Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-04-2021

FRIDAY 2nd April, 2021

' No.106319

Dear readers, the next edition of the Guyana Chronicle will be published on April 4, 2021

$2.3B Eccles-Mandela

SEE PAGE 03

four-lane highway by December Bond, Heath-London, 02 others charged with fraud

Old age pension now paid through the bank

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Financial analyst dies in Mabura accident 26 PAGE

25,000 doses of Russian Sputnik V vaccine to be received today PAGE

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Systems Development Coordinator, Godfrey Munroe, conducting a demonstration of how the smart classroom at the Leonora Secondary School could be used by teachers and students. The facility, which was commissioned by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, on Thursday, is the first of its kind in Region Three (Ministry of Education photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Bond, Heath-London, others charged with fraud PEOPLE'S National Congress Reform (PNCR) member and Attorney-at-law, James Bond; former Chief Exec-

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member and Attorney-at-law, James Bond

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath-London

Principal of ARKEN Group Inc., Jermaine Richmond

Director of A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc., Eddie Doolal

utive Officer (CEO) of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath-London, along with two businessmen, were, on Friday, hauled before the court in relation to the sale of State land at Peter’s Hall, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Bond, Heath-London along with Director of A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc, Eddie Doolal, and the

Principal of ARKEN Group Inc., Jermaine Richmond, were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. However, Heath-London was not present in court due to him being out of the jurisdiction and was charged in absentia.

Heath-London, Bond, and Richmond were jointly charged for the offence which alleged that between August 1, 2017, and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, they conspired together, and with others, to defraud the NICIL and its sole shareholder, the Government of Guyana of property interest in land, namely the grant of a lease of land known as plot

A1, A2, A3, A4 Plantation Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, owned by the said NICIL without the necessary board and Cabinet approval to do same and for the purposes other than that of NICIL. Another joint charge alleged that Heath-London, Bond, and Doolal between August 1, 2017, and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired together, and with others, to defraud NICIL and its sole shareholder, the Government of Guyana of property interest in land, namely the grant of a lease of land known as Plot A7, A8, A20 Plantation Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara.

The last charge alleged

that Heath-London and Bond, between August 1, 2017, and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired together, and with others, to defraud the NICIL and its sole shareholder, the Government of Guyana of property interest in land, namely the grant of a lease of land known as Plot A17, A18, A19 Plantation Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, Bond, Doolal and Richmond were not required to plead to the charges. Bond was released on a total of $150,000 bail while the two businessmen were released on $100,000 bail. The case was adjourned until April 19.

Bond is accused of benefitting from land deals emanating from the sale of State lands while purportedly looking after the interest of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which was presiding over the leasing of the lands.

Heath-London was arrested on November 20, 2020. London’s legal team has laid all wrongdoings at the feet of former CEO, Horace James, now deceased.

Two businessmen embroiled in the scandal were arrested and reportedly told investigators that it was Bond who facilitated the deals which saw 30 acres of prime State lands being transferred to Chinese national, Jianfen Yu. Furthermore, the businessmen reportedly also disclosed to police that it was Bond, not them, who received a hefty payoff from both deals, amounting to more than $100M. Bond also reportedly received a US$1M payment from Trinidad logistics company, Lennox Petroleum, for the sale of 10 acres of land leased to ARKEN Group Inc.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

$2.3B Eccles-Mandela four-lane highway by December –– direct relief to be provided to more than 18,000 residents

TRAFFIC congestion along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor should be reduced significantly by December, as six contracts were signed on Thursday for the construction of a $2.3 billion concrete, fourlane highway from Mandela Avenue, Georgetown to Eccles, EBD. This project is divided into six lots: Lot one - Eccles, EBD, Lot two- Agricola, Lot three – Rome, Lot four – Houston South, Lot five Houston North, and Lot six - South Ruimveldt.

The contracts for this phased project were distributed among six different contractors. The combined total of the winning bids to construct the four-lane highway is $2,356,914,515.

The contractors awarded are: Lot one - GuyAmerica Construction Inc. ($555M); Lot two - a joint venture among MTSUL Construcoes Limited, M&PA Investments Inc. and Consturora Cobra Eireli ($364M); Lot three - Puran Bros. Disposal Inc ($360M); Lot four - Joint Venture between Collin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works ($256M); Lot five - Aronco Services Inc. ($471M) and Lot six - JS Guyana Inc. ($352M).

According to the Ministry

Some of the contractors with Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Coral (centre); Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues (fourth from left) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves (fifth from left) in the ministry’s boardroom before the signing of the contracts (Delano Williams photo)

of Housing and Water, it is projected that these works will commence on April 14, 2021 and be finished by December 10, 2021. Road works have already started on the road link between Diamond and Eccles, in a bid to reduce the traffic congestion that is a daily feature of travelling along the East Bank Highway.

“When we are completed with the six contracts here today [Thursday], that is from Eccles to Mandela, you are complemented with the stretch from Great diamond to Eccles, we are speaking about 18,800 beneficiaries directly or housing schemes

that are directly within our remit along that stretch,” Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said while providing brief remarks at the simple signing ceremony held in the ministry’s boardroom.

This Eccles to Mandela Avenue Highway comprises a four-lane road project with a dual carriageway of two lanes each. Importantly, this proposed roadway is a jointed reinforced concrete pavement.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves, highlighted that this

roadway is the first fully-concrete four-lane highway that will be done in the country.

Given that this project can become the benchmark for future construction, the CEO implored the contractors to work assiduously on the eight-month long project.

The six contractors who were awarded these contracts through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board were drawn from Guyana, Trinidad and Brazil, after 27 bidders expressed an interest and subsequently submitted bids for this Eccles to Mandela Avenue Highway. The procurement process com-

menced on January 30, 2021 and the bids were closed on February 25, 2021.

NEW AREAS TO BE OPENED Meanwhile, Minister Croal underscored that the construction of this highway shows growth within the ministry since this is a new area under its work programme.

“This is also part of what we’re doing… in creating networks and in developing housing schemes, you must have the access and that is the main access hence we are at this part,” he explained.

Through the efforts to

An artist’s impression of the proposed Mandela to Eccles four-lane highway

enhance access to housing, Minister Croal said that the 18,800 beneficiaries along the East Bank of Demerara corridor would benefit from less traffic congestion.

Additionally, persons travelling from other parts of the EBD and from across the Demerara River in Region Three (Essequibo Islands West Demerara), would also have reduced travel time.

“And in all of that, it allows us to open new connecting areas,” Minister Croal underscored, adding that this will help to improve the lives of Guyanese.

Similarly, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, noted that this new highway will have a significant, transformative impact on the lives of Guyanese. This, she emphasised, has been an underpinning aim in the government’s manifesto.

The scope of works under this highway project includes: land and drain clearing, construction of earthen and reinforced concrete drains, construction of culverts, a four-lane rigid pavement carriageway with two parking lanes, the installation of street lights and heavy duty composite bridges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Myanmar protesters urge ‘guerrilla strikes’ as internet blackout widens

(Reuters) - Myanmar activists held candle-lit protests overnight and scrambled to find workarounds for a new internet shutdown on Friday, as opponents to the military’s bloody crackdown on dissent vowed no letup in efforts to unseat the ruling generals.

Anti-coup groups shared radio frequencies, offline internet resources and providers of text message news alerts to try to circumvent new curbs on the internet, which now limit web access to fixed-line services only.

The military did not announce or explain its order to telecom firms to cut wireless broadband, which adds to a ban on mobile data through which a nationwide movement has mobilised on social media and spread images of the junta’s lethal suppression of mostly youth-led protests.

Late on Thursday, pro-

testers spread a call for a “flower strike” at bus stops where demonstrators killed by security forces had departed on their last journeys.

“We will leave flowers at bus stops tomorrow ... That’s what I want to tell you guys before the internet is down,” Khin Sadar, a protest leader, posted on Facebook.

“In the following days, there were street protests. Do as many guerrilla strikes as you can. Please join.”

“Let’s listen to the radio again. Let’s make phone calls to each other too.”

The former British colony has been in chaos for two months following the military’s overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected administration, which has sparked anger across towns and cities and reignited hostilities between the armed forces and ethnic minority insurgents in several different regions.

