Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-07-2021

THURSDAY 1st July, 2021

No. 106408

SEE First consignment of purchased Sinopharm vaccine arrives in Guyana PAGE 16

Benn rejects Harmon’s ‘dangerous comments’

SEE PAGE

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Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn

― says Opposition Leader’s claims of ‘political persecution’ following Ferguson’s arrest are malicious ― reminds him that all persons, inclusive of MPs and APNU+AFC members are subject to the law ― calls on citizens to shun Harmon’s invectives, allow law to take its course

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and several other government ministers were, on Wednesday, briefed on some of the preliminary findings of the Detailed Damage Sector Assessment (DDSA) on flooding in Guyana, during a meeting with the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley [See story on Page 5]

World Bank approves US$6M for Teixeira: All Guyanese will Guyana’s COVID-19 response 2 benefit from oil wealth 4 SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

Floodwaters receding $15,000 child care subsidy for essential workers across the country SEE PAGE

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SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

World Bank approves US$6M for Guyana’s COVID-19 response

THE World Bank has approved US$6 million in additional financing for the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project.

The funds, according to the bank, will go towards supporting affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and ensuring that there is effective vaccine deployment in Guyana.

“The project will also support general preparedness, resilience, and overall health system strengthening,” a press release from the World Bank stated.

The document also quoted Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Representative for Jamaica and Guyana, as saying: “An efficient and equitable rollout of COVID-19 vaccines will be critical to save lives and restore economic activities in Guyana.”

She added: “The World Bank is closely coordinating with development partners and Government of Guyana counterparts to support the vaccination campaign, and

The World Bank funds are intended to help strengthen local health system functions that are necessary for immunisation

Body of taxi driver found at Ogle THE body of 53-yearold Kenrick Trim, a taxi driver of Belfield Housing Scheme, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), was, on Wednesday morning, found lying motionless in the grass at the end of Cul-de-Sac Street, Block One Ogle.

According to a police report, Trim’s body appeared to have been dumped from a silver-gray Toyota Premio motorcar bearing registration number HC5311, which was

Dead: 53-year-old Kenrick Trim

parked a short distance away from where the body was discovered.

The body was identified to be that of Trim’s by his son, Odel Trim. The man was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

The body was then taken to the Lyken Funeral Home for a post mortem. Investigations are ongoing.

long-term improvements to the country’s healthcare system.”

The World Bank said that it has recognised the socioeconomic impact that the pandemic has had on countries such as Guyana, including job losses, which disproportionately affect women.

The institution said that the funds provided are intended to help the Government of Guyana strengthen health system functions that are necessary for immunisation. These include vaccine awareness communication, human resources, information systems, and waste management.

“The additional financing

to this project also aims to increase overall health system preparedness to tackle future emergencies,” the World Bank said.

The bank explained that the original project was approved in November 2020 to support Guyana’s pandemic response and strengthen the country’s health system.

The statement specified, too, that at least US$5 million of the additional financing approved this month, comes from the International Development Association (IDA).

Guyana receives interest-free financing from IDA, with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years.

The additional US$1 mil-

lion is part of a grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response MultiDonor Trust Fund.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over US$125 billion to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history.

The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and their jobs, and jumpstart a climate-friendly recovery.

The bank is also providing US$12 billion to help lowand middle-income countries purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.

So far, Guyana is one of the very few countries that have enough vaccines to immunise its entire adult population.

And with the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon’s “reckless” and “damaging” claims that the Sputnik V vaccines being administered in Guyana are possibly fake, it is likely that the government will have to intensify its public awareness campaign to provide accurate information, and to promote the need for vaccination. Fortunately, this recent World Bank provision caters for such efforts.

Already, in excess of 460 persons have died as a result of the novel coronavirus which has been sweeping through the entire world for more than a year now. Guyana was first hit by the virus in March 2020, and since then, authorities have been battling to ensure adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines, and to promote the vaccines as a means to an end.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Benn rejects Harmon’s ‘dangerous comments’ ― says Opposition Leader’s claims of ‘political persecution’ following Ferguson’s arrest are malicious ― reminds him that all persons, inclusive of MPs and APNU+AFC members are subject to the law ― calls on citizens to shun Harmon’s invectives, allow law to take its course

HOME Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, has rejected assertions made by Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon about “political persecution” and “weaponizing of the Guyana Police Force” following the arrest and charging of APNU+AFC Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson.

According to Minister Benn, Harmon, of all persons, should need no reminding that all persons – inclusive of MPs, and also members of the APNU+AFC – are subject to the Laws of Guyana, adherence to which the Guyana Police Force is duty-bound to enforce without fear or favour.

Police Headquarters, on Wednesday, reported that Ferguson was arrested by ranks at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, subsequent to a report being lodged against her by a senior member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) regarding a Facebook post she made.

In the Facebook post dated June 15, 2021, Ferguson alleged that a senior GDF rank will be in charge of a ‘death squad’. Appended to Ferguson’s Facebook post was an article from an online news agency “Guyana News Today” with the headline “Exclusive: PPP secures $250million budget to resuscitation Black Clothes Death Squad.”

Ferguson’s detainment was confirmed by her attorney-at-law, Lyndon Amsterdam, who told the Guyana Chronicle that he accompanied her to the CID Headquarters, where she was

questioned and subsequently released.

Police reported that investigations in the matter are ongoing and, upon completion, the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the way forward.

Following the offensive post by Ferguson, the Joint Service Coordinating Council (JSCC), in a press release, had cautioned citizens against “reckless” and “irresponsible” social media commentary which could have a “damaging effect” on society.

The JSCC is headed by Brigadier Godfrey Bess, Chief

of Staff of the GDF, and comprises the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Prisons, the Chief Fire Officer and other Senior Officers of the disciplined services.

The Council had registered that a circulating document, which serves to implicate members of the Joint Services in “illegal activities” was brought to its attention and reminded that Operational Troops remained under the command and administration of the Joint Services.

OUTRAGEOUS “The allegation that a senior officer of the GDF is to

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn

head a ‘killing squad’ is outrageous. The JSCC reiterates its call for persons to be responsible and stay away from creating public mischief,” the press release from the JSCC had said.

Minister Benn, who had earlier condemned the inflammatory remarks made by Ferguson, on Wednesday also strongly criticised comments made by Harmon on Ferguson’s arrest.

“Mr. Harmon’s now natural reflexive instincts of making unwarranted attacks about partisan ‘… political persecution…’, ‘…weaponizing of the Guyana Police Force…’

along with dire warnings of civil unrest are not only grossly untrue but are of malicious intent.

“In fact, his statement seems intent on continuing the effort to shield and protect from judicial review, lawbreaking by persons who are intent on precipitating a breakdown of law and order and the undermining of democracy by initiating civil unrest,” the Home Affairs Minister said.

He noted that when viewed from its advocacy and reckless support of Ferguson’s present gross indiscretions, Harmon’s statement

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon

goes further by identifying the continuous resort to the racist playbook he has ready at hand.

“I call on all citizens to be wary of and reject the dangerous invective in Harmon’s statement and allow the normal lawful and legal process to take its course,” the Statement from Benn concluded.

During the debates on June 14, 2021, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, had told the Committee of Supply that the Regional Joint Support Teams is a new crime-fighting initiative formulated in April, 2021, and the supplementary provision for the period ending December 2021 requested is to allow for the “set up” of the initiative.

She explained that the Regional Joint Support Teams will not denigrate or usurp the functions of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) or the Guyana Police Force (GPF); and is to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement agencies in Guyana to fight crime, regardless of the type of crime, with the support of the GDF. “This is about enhancing our capabilities as a nation, and being able to have better coordination and collaboration between the different discipline forces in our country, that’s it, nothing to get conspiratorial about, there’s nothing conspiratorial about it,” the Government Chief Whip, Teixeira, told the House.

Labour Ministry to probe deadly boat explosion

A THOROUGH investigation into the fatal accident that occurred at Mohamed’s Wharf, Friendship East Bank Demerara (EBD), on June 26, 2021, will be conducted to provide answers to “the many questions that linger”, the Ministry of Labour said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, an officer from the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department

has been dispatched to the site of the accident to investigate the circumstances.

It added that Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, continues to emphasise that his ministry is actively engaged in ensuring that safe work is provided for all workers, irrespective of industry, and that work-related deaths are unacceptable.

“He further posited that his ministry,

through its inspectorate division, is aggressively tackling unsafe workplace conditions as well as unsafe work practices, through inspections and audits to reduce the number of accidents that occur in both the formal and informal economies,” the ministry said.

The minister also sent his condolences to the bereaved friends and family of the deceased seamen.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

All Guyanese will benefit from oil wealth 4

Teixeira assures US Congressmen ¯MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has underscored that the people’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is committed to governing Guyana in the interest of all Guyanese as outlined in its 2020 elections manifesto.

Minister Teixeira was, at the time, reacting to comments from US Congressman, Hank Johnson, who, in a statement on Wednesday, said Guyana’s wealth is for all the people of Guyana, irrespective of their ethnicity.

“I urge the current government and leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly to work together towards further strengthening Guyana’s democracy and building a more inclusive nation,” he said.

Albio Sires, Chairman of Congressional sub-committee on the Western Hemisphere, had also made a similar call.

“In Guyana, where I travelled this year, we should work

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira

to ensure that proceeds of oil revenues benefit the entire population,” online news outlet, Demerara Waves, on Wednesday quoted him as saying.

Teixeira, in a brief statement, said the government embraces the calls of the US Congressmen.

“We have been saying this

US Congressman, Hank Johnson

all the time. In fact, the manifesto of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, during the election campaign and the programme we have brought out since, is focussing on making sure Guyanese benefit not only from the oil money but from the development of our nation, the modernisation and expansion of our economic space,” she said.

According to Minister Teixeira, since assuming office 10 months ago, all government programmes, from the COVID-19 cash grant to the increasing of the cash care programme for children and the school uniform programme across Guyana, have benefitted all Guyanese.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

She also pointed out that Article 13 of the Constitution talks about parliamentary democracy and participatory democracy, and the PPP Government embraces these principles.

