was riding the motorcycle at a slow rate on Vlissengen Road. He stopped at the traffic light at

the junction of Homestretch Avenue and Vlissengen Road when one of the perpetrators jumped on the rear of his motorcycle and demanded that he ride to D’Urban Park.

Upon arrival at D’Urban Park, the victim was confronted by three other accomplices, who relieved him of the items mentioned.

The victim ran away and raised an alarm. Investigations are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Gov’t seeks compensation in Leguan Stelling project

–– orders contractor to clear site

The stalled Leguan Stelling

NOW that the contract for the $413 million Leguan Stelling has been officially terminated, the Guyana Government has made it clear that it reserves the right to seek compensation from the delinquent contractor.

By way of an official correspondence, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, informed the contractor, Sattrohan Maraj of S. Maraj Contracting Services, that his services were being terminated following a fundamental breach of the contract signed on September 20, 2018.

The Attorney-General indicated that the contracted works were slated to be completed on or before June 18, 2019.

“The T&HD (Transport and Harbours Department) has granted several extensions of the contract and notwithstanding those extensions, the project has been delayed for approximately 20 months,” the letter indicated.

Nandlall reminded the contractor that, so far, his company had only completed a minimal amount of the scheduled work. As a result,

the contractor was fired on the grounds of “failing to comply with the schedule of works,” as well as special conditions of the contract for the inordinate delay in completion of works under the contract.”

Consequently, the Attorney-General indicated that the government will be moving to enforce several provisions of the contract in relation to “the performance bond of $43,325,926; the mobilisation bond of $81,398,376;” as well as the “ten per cent contract sum as liquidated damages and the value of works not performed.”

“In addition, thereto, the Government of Guyana reserves its right (to) institute legal proceedings against your company for compensation for breach of contract and unjust enrichment,” Nandlall posited in his letter to the contractor.

The Attorney-General further instructed the company to have the construction site cleared immediately. In a statement earlier in February, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, announced that following a thorough review of the project, it was determined that

the company is “incapable, unable, and does not possess the wherewithal to successfully execute this project valued at $413,259,260.”

Edghill had said that since the signing of the contract under the previous administration, the contractor received payments totalling $199,435,000, which is almost 50 per cent of the overall contract sum. This, he reminded, was “outside of normal procurement practices and a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act” and “can be best described as a corrupt transaction.

“A contract that should have been completed in six months, signed on September 20, 2018 received an advance payment on September 26, 2018 but the contractor only received his order to commence works on December 6, 2018,” Edghill said, lamenting the fact that the contractor was in possession of “tens of millions of tax payers’ dollars” for almost three months before he was required to begin work.

It was reported that by April 19, 2019, the advance payment bond as well as the performance bonds for the project had expired.

Edghill had said too that on October 30, 2019, the contractor, having received the contract to build the stelling, used the argument of a faulty bill of quantities and earned himself an additional $20,650,000 for the supply and delivery of piles for the same Leguan

stelling.

“It is inconceivable that a contract for the building of a stelling will not include the piles, one of the most important components for the construction of the stelling,” Edghill had posited.

The Public Works

Minister insisted that “any adverse consequences resulting from this must be placed squarely at the feet of the David Granger APNU+AFC administration with David Patterson and Annette Ferguson as the gazetted Ministers responsible.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Budget 2021 centered on indigenous youths, social development -Minister Sukhai DEFENDING her ministry’s budgetary allocations in the National Assembly on Friday last, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, said that the 2021 budget is centered on indigenous youths, social development, agriculture and infrastructure aimed at the enhancement and further development of Indigenous Peoples and their communities.

During her contributions to the 2021 budget debate at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the minister said that over the last three months, some 213 Amerindian Villages were able to access the Presidential Grant Fund, which allowed them to pursue sustainable village projects.

The Presidential Grant, Sukhai noted, is one of the major interventions being un-

dertaken by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, aimed at boosting economic and social development for Indigenous Peoples in their respective villages and communities. As such, an additional $300M has been set aside in the 2021 National Budget.

The fund will see hinterland communities receiving specific sums, ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, according to population size.

To complement this, Sukhai also announced that another $1.7 billion has been allocated to support Amerindian villages and their development. Speaking on youth development, the minister indicated that $820 million will be spent on the Community Support Officers (CSOs) Programme to provide creation of jobs and build capacity to empower youths.

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai

“We have put truth to our words to the youths of this country, we have reinstated, as soon as we came into office, the CSO programme… in this year Mr. Speaker, the training component of the CSO programme has been

budgeted and Mr. Speaker, $820 million is going towards building capacity and empowering Amerindian youths under the CSO programme,” Sukhai told the National Assembly.

She explained that some

174 young CSOs will be trained in computer literacy, while 220 young male and female CSOs will be trained in the installation of solar panels and maintenance of other infrastructure in the various hinterland communities.

She also noted that the government will provide 35 household solar units across the hinterland and remote communities and will restart its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programme.

“Mr. Speaker, we will restart the ICT programme and we will, in two years, install 200 systems for Amerindian and hinterland communities.

We are going to deliver. In fact, in the last three months, we have already transported more than 10 batches of equipment for installation in Region Nine,” Sukhai told the House.

As it relates to the agriculture sector, Minister Sukhai said that the previous administration did very little to address the issues of farmers and other agriculture stakeholders in the hinterland regions.