New charges of violating the official secrets act were filed against the Nobel laureate, her chief lawyer said on Thursday, the most serious so far, on top of two comparatively minor offences.

Breaches of the colonial-era law are punishable by 14 years in prison.

‘WE WILL NOT SURRENDER’ Protesters were in the streets in several urban centres day and night on Thursday, where some burned copies of the military-drafted 2008 constitution. Media reported two people were

showed an unconscious man being kicked and beaten by a group of seven helmeted, uniformed men with rifles, who dragged him face down along a road before carrying him away.

Another image shared widely showed an overhead view of hundreds of candles

Myanmar’s Asian neighbours, which it relies on for trade, have not imposed any embargoes, but some have moved beyond measured language after the military killed 141 people as it marked Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

Neighbour Thailand on

Man flashes the three-finger salute as he passes burning tyres during a protest against the military coup, in Mandalay, Myanmar (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Stringer)

The charges were filed against three of Suu Kyi’s deposed cabinet ministers and her Australian economic adviser, Sean Turnell, who are among hundreds detained in the military’s sweeping crackdown on opponents since it took power, alleging fraud in an election swept by Suu Kyi’s party.

Lawyer, Min Min Soe, said Suu Kyi looked in good health during a video hearing on Thursday, but was unable to tell whether the ousted leader, the figurehead of Myanmar’s decades-long fight for democracy, was aware of the situation in her country.

killed, including an 18-yearold man, as police opened fire to quell gatherings.

Khit Thit Media reported shots were fired at a protest during the night, where 400 troops were present. The report could not immediately be verified.

Some 543 people have been killed in the uprising, according to the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) advocacy group, which is tracking casualties and detentions. The military has repeatedly said those killed had instigated violence.

A video shared widely on social media late on Thursday

arranged on a road in the darkness, forming the words “we will never surrender”.

Britain on Thursday sanctioned one of the military’s biggest conglomerates, following a similar move by several Western countries.

Britain’s Next became the latest high-street brand to suspend orders from Myanmar’s factories.

“The Myanmar military has sunk to a new low with the wanton killing of innocent people, including children,” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. The UK move was welcomed by his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken.

Thursday said it was “gravely troubled”. Stronger positions on Myanmar have been taken by the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, the top diplomats of which are meeting separately this week with Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi in Beijing.

In a transcript of an interview made available late Thursday, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan expressed dismay at the bloodshed.

“We are alarmed and appalled at the escalating violence,” he said, adding China’s Wang Yi also hoped for an end to violence and for dialogue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Brazil: More than 60,000 people died of COVID-19 in March Some 66,570 people in Brazil died of COVID-19 in March, more than double the previous monthly record, figures show.

The country’s health service has been pushed to the brink as cases of the virus continue to climb.

President Jair Bolsonaro has faced intense criticism for his handling of the crisis and was hit by high-profile resignations this week.

But on Wednesday he again railed against lockdown measures imposed by local governors and mayors.

“We had, and we have, two enemies - the virus and unemployment! It is a reality! We are not going to solve this problem by staying at home,” he said.

Wednesday also saw a further 3,800 new deaths and over 90,000 new coro-

coronavirus fatalities in the world.

New chiefs of the army,

on Tuesday in an apparent protest at the sudden sacking of Defence Minister

Brazil has the suffered the second highest death toll from Covid-19 in the world (BBC photo)

navirus cases. Brazil’s daily deaths currently account for about a quarter of all

navy and air force were announced on Wednesday to replace those who resigned

Fernando Azevedo e Silva.

Bolsonaro and his minister had clashed over the

issue of the armed forces’ loyalty, which the defence minister said should be directed to upholding the constitution rather than supporting the president personally.

The role of the armed forces in Brazilian politics has been a sensitive issue since the country’s return to democracy in 1985 after 21 years of military rule.

The new defence minister, Walter Braga Netto, announced that Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira would head up the army, Almir Garnier the navy and Carlos Almeida Baptista Júnior the air force.

His announcement came on the anniversary of the 1964 coup that brought the military to power.

He said the military would “not be found wanting when the country needs it”. The day before he had raised concern by saying the coup had “pacified the country” and should be celebrated.

President Bolsonaro, a former army captain, himself prompted outrage in 2019 when he organised a commemoration of the coup.

As well as losing his defence minister, Bolsonaro also had to replace his foreign minister and five other Cabinet ministers. Marcelo Queiroga, a cardiologist, became the fourth health minister since the pandemic began.

(BBC)

Venezuela says two soldiers killed by land mine near Colombia border Venezuela on Thursday said two of its soldiers were killed by a land mine during operations against armed groups along the Colombian border that have forced the displacement of thousands of civilians.

The explosion “left nine members of the military injured, who are now receiving medical attention ...,” the defense ministry said in

a statement.

During the operations troops dismantled nine camps, including one that produced coca paste, which is used to make cocaine, the ministry said. Nine suspected fighters had died and 31 people arrested, it said.

Two journalists and two human rights activists were released on Thursday afternoon after being taken to a military base and detained

for 25 hours while working in the southwestern Apure state, the Venezuelan press union said on Twitter.

The information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the detentions.

On March 22 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Government said two soldiers were killed in clashes with “irregular armed groups” in Apure.

Armed forces began an operation last week, with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez saying the country would defend itself from irregular groups, while respecting human rights.

Refugees fleeing the area last week said security forces burned homes and killed civilians. Venezuela said it was investigating accusations that members of its military committed

abuses.

Dissidents of the demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who reject a 2016 peace deal with the Colombian Government, are the targets of the military operations, fleeing civilians told Reuters.

Colombian President Ivan Duque has accused the Government of Venezuela of sheltering FARC dissi-

dents and members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), a claim Caracas denies.

Rights groups from the two countries on Wednesday called on the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to address the humanitarian crisis in the border area, which has been for years a centre of drug trafficking and smuggling. (Reuters)

Jamaica: Data suggests plateauing of COVID-19 cases Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline-Bisasor McKenzie, says the country’s recent COVID-19 numbers suggest that there is a plateauing in the cases of new infections.

“The eighth of March we saw what looked like a peak.

It is too early to say really that we are going down in terms of the number of cases; what it appears is that we may have reached a plateau,” she said during a virtual press conference.

She said that the present situation may be similar to what happened last August, when there was a peak, followed by a plateauing of case numbers for about four to six weeks.

“So right now, it may be

Jamaica’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jacquiline Bisasor Mckenzie

similar, we can’t tell. With the increased restrictions, we are hoping that we will shorten that period but certainly, we don’t think that there is a downward trend yet, but possibly, a plateauing in the number of cases,” she emphasised.

Dr Bisasor McKenzie said that over the last two weeks, a total of 4, 915 cases were confirmed when compared to over 6, 000 in the preceding two weeks, representing a “small fall” in the number of cases.

She noted, however, that hospitalisations and bed occupancy are still high.

“We are now at capacity where we have approximately 600 beds that are dedicated COVID beds. We have gone

over that … our numbers in terms of actual persons on beds are more in the region of about 700,” she said.

The CMO said that the country may continue to see the same number of cases being reported over the next couple of weeks, if individuals do not adhere to the restrictions.

“If we are at a (virus) reproductive rate of one now and we are reporting 306 cases and an approximately 30 per cent positivity rate, what it means is that if our reproductive rate remains at one, then we will probably see the same number of cases being reported for the next couple of days, maybe going into the next couple of weeks,” she said.

“If it is that we can bring down our reproductive rate to 0.9 or 0.8 in a short time, then we would be expecting to see a decrease in the positivity rate and a decrease in the overall number of persons being positive and admitted to hospital on a daily basis,” she added.

The CMO urged Jamaicans to adhere to the guidelines that have been implemented particularly for the Easter holiday period.

“This weekend could be a turning point for us in the wrong direction, if it is that we have a large number of exposures this Thursday going up until Monday next week,” she stressed. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Leadership by example GOOD Friday, considered as the “holiest” day in the Christian calendar, is believed to be the day when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified. Marking this day as Good Friday is not representative of an oxymoron, given that it marks the death of Christ, but the exemplification of new beginnings. According to the Christian faith, Jesus was sent to Earth by God, His Father, that the world, through Him, might be saved. His coming was born out of recognition that humankind has departed from the values prescribed

by God, and that relations among fellowmen and man with God were not satisfactory.