YEARS OF NEGLECT Since coming into government, she noted that programmes, including those on poverty reduction, the opening up of housing programmes and water systems where they were not there before, the development of Amerindian areas in particular, as well as other villages that were neglected under the APNU+AFC Government, are being addressed and at a rapid pace.

“In fact, the party that is guilty of discrimination that keeps hollering about discrimination is in fact the party that was in government for five years that refused to obey the rulings of the courts, not only in Guyana but the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect to holding elections after the no-confidence motion,” she pointed out.

On December 18, 2018, the David Granger-government was toppled by a no-confidence motion and elections were not held three months after as mandated by the Constitution.

Elections were eventually held on March 2, 2020, after a series of court rulings against the then government.

And following the elections, Guyanese had to wait five months for the declaration of the results after a series of attempts by officials at GECOM, who enjoyed the support of members of the APNU+AFC government, failed to derail the democratic process.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance also noted that the APNU+AFC which was responsible for holding Guyana back, is now saying that they do not recognise the elected PPP/C Government as the legitimate Government of Guyana.

FIRING OF THOUSANDS The same APNU+AFC Government, she said, had rampantly discriminated against Guyanese when they dismissed more than 1,000 Amerindian community service officers and over 7,000 sugar workers.

Teixeira further pointed out that during the APNU+AFC’s tenure in office, thousands more lost their jobs, including public servants (approximately 2,000) because of either the colour of their skin or their perceived political affiliations.

“We have witnessed this in the five years and will not allow that to happen again in our country. We have no issue with the calls by the two gentlemen (US Congressman) in relation to all Guyanese benefitting, we are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, Article 13 of our Constitution, we are committed to the constitutional rule of law and participatory democracy, but it cannot be the rules of those (APNU+AFC) who refuse to accept democracy and those (APNU+AFC) who do not accept the will of the people of our country who elected the PPP. We will not be bullied;

we have been bullied for over five years,” she said, stressing that the government looks forward to the APNU+AFC taking a matured political position by recognising the PPP/C as the legitimate Government of Guyana, opening up opportunity for dialogue on a number of issues in Guyana.

“We wish to assure our friends in the United States that we are committed,” said Teixeira, noting that the commitment is registered in the PPP/C’s 2020 manifesto and in the programmes of the government since assuming office amid a pandemic, in which the former government did little for the people.

Congressman Johnson, in his statement, also spoke about the flooding in Guyana.

"I am following closely the catastrophic floods in Guyana and my thoughts and prayers are with the Guyanese people during this extremely difficult time. Guyana has experienced substantial economic growth in recent years, but the COVID-19 pandemic and this national emergency threaten to erode some of those gains. It is important that every person affected by this disaster is able to receive the support they need to rebuild their lives in the shortest possible time. As a longtime friend of Guyana, I stand ready to work with international partners to support Guyana in the face of this devastating challenge," he said.

Since the start of the flood due to heavy rainfall, the government has distributed thousands of hampers to communities severely affected, regardless of who voted for the PPP/C or their ethnicity, Teixeira said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Preliminary findings on flood impact presented to PM, other ministers

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--among recommendations are moratorium on loans, relocation of communities

By Tamica Garnett PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and several other government ministers were, on Wednesday, briefed on some of the preliminary findings of the Detailed Damage Sector Assessment (DDSA) on flooding in Guyana, during a meeting with the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley.

Present at the meeting were the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Regional Development and Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

The DDSA covered assessments and analysis across seven sectors, namely health, water and sanitation, infrastructure and housing, agriculture, social services, and shelter and mining in Regions Two, Five, Six, Seven and 10.

During the meeting, Riley gave a presentation outlining some of the key preliminary findings and recommendations for each of the respective sectors covered under the DDSA. These were categorized according to needs in the immediate, medium and long term and included suggestions such as relief and supplies for farmers, psychosocial support for affected families and social programmes to assist families in getting back on their feet.

The ministers were given the opportunity to offer comments and suggestions to

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips with other government officials and officials of CDEMA

CDEMA, and also seek guidance and advice on the way forward towards recovery.

Minister Edghill asked about international best practices for how to prioritise recovery where infrastructure is concerned. Minister Mustapha and Dharamlall also had similar concerns pertaining to their respective sectors.

Noting that the report will only cover assessments in five regions, notwithstanding all ten regions having been affected, Dr. Singh noted that there was need for extrapolated data to ensure there is not an underestimation of the full impact of the flooding, which has been one of the worst in Guyana’s history.

Prime Minister Phillips extended Guyana’s gratitude to CDEMA for carrying out the critical assessment.

“We are happy to have CDEMA by our side to work through this difficult period,” the Prime Minister related.

Prime Minister Phillips described the meeting as a success, given the useful exchange of information between the CDEMA team and the ministers responsible for the various sectors assessed in the DDSA.

Riley echoed the sentiments of the Prime Minister and also deemed Wednesday’s meeting a success.

“We talked about the critical findings and made specific recommendations on how we are going to support the Government of Guyana going forward, particularly in the area of recovery. It was a very successful meeting,” Riley said.

The DDSA is a result of an agreement between CDEMA and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister.

The DDSA is the fourth stage in the CDEMA Damage Analysis and Needs Assessment (DANA) continuum for disasters. The full DDSA report is expected by July 10, and will be used to guide decision-making on the way forward in Guyana.

Director-General of the CDC, Colonel Kester Craig said that following the completion of the DDSA, the information will be used to inform a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) which is the next stage in the continuum; this will look at the socio-economic impact in a

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and other Ministers of Government being briefed on some of the preliminary findings of the Detailed Damage Sector Assessment (DDSA)

broader way.

Aside from the seven sectors, the DDSA also looked at the coordination of flood response. Riley commended the CDC for the work it has been doing thus far as relates to managing the response.

“One of the very good findings of the DDSA is that the CDC under the leadership of Colonel Craig has done an excellent job with the overall coordination thus far,” Riley commented.

The CDC and other necessary agencies will begin addressing certain immediate needs outlined in the DDSA. “There are immediate actions that we would have already identified and would be taking to improve our response such as the improved response in the regions and community levels in areas of water contamination and health responses, provision of food supplies, and coordination management,” Colonel Craig said.

In a prior engagement also on Wednesday, the Director-General said: “The

intention is not only to report on it [findings], but to use this prelim report to improve our responses. We will definitely be reaching out to the various agencies, ministries, regions to ensure these mechanisms are implemented to ensure improved services to our citizens. We still have work to do.”

Moratorium on loans and grants for farmers, the need for relocation of some communities, the establishment of septic tanks and a revision of building codes are some of the preliminary recommendations stemming from the DDSA. The need for social services such as psychosocial support, welfare to help families sustain themselves and specific infrastructure rehabilitation were also highlighted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Changing lives T

HOSE who are alive today and who would have lived through the People’s National Congress’s (PNC) rule prior to 1992, can attest to the transformation of Guyana through the modernisation that occurred under the 23-year administration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Space will not allow listing the various projects and their positive impact on the lives of Guyanese. However, a cursory look will reveal projects like the Berbice River Bridge, new ferries, the National Stadium, the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the University of Guyana Tain Campus, a plethora of hospitals, schools, road networks and untold interventions to improve the welfare of all Guyanese.

Along with that, the growth of the private sector and the establishment of numerous facilities including banks across the country, have led to increased convenience to conduct transactions. Importantly, the housing drive and construction boom under the PPP/C government is unprecedented and exemplary. It was not just the provision of a piece of land,

but the creation of enabling environments, including those through financial institution, to allow ordinary citizens to own homes.

In doing so, the empowerment and independence that come with home ownership, is unimaginable. In turn, through the acquisition of collateral, opportunities were opened up for further advancement of individuals and families. That, in itself, changed lives in impacting ways for a large number of Guyanese, who, otherwise, may not have been able to own their homes. For many, if not all of those persons, it would have been dreams realised.

In examining the 23-year period of the PPP/C government, between 1992-2015, the priority would have been the advancement of the lives of Guyanese whether through social or infrastructural interventions. With regard to the latter, none can dispute that the landscape has been transformed to the point of being unrecognisable by many, especially those who are overseas-based.

That unprecedented transformation saw many years of sustained economic growth and Guyana now being classified as a devel-

oping country from being a highly indebted poor one in 1992.

During that 23-year period, Guyana was lauded as the shining light of the Caribbean.

Those achievements were not coincidental, but precipitated from prudent and visionary leadership driven by commitment to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

By creating the environment to allow ordinary Guyanese to not only own homes, but vehicles, machinery and other necessary equipment for growth and development, the PPP/C government has ensured a pathway out of poverty for many. In doing so, thousands of lives have been changed for the better. Sadly, this trajectory changed and progress regressed during the APNU/AFC rule from 2015-2020.

In some way, it seems as if history repeated itself in the context of what transpired in 1992 and then at 2020; rebuilding was vital on both occasions following economic ruin and mismanagement by the APNU/AFC and its previous manifestations. Currently, and just within a year, the PPP/C government continues to rapidly move the country

along a trajectory of prosperity, bringing the nation on the cusp of further transformative development that would eventually see inherit potential being realised.

With that on the verge of being unlocked, the dreams of many other Guyanese are also coming to reality. Over the last few months, a number of persons were the recipient of house lots. The number allotted within the year is staggering when compared to the entire five-year tenure of the APNU/AFC government. Importantly, the distribution is not confined to one particular area, but includes a spread of communities of all ethnicities.

As these persons now move forward to construct their own homes; on another front, thousands of Guyanese are receiving online scholarships with the direct intent of building human capacity for both personal advancement and to meet the growing demands of the country in this transformative phase.

This is vital to our development as a nation and the ability to change lives for the better has been proven to be an identifiable trait of the PPP/C government; a stark contrast to the APNU/AFC.

The sorrowful state of City Hall T Dear Editor,

HE citizens of Georgetown have now been forced to accept and abide by the dreadful fact that once there is rainfall in the city for a few minutes or more, several wards in our capital will become flooded. This is in spite of all of the assistance that central government has been giving to the Georgetown municipality, both in terms of money and machinery.