“We have budgeted for agriculture support and Mr. Speaker, we will deliver very shortly 112 tractors to Amerindian communities and in 2021 Budget, we have made provision to procure 112 plow and harrow to enhance the agriculture production of the hinterland and Amerindian communities.”

The minister noted that budgetary allocation will also support transportation services and enhance the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Training stakeholders a big part of GLDA’s 2021 agenda -$7 million to be spent on training facilities and programmes ONE of the main aims of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) this year is the provision of quality extension and training services to the many agriculture and livestock stakeholders across the country.

This was on Sunday revealed by GLDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Grayson Halley during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that the 2021 budgetary allocations

will see much emphasis being placed on training staff and farmers of the livestock department.

He highlighted that these interventions are necessary to facilitate capacity building of staff and stakeholders in areas related to livestock management, so as to have increased production.

Given the need for a specialised facility for training purposes, the building which once housed students pursuing the Regional Ed-

GLDA CEO Dr. Grayson Halley

ucational Programme for Animal Health Assistants (REPAHA) will soon be renovated and turned into an in-service training centre.

Some $4 million has been budgeted for rehabilitation of the building, which will also be made available to GLDA staff and residents of sister Caribbean countries who are pursuing studies in agriculture.

Additionally, some $2 million will be spent on providing effective transfer of knowledge to farmers through a virtual mechanism. The farmers will learn about new innovative farming techniques.

TURN TO PAGE

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Farmers along with staff of the GLDA tending to a livestock animal

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Five arrested as cops raid drug blocks

Value-added products to account for 61% sugar industry sales by 2025 –– shift will eliminate industry’s dependence on National Treasury

By Navendra Seoraj

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force during the cordon and search operation in Georgetown

One of the motorcycles that was seized

RANKS of the Guyana Police Force, on Sunday, arrested five persons during a four-hour ‘cordon and search’ operation in several communities in Georgetown.

Those arrested are a 44-year-old clothes vendor of Kitty, who allegedly trafficked 63 grams of cannabis; a 20-year-old vendor of Rasville, who allegedly had 11.9 grams of cannabis in his possession; a 40-year-old businessman of Charlestown for possession of narcotics; a 21-year-old unemployed man of Sophia for robbery under arms; and a 24-yearold porter of Sophia, also for robbery under arms.

The operation took place between 05:00 hours and 09:00 hours in Alberttown, Kitty, A, D, C and Plum Park Sophia; Guyhoc Park, East Front Road, Back Circle, Albouystown, Leopold Street, Stabroek Market,

Some of the cannabis seized by the police

Rasville and Broad Street, Charlestown.

“Several drug blocks, houses, motor vehicles and persons were searched,” the police report noted.

Additionally, three motorcycles (CB1, Honda Wave and a 150 Suzuki), one pedal cycle and a quantity of tobacco leaves (flonto) were also seized and lodged pending investigations.

COGNISANT of the fact that a diversion from the traditional bulk production of sugar is needed if the ailing industry is to recover and regain its vitality and position as a contributor to economic growth, the government has initiated plans to ensure that by 2025, 61 per cent of industry sales come from value-added products.

Instead of being a liability to the National Treasury, the industry will soon be able to “stand on its own,” through the implementation of innovative mechanisms, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has said.

“In 2020, some 29 per cent of the industry’s sales were from the higher value packaged sugar. In 2021, we anticipate this will grow to some 39 per cent,” Minister Mustapha said, during his presentation on day two of the budget debates.

The overarching plan, however, is to ensure that a minimum of 61 per cent of the sales from the industry are generated from the value-added, packaged sugar line in four years.

“To realise this potential, significant investments have been planned to expand the Blairmont packaging plant, quadrupling its current capacity. Moreover, we will be re-tooling the Enmore Packaging Plant, to support the paradigm shift to packaged sugar,” Minister Mustapha said.

As a result of those strategic actions, the sugar industry

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

will be less dependent on the National Treasury. In 2020, the corporation was allocated a sum of $7 billion. A sum of $3 billion was used to recapitalise the shuttered Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore Sugar Estates, while the remaining $4 billion was allocated to support rehabilitation works

One of the sugar industry’s most prized possession, the Demerara Gold

at the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Sugar Estates. A further $2 billion has been set aside in Budget 2021 for capital works to be carried out at the various sugar estates across the country.

Those investments are expected to pave the way for the execution of a strategic plan developed by the board and management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“In 2021, the plan is to expand and further develop feasibility studies which support GuySuCo’s value-added potentials including but not limited to ethanol and agro-energy,” Minister Mustapha said.

The corporation has since set a target to produce approximately 97,420 metric tonnes of sugar by year-end and breathe new life into the country’s sugar industry.

Ahead of what is expected to be a productive year for the industry, GuySuCo has

secured an increase of US$30 per metric tonne for sugar from Trinidad and Tobago and has signed a one-year agreement with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), which offers a much higher price for molasses.

“We are grateful for the partnership that DDL is bringing to GuySuCo to make sure that more value is being brought to our table; secondly, we were able to secure US$30 per metric tonne in our Trinidad market, our biggest market,” Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh said during a recent press briefing.

The vision of GuySuCo, as outlined by the company’s management, is to focus on expanding the sale of packaged sugar in CARICOM, North America and the local markets.

“We have been able to expand our St. Vincent market; we have started negotiations with Grenada to restart reselling packaged sugar and bag sugar to the Grenada market.