This was a period when leaders, religious and government, were engaged in acts that did not lend themselves to relationships of equality, justice and love

among fellowmen. Christians recall the story of Christ’s visit to the temple; his condemnation of a practice he described as akin to that of a den of thieves. In pouring out the money-changers’ coins and overturning their tables, he remonstrated against the unacceptable practice in a sanctuary.

The teachings of Jesus are grounded in four principles: equality, justice, love among fellowmen, and redemption.

Children learn at a very early age the concepts of love and equality in church songs, with lyrics such as: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

The benefit of this early socialisation helps in shaping man’s outlook towards each other, in the sense that none can claim superiority.

The history of man has seen this principle used to topple oppressive systems such as slavery, indentureship and colonialism. The famed African-American Civil Rights for equality movement was grounded in this principle, which is also enshrined in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and the Guyana Constitution. Values of equality, justice, love and redemption have informed laws, universal declarations, conventions and charters.

Christ’s life exemplifies leadership by example; He preached the principle of doing unto others as you would like them to do unto you. In the story of the woman who, having committed an unsavoury act was condemned by the masses and brought before Him to be castigated, His words to the crowd were: “Whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at

her.” (John 8:7 KJV). That none was befitting of this virtue, Christ told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on, sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV).

Spiritually, the application here is that everyone has shortcomings, and if given an opportunity to plead with God for forgiveness, that person would be heard and accepted. Likewise, similar opportunity should be granted to others. At a societal level, the moral rests in opportunity for freedom, improvement, and second chances. Christ’s teachings embody the spiritual, social, political and economic well-being of humankind. He spoke to the importance of spiritual health and wellness, condemned the bad practices of earthly governments and man, inclusive of poverty, intolerance, inequity and injustice.

Obviously, His presence

on earth and teachings disrupted the status quo. The religious-minded and politically-inclined found His leadership unnerving, as He disturbed the way they preferred things. Thus, those who did not condemn His actions schemed to have Him killed.

They proceeded with allegations of blasphemy deserving of death, and even though the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate found no evidence to the effect, he handed Jesus’ fate over to the crowd, who called for him to be crucified.

Though on this day during the crucifixion, stakelike nails were driven through His palms and feet, and in a moment of humanness, He cried, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 NIV). Accepting His role in life between earthly man and heavenly Father, He proclaimed, “No one takes it from me; but I lay it down of my own

accord. I have authority to lay it down, and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

(John 10:18 NIV) And while earthly man thought that in crucifying Him, they were killing His teachings for a new dispensation, He was in fact paying the ultimate price to bring about a new life for humankind, on earth and in the hereafter. In the hereafter, it is the opportunity to have everlasting life and be with God; on earth, it is a life built on justice, equality, love and redemption. The upholding of these principles in our daily lives can ensure peaceful and harmonious relations among all, given that they are not constrained by religious or irreligious dispositions.

Better to ascertain the facts than publishing statements padded with assumptions Dear Editor, AFTER reviewing yet another editorial published in the Sunday, March 28, 2021 edition of the Stabroek News, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I wish to make some things clear.

It is obvious that the editor is of the assumption that the Chinese-owned seafood processing plant’s operations will somehow negatively affect the overall seabob industry. That will not be the case and here’s why. * Grandeast Inc.’s operations have nothing to do with the issuance of the two new trawler licences. * Grandeast Inc. is currently only processing one specific species of shrimp -- Nematopalaemon schmitti also known as the ‘white bel-

ly’ shrimp. The company is not involved in the processing of other types of seafood at this time. * Grandeats Inc. is providing a market for a product that is usually discarded or dried in somewhat unsanitary conditions in Guyana. The species in question, because of its size, takes a very long time to shell manually so local fisherfolk would usually discard them. * Grandeast Inc. has also increased the income of its suppliers by increasing the cost per bucket of ‘white belly’ shrimp from $500 and $800 per bucket to $1000 per bucket. * Grandeast Inc. has the capacity to process 40 tonnes of shrimp per day. This does not mean that they do, as the company is currently engag-

ing other fisherfolk to supply the desired species of shrimp. * Grandeast Inc. was granted a licence to operate under the previous APNU+AFC administration. After reviewing the company’s file, it was discovered that it had been granted permission from the responsible agencies from as far back as August of 2019. After permission was granted and the facility was built, the Fisheries Department granted permission to operate to Grandeast Inc. on February 11, 2020. Why didn’t the ministry come under fire then?

Another important point that the editorial completely missed, or maybe willfully dismissed, is the fact that the new processing facility is dedicated to aquaculture and its development in Guyana

as against wild-caught fish as was explained to the minister and team on the visit.

The new plant was also designed to process fish species that are grown in cultured/controlled environments, and as such, the operators have signalled their interest to purchase fish species such as tilapia amongst others.

One must wonder why the sudden interest in perpetuating corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture when the entire process was approved even before the 2020 General and Regional Elections which, after a six-month-long debacle, resulted in a change in government.

The Ministry of Agriculture has put forward every effort to bring clarity to the issue surrounding the issuance

of the trawler licences. It has now become irresponsible for the editor in question to issue statements based on assumptions rather than facts.

Statements “such may be the case” and “one has to wonder” are assumptive and not factual. The editorial is drawing a non-statistical conclusion and if we are going to continue along the lines of assumptions, it can be assumed that the editor has a clear agenda. It can also be assumed that the editor would like to see the fishermen who are now benefitting from this market lose out on these financial gains they are now receiving. Would the editor be able to make up for the loss in income that these fisherfolk would have to incur if this market is lost?

At the Ministry of Ag-

riculture, one of our aims is to foster development of the fishing industry. Government has made it clear that Guyana is open to foreign direct investments and has been partners with many countries for decades, China included.

These investments must benefit our citizens and this is a clear example of such.

We’d like to invite the editor to engage in responsible journalism and try to contact Grandeast Inc.’s management team in Guyana to get the facts, rather than publish statements padded with assumptions.

Yours sincerely, Janell Cameron Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Agriculture

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Reflecting on the Revolution for Democracy 2020

Dear Editor,

GUYANA experienced several revolutions after WWII – all connected to democratic governance.

There was the Enmore Martyrs Revolution that would galvanise the working class to support the struggle for independence.

Then there was the independence revolution led

by Cheddi and Janet Jagan and others. This was followed by the revolution for the restoration of democracy that included the Skeldon martyrs who were gunned down by soldiers in July 1973. And finally, there was the March 2020 to August 2 Revolution.

There has been a lot of reflection on the last revolution -- it may not be noticed that it was fought mostly with technology on social media whereas the earlier ones were carried out with ground troops or foot soldiers, a lot of manpower sacrifices. I experi-

enced three of those four revolutions and remember them quite well, having been deeply immersed in the latter two.

I was not born as yet for the 1948 Enmore Revolution.

I was too young to play a meaningful role in the Revolution for Independence that ushered in our freedom in May 1966. But I was there from the inception in 1966 opposing the ethnic dictatorship deeply immersed in the revolutions for Restoration of Democracy (1992) and prevention of a return to authoritarian rule (2020). I played my role in Guyana till 1977 before migrating for university education and was in the forefront of the battle against the dictatorship while in the diaspora. And I was there for a short while in March 2020 combating the rigging before taking on a leading role from the diaspora to protect the ballots. Lives were lost in every revolution, including the youngster who was gunned down by police

in March 2020, and I bow in tribute to those who gave their lives for the freedom and protection of democracy of the nation. Others are now the beneficiaries while those of us who fought in the revolution have been forgotten.

Not too many Guyanese have been around prior to 1992 to experience the ground revolution that led to democratic governance after 1992 and not many Guyanese have read about those earlier revolutions.

The 2020 revolution is/was completely different from the preceding ones. The 2020 revolution was fought mostly with technology and public relations. It also involved significant lobbying in Guyana although there was more intense lobbying in the ABCE and CARICOM countries and international organisations. In 2020, the foreign embassies supported the struggle for democracy whereas prior to 1992, foreign representatives were not very enthused about Guyana

Don’t let this happen Dear Editor,

FOR some weeks now our media was inundated with articles about the proposed “gas-to-shore” power plant. Vice-President Jagdeo has been taking the brunt of the attacks by the critics.