The government has been desilting a number of canals and purchasing and installing new pumps around the city. They have been fixing existing pumps, repairing kokers that have been damaged and putting the services of their engineers at the disposal of the council.

So one can only understand how disappointing it was for them when they have been visiting the pump stations and sluice facilities lately during the rainy season in

our capital, only to find the pump operators and sluice attendants either sleeping on the job, inebriated or “missing in action” from their work sites, which resulted in koker doors being left closed when they should be opened, and the pumps turned off when they should be running.

As a natural sequel to this, the Local Government Commission formally requested an administrator of the council to advise what action has been taken against pump operators and sluice attendants for their failure to execute their duties. They should have also enquired about what action was taken against the drainage supervisors and Engineers of the City Council Alas! I must say that I was gobsmacked at the egregious, impudent and obtuse response that was provided by that administrative officer to the Secretary to the Commission, in which the officer stated that they the council did not have the power to discipline pump operators and sluice

attendants, or anyone else and so they were awaiting the commission to do it.

The question I have to ask is since when? The council has hired hundreds of persons without the involvement of the commission; heads of departments have suspended and dismissed dozens of employees without even consulting the council, let alone the commission. The Human Resources Department has promoted many, many persons and put them at the top of their salary scales without consulting the commission. The administrators have awarded themselves all sorts of perks and benefits without consulting the commission. They have created all sorts of new positions and departments without consulting the commission. How convenient it is now that they have to defer to the commission to have sluice attendants and pump operators disciplined. Indeed, the council is well known to ignore several diktats of the commission and behave in a

manner that suggests that they are above the law This is a clear aberration of the law and a self-serving attempt to misquote the statutes whilst thumbing their noses at the commission. The pump operators and sluice attendants fall well below the band of employees that have to be disciplined by the LGC. Ironically, this was followed by the mayor saying that the Local Government Commission had not the authority to instruct the officer of the council and suggested that the body was trying to dictate to the staff of the Mayor and City Council.

Another question I would like the commission to ask the council, was whether they have been issuing long boots, rain coats, gloves, reflective vests and other safety gear to their employees?

Yours sincerely, Magagula Jackson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Public appreciative of the contributions of Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall Dear Editor,

I

N my travels around Guyana to conduct surveys, the public from all walks of life, supporters and opponents of PPP, appreciate the contributions of Anil Nandlall to the nation, describing him as among the best lawyers in the country. The Attorney-General is one of the most revered and celebrated Guyanese legal minds of the last decade. Even his critics told me they admire him. He is well known all over the Caribbean, the diaspora, and internationally. He is viewed as a distinguished defender of electoral rights and among the best known lawyers during the five months election fiasco that wound its way to court almost on a daily basis. His contributions to defending the victory of Irfaan Ali and the PPP were monumental and legendary. As party supporters told me, Jagdeo and Nandlall and other lawyers saved the PPP from the jaws of an attempted stolen election. Without Nandlall’s legal courage and acumen, the PPP would not have been declared the winner of the 2020 elections.

I met, interacted, read about (of), and listened (in court and TV) to all Attorneys General of Guyana from 1992 till now. Nandlall impressed me the most with his articulation of legal issues and his performance in Parliament. Also, I listened to presentations during no confidence court cases, GECOM chair appointee court cases, GECOM registration court cases, election related court cases, and other judicial matters, and his press conferences with media houses.

Nandlall was outstanding, absolutely brilliant, cunning, witty, and sharp. I was at the CCJ in person in Trinidad listening to him on the NCM; he was formidable. I read of the Luckhoos, JOF

Haynes, Stanley Hardyal, Rex McKay, Shridat Ramphal, Doodnauth Singh, Peter Briton, Fenton Ramsahoye, among other lawyers, who were phenomenal in the court room ages ago. I place Nandlall in the same category. I interacted quite a bit with Ramsahoye who told me he was most impressed with Nandlall’s lawyerly skills; he also praised Nigel Hughes among the best lawyers in Guyana. The late Ramsahoye would have commended Nandlall for his erudition in arguing election and GECOM matters in the courts.

Once I had a conversation with a Trinidadian lawyer who I consider the most brilliant in the West Indies about his impression of Nandlall.

This Trini lawyer has appeared before the law lords in England more than anyone else and has won almost all of his appeals and court cases in Trinidad and Caribbean courts and the Privy Council. The lawyer told me he met Nandlall once, very briefly on a plea to appear as the PPP lead lawyer on the 2015 election petition case.

The lawyer, who appeared on election matters in other jurisdictions, politely declined the brief saying he was extremely busy and suggested another prominent lawyer from Trinidad. But he said his impression of Nandlall, based on his articulation of the 2015 petition, was that of a most brilliant lawyer. Nandlall did not disappoint as he and the public saw him in action from February 2019 till now.

Nandlall’s reputation relating to his expertise in constitutional matters and law and his skill in presenting arguments is one that lawyers would only dream about attaining in their lifetimes.

Nandlall was/is flamboyant, charismatic, erudite, eloquent, and articulate (not fumbling for words in press conferences and in court).

During my post August 2020 travels throughout Guyana conducting election and ministerial

performance related surveys, Nandlall shone above everyone. Nandlall also received highest ratings among Guyanese in New York for his performance as AG and Ministerial performance and for his articulation before the court and the press on judicial and legal matters. The diaspora elsewhere also applauded his performance. The public notes that Nandlall has a drive for success and that he does not shy away from controversial matters. People are dazzled by his communication skills and his courageous advocacy at court hearings.

Some of the words the public used to describe the AG include: professional, experienced, legal eagle, competent, top notch, ace lawyer, learned, scholastic, highly skillful, adroit, silver tongue, ambitious, self-motivated, committed & dedicated, passionate, goal-oriented, high powered, veteran, super lawyer, well educated, legendary legal mind, well read in law, well-informed, well-schooled (Queens College, UG, and UWI), intellectual, studious, brainy, law expert, legal academic, iconic, and celebrity lawyer, among others.

Besides electoral and GECOM matters, Nandlall appeared on civil and human rights and criminal cases. He is highly regarded as a consistent defender of peoples’ rights and properties.

Nandlall is not risk averse in taking cases and in his arguments and motions in court. He is not operationally conservative as many others; he is described as dashing and daring in arguments and motions. He appeared very organised in court and before the press. He comes across as methodical and deliberate. His presentations tend to be detailed and logical.

His brilliance and achievements deservedly qualify him as Senior Counsel (SC) which almost every legal oriented person I spoke with

felt should have happened since the second year (2012) of Nandlall being made AG. But the Donald Ramotar government decided not to appoint SCs and Nandlall had to wait years to be recognized for his contribution to jurisprudence. Granger broke the SC policy in 2015 and appointed a series of PNC supporters as SC with hardly any PPP supporters in the list of honorees.

Looking at the names of those who became ‘Silk’ between 2015 and 2019, virtually none of them was more qualified than Nandlall. He was cited in West Indian and Guyana law journals more than anyone else who became ‘Silk’ under the Granger administration. Since 2016, I made the case for his appointment as a ‘Silk’ lawyer, but Granger by passed him. The injustice was corrected in 2020 by President Irfaan Ali who also ‘Silked’ others (like Timothy Jonas) deserving of the honor.

Everyone I spoke with in Guyana and the diaspora felt had it not been for Nandlall’s legal skills, the PPP would not have been declared the winner. He fought tooth and nail for the declaration of the right winner. Had it not been for his legalese mind and his persistent advocacy and insistence in filing appeals against biased court rulings, Granger would have been sworn in through a fraudulent count of votes from Mingo’s bed sheet numbers in mid-March 2020.

The public and legal fraternity has been greatly appreciative of the contributions of Nandlall to the nation and to jurisprudence in Guyana and the West Indies. They cannot thank him enough for the services that he has rendered in private practice and in defending the ballot of 2020 and serving as AG.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Significant amount of crops destroyed as a result of flooding --says ‘Agri’ Minister

AN ongoing flood assessment has so far revealed that a significant amount of crops from areas that have experienced severe flooding over the past two months, have been destroyed.

This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, during an interview with Brazil’s AgroMais News.

“Over the last two months, we’ve experienced unprecedented rainfall which has resulted in flooding in all ten Administrative Regions of Guyana. Between May 24 and June 10, we’ve seen close to 20 inches of rainfall. This is the highest amount of rainfall we’ve seen since 1981.

“This has resulted in Guyana’s southern basin between the upper Essequibo and

Corentyne Rivers being filled and overflowing. Many areas in the hinterland were also, and still are, flooded. Compounding that, with the heavy rainfall, we’ve seen higher than normal water levels in the rivers that have inundated most of the coastal areas. This has resulted in close to 90 per cent of crops being destroyed, livestock being lost, and close to a thousand households been affected,” Minister Mustapha said.

As floodwaters begin to slowly recede in several areas, the government has commenced its flood assessment to determine the extent of the losses incurred across the country.

Officials from the Civil

Defence Commission (CDC) and officers from various agencies which fall under the Ministry of Agriculture have been visiting affected communities to gather data to determine losses.

The minister said the government will need assistance with rebuilding the economy, moreso, the agriculture sector, when the floodwaters recede.

“Guyana will need a lot of help in terms of rebuilding the agriculture sector. Apart from what the government is doing, we will need help from our regional and international partners. Our assessment report will be able to detail our needs and those needs will then be made known so that countries who wish to assist us can know what we need.

“IICA has already indicated that they will be supplying a number of vegetable seeds and

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

planting material for cassava and plantains, bananas as a part of the relief efforts,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister said too that the government is making preparations to effectively manage some of the likely

impacts of the ongoing flooding. This, he added, includes the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

“In addition to carrying out flood assessments across the country, health officials have also been closely monitoring

affected areas for water-borne diseases such as leptospirosis and other conditions like unusual diarrhea, vomiting, and gastroenteritis. As a government, we are aware that an outbreak of such illnesses may be imminent so we are making the necessary preparations to ensure we have the necessary health facilities if an outbreak does occur,” the Agriculture Minister related.