“Our mantra going forward as an industry is very simple; we want to produce what we can sell for the most possible cash; we are not excited about selling raw bulk sugar in the market, it’s an afterthought.

If it happens, it happens because we have no other alternative. Our primary market going forward will remain packaged valued-added sugar, Demerara Gold and the Enmore Crystals,” Singh said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Eco-Resort to be opened in Mashabo

–– as community moves to increase income-generation, advance infrastructural development

By Indrawattie Natram MASHABO, a tranquil indigenous community surrounded by creeks and lush greenery, is looking to “spread its wings” and reveal its majesty to Guyanese and foreigners with the establishment of an eco-resort.

The little village, located in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), is anticipating significant infrastructural advancement in the coming months.

This potential advancement is expected to be funded through a $10 million disbursement from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Toshao of Mashabo, Sylvin Raphael, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Mashabo Village Council will be utilising a portion of this disbursement to initiate transformative projects in the community, as well as to generate income for residents.

Raphael said the council have since decided to establish an eco-resort within the Amerindian community to stimulate tourism. He said the resort, when completed, will afford persons the opportunity to visit the community and enjoy the tranquility and magnificent scenery.

Toshao of Mashabo, Sylvin Raphael

Additionally, he said the village council intends purchasing a boat and engine, along with a community bus to assist in easing transportation costs.

“All this is done from the grant we recently received; once persons want to come in the community, then we can arrange for the bus to pick them up and take them in; we have the wooden bridge where [sic] a motorist can utilise also,” the toshao said.

From the $10 million grant, $2 million has been set aside for the construction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub in the community.

Raphael said that the children and residents will benefit mostly from the projects.

Considering the imminent benefits, the toshao said it was only fitting that he thanks the Government of

A scenic entrance to Mashabo

Guyana and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the funds disbursed to his community.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, on February 3, 2021 had distributed over $105 million to 10 Amerindian communities and one satellite community in Region Two. Minister Sukhai, during a simple distribution exercise, had said that the contribution forms part of the COVID-19 investment fund, which is geared at helping communities to deal with the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic.

She said that hinterland communities were impacted heavily by the pandemic, so the Government of Guyana, in recognising the struggles, has allocated $1.73 billion for indigenous villages.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

35 new COVID-19 cases Training stakeholders a big part ...

FROM PAGE

GUYANA has recorded 35 new cases of COVID-19 from 795 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases to 8,585 since the country recorded its first case in March 2020.

Only one more person recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 7,972. Of the new cases, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) recorded seven; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 23; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one, and Region Ten

(Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), recorded four.

There are four persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 23 are in institutional isolation, 391 persons are isolated at home and nine persons are institutionally quarantined.

The number of active cases is now 427.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home,

the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

This mechanism will be farmer-friendly and will allow for the free sharing of ideas and information between farmers and technical facilitators on smart agriculture.

Additionally, $1 million has been budgeted to oversee the establishment of a virtual farmer-friendly classroom.

Dr. Halley stated that virtual farmers’ training is evolving as the new norm since COVID-19 is expected to remain for some time.

In view of this reality, the

GLDA is building its capacity to keep up with this trend.

“We are building like a virtual classroom which would help to train during these COVID period [sic], farmers virtually or from a distance. It will be equipped with a smart board, camera systems and the full works, so we can do in-house. We can bring farmers to the facility or we can do online training for farmers throughout the country.”

Dr. Halley highlighted the importance of invest-

12

ing in training facilities for farmers. He empasised that the goal is to keep farmers engaged during the pandemic and to be up to date with new methods of producing a product of the highest quality.

“The importance of the training facilities is the knowledge transfer.

We have to make sure that we transfer knowledge to the farmers, because at the end of the day, they are the ones who have to implement these things,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Annandale residents complain about derelict vehicles

The scrap vehicles which are stored along the dam separating Annandale and Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (Adrian Narine photos)

Some of the residents who attended the community meeting

A PILE of derelict vehicles that is being stored on a dam by a spare parts dealer has been causing trouble for residents of Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

At a community meeting held on Tuesday last, residents aired their experiences and voiced their concerns regarding the situation. They complained bitterly of being robbed as a result of the storage of the scrap vehicles.

The dam separates their community from Lusignan.

The residents explained that persons would hide between the vehicles and

pounce on persons who traverse the area.

One resident, who did not want to be named due to safety concerns, explained that her husband was attacked while venturing to work one morning. Another resident related that his brother is hospitalised as result of a similar experience.

Balram Naikbaran, a rural constable attached to the area’s Community Policing Group (CPG), informed the Guyana Chronicle that the CPG is unable to effectively conduct their patrols as the discarded vehicles block the

path they have to traverse.

Naikbaran explained that the vehicles were accumulated over an eight-year period.

The residents noted that multiple complaints have been lodged over the years to the relevant authorities but the problem is yet to be resolved.

Efforts made by the Guyana Chronicle to contact the Chairman and overseer of the Mon Repos /La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), who has responsibility for the location, has proved futile.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Region Ten to rollout anti-filaria campaign today

One of the three filaria pills which will be distributed during the campaign (PAHO photo)

RESIDENTS of Region Ten are being urged to participate in the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to eliminate filaria.

The campaign, which is expected to last for two weeks, will be rolled out today and will see trained pill distributers visiting homes, offices, schools and other public places to administer pills to persons.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Regional Chairman Deron Adams called on residents to listen to the facts and dispel the myths as the campaign commences.