It reminds me of the “Amaila Fall Project” which was frustrated by similar daily attacks from the opposition and the regular critics.

This was even when all, I repeat, all, the information was shared with the opposition parties, who had no suggestion nor criticisms when the government representatives met them on more than one occasion.

Yet the APNU voted against it in the National Assembly and Blackstone, the US investor walked away from the project. That was a sad day for this nation.

Many of whom were screaming against Amaila then have resumed their attacks on this new project.

What is amazing is the shouts that no study was done. Clearly no one in government is so irresponsible not to have studies done on such a project. I have no doubt that feasibility studies have been done or are in the process of being done and the results are very positive so much so that they have

generated confidence in government’s officials to state that the project would be beneficial.

That is not hard to understand, if we look at the price of fuel alone. I believe that the government is being conservative when they say that the price of gas would be half as much as heavy fuel oil. From speaking to persons familiar with generating power from gas, I believe that savings on fuel would be much greater than what the government has stated.

This means that we could save more than US$150M per year in fuel cost. That alone suggests that we should vigorously pursue the project without undue delay.

The argument that it would encourage investments in manufacturing and processing has been made already and need not be repeated again. Just to emphasise that we can expect vigorous economic activities once we have cheap energy due to increased employment and greater production.

Apart from just generating power, much more can be done with the gas. Liquid gas would be produced and sold cheaply on the local market. All of these would earn Guyana substantial revenues.

The Vice-President has been pilloried for using the

term that from the financial position it’s “a no brainer”.

I think he is right, even if it cost, US one billion dollars to construct, the prospects and benefits would show that the pay back of the investment could be relatively very short because of the high profitability of the project.

I feel compelled to point this out, since our country and our people have lost a lot because of similar attacks on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project. We have been robbed of having cheap energy and that has retarded growth in our economy and prevented the country from lifting more people out of poverty.

This project has even greater possibilities and benefits for our country than Amaila did.

Let us not allow the same to happen to this gas-to-shore project as Amaila suffered. It would be a great tragedy.

Knowing the PPP/C as well as I do, I’m sure that as more concrete information becomes available it would be shared with the public.

Hopefully, we will be able to convince the doubting “Thomases”.

Yours sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President of Guyana

being a democracy; we got nil support till 1991. Those of us who partook in earlier revolutions knew what to do in 2020 to protect democracy although aside from myself, Baytoram Ramharack, Vishnu Bandhu, Ravi Dev, and Leslie Ramsammy. I can’t think of who else from the pre-1992 period (from the diaspora) are still very active and actually fought in 2020.

It takes quite an imagination to fathom the state of Guyana’s political situation or lack of democracy prior to 1992. The blood and sacrifices of those who partook in the revolt prior to 1992 set the stage to challenge the attempted fraud of 2020.

Those of us who fought in that revolution remember the authoritarianism between 1966 and 1992 and don’t wish it on anyone; it was very brutal (near starvation and violence). And that is why I was deeply embedded, more than anyone I can think

of in the diaspora, in that five months struggle to prevent its re-occurrence – writing and lobbying politicians and prominent international figures around the globe for their assistance to save our democracy.

Besides grass roots activism and lobbying, the 2020 revolution was powered by social media. Social media changed the concept of revolution, shaming and bringing down APNU+AFC as it sought to rig an election. Social media stands as the face of democracy in Guyana’s history books. APNU+AFC would not have given up power without the intervention of ABCE and CARICOM countries powered by media activism. Between 1966 and 1992, there was hardly any free media; the dictatorship silenced the press with newsprint restrictions and libel suits. TV and radio was virtually unavail-

able. There were draconian measures to snip any content that was critical of the Burnham/Hoyte dictatorships. Many of us were brutalised for opposing the dictatorship. APNU+AFC could not tame the press between 2015 and 2020; digital news media exposed every shenanigan of the regime. And it, combined with the sanctions from Washington as well as other international pressure, fuelled the revolution that led to collapse of the regime on August 2, 2020. I bow in reverence to all those who played a role in restoring democracy in 1992 and in preventing a return to authoritarianism in 2020.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Potable water for ‘Five Miles’ soon –– as authorities move to source $30M booster pump

By Rabindra Rooplall RESIDENTS of Five Miles, Bartica, are expected to have access to potable water in three months, as Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, announced that provisions have been made for the procurement and installation of a booster pump to channel water to the community.

Minister Croal, during a meeting with residents at the Four Miles Health Centre, on Thursday, announced that $30 million has been set aside for the procurement of a booster pump, which, when activated, will channel potable water from Four Miles to Five Miles.

“The difficulty we have at this point, however, is for Five Miles, and that is because the current generating pumping capacity has to climb a hill which is 83 metres which is quite a bit of height, and the remedy is a booster pump that will be placed in Four Miles so that water can be channeled to Five Miles,” the minister said.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal in discussion, on Thursday, with GWI Regional Manager, Neil Thomas (left), and Head of Transmission and Distribution, Carlos Rodriques (right) (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

Adding that the procurement and installation are expected to take three months, Minister Croal said the water treatment plant at Bartica is

at an elevation of 25 metres, but, in its current state, could only pump water to an elevation of 45 feet; this covers up to Four Miles.

The booster pump, he explained will be set up at an elevation of 45 feet and this would allow for the pumping of water to an elevation of 85 feet, thereby allowing residents of Five Miles to access potable water for the first time.

Minister Croal had initially said that residents of Five Miles would have had access to potable water by December last but there was a delay due to technical difficulties.

He noted that the booster pump could only be sourced overseas and the lengthy tender process forced the delay in getting it here.

“What I can assure you now, with the additional

works required, in another week GWI [Guyana Water Incorporated] will be going out to tender for the procurement of the pump as well as the materials to ensure that the work is done… the difficulty I have is that the pump is not sourced locally and the outside timeline is three months,” he said.

The minister, however, assured residents that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is committed to delivering on its promise to the residents.

The Bartica treatment plant sources water from the Essequibo River and this is then treated and distributed to residents in the town. Of

recent, a parallel distribution line was installed to provide continuous flow and additional water to the plant.

As a result, in two weeks, this would allow for additional pressure and increased hours of water to residents.

The water plant currently supplies water over an 18-hour period to central Bartica and One Mile to Four Miles. With the increased supply of water of about 320 cubic metres (up from the current 210 cubic metres) the plant should be able to pump water 24 hours a day. The project to install the new booster station would benefit 875 residents of the town.

Teenager fear drown at Onderneeming beach ADYEMI Azeez, 15, also known as “Adi”, a resident of Maria Lodge and student of Abram Zuil Secondary School is feared drowned after he went for a swim with friends at the Onderneeming beach on Thursday.

According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, Azeez was hanging out with eight friends, all teenagers, on the Onderneeming beach when he went missing.

Information revealed that they had a cook out at Maria Lodge and after they left for the beach at Onderneeming.

At the beach, they all went into the water when

Adyemi Azeez

one of them started to scream for help as the water became rough. One of the friends managed to pull the one in distress to safety and they all helped each other get out of the water safely but Azeez

was nowhere to be seen.

His friends became scared and began to scream for help and residents reached out to them. The boys, accompanied by the residents, then made a missing person report at the Suddie Police Station. A search party was formed and up to press time Azeez was not located.

The friends of the deceased have already posted “Rip” messages on his Facebook account. Relatives of Azeez were too distressed to speak to the media and his teachers are deeply saddened by the incident.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Guyana Chronicle learns…

Fires a ‘rare’ occurrence on Wakenaam, Leguan –– but Fire Chief not taking any chances; plans to take pre-emptive measures

By Jared Liddell FIRES are arguably one of the most devastating events known to mankind, and while over 167 persons have had to deal with such an occurrence countrywide in 2020, the Guyana Chronicle has learnt that the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam have long been miraculously spared the pain of having to cope with such a tragedy.

With both islands being located on the mighty Essequibo River, they are considered to be a part of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where, according to Chairman of the district’s Re-

gional Democratic Council (RDC), Ishan Ayube, given the low number of fires that have occurred there over the years, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) had not seen the wisdom, hitherto, in establishing fire stations there.