The minister said, despite resources being limited, the government will continue to provide the necessary support to everyone who is affected.

“The immediate task of the government is to ensure those who were affected have food supplies and potable water.

We will have to provide food for most of the areas that were affected, especially the Hinterland communities,” Minister Mustapha related.

Minister Mustapha said the government will continue to offer support until affected communities can return to some level of normalcy. (DPI)

Guyana, Trinidad to enhance bilateral co-operation MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Dr. Amery Browne, have undertaken to enhance co-operation between the two countries, especially in the area of trade, investment and energy.

During a virtual meeting on Wednesday, both ministers reaffirmed the commitment of their respective governments to strengthening the bonds of friendship between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and deepening and expanding co-operation between their two countries.

Enhanced co-operation, moving forward, is expected through mechanisms such as the Framework Agreement on the Deepening of Bilateral Co-operation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Sector Co-operation.

The ministers also agreed to pursue the implementation of the mechanisms through meetings of the high-level bilateral commission, executing committee and joint working group within six months of their meeting.

Further, both ministers

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd

agreed to continue collaboration in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on advancing the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda: Prioritising Regional Food and Nutrition Security, especially since Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago sit on the special Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security and given mutual concerns about the regional food import bill.

Minister Todd took the opportunity to convey Guyana’s gratitude for Trinidad and Tobago’s continued support for the preservation and

Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Amery Browne

maintenance of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministers extended appreciation for the outstanding service of the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who will soon conclude his term of office.

They also look forward to working with the Secretary-General designate, Dr. Carla Barnett, once she assumes office. The Ministers agreed to meet again in the near future at a mutually convenient date and time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Floodwaters receding across the country

DUE to moderately improved weather conditions and drainage of lands, floodwaters have begun to recede across the country; however, given the extent of the flooding, there still remains some amount of water in some communities.

According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), there has also been a slight increase in shelter operations, with a new shelter being established at the Rockstone Guest House, which is housing seven persons as at June 28.

Overall, the number of persons occupying shelters has increased to a total of 239 persons, who are being housed in a total of 10 shelters activated in Regions Two, Five, Nine and 10.

The number includes 30 persons at the Barama Building in Karawab, Region Two; seven persons at the Mortice Primary HM Building in Region Five; four at a shelter in Tabatinga, Region Nine; and 198 persons across seven shelters in Region 10.

There are 133 females and 106 males in those shelters.

Floodwaters in the coastal regions have mostly receded while there have also been significant improvements in Region Nine where the floods have receded from several communities including the township of Lethem.

In the other interior regions, there has been significant drop in the water level.

The CDC, in a release, noted that monitoring across all regions for waterborne diseases continues and some minor cases involving rashes and diarrhea have begun to be reported in some areas.

These cases are being sufficiently dealt with by the Ministry of Health, while medical kits are also being deployed by the CDC. Below is an outline of the situation in the respective regions.

REGION ONE Floodwaters have receded in riverine communities and have dropped to normal levels in the Barama River; however some areas mostly farmlands remain water-logged.

REGION TWO Floodwaters have receded in all previously affected communities including those on the Coast and in the Pomeroon River, while there has been no new reports of flooding.

REGION THREE Floodwaters have receded from most communities previously affected; however some farmlands still remain

mains high at approximately two feet.

In the Mahaicony Creek area water has dropped by approximately 14 inches in Hyde Park, by three inches in Gor-

homes, shops and dredges.

REGION EIGHT According to the last report as of Monday 28 June, some 56 households were still

inundated. The RDC continues to monitor the situation.

REGION NINE In Region Nine, water levels have receded in

Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, (right) and an overseer recently inspecting a pump at Taymonth Manor

inundated.

All necessary structures continue to be monitored by engineers and field rangers, with machinery and workers having been mobilised by the regional administration, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), which continue to assist affected communities in the region.

REGION FOUR In Region Four, floodwaters have significantly receded in several previously affected communities in Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank areas. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has been placing much emphasis on the drainage situation around the region.

The Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) also continue to do emergency cleaning and monitoring of affected communities with a number of CIIP workers being dispatched across the region.

REGION FIVE At the Mahaica Creek area water has dropped by approximately one inch in the communities of Big Baiboo, Handsome Tree, District #10, Broken Waterhand and De Hoop but the water still re-

don Table and Wash Clothes, and by one inch in First Savanah. However, there is little to no change in Mortice, Esau and Jacob, Mora Point, Water Dog Creek, Pine Ground and Governors Light, which remains inundated with about two to three feet of water.

The entire communities of Burma Housing Scheme and Moraikobai Village remain flooded with about two to four feet of water. The RDC confirmed houses and farmlands are still under water in all the affected communities.

At Abary Creek water has dropped by one inch.

REGION SIX As a result of improved weather conditions and operable pumps, water has receded in communities across the region except in Macedonia, which remains flooded because of poor drainage. The NDCs continue to monitor and render support to the region, while excavators are assisting with the desilting of canals in farming areas.

REGION SEVEN Water levels have receded by approximately 15 feet in the Kamarang and Mazaruni Rivers. Residents from areas who were previously affected are beginning to return to their

Lethem, Tabatinga, North and Central Lethem and vehicles can now access the villages of Aishalton and Karasabi. However, a major section of the road was washed away by floodwaters at Cracrana.

Several stakeholders in the region continue to assist affected communities while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) continue to monitor the security of the border region.

REGION TEN Water has receded by approximately 18 inches in Kwakwani, Hururu, Sandhills, Dalawala and Landerville; however, the bottom flats of homes and farmlands are still flooded with about four feet of water. In Maria Elizabeth, Muritaro, Malali and Great falls, water has receded by approximately three to six inches, notwithstanding water levels are still at approximately three feet high with homes and farms are still flooded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

― in Latin America, Caribbean, says International Labour Organization THE International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced the need to design policies aimed at the recovery of tourism in Latin American and Caribbean countries, which will promote one of the most dynamic economic sectors essential for the generation of foreign exchange, income and jobs.

According to a release, tourism was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new regional technical note from the ILO. While the number of total employed persons contracted, on average, by 24.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, the loss of jobs in the hotel and restaurant sector in Latin America and the Caribbean totalled 44.7 per cent.

“The recovery of tourism depends directly on the ad-

vancement of vaccinations and the adoption of adequate safety and health measures at work.

The reactivation of this sector may have an important multiplier effect on the economy and employment, which may be crucial to overcome the crisis generated by the pandemic,” said Vinícius Pinheiro, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ILO Regional Director added that, “it is essential that the recovery policies for the sector contribute to improving the quality of jobs and stimulate the formalisation of the labour market. Supporting micro and small businesses is also crucial for the benefits of tourism to favour local development.”

Titled “Towards a sustainable recovery of employment in the tourism sector in Latin

America and the Caribbean”, the technical note is part of the Labour Overview series of the ILO Regional Office.

It highlights that before the pandemic, in 2019, the tourism economy, which includes both tourism and all the sectors that depend on it, accounted for 26 per cent of total Gross

duction in employment did not affect all workers in a homogeneous way: the loss was greater for women, young workers, migrant workers and for those who were in informal positions.

In 2019, women were overrepresented in the hotel and restaurant subsectors, with

Domestic Product (GDP) in the Caribbean and 10 per cent in Latin America.

It also says that the re-

58 per cent of employment, while in total occupations they accounted for 42.5 per cent.

Another overrepresented group in the sector is young workers, up to 24 years of age, who make up 20.9 per cent of employment in the sector and 13.5 per cent of total employment.

Before the pandemic, informal jobs in tourism outweighed informality in all other areas of employment: 63.3 per cent of workers in hotels and restaurants in the region worked in informal conditions, while that percentage was 51.8 per cent of total employment.

SIGNIFICANT EFFECT Tourism is characterised by a higher percentage of workers who worked short hours in 2019: underemployment affected 25.9 per cent of total workers and 31.2 per cent of those employed in hotels and restaurants. In addition, according to the technical note, it is a relatively low-paid sector: the income of tourism workers represented, on average, 75 per cent of the income of all persons employed.

The ILO analysis highlights the need to design policies to promote a recovery with productive employment, the creation of decent work and sustainable companies in the tourism sector, especially to face challenges associated with the high presence of informality, underemployment and low income.

Additionally, the sector’s support policies must have a focus on protecting the environment and maximising the benefits for the host communities and minimising the negative impacts that tourism activities may involve, adds the analysis.

And, given the significant presence of women in the sector, the legal frameworks for the development of the activity should have a gender perspective and include mechanisms

for the prevention of discrimination and the promotion of gender equality.

Other recommendations include need for digitisation and expansion of capacities; productive transformation and creation of green jobs; and social dialogue and strengthening of coordination and voice of the tourism sector.

This week, the recovery of the tourism sector will be the subject of analysis during a virtual tripartite meeting of representatives from governments and employers’ organisations and workers’ organisations.

The gathering will seek to exchange experiences and initiatives aimed at underpinning the recovery.

Tourism was the subject of special consideration in the ILO resolution for a global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, which was passed this month by delegates from around the world at the International Labour Conference.

The ILO call raises the need to “facilitate a rapid recovery that boosts the sustainability of the travel and tourism sector, bearing in mind its labour-intensive nature and its key role in countries highly dependent on tourism, including small island developing states”.

Woman on the run after attacking brother with bottle A 27-year-old man identified as Ricardo Mahadeo from Silk Cotton Dam, Zeelugt, East Bank of Essequibo, is now nursing injuries, after his sister dealt him several blows to his head with a bottle, before stabbing him with the broken bottle pieces.

According to police reports, Mahadeo left his residence around 12:00hrs on Tuesday and ventured to his aunt’s residence at Vergenoegen, East Bank of Essequibo, where, on arrival, he met his sister, her boyfriend and two other cousins and they began consuming alcohol.

During their “drinking session,” Mahadeo gave his sister $1,000 and instructed her to purchase ‘chaser’.

She returned after a few hours had passed, and upon her return an argument ensued between the

siblings during which her boyfriend intervened as the peacemaker.