Adams said that over the years the region has fallen short in the campaign since many are of the belief that more harm can come to them if they take the pills, when such is not the case.

“I am encouraging them to take the pills so that we can stop the dreaded disease.

I know the last time we had that drive, Region Ten was lagging behind in the entire exercise, and so I am appealing to them like we do in sports and all other areas, to lead by example,” Adams said.

He added that the populace has been informed of the disease and the dreaded effects of refusing to take the pills through a number of channels. Hence, he is expecting the region to take the lead in this year’s campaign by recording the highest percentage garnered in terms of reaching the 80 per cent target. He reminded that the region lagged behind in 2019, during the first round of the

campaign.

“We would have been informed about the painful and the severe visible manifestation that the disease leaves on society and so I am encouraging [residents] to take them because it can lead to permanent disability, pain and swelling of the breast, scrotum, legs and so on,” he highlighted.

He added: “Those who would have been affected are not only psychically disabled but they suffer mental, social and financial loses and poverty in their community.”

Adams called on residents to encourage their friends and family members to take the pills as well, since this is vital to the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Guyana.

“So, I am encouraging residents, in the coming days, to extend a hand of corporation to the health workers, the volunteers and the other officials who would be visiting their homes, workplaces and so on in the heat to do the mass drug distribution.”

Filaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), affects the body’s lymphatic system, which functions to remove unwanted fluids from the body and transports ‘lymph’- a fluid which contains white blood cells that help to fight infections. It is caused by bancrofti worms and is transmitted by culex mosquitoes.

Importantly, if someone is infected with filaria, they may develop chronic conditions, resulting in swelling of areas such as the legs and scrotum. Locally, the

swelling of tissues in the leg

‘goadie.’ There is no cure

are irreversible.

is called ‘big foot,’ while

for filaria, which means that

A triple-drug regimen

scrotal swelling is termed

these chronic manifestations

called IDA is being used

and includes the drugs Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), Albendazole and Ivermectin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

English Racing Tips Ayr 09:20 hrs Gold Cup Billy 09:55 hrs Zee Man 10:30 hrs First Class Return 11:05 hrs Reivers Lad 11:40 hrs Seven Eye Bridge 12:10 hrs Sirwilliamwallace 12:40 hrs Event Of Sivola 13:10 hrs Wheres Maud Gone Plumpton 08:30 hrs Jungle Prose 09:00 hrs Summit Like Herbie 09:30 hrs Natural History 10:05 hrs Dorking Lad 10:40 hrs Weneslaus 11:15 hrs Kilkeasin Molly 11:50 hrs World Of Dreams Wolverhampton 12:20 hrs Elixoft 12:50 hrs Broken Rifle 13:20 hrs Baleric 13:50 hrs Fizzy Feet 14:20 hrs Agent Shiftwell 14:50 hrs Jacattack 15:20 hrs Dammed Elusive 12:50 hrs Just Jean Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 09:45 hrs Black Tears 10:15 hrs Il Courra 10:50 hrs Papal Lodge 11:25 hrs Rumoroso 12:00 hrs Milliner 12:30 hrs Humble Glory 13:00 hrs Hilltop Supreme 13:30 hrs Last Quarter American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Milwaukee Race 2 Savage Nation Race 3 Mymonsterforreal Race 4 Attuck Race 5 Mine Alone Race 6 Templement Race 7 Giant Boo Boo Race 8 Distortedatthebar South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:05 hrs Diamonda ‘n Dust 08:40 hrs Rain Wear 09:15 hrs Tupeio Honey 09:50 hrs Bell Jar 10:25 hrs Alphamikefoxtrot 11:00 hrs Montana Sky

Bright, Hooper, Foster on podium at NCAA Indoor championships ... Joanna Archer impressive for Texas Tech

By Rawle Toney IT was a successful weekend on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One Track and Field circuit for some of Guyana’s top athletes, as Natricia Hooper, Chantoba Bright and Andrea Foster found the

Indoor Championship.

Archer ran two minutes, 10.06 seconds (2:10.06) in the Women’s 800 metres finals to finish fifth. Though narrowly missing out on a place at the podium, Archer’s time was a personal best in the event.

Over at the Atlantic

Clemson’s Andrea Forster (L) and University of Florida’s Natricia Hooper. podium in their respective events.

At the NCAA BIG 12 Conference Indoor Championships, Bright, competing for Kansas State, leaped 13.60 metres to finish second in the Women’s triple Jump.

Thought of setting a Personal Best, Bright told Chronicle Sport that she would’ve been happy to surpass Nicola Martial’s 13.62 metres National Record, which was set in 1996 in Indianapolis.

Bright would return to set another Personal Best, this time in the women’s long jump, where her 6.43 metres was good enough for fourth place. Her previous best leap at the Long Jump at Indoor competition was 6.22 metres.

Known as Guyana’s most decorated CARIFTA Games athlete, Bright would eventually help her school to finish third in the women’s Championship at the BIG 12 event.

Meanwhile, Joanna Archer played her part in helping Texas Tech win the NCAA BIG 12 Conference

Coast Conference (ACC) Indoor Championships, Foster clocked two minutes, 03.54 seconds (2:03.54) to finish third in the women’s 800 metres for Clemson University.

The time, a Personal Best, was the third fastest in the school’s history.