He told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, when the subject was raised with him, that it has been at least 10 or more years since the two islands have had any major incidents of fire to speak of.

“I can’t recall for the longest while there being any fire in Leguan,” he said, adding: “For the past 10 to 15 years, maybe even longer, there haven’t been any houses burning down. And

Wakenaam is the same thing, too; I can’t recall anything about that.”

He said that based on statistics at hand of fire-related disasters on the islands, the fire service’s decision not to have any stations set up on either of them is quite understandable.

And he gave as the reason, the islands have not had any major disasters over the years due to the diligence of the residents, in that being ever mindful of the unavailability of fire-fighting resources at their hand reach, they work at ensuring that they take the necessary preventative measures.

As Chairman Ayube, adroitly put it: “Maybe it has

One of the four new fire tenders that were handed over to the Guyana Fire Service last week

to do with caution, because parents are making sure that from a small age, their children are aware of the dangers of fire, and what can happen.

And also, caution plays a major part; people are alert to ensure that even if they are using kerosene lamps or whatever, which is a rare case now, they are utilised safely. Additionally, they make sure that any electrical appliances that are used are

plugged out and turned off.”

A resident of Leguan himself, Ayube said that his fellow residents have also managed to figure out ways of minimising the opportunity for outdoor vegetation fires to occur, by monitoring them until they burn themselves out, so as to prevent them from spreading excessively, and causing an uncontrollable accident.

NOT AS DENSELY POPULATED He also noted that unlike other coastland areas, the two islands are not as densely populated, and for want of a better term, what he calls “building clustering” is almost unheard of, which means that in the event of a fire, residents are able to quickly extinguishing it themselves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

ExxonMobil’s local content strategy aligns with Guyana’s draft policy … company says, underscores need for multifaceted studies AS the government forges ahead with the finalisation of a national Local Content Policy, ExxonMobil Guyana, one of the co-venturers in offshore oil developments, has affirmed that its local content strategy aligns with Guyana’s draft local content policy.

In a press release, ExxonMobil Guyana noted that it has made its submission to the government on the draft local content policy, reaffirming its commitment to implementing effective initiatives to help build a globally competitive workforce and supply base.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Natural Resources concluded its stakeholder engagement on the draft Local Content Policy. According to a press release from the ministry, the series of consultations occurred from March 3, 2021 to March 25, 2021.

During this time, over 180 public and private sector agencies and firms that are involved either directly or indirectly in the growth and development of Guyana’s hydrocarbons sector were engaged.

ExxonMobil Guyana was one of those organisations engaged and following the engagement, a written submission was made.

“We are committed to growing local content that will generate broad and sustainable economic development while supporting safe development of the nation’s oil and gas resources,” ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge was quoted as saying.

H e a d d e d : “ We a r e pleased that the government continues to seek broad input and collaboration to develop an approach suited to Guyana’s unique situation and national development objectives.”

Recently, at a stakeholders’ consultation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), President, Dr. Ir-

faan Ali, said his vision is to make Guyana globally competitive and believes the policy, once formulated properly, can help in this regard.

In the press release, Routledge said: “Local content policy or legislation should be informed and supported by appropriate economic, labour and industrial baseline studies.”

He reasoned that when driving local content in one area (such as the oil and gas sector), both the actual and projected national capacity is considered, so as to avoid an adverse impact on any other sector of the economy.

“Prior experience around the globe demonstrates that overly aggressive local content regulations and mandates can have unintended, negative consequences on the development of projects, industry, and the broader economy,” Routledge said.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Guyana Local Content Adviser, Devon Seeram, highlighted that the company works closely with its prime contractors to ensure that they are equally committed to developing local content.

The company also monitors its local content plans to ensure that they are implemented effectively.

“Since our first discovery in 2015, we have made significant progress creating jobs, growing the number of local suppliers we work with and increasing our local spending,” Seeram said, noting that Guyanese businesses and ExxonMobil have been able to build local content together as part of mutual interests to develop the sector.

According to the company, at the end of 2020, the total Guyanese workforce supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s overall activities was more than 2,300. Since 2015, more than GY$77.6 billion has been spent directly with more than 800 Guyanese companies for goods and services ranging from food to engineering.

The Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) operating in offshore Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Bartica to get first resident housing officer A HOUSING officer will be stationed in Bartica by the end of April, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal announced on Thursday afternoon during a visit to the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) community, which is home to about 25,000 residents.

In the absence of an officer in the district, residents of Bartica and the wider Region Seven, in general, are required to travel all the way to Vreed-en-Hoop, on the West Coast Demerara, to have their housing concerns addressed.

The announcement that an officer will be stationed in the town was met with loud applause from residents gathered at the Four Miles Health Centre to meet with Minister Croal and a team from the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Minister Croal met personally with scores of residents to address their specific concerns. As it is now, new applicants will have to await the development of new spaces for housing in the area, but Minister Croal assured those at the meeting that the ministry is actively

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and an employee of the Ministry of Housing and Water meeting with residents of Four Miles to discuss issues related to housing

seeking lands to provide housing for all in Bartica and surrounding communities.

During its previous term in office, from 1992-2015, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) established four housing areas in Bartica, namely:

Bartica West Indian Association Scheme (128 lots allocated); Block 1, west of secondary school (63 lots allocated); Bartica Four Miles (501 lots allocated) and the northern side of Potaro Road (358 lots allocated).

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Fires a ‘rare’ occurrence ...

He also made a rather interesting observation, which is that because of the relatively small size of the islands, arson is unlikely to occur.

SUPPORT STAFF Meanwhile, Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo, has said that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is currently considering deploying support staff to both Leguan and Wakenaam, and that while the establishment of a fire station is not currently on the cards for either of them, it is being considered for the future.

He noted too that although Leguan and Wakenaam do not record a high number of fires as other parts of the country, the fire service is aware of the security risk of not having fire-fighting resources in those areas.

He stated that the fire service is committed to improving its performance, and providing quality service to the nation.

Currently, the GFS

has 18 stations across the country’s 10 administrative regions, with 38 serviceable fire tenders in its fleet of vehicles, along with one fire boat.

Nineteen of the tenders are being utilised in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which includes both the East Coast and East Bank Demerara; while four are being used in Region Three; five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Further, three new fire stations are expected to come on stream by the end of December this year, in Mahdia, seat of administration for Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); at Lethem, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and at Mabaruma, in Region One (Barima-Waini), where there are currently auxiliary units in operation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

‘Learning Channel’ expanded to Region 9 communities

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, shares a moment with staff and pupils of Kraudarnau Primary School

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Tuesday, commissioned the expansion of the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC) in communities of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) that were previously not able to view the GLC. This was done with the aim of improving education delivery and the learning experience of children across Guyana.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Education, the project will see a select group of schools receiving mounted television sets, as well as the outfitting of a solar panel system with batteries and a satellite dish to ensure the channel can be accessed in remote communities. The number of television sets installed in the schools will depend largely on the student population.

Thus far, the aforementioned equipment has been installed at the Aishalton Primary School, Shea Primary School, Kumu Primary School, Kraudarnau Primary School, Awarewarnau Primary School, Maruranau Primary School and the Annai Primary School, all of which

are located in Region Nine.

In Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), equipment has been installed by the GLC at the Kamarang Primary School and the Kaikan Primary School.

The Ministry of Education intends to replicate this initiative in all of the 210+ Amerindian communities across Guyana, as a part of the overarching plans to expand the reach of the Guyana Learning Channel, as was announced previously by the Education Minister.

The intention of the expansion is to ensure that all learners benefit from a channel dedicated to airing timetabled educational content that aligns with the local curriculum for every grade. This will improve the level of blended learning that takes place within schools across the country, whereby teachers can employ more audio-visual approaches to teaching.

The Minister of Education continues to investigate means and measures that can be implemented relative to the needs of particular communities and schools.

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Bond, Heath-London...

In that deal, ARKEN and its principal leased from NICIL 20.3 acres of land at Peter’s Hall on May 9, 2018, for a 20-year period at US$16,224 per year.

ARKEN later sold the 10 acres to local logistics company, GLASS Holdings Inc. on October 10, 2019, for $200M. Like the other deals, instead of the principals of the companies receiving the payment, it was Bond who received the funds.