The victim informed police that his sister then picked up a bottle and dealt him a lash to the left side of his head causing him to receive injuries. He said that she also took a piece of the broken bottle and dealt him a stab to his chest causing him to receive further injuries.

The police were subsequently summoned to the scene where, upon arrival,

Mahadeo was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast of Demerara where he was seen by a doctor on duty, treated and referred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted as a patient in stable condition.

Police reported that checks were made for the suspect but she was not contacted; however, her boyfriend was detained pending further investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

ExxonMobil seeks approval to flare beyond pilot level

EXXONMOBIL Guyana has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking approval to flare beyond pilot levels, which is equivalent to 15 million cubic feet per day.

This is according to a statement issued by the company on Wednesday.

ExxonMobil said that the request was made in an effort to legitimately facilitate continued testing of a discharge silencer- a new piece of equipment for the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The oil giant had previously sought permission to flare, due to some issues with its gas compressor system.

“The upgraded and repaired discharge silencer of the third stage flash-gas compressor and a new venturi were safely installed on the Liza Destiny and the first phase of testing was successfully completed earlier this week,” ExxonMobil related.

The compressor was damaged in January, and resulted in the company having to temporarily increase gas flaring to above pilot levels in order to maintain safe operations.

The faulty contraption was subsequently removed

and sent to Germany for immediate repairs. The repaired and upgraded components of the flash-gas compression system have been safely re-installed, with a comprehensive threephase testing programme undertaken to ensure full safety.

The company said that the flash-gas compression system was started up on June 19 for the first testing phase and was shut down on June 28 in order to remove temporary probes and instrumentation.

“During the first testing phase, the company said that it was able to reduce the flare to pilot level, and that initial test results indicate improvements in pulsation dampening performance,” ExxonMobil said, adding that the second phase of testing for the newly-installed equipment is slated to begin on July 4.

“Upon successful completion, we expect the system to continue into normal operation,” the company’s spokesperson, Janelle Persaud, related.

She said that in an effort to ensure ExxonMobil Guyana remains in compliance with its environmental permit, the company has applied to the EPA for approval to flare above the pilot level for the extended

period of testing.

Persaud reiterated that the company is expecting the arrival of a new, redesigned flash-gas compressor

90,000 barrels. But, amid the ongoing repairs, the company began to ramp-up production, which has since moved from 30,000 barrels

during the fourth quarter of this year. The piece of equipment is currently being manufactured overseas.

Initially, as a result of the damaged discharge silencer, production at the Liza Destiny was reduced significantly, moving from 120,000 to 30,000 barrels per day, a decrease of

of oil per day to between 100,000 and 110,000 barrels per day, at a flare level of no more than 15 million standard cubic feet of gas

The Liza Destiny FPSO

per day (Mscfd).

A response to the recently submitted application will determine whether the company will be granted

approvals to flare beyond the aforementioned levels.

The EPA had said that ExxonMobil, as a result of its flaring activity, was

projected to exceed the 14 Billion Standard Cubic Feet (Bcf) of gas estimated by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be flared for the project, on May 13, 2021.

The environmental permit for the Liza Phase One development was since recalled and modified to include specific regulatory requirements for flaring of associated gas offshore Guyana, in accordance with the EPA’s legislation.

On May 13, 2021, the modified permit was issued to EEPGL, ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, having been signed by both the company and the EPA. It includes revised terms and conditions relating to emissions reporting requirements, technical considerations for flaring, timelines for flaring events and an obligation on the company to pay for the emission of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) as a result of flaring in excess of these timelines.

Based on the terms of the new permit, as calculated by the EPA, EEPGL will have to pay US$30 per tonne of CO2e.

12

UG professors win Guyana Innovation Prize

UNIVERSITY of Guyana Professors, Subramaniam Gomathinayagam, Director, UG Berbice Campus, and Raymond Jagessar, a Senior Lecturer at the University’s Turkeyen Campus, were recently recognised by the ‘Guyana Innovation Prize Stakeholders’ for their outstanding work in science and technology innovations in the fields of agriculture and food-based science respectively.

Professor Gomathinayagam lectures Biology of Plants, Bio-technology, and Plant Cellular Biology, while Jagessar lectures Organic and Inorganic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry. They were both recipients of grants for their innovative projects under the 2021 Innovation Guyana Prize, a release said.

Briefly describing his research project, an elated Professor Gomathinayagam said: “My project is to produce a biological agent named ‘Bio-Diamond,’ a biological control agent of plant diseases. My motivation and vision are for Guyana to become an ‘Organic Farming’ country.

Therefore, my product ‘Bio-Diamond’ is to minimise the use of commercial chemicals and fertiliser.”

He added that the project

is very useful and relevant as it allows students and staff the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the agriculture field and to increase awareness of the use of commercial chemicals and fertilisers. He expressed hope that the project could be used as a link between the farming community and the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, in the near future.

synthetic antimicrobials, to date, suffer from antimicrobial resistance due to improper use.”

He further highlighted: “The world is confronted with three escalated problems: COVID-19, Global Warming, and Antimicrobial Resistance. I have been researching in plant-based antimicrobials and natural antidiabetics at UG for the past 15 and 10 years respectively and will continue to

Professor Subramaniam Gomathinayagam Jagessar’s research was titled; “Stone Wall Diamond Natural Antimicrobials and Antidiabetics.” In a brief comment, he explained: “My reason for getting involved in the project is to prevent antimicrobial resistance and diabetic surge locally. There has been an increase in diabetes, locally and internationally. Many

Senior Lecturer, Raymond Jagessar do so.”

The Guyana Innovation Prize was established to support Guyanese researchers, thinkers, and doers by providing a competitive grant annually to some of the most commercially viable ideas.

The grant is sponsored by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Guyana

Economic Development Trust (GEDT).

The university views this development as exemplary, and in keeping with its BluePrint 2040 goal # 2, where UG becomes a Centre for excellence in providing solutions for some specific problems of Guyana and the planet. Amongst these are agri and aquaculture and human resiliency. Last year, UG also copped this prize when Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr Lawrence Lewis, won for his innovative work with biochar in soil restoration, a technology that may become very important in the rebuilding work that must be done in Guyana after the floods.

UG Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene; Vice-Chancellor, XI, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin; Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Dr. Emanuel Cummings and Dr. Mellissa Ifill, and the entire Senior Management Team, Faculty and Staff extend warmest congratulations to Professors Gomathinayagam and Jagessar for winning the prestigious awards and wish them continued success in their research projects. The University of Guyana is incredibly proud to celebrate and highlight their achievements.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Police Sergeant robbed by three teens THREE male teens are now in police custody after they purportedly robbed a 36-year-old Police Sergeant, Kenyatta Bishops, at Tabatinga, Lethem, between 21:00hrs and 22:10hrs, on Tuesday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force, Bishops was relieved, allegedly, of $98,800.

Police said that Bishops left home around 15:00hrs on Tuesday in his motor car bearing registration number, PPP 9131, and ventured to a mechanic shop at Tabatinga, to execute repairs on the same vehicle, as the lock on the driver’s side would often malfunction.

He had in his possession a black “side bag” containing $98,800 cash, which he left in his vehicle. At approximately 21:00hrs, Bishops secured his vehicle with the cash inside and left his vehicle parked on the roadside in front of his friend residence, while awaiting the arrival of a car part.

At approximately 22:10hrs, upon checking his vehicle, Bishops discovered that the bag with the cash was missing and the driver’s side front door was not properly secured. He immediately made a report to the Lethem Police Station.

Information from the police state that the three suspects, aged 15, 16 and 17 years old, were contacted and questioned, and one of them admitted to stealing the bag containing the cash. Additionally, the same suspect accompanied officers to a spot located in the village and handed over the bag with the cash.

The three suspects were all arrested and remain in custody at the Lethem Police Station, as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

$15,000 child care subsidy for essential workers

AS a means of giving back to persons working above and beyond their call of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, on Wednesday, announced the launch of their $15,000 child care subsidy for essential workers.

According to a statement released by the ministry, the parents of children seven years or younger will receive a subsidy of $15,000, which can be utilised at any licensed day care or night care facility.

“We’ve recognised that some workers have been working throughout the pandemic even though they may not be seen as conventional frontline workers,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, was quoted as say-

ing in the statement from the ministry.

Further, the minister said: “These individuals are salesgirls in supermarkets, persons cleaning schools, and doing many other jobs on which the spotlight is not conventionally placed. We are starting in this small way to give back to them some help at this point, and while this is going on, we are working with day care centres, who are not licensed, to become licensed so that more persons can benefit from the services.”

It was stated, too, that the subsidy will also come in handy for persons who are working at and below minimum wages, and at night, who may need a safe place for their child or children.

“We have recognised this, so this service will be of benefit to them,”

Minister Persaud noted, adding: “We are conscious of the need for safe environments for children and that many parents cannot afford this.”

The $15,000 subsidy will be paid directly to the care facility every month, for up to three months per child.

Applications can be accessed and submitted online, and hard copies to be filled out can be obtained at the ministry’s central and regional offices. The closing date for applications is August 9, 2021.

The list of essential workers include junior ranks of the Joint Services, frontline health workers, domestic workers, security guards, sales clerks, and vendors. For more information, persons can call 223-1745, Mondays to Fridays, from 13:00hrs to 16:30hrs.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, with a child during an outreach

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

COVID-19 claims another life

THE Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, recorded another COVID-19 death for the month of June, 2021.

There have been 71 such deaths within June alone, making it the second deadliest month for the pandemic in Guyana, while a total of 469 deaths have been recorded locally since the detection of the viral disease in March, 2020.

May remains the month with the highest number of fatalities, with the Ministry of Health having recorded 99 deaths within 31 days.

The latest fatality is a 52-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who succumbed while receiving medical care at a government facility.

Further, the Health Ministry has recorded 96 new cases of COVID-19, with

1,550 tests carried out for June 29, 2021.

Of these, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded four; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), seven; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), nine; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 53; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), five; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), nine; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), five; and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), four.