Foster recently returned to Clemson University after wrapping up her Degree in Health Science. She came close to Marian Burnett’s National Indoor record of 2:02.27, set at the 2008 World Indoor Championships in Spain.

At the NCAA Southeastern Conference (SEC) Indoor Championships, Natricia Hooper, suiting-up for the University of Florida, leaped 13.43 metres to finish third in the Women’s Triple Jump.

Hooper moved to the University of Florida from Essex County College in 2019. The Guyanese is ranked 5th All-Time in the Gators’ history in the Women’s Triple Jump for her mark of 13.53 metres (set in 2019).

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Ramson to appoint NSC Commissioners … Commission will appoint Director of Sports following consultation with Minister, according to Act MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, told the National Assembly on Friday last, that he will soon announce the appointment of Commissioners to the National Sports Commission (NSC), which will pave the way for the hiring of the country’s Director of Sport.

Ramson, addressing Parliament during the budget debate, also hinted to a probe of the NSC’s work and spending during the rule of the APNU+AFC coalition Government.

“The National Sport Commission was appointed in 2017 and in two years, they had three meetings.

They never had audited statements. They never laid in this Parliament as they’re required to do by the Act… never submitted reports to the previous minister. The entire place was in a disaster,” Ramson told the House.

Ramson, since becoming minister, has been chastised by Opposition Member of Parliament,

Jermaine Figueira, over the failure to appoint the commissioners at the National Sports Commission.

The minister, however, insisted that he’s being guided by the 1993 Sports Commission Act, and would’ve also pointed out that said since the March 2 Elections, the PPP/C party has been vocal about being compliant with the laws of the land, and as such, he is insisting that he doesn’t “intend to break the law” when it comes to the appointment of a Director of Sport.

There is no clear criteria in the Act as it relates to the requirements for being the Director of Sports, with the two previous Directors, since 1993 (Neil Kumar and Christopher Jones), were both highly affiliated with their respective political parties. In fact, Jones is now the Opposition’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly.

In 1993, Samuel Hinds, in his capacity as acting President of Guyana at the

time, assented to the National Sports Commission Act which was passed in the sitting of the Sixth Parliament on December 3 that year.

According to the National Sports Commission Act, Section 11 (1), “The Commission may, after consultation with the Minister, employ upon such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, a Director of Sport, and such other officers and employees as the Commission deems necessary for the proper carrying out of its functions.”

The Act outlines the Director of Sport as being the “Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, and subject to any general or specific directions of the Commission, be responsible to the Commission for ensuring that the functions of the Commission are properly discharged and objectives achieved.”

The Director of Sport shall be responsible for “managing the Secretariat of the Commission; managing the funds as directed by the Commission and preparing

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will fight Billy Joe Saunders in May SAUL ‘Canelo’ Alvarez beat Avni Yildirim to set up a world title unification fight with Britain’s Billy Joe Saunders on 8 May. Mexico’s Alvarez cruised past Turkish challenger, Yildirim, to retain his WBC and WBA titles on Saturday, before promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the forthcoming bout with Saunders.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez retained his world titles by comfortably beating Avni Yildirim on Saturday.

The Briton’s WBO title will also be on the line when the pair meet. The venue for the fight has yet to be decided.

Alvarez, 30, is a four-division world champion who now boasts a record of 55

wins, one defeat and two draws, including 37 knockouts.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Saunders boasts an unbeaten record, having won all 30 professional fights, with 11 knockouts.

The IBF belt is held by American Caleb Plant (21-0), but victory for Canelo will move him one step closer in his bid to become the first undisputed super-middleweight champion in boxing history.

“No-one has done it,” Alvarez said. “I want to make history. No-one has done it at 168 [pounds].”

Following the announcement of the fight, Saunders said he was “ready to rock and roll”.

“You have to dare to be great and you are not going to be a great if you don’t beat the greats,” said Saunders.

“I believe I am the only one with the footwork, knowhow, skillset, mindset and brain to unlock that door in Canelo.”

Routine victory for Canelo Yildirim retired before the start of the fourth round after being knocked down by the Mexican in the third at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

“I wanted to have a great fight and I did what I had to do,” said Alvarez.

“I needed a knockout and that’s what I did. It doesn’t matter if they’re taller, if they’ve got more reach, or they’ve got a good trainer.

“I came to do my job; I came here to win.”

Fighting in his first bout since beating Britain’s Callum Smith in December, Alvarez dominated and floored his opponent with a crisp left-right combination.

(BBCSport)

quarterly financial reports, accounts for presentation at meetings of the commission; causing minutes of meetings to be kept, and keeping members of the Commission informed, particularly by presenting an activity report at each meeting of the Commission.”

Meanwhile, in the recent sitting of the National Assembly, Minister Ramson said the Ministry has also found that taxpayers’ money to construct synthetic athletic tracks in Regions Six and Ten were mismanaged, and the projects are far behind schedule.

According to Ramson, “the only project was done in the last administration, it started in 2018. They said

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, that it would have been completed in 2019. Then he [the previous subject minister]

went back and said that it would have been completed in 2020. It is 2021 and it’s still not completed, but the People’s Progressive Party will come and finish your job.”

In 2018, BK International Incorporated was awarded a $141 million contract for the track at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, while Builders Hardware and General Supplies obtained the $179 million contract for the one at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, Wismar, Linden.