In the aftermath of President Irfaan Ali’s Government taking office after a five-month battle following the March 2 elections, several companies have already returned lands, which were supposed to be developed.

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This occurred after a significant number of irregular land transactions involving State properties, including former sugar lands worth billions of dollars, were discovered.

In these instances, investigators found that NICIL, as the representative of the people of Guyana for the transactions, did not even collect all the money when it transferred lands into the recipients’ names.

The land transactions, which span Wales, Peter’s Hall and Ogle, have placed attention on a number of former ministers within the Coalition Government of David Granger, now in Opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Medical Council meets with Attorney-General REPRESENTATIVES of the Medical Council of Guyana (MCG), on Thursday, met with Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., to discuss an overhauling of the Medical Practitioners Act 1991 and the Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice Regulations 2008.

The delegation present at the meeting, which was upon

the request of the council, was led by Chairman of the MCG, Dr. Navindranuth Rambaran; Legal Adviser, Attorney-at-Law, Kamal Ramkarran and Secretary, Juanita Johnson.

Also present was at the meeting was Senior Drafting Consultant in the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers, Ananda Dhurjon.

The council highlighted strong concerns regarding the

legislation and regulations, describing it as “defective” in many respects, noteworthy, pertaining to instituting disciplinary action against medical professionals who are found guilty of professional misconduct and malpractice.

“It was also emphasised, that there are major inconsistencies between the Act and the Regulations, which may have made the regulations ultra vires. Further, the Act

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., meeting with representatives of the Medical Council of Guyana (MCG) on Thursday at his Carmichael Street, Georgetown Office

is four decades old and has become outdated,” a press

release from the AttorneyGeneral Chambers noted.

The Attorney-General registered the council’s concerns, and extended appreciation towards the delegation for the initiative. He highlighted his awareness of the deficiencies, which he experienced during his private practice of the law.

He had lodged many complaints with the council for and on behalf of victims of alleged medical malpractice but those complaints were never investigated because of the said deficiencies, the release explained.

“Mr. Nandlall also stated that he has filed several claims in the Courts over the past six years for medical negligence, some are in the system and some were settled with the State having to pay millions of dollars.

He also lamented the many reports in the media alleging medical negligence, resulting in the loss of life, without anyone being held responsible or culpable,” the release stated.

Nandlall noted that the Government of Guyana is committed to overhauling and modernising the country’s legal infrastructure, inclusive of the legislation governing the health sector and will work with every stakeholder organisation in doing so.

Consequent to the meeting, an arrangement was initiated for the MCG and the Drafting Department of the Ministry of Legal Affairs to collaborate in establishing a draft bill which will be circulated for consultation with all stakeholders.

Albouystown man gets three years –– after beating, pulling gun on girlfriend

DAMIEN Naughton was, on Thursday, sentenced to three years in prison, having been found guilty of being in possession of an illegal firearm and matching ammunition when he appeared before Magistrate, Delon Bess, at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

According to the charges laid by the police, Naughton, on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at James and Garnette Streets, Albouystown, had in his possession one 9mm Taurus firearm and 16 rounds of matching ammunition when he was not the holder of a

licence to carry either item.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question, Naughton’s girlfriend made a report against him stating that he’d not only assaulted her, but had also pulled a firearm on her.

When a police rank accompanied the young woman to where Naughton lived with his mother on James and Garnette Streets, Albouystown, he was home alone, and a search of the premises unearthed the firearm as well as the ammunition in the bedroom in which he was sleeping.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Old age pension now paid through the bank

SENIOR citizens desirous of receiving their old age pension through their bank accounts can now have this arranged easily, as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has availed the option to all pensioners.

This revolutionary step was announced by the ministry in a notice posted on its Facebook page, on Thursday.

According to the notice, the application process requires a form to be filled with the name, identification card or passport number, home address and telephone contact, as well as their banking information; which includes the name of their bank where the account was opened, the name on the bank account, the bank account number, and the type of bank account (whether chequing or savings).

After signing the form,

mandate to ensure all pensioners receive their payments in a stress-free and timely manner.

So far, the ministry has implemented a biannual payment plan for pensioners who are considered “shutins”, and those who live in remote areas.

In March, the option

A pensioner enters a local ATM (Delano Williams photo)

the applicant must return it to the staff of the probation and social services department within their region to be processed. The process will take approximately two weeks to be completed.

After this process, the $25,000 pension will be de-

posited into the applicant’s bank account within the first five working days of every month. In this case, the pension book will have to be surrendered to the human services ministry.

This initiative is in keeping with the ministry’s

of redeeming vouchers at MoneyGram/Surepay and BillExpress locations countrywide was introduced for pensioners, in a bid to improve service delivery for the elderly.

Aside from encashing vouchers at the money transfer agents and via their respective banking institu-

tions, pensioners can access their pensions through any post office outlet.

Eligible pensioners can uplift the bank application form, free of cost, from any of the ministry’s Georgetown offices and sub-offices countrywide or download it from the ministry’s website.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

25,000 doses of Russian Sputnik V vaccine to be received today

AS the immunisation of Guyanese in all administrative regions continues, a consignment of 25,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19 will arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Health, the vaccines will ar-

rive at around 13:42 hours on Friday. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, will receive the vaccines and offer brief remarks.

At the sidelines of a recent event at the State House, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, highlighted that Guyana will soon receive some 200,000 doses of the Russian made Sputnik vaccine through an

arrangement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).These vaccines will cost a total of US$4 million since the government is spending US$20 on each dose of the vaccine.

Already, Guyana has received 127,000 doses of various COVID-19 vaccines. The first tranche of 3,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was donated by

The Russian Sputnik V vaccine

Barbados, after that country received a larger donation from India.

Subsequently, China donated 20,000 Sinopharm vaccines, India donated 80,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines and the COVAX facility, a global mechanism for the equitable distribution of vaccines, sent 24,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.

During his daily update on Thursday, Dr. Anthony highlighted that more than

36,000 persons have already been vaccinated locally.

Additionally, the persons who received the Sinopharm vaccine have already started to receive their second dose (which is known as the booster dose), since this second dose is given about three weeks after the first dose.

Previously Dr. Anthony related that the two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, on the other hand, are given some eight to 12 weeks apart. This decision to extend

the time at which the second dose would be administered was guided by suggestions from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE).

Before the Sputnik V vaccines are administered, the health minister also noted that the vaccine administrators - including nurses and health workers - will have to undergo specific training. The Guyana Chronicle understands that for each different vaccine, the health workers must undergo this training, which entails learning about the vaccines to engage persons who are receiving the vaccines.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Application to strike out judgement against Jagdeo filed

By Richard Bhainie

AN application seeking an order to set aside the default judgement obtained against Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, which was granted without the knowledge of Jagdeo and his Attorneys-at-Law, and in their absence, was filed on Thursday in the High Court.

The default judgement stemmed from libel proceedings filed on January 9, 2020, by former Minister of Housing, Annettee Ferguson, who served under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration.

The proceedings resulted from statements made by Jagdeo alleging that Ferguson had acquired significant wealth in only two years of being the housing minister, and used her public office to acquire several plots of lands at Eccles, East Bank Demerara on which she was constructing a mansion, which was published in the Guyana Times Newspapers.

Marshals of the High Court, on March 30, served upon the Office of VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo, an Order of Court which stated that Default Judgement was granted on March 11, 2021, against him in the sum of $20,000,000, along with costs in the sum of $75,000.

When the proceedings were filed, Jagdeo was represented by the current Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C, who appeared at the hearings for injunctions which were also applied for in proceedings, filed the required affidavits, and made legal submissions.

Subsequently, on February 25, 2020, the court dismissed the applications filed for injunctions after

considering the affidavits and hearing the legal submissions made. Jagdeo pleaded the defence of justification and fair comment in his affidavits.

On or about February 24, 2020, a defence on behalf of Jagdeo became due under the Rules of Court; however, that defence, though prepared was inadvertently never filed due to a series of exceptional circumstances which resulted in Jagdeo and his legal team being unreservedly occupied.

irregular.