The newly infected persons were 42 males and 54 females. Presently, 12 persons occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 94 are institutionally isolated, 1,440 are isolated at home, and six are institutionally quarantined.

Of Guyana’s 20,055 confirmed cases, 1,552 are active, and are currently be-

ing monitored, while 161 of Guyana’s 18,040 recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours.

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 curb the spread of COVID-19.

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

Third trial into Rubis accountant murder set to commence today

THE High Court trial of three men who are accused of murdering Rubis accountant, Jason Cort, in 2015, is expected to commence today before a 12-member jury.

Stancy Rodney, 30; Linton Eastman, 33, and Clifton Gibson, 33, have all pleaded not guilty to the charge which states that on June 17, 2015, at Meadowbrook Gardens, Georgetown, during the course of a robbery, they murdered Cort.

The trio will stand trial for the capital offence be-

fore JusticeSandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

The state is being represented by prosecutor Lisa Cave, while attorneys-at-law Glen Hanoman, George Thomas and Melville Duke are on record for the defendants.

In 2020, the case was aborted twice in the interest of justice by Justice Brassington Reynolds.

According to reports, on the day in question at about 22:30hrs, Cort was shot to the chest when gunmen invaded his home.

The perpetrators later escaped with his licensed firearm, cellphone, gold band, chain, ring and an Xbox console.

Cort had just returned home from an outing with his girlfriend. She was also in the house at the time of the incident but was unhurt.

One person from the community had indicated that after hearing the loud explosion and looking outside, he observed persons scaling the fence of Cort’s home and fleeing up the road.

L-R: Clifton Gibson, Linton Eastman and Stancy Rodney

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Second phase of COVID-19 cash grant commences in Region Six ― over 5,400 to benefit

THE second phase of the Government of Guyana COVID-19 $25,000 per household cash grant commenced at the Canefield/ Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in East Canje, Region Six, East Berbice, Corentyne on Wednesday.

During this process, 5,465 persons will benefit and some $136M will be injected into the region’s economy.

In the first phase of the exercise, primary households were given the $25,000 while tenants or other families who lived at the same address were issued pink slips or a query form. A verification process followed to determine if the holders of the slips were eligible before payment was made.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, who was on site to overlook the process, said the exercise was in keeping with the commitment made by the Government.

Regional Vice-Chairman,

Zamal Hussain, and Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud, were also present during the commencement of the second phase of the

exercise in Region Six. “Today’s exercise is no different from all the other exercises we have been doing in this country to assist peo-

ple in Guyana. As you know, this country has been hard hit by the COVID pandemic like many other countries of the world and our government,

although we are a middle income developing country we are still in front of many other countries in terms of helping our people and this

Regional Chairman, David Armogan hands over the grant to a resident of Canje. Also in photo are Regional Vice-Chairman, Zamal Hussain, and Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud

had to be a very brave decision by the government to roll out a cash grant to each household in our country as a relief measure from the COVID hardships we are facing,” he said.

Armogan related that the pandemic brought with it, not only hardships but unemployment and economic challenges to businesses; hence, placing many on the breadline.

He added that in the Canje area, many were unemployed prior to the pandemic due to the closure of the estate by the previous administration which made it ever harder for residents.

The Chairman said he hoped that the grant could assist the families and ease their hardships.

The distribution will continue in various areas in the region and recipients are asked to be patient as every person who received their slips will be entitled to the grant.

23 graduate from UG’s business training programme TWENTY-THREE University of Guyana (UG) students have successfully completed a 12-week Business Encounter Training programme which will equip them with the skills and competencies needed to design and establish businesses that are innovative and highly competitive.

They attended a virtual graduation ceremony hosted by the University of Guyana Institute for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (UGIRIE), on Saturday.

During the ceremony, several of the students were awarded for their innovative and cutting-edge business projects, some of which have now become household names in Guyana and will penetrate regional markets in the coming months.

Those receiving awards included: Finella Martin-Lee, Michael Lewis, Nawaz Haniff, Ashli Marks, and Ronaldo Venture from the School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation; David Forde of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology; Farzana Baksh, School of Pharmacy; and

Raeburn Jones, Faculty of Agriculture & Forestry/Entrepreneur, Mocha-Arcadia Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The university’s 11th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, in her remarks, noted that the university’s Blueprint 2040 is coming alive with the implementation of the UGIRIE programme.

She cited two areas: innovation and entrepreneurship, which are specific to Goals 2 and 4 of the blueprint, and observed that the UGIRIE Business Encounter Training programme is a small but very important step in the journey towards UG realising the aspirational goals of its blueprint. The VC also highlighted that UG is completely focussed on creating ‘Citizen Success’.

“With this initiative, it becomes more than just technical competence for our graduates, it becomes a matter of modelling for them what success, good behaviour, good values, etiquette in class and online etiquette look like. Since 60% of learning happens through

observation, so it becomes important for facilitators and mentors to help model for and guide our young people,” Professor Martin expounded.

Meanwhile, UGIRIE’s Founding Director and former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Professor Pat Francis, recalled that when the project first started, it was unsure where the resources would have come from to ensure its sustainability.

However, she expressed that at UG, there is a vision to support and develop young entrepreneurs as this is what is needed in Guyana, hence all efforts were made to ensure that the project received the financial backing from various partners, the greatest of which were the partners of the Greater Guyana Initiative.

Francis further noted that the research being done, as well as the courses and workshops being offered by the UGIRIE, will be streamlined as electives and will eventually find their way into the curriculum of the university following due academic

process.

“Our students are bright; they have what it takes to be innovators. Give the young people a chance so that Guyana can move from businesses being buying and selling to a people who are innovating and bringing in foreign exchange into the country,” she added.

She further noted that other students must be exposed to other countries and facilities that will simulate their ideas, in order to bridge the education gap that exists.

“If, as a nation, we are going to meet the needs of the next century, we must ensure that graduates do not leave UG looking for jobs but rather to have them graduate as innovators creating jobs. That is, they must put their talent, mental, and physical energies to work for Guyana,” Francis urged.

The UGIRIE project is a beneficiary of the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), which is funded by the Stabroek Block co-venturers, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. The $20billion commit-

ment is geared at building human capacity and supporting sustainable and diversified economic growth across Guyana. UG is one of 5 major partners in the initiative, and has since benefited tremendously in several areas of academic and institutional advancement.

Matthew Scharf, Senior Public & Government Affairs Adviser at ExxonMobil Guyana, noted that the company has been continuously supporting various initiatives of the university since 2015, as they contribute to national development.

Also giving remarks was the Executive Director of Camex Restaurants Inc., Dr Terrence Campbell.

He acknowledged that since the university has a pivotal role to play in Guyana’s development, the efforts by UGIRIE to share with and transfer business skills to young entrepreneurs from different backgrounds are both critical and timely.

International Business Consultant and Entrepreneurship Development Specialist, Yvonne Mattis, gave

a detailed overview of the programme. She also served as the UGIRIE Workshop Programme Consultant.

Dean (Designate) of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Paulette Henry, who has led the development of national professional standards for social work practice in Guyana, distributed the certificates to the participants.

The UGIRIE was birthed in 2019 by Professor Francis. The initiative focusses on upscaling UG’s award-winning, student and staff innovation concepts which facilitates the expansion of business opportunities.

Programmes and courses offer practical approaches for establishing, accelerating and scaling up UGs research and innovations to businesses. UGIRIE focusses on concepts that are grounded in good science and technology.

The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Institutional Advancement, Dr Mellissa Ifill, eloquently moderated the simple but significant ceremony.

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First consignment of purchased Sinopharm vaccines arrives in Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

― to boost ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign

THE first consignment of the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Guyana early Wednesday morning, with the remaining doses scheduled to arrive later this week.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said Wednesday’s shipment was the first of 100,000 doses purchased from the People’s Republic of China.

Speaking during his daily COVID-19 update, Minister Anthony said the 100,000 doses will see some 50,000 more persons being

immunised.

“As you would know that during the month, we spoke about the Government of Guyana purchasing 100,000 doses. So, the majority of those doses came in last night. And we will now do the count to see exactly how many we have received, and the rest of the shipment is going to be here by Saturday.

So, with that final shipment on Saturday we should have all 100,000 in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony related.

Minister Anthony said the shipment includes both first

and second doses.

“As you know, the Sinopharm vaccine, what you give as your first dose, you also give that as a second dose, so we’ll be keeping 50,000 in storage, we will be distributing 50,000.

“Starting from today (Tuesday), those vaccines that we have received will be distributed to the different regions. And again, we are hoping that people will come forward and get their vaccine because we will have your second dose waiting and ready,” Minister Anthony

Man accused of murder remanded CHARLES Griffith, who allegedly shot and killed a man, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison by Chief magistrate Ann McLennan during an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which states that he, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Apaiqua Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, committed the act of murder on Shane Blake with the use of a gun.

It is alleged that on the day in question, at about 05:20 hours, Griffith went to an abandoned building at Apaiqua Landing where Blake stayed. He entered Blake’s room while being armed with a gun and ordered him to put on his clothing.

Blake, in response, chopped Griffith to his left shoulder. Griffith subsequently shot Blake once to his left side upper chest which resulted in his death.

Griffith made good his escape but he was later arrested.

The matter was adjourned until Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

added.

With the Sinopharm vaccine, the Health Minister explained that the four-week interval between doses will continue. He said the efficacy is “quite good,” and urged all eligible adults to take the ‘jab’.

Further, Dr. Anthony related: “When we talk about efficacy, we want to talk about a couple of things her: How effective is the vaccine against preventing infection, how effective is the vaccine against preventing severe forms of the infection-- meaning hospitalization-- and how effective is the vaccine against preventing deaths, and in all three of these areas, the Sinopharm vaccine is around 70 something per cent. So, it’s really good.

“I keep reiterating that we have not seen anybody who received both doses of their vaccine, having a severe form of COVID-19, meaning that they come into the hospital, ended up in the ICU or dying

A batch of the Sinopharm vaccine being transported off the plane at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

from COVID-19. So, it is important that people understand this and get both doses of their vaccines. So, we expect that people would come out and get their Sinopharm vaccine.”