The Sport Minister said the government has done much more for the people in the six months that they have been in office than the former government did during its entire tenure.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

Guyana to participate at South American Swimming Championships THE South American Swimming and Diving Championships, which is scheduled for March 14 – 29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will see three of Guyana’s top athletes participating.

Guyana’s Olympic hopefuls, Jameela Sanmoogan, Andrew Fowler and Leon Seaton are currently engaged in training for the biennial aquatics championships for countries from the South American Swimming Confederation (CONSANAT).

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) were given permission to allow Fowler and Sanmoogan to use the Lilliendaal Aquatic Centre in preparation for the SA Championships and Summer Olympics, while

Andrew Fowler Seaton is engaged in training abroad.

Speaking with president of the GASA, Dwayne Scott, he said, “Leon is currently in Florida on the scholarship programme

Jameela Sanmoogan while Jameela and Andrew continue to do their workout at the Aquatic Centre. Andrew Fowler’s programme is doing really well. I have assigned him with an international coach

Leon Seaton with international accreditation and they’re doing really well.”

Confirming their participation, Scott disclosed, “They’re booked and will be receiving the accreditation

latest next week to be traveling to the championships where they will be able to gear themselves against other international athletes to see how the preparations are going.”

He continued: “We expect to see good results. Of course, the training is not geared for them to peak at this event, so we don’t expect to see the best performances, but it will also help us to gauge their preparation to see what more needs to be done to tweak their overall performance.

All in all, its a good process and they’re all very enthusiastic and hard working towards achieving the goals and we look forward to some really good stuff coming out of the South American Championships and leading

up to the Olympics.”

ARGENTINA’S PANDEMIC STATE This will be the eighth time Argentina has been tasked with the hosting of the South American Swimming Championships which will enter its 45th edition.

However, the Argentines have had a torrid time with the pandemic which has claimed 51,946 lives and still has over 5000 activate cases. Hopefully, this comes under control with the administration of the vaccines to counter the virus.

In March 2020, all sporting activities were cancelled in Argentina which also included the premier swimming event that was scheduled for March 21 to April 5.

Virtual Inter-Schools Golf Skills Challenge billed for March 5 THE Unit of Allied Arts (UAA) in collaboration with the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and NexGen Golf Academy, has planned a Golf Skills Challenge for schools participating in the approved Golf Pilot Project.

The Golf Skills Challenge will take the form of an activity for students to score points by hitting golf balls towards a target.

According to the organisers, the competition will be held in two stages which are the Preliminary Selection of School Teams and Execution of Virtual Inter-School Skills Challenge.

Preliminary Selection of School Teams took the form of a school competition at each Pilot School and was completed by February 26. The top 5 girls and boys will advance to represent the school at the Virtual Inter-School Skills Challenge.

Meanwhile, the Virtual Inter-Schools Skill Challenge will be held from 09:00h -11:00h on March 5 and will utilise the same structure and rules of play as the preliminary competition.

The skill challenge will take place at each

school’s respective playfield. In the event of a tie, a playoff will be held immediately so teams are asked to remain in place until the UAA declares the final winner.

Schools with the same scores will take part in a playoff involving one male and one female player who will represent the school for the playoff. In the event there is a continued tie, another male and female player will rotate to represent their respective schools until a final result is achieved.

Prizes will be awarded at the end of the event to the top scorer in both the boy’s and girl’s finals, top school overall, Runner-up school and third to fifth place schools.

The sponsors on board this event are NexGen Global, Assuria General Insurance, Copa Airlines, Guyana Golf Association, Trophy Stall, and AR Printery.

The organisers (UAA, NexGen Golf Academy and the GGA) noted that they will work assiduously to ensure that all elements of this proposal are put in place for the respective activities to be properly executed at each participating school.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday March 01, 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-25 matches (2) Sanath Jayasuriya-30 matches

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which WI wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in ODIs against SL to date?

(2) Which SL wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals in ODIs against WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

These students will be apart of the inaugural Virtual Inter-Schools Golf Skills Challenge

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell scored 25 of his team’s 31 second-half points against the Orlando Magic DONOVAN Mitchell starred with 31 points as the Utah Jazz returned to winning ways with a 124109 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Guard Mitchell contributed five three-pointers and six assists for Utah, who suffered a rare loss to the Miami Heat on Friday, with Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles scoring 18 and 17 points each.

Nikola Vucevic scored 34 points for the Magic, who have lost three in a row.

The Dallas Mavericks were also back on track by beating the Brooklyn Nets.

Luka Doncic scored 27 points for the Mavericks, with the returning Kristaps Porzingis contributing 18, as they triumphed 115-98 and ended the Nets’ season-high eight-game winning streak.

Bradley Beal scored a game-high 34 points and Russell Westbrook recorded a second straight triple-double with 19 points for the Washington Wolves in a 128-

112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns top scored 23 for the Wolves, but could not prevent a seventh loss in a row.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Pelicans 117-114, with DeMar DeRozan claiming 32 points and 11 assists.

Collin Sexton scored 28 points and Darius Garland added 25 to help the Cleveland Cavaliers, who only had nine players available,

overcome the Philadelphia 76ers in a 112-109 victory in overtime.

The Indiana Pacers fell to their eighth defeat in their past 11 games as the New York Knicks recovered from a 16-point half-time deficit to win 110-107 - Julius Randle collecting 28 points.