“For this reason alone, it is respectfully submitted that the Order ought to be set aside and the Statement of Claim dismissed,” Kissoon submitted to the court.

Further, Kissoon is contending that Ferguson did not fulfill the requirements necessary for the granting of a default judgement.

He noted that Ferguson failed to alert the Court that she has filed identical pro-

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

arising out of the same facts and circumstances is improper and impermissible,” the application noted.

He further posited that in accordance the CPR Section 12.01(3)(b), default judgement ought not to have been granted since the claim against Jagdeo could not properly be dealt with separately from the claim against the Guyana Times.

“Since the claim was for an unspecified sum of damages, the Court ought not have issued a default judgement for a sum certain, but rather, ought to have set the matter down for an assessment and inviting the Applicant [Jagdeo] to a hearing, warranting the setting aside of the Order,” Kissoon noted.

The application explained that despite counsel representing Jagdeo appearing in relation to the injunctions in the matter, Jagdeo was not informed of the application for a Default Judgement in the matter, in breach of 1.01

Attorney-at-Law, Devindra Kissoon, representing Jagdeo, in the Notice of Application, is also praying for an Order dismissing Ferguson’s Statement of Claim on the basis of delay.

He noted in the application that between January 9, 2020 and February 24, 2021, no action was taken by Ferguson, and accordingly, the matter ought to have been dismissed for delay.

IMPROPER AND IRREGULAR That should have been done in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the Supreme Court of Guyana, Civil Procedure Rules (CRP) Part 16, Kissoon contends. Noting accordingly, due to the failure to do so, the issuance of the Default Judgement was improper and

Former Minister of Housing, Annettee Ferguson

ceedings against the Guyana Times Newspapers, which seeks damages against the Guyana Times arising out of the identical comments.

“Not only the matter would have been relevant to the Court concerning the assessment of damages, but as a matter of law, the filing of two defamation matters

and 1.02 of the CPR. “Had counsel been informed, the appropriate applications would have been sought to enable the filing of the defence, so that the matters in controversy would have been dealt with justly giving effect to the overriding objective, and in the circumstances, the Court

ought not to have exercised its discretion to grant default judgement without notice, CPR 12.02(1) being discretionary in this regard,” the application noted.

PROFESSIONAL COURTESY It added that moreover, Ferguson’s attorney knew or ought to have known that Jagdeo was represented

by Nandlall, and ought to as a matter of professional courtesy informed Nandlall that he intended to file an application for a default judgement prior to doing so as to afford an opportunity for a defence to be filed.

Section 12.03 of the CPR provides that the Court may, on its own initiative or upon application, make an order setting aside or varying a Default Judgement. Further, 12.03(2) provide that an application to set aside a default judgement may be made within 28 days of the judgement being served.

Accordingly, Kissoon acknowledged the failure to file the defence on behalf of Jagdeo within the stipulated time, and listed a plethora of reasons to explain the reason for the failure, which was of no intentional fault of Jagdeo.

The defence was due to be filed a mere week prior to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections; Jagdeo and Nandlall had both been immersed with responsibilities pertaining to the elections.

Jagdeo was at the time the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and Leader of the List of Candidates for the PPP/C, while Nandlall was an Executive Member of the PPP/C, Legal Adviser to the PPP/C, a Candidate on the List, as well as the party’s Assistant Chief Elec-

tions Scrutineer.

They both had multiple responsibilities in relation to and in connection with the impending elections, including meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), meeting with international observer teams, planning and preparing for Election Day as well as campaigning across the country.

Further, the fiasco that accompanied the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, included a series of unforeseen events, a string of lawsuits pertaining to the elections and a national recount.

The first case of the COVID-19 virus was detected in Guyana on March 11, 2020, which led to drastic measures being employed to stem the spread of the virus, including the closure of the operations of the Court’s Registries and lawyers’ chambers.

Kissoon is alternatively seeking an order to allow Jagdeo to file a defence to proceedings within seven days of the date of the granting of this application, and extending the relevant case management timelines to allow the applicant to properly defend the claim.

And an interim order staying the enforcement of the judgement against Jagdeo, pending the hearing and determination of the application; costs; and other orders the Court may deem fit.

Jagdeo, through his attorney, intends to defend the proceedings, relying on fact, that the statements he uttered were not defamatory, and the defence of justification, fair comment, qualified privilege and the provisions of the Defamation Act Cap 6:03 apply.

Janki Persaud turns 89

JANKI Persaud, a prominent resident of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, on Wednesday, celebrated his 89th birthday.

Janki, as he is familiarly known, is a long-standing member of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) where he served as a member of the Central Committee for many years.

He is also a well-known stalwart within the trade union circle and within the ranks of the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union

(GAWU) during his years of employment with GuySuCo. In recognition of his sterling and selfless contribution to the PPP/C and the struggles of the working class, members of the party, including Neil Kumar, Gillian Burton Persaud and Shawn Richmond visited Janki at his residence where they conveyed best wishes and sentiments of the party and its leadership.

Janki expressed his thanks and appreciation for the kind gesture which confirm his view that the Peo-

ple’s Progressive Party Civic is a family who never forgets its members and supporters who stood alongside them in the struggle.

According to Janki, the diverse ethnic composition of the PPP/C over the decades is testimony that it is a party for all Guyana.

The three comrades wished Janki all the best in his personal and family life and expressed the PPP/C’s highest support for his tremendous contribution in making Guyana a better place for all Guyanese.

Neil Kumar, Gillian Burton Persaud and Shawn Richmond with Janki Persaud and some members of his family

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Region Nine students get ‘pr THE Ministry of Education has distributed pre-loaded electronic tablets to grades 10 and 11 students enrolled at three secondary schools in Region Nine (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo).

The ministry, in a press statement on Thursday, stated that a total of 103 students from Aishalton Secondary School, 91 students at Sand Creek Secondary School and 75 students at Karasabai Primary School, all received tablets.

The tablets, according to the release, were donated to the Ministry of Education by various private sector entities such as KFC Guyana, S and K Construction/Consultancy Services, Demerara Bank Limited, Amazon Supply and the Ansa McAL Foundation.

The pre-loaded tablets contain several learning resources and material approved by the Ministry of Education, all tailored to help pupils and students to prepare for the upcoming examinations.

The distribution of the tablets is a direct response to the needs of these students, as they have been set aback tremendously since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Teaching and learning have been greatly affected and many students in the hinterland regions have not been fortunate to benefit from online learning, whether it’s because of the lack of connectivity due to no present internet connection available in their community or the lack of devices.

“This is the primary reason why the Ministry of Education chose to have resources loaded onto the tablets so that whether internet is available or not, they have the necessary resources within their hands,” the Ministry of Education said.

Additionally, the ministry said that works are ongoing to provide enough bandwidth to schools in the Rupununi and South Pakaraima, so students could have access to proper internet connection.

The donations are not the only form of measures being implemented to improve the delivery of education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Earlier this month, the Ministry of Education launched its reinforcement lessons for hinterland students. The programme entails expert teachers on the coast conducting virtual classes with students in 12 hinterland secondary schools to reinforce what they have learnt and will need to know as they prepare for this year’s examination,” the education ministry said.

The feedback from the students benefitting from this initiative has been great and informative. They have expressed their gratitude for the assistance and have asked that the programme continue beyond their sitting of examinations this year.

One pupil, Joshua Alphonso of Wauna Primary School, said that the virtual lessons have allowed him to catch up on

Letecia Axwa of th Minister of Educatio pre-loaded tab e

Students their tab

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

re-loaded’ electronic tablets

he Aishalton Secondary School receives her tablet from the on, Priya Manickchand. She was the first student to receive a blet with resources that would assist her with her CSEC examinations (Ministry of Education photo)

s of the Sand Creek Secondary School unboxing blets on Tuesday (Ministry of Education photo)

lessons that he missed due to the pandemic. He said that the virtual classes allow his classmates to share ideas with other schools and to learn from them.

Kelly Bisnauth from Mahdia Secondary School said that that the virtual classes are very informative. She has since improved in her report and short story writing.

“Homework given at these classes keeps us occupied since we know that we might be called upon to present. We get to meet new teachers and interact

with students from other schools, this made me realise that other students are having similar problems as us,” the student is quoted as saying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Joint Services on alert for Easter weekend breaches

–– persons encouraged to observe activities within their home circle AS part of efforts geared at facilitating safe celebrations during the Easter weekend, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has said that the joint services will be conducting nationwide patrols to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines.