In early March, the

Government of the People’s Republic of China donated 20,000 doses of its Sinopharm vaccine to Guyana.

From that consignment, approximately 10,000 persons were vaccinated against COVID-19.

Man accused of murdering brother remanded

QUINCY Chase, who allegedly stabbed his brother to death after he confronted him about assaulting their mother, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

During his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, he was not required to plead to the indictable charge which states that on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Cummings Street, Bourda, Georgetown, he murdered Paul Anthony Chase.

According to the prosecution, the brothers lived together and would make daily trips to their mother’s Cummings Street home for meals.

On the date in question, their mother confronted Quincy about a burnt spot on a mattress.

Quincy reportedly became annoyed and dealt his mother a cuff to her face which caused her to receive injuries to her left eye.

Paul immediately confronted Quincy, who armed himself with a knife and inflicted a stab wound to Paul’s left side chest.

Members of an emergency medical team later pronounced Paul dead. Quincy was arrested and later charged.

The matter was adjourned until Thursday, July 22, 2021.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

West Indies Women win opening T20 against Pakistan

(CMC) – West Indies Women held their nerve and staved off a late challenge from Pakistan Women, to pull off a ten-run victory in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series here yesterday.

Player-of-the-Match Shamilia Connell rocked the visitors in a devastating opening spell which yielded three for 21 from four overs as Pakistan, in pursuit of a tricky 137, slumped to 23

Hayley Matthews, who had a day to forget in the field with two dropped catches, had earlier topscored with 32 off 28 deliveries, as West Indies Women marched to 136 for six off their 20 overs after being sent in.

Veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin pummelled 31 and Kyshona Knight, 23, but the home side struggled for momentum at the back end of their innings.

The right-handed Matthews put

Shamilia Connell (right) celebrates a wicket with Hayley Matthews during yesterday’s opening T20 International against Pakistan. for three in the third over at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

When speedster Aaliyah Alleyne (2-23) entered the attack and picked up two more wickets to further destabilise the innings, West Indies were threatening to run away with the contest, with Pakistan tottering on 57 for six in the 13th over.

However, 16-year-old Ayesha Naseem struck a bold unbeaten 45 from 33 deliveries with two fours and a six, inspiring an unbroken 69-run, seventh-wicket stand with Fatima Sana whose 24 not out came from 21 balls.

Their enterprise left West Indies with 21 runs to defend from the final over but seamer Shakera Selman put all her experience on show to ensure there were no surprises.

on 65 off 53 deliveries for the first wicket with Dotttin before advancing to left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu and punching an easy catch to cover in the ninth over.

Two balls later with two runs added in the next over, Dottin also gifted her wicket by slapping a short ball from offspinner Nida Dar (2-15) to cover, leaving Knight and captain Stafanie Taylor (11) to repair the innings in a stand of 26 for the third wicket.

Taylor spent 18 balls at the crease without hitting a boundary before frustratingly hitting across a full-length delivery from Nida Dar at the end of the 14th over and falling lbw.

Knight counted two boundaries in her 21-ball knock but West Indies only managed to gather 43 runs from the last 42 deliveries of the innings.

Connell then scythed through the Pakistan top order to set up her side’s victory, striking with the sixth ball of the innings when she got Javeria Rauf to play on for five with seven runs on the board.

And in her next over – the third of the innings – she bowled captain Javeria Khan for seven after the right-hander failed to keep down a short ball and then also got Nida Dar to play on for nine.

Off-spinner Matthews induced Muneeba Ali (9) to sky to Chinelle Henry in the deep at the end of the eighth over, before Alleyne grabbed the first of her two wickets by shattering the stumps of Aliya Riaz with a fulllength delivery at 40 for five in the ninth over.

Iram Javed arrived at number six to strike two fours in 11 before also having her stumps hit by the lively Alleyne. But sloppy fielding, combined with Naseem’s bravery, put pressure back on the Windies Women.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Tottenham appoint Nuno as manager

(BBC) - Tottenham have appointed former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager on a two-year contract.

Nuno left Wolves in May after four impressive seasons, during which time he took the club from the Championship to a Europa League quarter-final.

Spurs sacked Jose Mourinho in April and replaced him with 29-yearold Ryan Mason until the end of last season.

“It’s an enormous pleasure and honour (to be at Spurs). I’m happy and looking forward to starting work,” said Nuno.

“We don’t have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as preseason starts in a few days.”

Tottenham have brought in Nuno after Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso were linked with the job this summer.

Spurs made contact with Paris St-Germain boss Pochettino about the possibility of the Argentine returning to manage them but the French club were not prepared to let him go.

Former Chelsea boss Conte appeared set for the role, having left Inter Milan after leading them to the Serie A title, only for talks between the Italian and Spurs to break down.

Ex-Roma manager Fonseca then thought he was taking over, only to be

dumped in favour of Gattuso, who was quickly rejected when fans reacted badly to the existence of social media posts which brought the Italian’s commitment to inclusivity into question.

Nuno won the 2017-18

attacking, entertaining football, and (managing director of football) Fabio (Paratici) and I believe Nuno is the man who can take our talented group of players, embrace our young players coming through and build

Nuno finished 13th in the Premier League with Wolves last season.

Championship title in his first season with Wolves before leading them to seventh in the Premier League in the following two seasons, while they finished 13th last season.

“We should like to thank our supporters for all their patience throughout this process,” said Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

“I’ve spoken already about the need to revert k to our core DNA of playing

something special.”

Paratici left his role as Juventus’ long-serving chief football officer to take on his role at Spurs earlier this month.

“You only have to look at Nuno’s time at Wolves to see his ability to take a group of players and implement an adaptive style that brings success and allows players to develop and thrive,” he said.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday July 01, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dinesh Ramdin-26 dismissals (25 catches; 1 stumping - 6 Tests) (2) Niroshan Dickwella-19 dismissals (19 catches- 5 Tests)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI player has contested most Test matches against BANG to date?

(2) Which BANG cricketer has played most Test matches against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

United agree in principal for Sancho Sancho has made one substitute appearance for England at Euro 2020.

(BBC) - Manchester United have agreed a fee in principle with Borussia Dortmund for England winger Jadon Sancho.

It is understood United will pay Dortmund 85M euros (£73M) for the 21-yearold, who joined them from Manchester City in 2017.

Personal terms are yet to be finalised and a medical completed but neither are expected to present a problem.

The news will be welcomed by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who wants to build on United’s progress last season.

They finished runners-up

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to Premier League champions Manchester City and reached the Europa League final, losing to Villarreal.

The United boss has identified four key positions he wants to improve: right side of his midfield, then the central defensive, midfield and attacking areas.

Sancho fills the first of those.

The news brings to an end a long chase for the Londoner, who shone in Watford’s academy.

United expected to sign him last summer but could not agree a fee.

He is set to become

the second-most expensive English footballer of all-time behind Harry Maguire, who joined United from Leicester for £80M in August 2019.

Sancho scored 50 goals and registered 57 assists in 137 appearances for Dortmund, scoring twice in the German Cup final to help the Bundesliga side to a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in May. He has won 20 caps for England since his international debut in 2018, scoring three goals, and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 201819 and 2019-20.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

South Africa tour of the West Indies 2021- 4th T20….

Simmons says more communication, better assessment needed by Windies

By Clifton Ross LOOKING to regain some momentum and a grip on the 5-match series, West Indies head coach Phil Simmons is adamant that his boys will regroup and return to their winning ways come today when the 4th T20 bowls off.

The Caribbean hosts drew first blood but lucked out big time in game 2 going down by 16 runs before losing by just a run in game 3 to leave South Africa firmly in charge with a 2-1 lead of the series.

During yesterday’s

pre-match virtual press conference, Simmons was chock-full with confidence despite coming off two successive losses and pointed out a number of positives which has been impressed with despite the Windies having more work to do.

While batting has been good for the home team, poor shots at times or an ultraaggressive approach has seemingly worked against the team but Simmons acknowledged these errors and was confident after some talks with his guys that the

team will return to their prime form today.

“I think in T20 you have more tinkering to do than in any other format. We have batsmen who can give impetus or steady the fall of wickets and we have to do that in this case. Also, we have batsmen who can play the role of scoring but what we can do as batsmen is assess the situation a lot better than we did and do okay according to the situation.” said Simmons.

Simmons continued to explain, “As batsmen you have to tweak your approach,

the perfect example is against Sri Lanka in the last series where Jason (Holder) and Fabian (Allen) batted, that sort of assessment and communication is needed now.”

Speaking of Chris Gayle who missed the last game, the Trinidadian said the T20 ‘Universe Boss’ was good and not carrying any injuries, stating the veteran left-hander “was fine”. He also took some time to praise the likes of pacer Obed McCoy and a returning Shimron Hetmyer.

“We saw him (McCoy) in

Pooran says ‘no excuse’ in losing third T20I

… calls on players to execute their roles

WEST Indies Twenty20 International vice-captain, Nicholas Pooran, has indicated that there is no excuse for losing the third Twenty20 International to South Africa by one run in Grenada on Tuesday.

“In T20s partnerships form, you do lose wickets, but I felt it was our game to win in all honesty. We had that partnership with myself and Fabian (Allen) and we should have won, no excuse.” Pooran expressed in an interview.

“Despite South Africa bowling well in the last two games, we should have found a way to win that game,” he added.

On the brighter side, Pooran said Windies are happy with the ‘death bowling’ as they were able to restrict South Africa after they had got another solid start in the power play.

Pooran, who made 26 from 28 balls in the close finish, said

Sri Lanka, he’s one of those who are grabbing information and asking questions. We continue to push him to improve. It’s good for WI cricket and it’s an enormous help for him to have a guy like Dwayne Bravo on and off the field there to help with T20 bowling and other aspects of the game”. the coach outlined.

Regarding the Guyanese batsman who made a decent effort to get into double figures before being removed by the T20 spin specialist Tabraiz Shamsi, coach Simmons threw his support behind

the former West Indies U-19 World Cup winning skipper, should he be selected for the remainder of the series.