And the Denver Nuggets sealed a 126-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder with Nikola Jokic claiming 19 points for the victors.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 1, 2021

'My chances are still great' – Sanasie ... LICB is the latest territorial board to have endorsed a Skerritt/Shallow return

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), has been the latest territorial board to have publically endorsed the sitting president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Ricky Skerritt and vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow for a second term when CWI’s virtual Annual General Meeting is held on March 28.

The LICB joined the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and the Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB), as the other two territorial boards to have signaled their support for a Skerritt/Shallow return for another term. not yet formalised its decision for whom they will vote to be the next president of CWI, but First vice-president of JCA, Dr Donovan Bennett, told Chronicle Sport

Anand Sanasie recently that while the JCA has not declared its position publicly since the board has not yet called a meeting to have a formal decision in place, he doesn’t see any reason why Jamaica would want to change its position from the people’s selection.

However, despite it seems a clear walk in the park for Skerritt and his running mate Shallow, presidential hope-

ful, Anand Sanasie said his chances are still great.

“I continue to talk to those I have been having discussion with before I put my name into the ring…I think my chances are still great, obviously there were some jitters after what was happening in Guyana…I think I can still win the presidency. However, the obvious disadvantages are there, given what has happened in Guyana, but I still think I can win the presidency because I have a good programme and manifesto to present to the people”, Sanasie said on Friday evening on the SportsMax Zone.

Sanasie, who is also a Director on CWI, further said “I have a running mate that is quite capable to go with me. I have been there for ten years at CWI, and one of the main things that cause me to enter the race is that after ten years

Enoch Lewis you start to see the same mistakes over and over again, so I thought that this cycle of every two to three years going back to the same thing all over again, and if I can’t do something about it, I am really part of the problem”.

Sanasie’s running mate is Calvin Hodge from the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA).

Further, president of the

LICB, Enoch Lewis, who is a former first-class cricketer, believes that Skerritt and the rest of his board are still best suited to run the affairs of regional cricket.

“We think that these guys exemplify the values that Leeward Islands cricket promotes and we are talking about demonstrating leadership skills, persons of high integrity and honesty. We are talking about transparent persons; we are talking about persons who believes in equal opportunity for everybody, including those persons whose physique are not acceptable to some persons,” he said.

The LICB has nominated Skerritt and Shallow for a second two-year term with the nomination seconded by the TTCB. Lewis believes that a vote for anyone other than the

incumbents would result in a backward move for the game in the region and on the international market.

“We have absolutely no choice because we don’t want to look back and we don’t want to take Cricket West Indies backwards by looking at an alternative team. We believe that we have a team with foresight that will take West Indies cricket forward, in Skerritt and Shallow, and we support that wholeheartedly, 100 per-cent,” he said.

Skerritt was elected president of CWI on March 24, 2019, replacing Dave Cameron. Skerritt beat Cameron, who was in the role for six years, by a vote of eight to four in the elections conducted through secret ballot. Shallow also defeated Cameron’s deputy, Emmanuel Nanthan, by the same margin to take over as vice-president.

Hetmyer, Chase named in practice Mohammed, Motie top the charts squads to prepare for Test series in CG Insurance Super 50 Cup ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase, both of whom were ruled out of the one-day squad after failing fitness tests, have been named among 26 players to compete in a “Best vs Best” four-day practice match in preparation for next month’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

Both players were expected to be named in the 13-man one-day squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka but Cricket West Indies said they had “failed to reach the minimum fitness standard in time for selection consideration.”

However, Chase will now captain one of the 13-man squads for the contest set for March 8-11 at Coolidge Cricket Ground, with Hetmyer included in the other squad which will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite.

The core of the squad which toured Bangladesh earlier this month for the two-Test series will feature in the game along with several uncapped players.

“The ‘Best v Best’ game is firstly part of our preparation for the Test series against Sri Lanka,” said chief selector Roger Harper.

“It gives the players who performed well in the last West

Indies Championship an opportunity to showcase their skills, playing against each other, which we expect to be very competitive and put forward a case for themselves.

“It is a chance to raise their stock and show what they can do.”

Anticipation is high ahead of the Sri Lanka series which bowls off March 21 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, especially after the under-strength West Indies side pulled off a stunning whitewash of Bangladesh in the recent series.

And with the squad set to be reinforced by those players who opted out of the series over COVID-19 concerns, the home side are expected to provide formidable opposition for the tourists.

“The Test series win in Bangladesh was a real joy to watch.

The results were brilliant, but it was the passion, the application and the determination, as well as the team spirit that were exactly what we wanted to see,” Harper pointed out.

“It was most encouraging to see everyone pulling together and working hard for each other and enjoying each other’s success.

“I think the team performed much better than many people thought they were capable of doing. I am really looking forward to seeing the team move forward and build from here.”

The two Tests are part of a full series which bowls off next Wednesday with three Twenty20 Internationals at Coolidge.

This will be followed by three One-Day Internationals carded for the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium from March 10-14.

The series is being played in a bio-secure environment due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

SQUADS: SQUAD A – Kraigg Brathwite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Derval Green, Keon Harding, Shimron Hetmyer, Kavem Hodge, Paul Palmer jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Preston McSween, Jayden Seales.

SQUAD B – Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Nial Smith, Jomel Warrican.

AT the conclusion of the CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua on Saturday, the presence of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force batsmen was commanding at the top of highest run scorers list.

For the bowlers, it was Guyana Jaguars’ Gudakesh Motie who was the most successful with the ball in the tournament with 17 wickers.

T&T’s Jason Mohammed was the highest run getter this season with 327 runs in seven innings at an average of 81.75. His performances included a century and a half century with a highest score of 122.

Finishing second was Red Force opener, Evin Lewis, who accumulated 318 runs in seven innings and achieved an average of 45.42. He recorded a century and two half centuries and reached 107 as his highest score for the tournament.

Third was the other Red Force opener, the in-form Lendl Simmons, who raced to 316 runs in just four innings. He scored two centuries and a half century on his way to an average of 79 and also recorded the highest individual score of the tournament which was 146.

The other two batsmen in the tournament to reach 300 runs were Pride’s Jonathan Carter (305) and Jaguars’ Shimron Hetmyer (300).

Nitish Kumar (262), Chandrapaul Hemraj (233), Justin Greaves (227), Devon Thomas (227) and Shamarh Brooks (225) complete the top ten batsmen of the tournament.

In the bowling department, Motie ended the tournament with an impressive 17 wickets from seven matches, which included three 4-wicket hauls.

Hurricanes’ Quinton Boatswain played five matches while Red Force’s Ravi Rampaul played six matches, but both bowlers each claimed 14 wickets.

T&T’s Anderson Philip was the only other bowler to make it into double figures as he finished with 11 wickets.

The next eight bowlers on the list all ended with eight wickets a piece.

They were Ryan John, Jason Holder, Nial Smith, Ashley Nurse, Joshua Bishop, Akeal Hosein, Andre McCarty and Imran Khan.

Tournament centurions were Simmons (146, 102), Mohammed, Lewis, Hetmyer (113), Carter (100), Kumar (112), Thomas (117) and Keacy Carty (123*).

Meanwhile, Red Force completed a well-earned 152-run win against Jaguars at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and became the fourth team to pass the 300-run mark in the process.

The other teams that achieved this feat are the Jaguars, Barbados Pride and Leeward Islands Hurricanes. These four sides each passed the mark once this season.

Team Mohammed pose with the unlimited class and track record trophies

GMRSC Drag Racing round 1

Godzilla reigns Supreme!

IT was a day of record breaking action as the new record of the South Dakota drag strip now stands at 7.50 seconds.

The previous record, a 7.6 posted Saturday by the team Mohamed’s Goliath was bettered by their Godzilla counterpart in the late afternoon period.

The only damper was the small downpour that occurred during the morning period and that was quickly cleaned up, leading to a perfect day for drag racing.

Other winners included:

Bright, Hooper, Foster on podium at NCAA Indoor championships ... Joanna Archer impressive for Texas Tech

See story on page 20

Chantoba Bright proudly shows off her second-place women’s long jump medal at the NCAA BIG 12 Indoor Championships.

16 second class: Permeshwar Ramkisson - Honda Prelude 15 second class: Anil Persaud - Toyoya Levin 14 second class: Mahendra Singh - Mitsubishi Evolution 10 13 second class: Imran Khan - Toyota AT 12 second class: Raymond John - Toyota Chaser (Suriname) 10 second class: Feroz Mohammed - Mitsubishi Evo Unlimited - Team Mohamed

Brathwaite to debut as Test umpire

Bajan umpire, Gregory Brathwaite, will make his Test debut in the middle in next month’s home series against Sri Lanka.

A BARBADIAN umpire will stand in the middle in Test cricket for the first time in 24 years when the West Indies take on Sri Lanka in the upcoming two-match home series in Antigua.

Gregory Brathwaite is reportedly set to make his debut as an on-field official during the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which starts on March 21.

The 51-year-old, who hails from St Philip, has been an international umpire since making his debut in the One-Day International format in the 2011-2013 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championship.

He has since gone on to umpire in 44 ODIs and 28 Twenty20s. (NationNews)

Shaw prevails in SJHCS Golf Tournament THE S. Jagmohan Hardware & Construction Services (SJHCS) Golf Tournament closed its curtains on Saturday following a nail-biting three-way tie that saw Azurdeen Shaw claim top honours.

A total of 33 golfers converged at the Lusignan Golf Course (LGC) and witnessed the top three finishers tied on 38 points.

The count back system was then used to determine that Shaw prevailed against Shanella London and Mike Mangal, who finished second and third, respectively.

Richard Haniff narrowly grabbed

the fourth place spot after accumulating 37 points.

At the conclusion of the tournament, president of the Lusignan Golf Club, Patanjilee Persaud, said: “Let me thank everyone for coming out and playing this event, for taking part in this competitive sport.

Let me thank the sponsors for supporting this event as they are efficient and timely in their work.

We would also like to urge them to support the future events at the club, and supporting the sport of golf, as we know in this time the game of golf is COVID

friendly but it is also a sport that allows persons to be family oriented and safe.”

Persaud also thanked the company for its contribution to the development of Golf in Guyana.

Also sharing her sentiments at end of the tournament was Project Manager of S. Jagmohan Hardware & Construction Services, Vidya Mangalram, who stated that the company was proud to be a part of the prestigious tournament.

All COVID-19 precautionary measures were observed during the tournament.

The top performers of the tournament take a photo op with the LGC President, Secretary and S. Jagmohan Project Coordinator, Vidya Mangalram.

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MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021