“Hetty, the situation eluded him again because he started well. He’s one of the best players of spin in the team, so Shamsi should not be getting him out in a soft way like that. But it was addressed with him, so hopefully if selected for the next game he can look at the situation because he has all the ability”.

Meanwhile, the 4th match bowls off today at 14:00hrs.

Team Alanis’ Georgetown to Mahaicony and back cycling race set for Sunday

CYCLISTS will participate in a Georgetown to Mahaicony and back, road race on Sunday, July 4.

The Team Alanis event will have senior cyclists battle over a distance of 55 miles.

The race, which is open to all categories of riders will have Masters and Females compete over a shorter distance.

According to Paul Choowee-nam of Team Alanis,

those two categories will battle over a distance of 40 miles.

The Masters rider is also encouraging participants to come out for the race and to stay in shape since a number of big races are carded for this month.

This weekend’s event will see cyclists assemble at Carifesta Avenue from 07:00hrs before they proceed to Halfway Tree in Mahaicony and back to the starting point for the finish.

West Indies T20I vice-captain Nicholas Pooran

the players must continue to stay positive and they have been playing good cricket, but it is about executing their skills in the key moments to overcome the South Africans.

While Pooran said they were happy not to lose wickets to the Proteas’ spinners, West Indies soaked up 48 dots which is equivalent to eight

scoreless overs in the match.

Obed McKoy, Fabian Allen, and Kevin Sinclair have shown the depth in the West Indies ranks. If the big-names can fire alongside them, West Indies will be even more difficult to beat.

McCoy is the leading wicket-taker (seven) in the series so far and is

displaying the kind of skill that South Africa’s attack has lacked.

As mentioned, the bowling has come in for high praise but the batting will be required to click in this must-win match for West Indies if they are to keep their recent successful home series record intact.

Cyclists will battle over 55 miles and 40 miles (Masters and Females) on Sunday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Golden Jaguars ready to roar at CONCACAF Gold Cup AFTER finishing the first round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 with one victory, Guyana will strive to turn things around, beginning with their date on July 3 versus Guatemala in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims.

The Golden Jaguars reached the Prelims by virtue of a second-place finish in their group in League B of the 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL), and the three top scorers from

that CNL campaign - Trayon Bobb, Emery Welshman and Sheldon Holder - have all been included in head coach Marcio Maximo’s final 23man roster.

Bobb had four goals during the six CNL matches, while Welshman and Holder each chipped in with a pair of goals.

Golden Jaguars are already well versed in the nuances of Gold Cup competition, having qualified for the 2019 edition and earned their firstever Gold Cup point in a

1-1 group stage draw with Trinidad and Tobago.

There is also a good presence of players with experience in some of the highest levels of English football, including Bolton Wanderers’ DFs Liam Gordon and Reiss Greenidge, along with Queens Park Rangers’ Stephen Duke-McKenna and Bournemouth pair Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Connor Kurran-Browne.

One player that could become one of the revelations of the Prelims round is 17-year-old

forward Omari Glasgow of Fruta Conquerors FC. Glasgow already has three international caps and scored in Guyana’s 4-0 World Cup Qualifier win over The Bahamas.

It remains to be seen who Maximo will opt for in goal, but veteran Akel Clarke could well get the nod after being the No. 1 for the Golden Jaguars in two Gold Cup matches in 2019 and was the co-leader in saves (8) during the CNL

Henry’s ton leads Liberty to a 206-run victory against Centurions CC AN EVEN century by former national U-19 cricketer Trevor Henry spurred the Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club to a mammoth 206-run victory against New York Centurions CC, when action in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Caribbean Fest 40-over tournament continued on Sunday in NY. The US-based Guyanese side Liberty, who are the only unbeaten team left in the competition, won the toss and batted first at Baisley Ground.

Skipper Henry, who came in at three, added 67 runs for the second wicket with Naresh Rambharos who scored 52 (3x4, 6x4) from 55 balls. For the fourth wicket, Henry teamed up with Liberty’s reigning best bowler and Academic Excellence Award recipient, Altaaf Habibulla, to tally a match-high 102 runs.

The two batsmen were aggressive in their stroke

Skipper Trevor Henry led from the front with an even century.

plays and running between the wickets.

Habibulla scored 52 runs off of 36 balls before he was run-out. His innings was punctuated with four fours and two sixes.

Henry was able to push the score close to the threedigit mark before he fell lbw to Carlos Baker. His 100 included nine sixes and four fours from 75 balls.

Towards the end, Baker took control of the game with his medium pace, but the damage was already done as Liberty ended their allotted overs on 308-9.

Baker finished with 5-49 from eight overs.

In reply, none of the New York Centurions batsmen had answers for Liberty’s bowling attack.

Leg-spinner Raymond Ramrattan hurt the middle order to finish with 5-37, while mediumpacer Habibulla and offspinner Andrew Tomby took two wickets each to restrict their opponents for 102 in 21.5 overs.

GFF, Shabazz pay tribute to ‘Super Markie’ … Mark Xavier described as loyal servant of football

GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde offered his deepest sympathy to the family of former senior men’s national team manager Mark Xavier, who tragically passed away on Tuesday evening in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

The former football administrator died on the eve of his birthday at age 55.

Xavier, a passionate and long-term supporter of football in Guyana, served with distinction in his role as coordinating manager of Golden Jaguars under former head coach Jamaal Shabazz.

“Mark’s unwavering commitment to (and passion for) football, and his service to our community set an impressive example for others. He was a true servant of football,” Forde said.

Mark Xavier, popularly known as ‘Super Markie’

Raymond Ramrattan spun his way to 5-37.

The GFF boss further added, “on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation and the entire Guyanese football fraternity, I would like to offer my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to Mark’s family at this difficult time.”

Xavier had recently made a donation to the Civil Defence Commission on behalf of XY Construction to support those impacted by the recent floods.

Meanwhile, Shabazz said the death of Mark ‘Super Markie’ Xavier forced him to accept the reality that “Allah determines our birth and our death but I still feel the pain and grief of his loss. Markie was a servant of Guyana and a watchdog over its football.”

“Today I call on all Guyanese home and abroad: let us spare a thought and say a prayer for the soul of this beloved brother of ours. - a true Golden Jaguar and a Jaguar for life. Rest in peace, Super Markie!” Shabazz said.

Xavier was a lover of all sports, particularly football. He was credited for the rebirth of Riddim Squad Football Club while also serving as a member of Old Fort Hockey Club.

He took on the moniker ‘Super Markie’ after his love for music led him to be the lead singer of the famous Cannonballs Band in Linden.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 1, 2021

Minister Ramson, NSC executives throw support behind Badminton fraternity THE president and executives of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) recently paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr and Director of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The GBA body, led by its president Gokarn Ramdhani, VP Ayanna Watson, secretary Emelia Ramdhani, treasurer Darrell Carpenay, Asst. treasurer Marlon Chung and

committee member Ryan Chang had a fruitful meeting with Minister Ramson and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle.

Also present was Deputy Director of the NSC Melissa Dow-Richardson along with Chairman Kashif Muhammad.

This encounter was the first formal meeting between the newly formed NSC body and the minister.

The GBA noted that they were extremely happy

with the outcome of the meeting and thanked the minister and ministry “for meeting with us and we look forward to a great cooperation with helping with the development of badminton”.

The association recently launched its Air Badminton project which has so far been a success as it continues to reach various demographics and institutions across the country.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad along with GBA executives are pictured during the recent meeting.

GBBFF shortlists seven for CAC Championships in August … Bess confident of medals in El Salvador Heading the list is two-time CAC gold medallist and fivetime Mr Guyana Kerwin Clarke, four-time Mr Guyana (Men’s Physique) and multitime CAC podium finisher Emmerson Campbell, 2019 Mr Physique bronze medal winner Yannick Grimes, 2020 Resilience Bodybuilding champion Darious Ramsammy, reigning senior National Ms Bikini champion Rosanna Fung, 2020 Mr Novice C h a m p i o n Nicholas Albert and former powerlifting champion Roger Callender.

According to GBBFF president Keavon Bess the athletes are expected to represent the country with distinction.

“The GBBFF firmly believes that this team of seven athletes represents the elite stock of athletes that we currently have in Guyana and we are confident that this team would be able to medal National champion Rosanna Fung is at CAC 2021 in El Salvador.” the lone female athlete shortlisted.

THE Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has shortlisted seven athletes to represent the country at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, which is scheduled for August in San Salvador in the Central American country of El Salvador.

He said that Fung is one of the best female bodybuilding and fitness athletes in the country and that reigning CAC gold medallist Clarke and Grimes are time-and-tested bodybuilders. Former National Mr Physique Grimes was also credited for his good showing at CAC 2019, while the others were credited for their dramatic improvements in recent times.

He called 38-year-old Callender a “beast,” who has transformed his body and will be key in

the U-143 lb category and Ramsammy someone who has tremendously improved his physique since the last CAC in 2019.

Albert’s physique was described as well-trimmed and sharp and, according to Bess, the executive members feel that he can do well in the bantamweight category.

“Once this team is healthy and fit, we believe that each athlete will return to Guyana with a medal.”

Bess is also appealing for sponsors to aid the athletes.

He said that so far, GBBFF has reached out to several corporate entities in Guyana for sponsorship and has also submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for its support.

“We just want the full support of corporate Guyana and the entire fraternity of bodybuilding and fitness in Guyana.”

Along with the athletes, Bess as head of the delegation and at least one coach might also travel with the team.

Roger Callender has transformed his body over the years.

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GBBFF shortlists seven for CAC Championships in August See Page 27

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Guyana’s four athletes who competed at the 2019 CAC Championships have all been shortlisted to return. From left, Emmerson Campbell, gold medal winner in the light-middleweight division; Kerwin Clarke, bronze medal winner in the Mr Physique (Category A); Yannick Grimes and Darious Ramsammy.

Omari Glasgow in action for Guyana during one of their warm-up matches in Florida. (GFF photo)

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| THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021