According to an advisory issued by the NCTF Secretariat, Easter events held at churches, including Mass services and cultural programmes, are allowed at 40 per cent capacity. Churches are, however, encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces where available.

Additionally, it was noted that persons are encouraged to observe Easter activities within their home circle. Easter activities in public spaces such as parks, creeks, lakes, beaches and resorts are strictly prohibited. Large gatherings are also prohibited.

The advisory noted too that the traditional public restrictions in observance of Good Friday must be adhered to. These restrictions were, however, not listed. It was stated that Easter celebrations

Kites for Easter being sold on Regent Street (Delano Williams photo)

do not involve the consumption of liquor.

Additionally, it was noted that all non-religious Easter activities, inclusive of shows, parties, limes and wet fetes are prohibited.

Though the gazetted COVID-19 measures, which

are updated at least monthly, prohibit such activities, few local establishments have issued advertisements of the same.

Recognising that local businesses and establishments are flouting the COVID-19 guidelines, which

are instituted to help curb the spread of COVID-19, Director of the NCTF Secretariat, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, told this publication that enforcement had to be upped.

“We plan to do enforcement on a daily basis but especially on those days that

they (businesses) signalled that they are going to breach these measures,” Colonel Hussain said recently, in an invited comment.

Meanwhile, the NCTF Secretariat issued these holiday-specific guidelines to provide some guidance on

how persons should celebrate the holiday weekend.

“These guidelines are intended to allow for a limited participation in the Easter activities while maintaining the sanctity of the religious holidays,” the guidelines stated.

During a recent address to the nation, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, noted that while there are several religious and cultural events ahead of the country over the next few weeks, citizens should adhere strictly to the approved COVID-19 guidelines.

“The COVID-19 Task Force has been asked to pursue charges against owners of establishments that are found in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines,” he underscored.

The Task Force, which incorporates members of the joint services, will be keenly monitoring activities on Sunday to see whether establishments are breaching these COVID-19 restrictions.

‘Super spreader’ funeral prompts task force to suspend GMR&SC –– business to appeal order ALL activities at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, have been suspended until April 30, 2021 after the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Secretariat found that the establishment breached the gazetted COVID-19 measures by hosting a “super spreader” funeral last Monday.

On Monday, dozens of people came out to pay their final respects to local biker and gold dealer, Ricardo Fagundes. The man was shot several times after he exited the Palm Court nightclub, on Main Street, on March 21. A well-attended funeral service was held at the GMR&SC. The task force, in a letter dated March 30, 2021, highlighted that the club breached

the gazetted COVID-19 measures by hosting the “super spreader” event, where hundreds of persons were reportedly present within the confines of the establishment’s premises.

The letter, which was seen by this publication, stated: “This was evident in the numerous photographs and videos which flooded the social media platforms.

This blatant disregard for the COVID-19 measures reflects your contempt for the Laws of Guyana which has resulted in the application of sanctions.”

Resultantly, it was noted that the Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, has ordered that all activities at the club be suspended from March 30, 2021 until April 30, 2021. The Guyana Chronicle understands that all queries

Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) at Thomas Lands, Georgetown (Photo taken from Tip Advisor)

or responses are to be directed to the Minister of Health or the NCTF Secretariat.

In an invited comment, Secretary of the GMR&SC, Azim Jaffar, explained that

the sports club encompasses several business entities including: the ‘Track’ restaurant and bar, a gym and GT motorsports.

Though the letter was

addressed to Jaffar, when he was initially contacted by this publication, he was unaware that the NCTF Secretariat issued any such letter to the establishment. Further-

more, he said that he was unclear if this suspension of operations applied to all of the businesses at the venue.

On Thursday, when this newspaper contacted the President of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, he explained that the well-attended funeral was not hosted by the establishment. Instead, he said that the parking lots of the establishment were rented to the family of Fagundes.

Since the event was not hosted by the GMR&SC, Mohamed told this newspaper that the club would be appealing the decision taken by the task force to suspend the operations of the sports club.

He indicated that he would follow-up with this newspaper, later on Thursday, to state exactly how the club would respond but, up to press time, he did not.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Scrap metal trade to be reopened under new, strict system

By Richard Bhainie THE local ‘scrap metal’ trade, which was abruptly suspended on September 30, 2020, will resume on Thursday, April 8, 2021, under a revamped system which will see concentrated efforts by multiple stakeholders to monitor the industry.

This was announced by Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Waldron, during a stakeholder consultation held by the ministry, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Thursday.

Also in attendance at the meeting were head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh; Deputy Commissioner of Customs at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Gavin Low and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards.

Minister Walrond, in her remarks to stakeholders, said two units were established to facilitate the trade process, a Scrap Metal Unit at the ministry, and another external unit comprising CANU, GRA, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), Digicel and E-Networks.

The multi-stakeholder units will examine all outgoing scrap metal container shipments for narcotics and interdict same. There is a standard operating procedure recommended which was agreed upon for the examination of shipments.

After scrutiny of “customs documents” and a list of information which the shipper must provide, the cargo will be examined in the presence of the shipper,

Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Waldron (second from right); Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Representative, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Gavin Low (first from left); Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh (second from left) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards (far right) at the stakeholder consultations (Delano Williams Photo)

A section of the stakeholders who attended the meeting on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (Delano Williams photo)

whose identity will also have to be verified, and photos will be captured of the container prior, during and subsequent to loading.

The empty container as well as the cargo will also be examined in the presence of the shipper as well as any officer from the units, who will be equipped with body cameras. Following the completion of this process, the container will be sealed in the owner’s presence and a photo of the seal will be taken.

The shipper will have

to sign a form prepared by CANU, after the examination, and the sealed container will be escorted to the container scanner by CANU, officers from the other agencies and the shipper.

The scanned container will then be escorted to the designated wharf by the parties involved, and monitored prior to loading onto its designated vessel.

If the container is not shipped within seven days, it will be escorted back by CANU, officers from other

agencies and the shipper, to be scanned for a second time and then transported back to the wharf.

AUTHORISED SCRAP METAL YARDS Noteworthy, Minister Walrond mentioned that loading of the containers will be permitted only at authorised scrap metal yards.

Authorisation is granted by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, following an inspection of the facility and after the yard

Melroy Doris gets five years CONFESSED killer, Melroy Doris, was, on Thursday, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds for the execution-style killing of 19-yearold cosmetologist, Ashmini Harriram, back in 2014.

Early last month, Doris had appeared before the Demerara High Court for the capital offence, but opted instead to plead to the lesser count of manslaughter, having admitted that on July 10, 2014, at the Lusignan Railway Embankment, on the East Coast of Demerara, he unlawfully killed the teen.

During Thursday’s hearing, a probation report was presented in court before the sentence was handed down, and according to its findings, Doris was described as “well-mannered” not only by residents of the West Berbice village, from which he hails, but also by prison officials at the Lusignan Prison where he was being held.

In arriving at his decision, Justice Reynolds not only considered the nature and manner in which the offence was committed, but also Doris’ age, his domestic circumstances, as well

Ashmini Harriram

Melroy Doris

as the fact that he had no previous brushes with the law, and that he’d already spent seven

years on remand pending his pre-trial hearing.

Doris was jointly charged

meets the requirement of 24hour closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring.

Further, she noted that for now, no new licences will be issued for new shippers to join the scrap metal trade, and only persons who are already licensed scrap metal exporters will be permitted to perform the trade.

“This is so we’re able to get more handle of the process of the trade and so understand, streamline and strengthen the processes,” she said.

Waldron explained that the extended hiatus is consequent to the ministry ensuring that the many “gaps” which existed in the previous operations were remedied, and that authorities are pleased with the new measures which may fill those gaps.

It was noted by sections of society that the reason for the closing of the industry was due to the seizure of a shipment of 11.5 tonnes of cocaine in Belgium, November last, which was found in a shipping container packed with scrap metal.

Minister Walrond explained the decision to close the trade was not due to the cocaine bust, however, an attempt by the new People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration to assess and restructure the scrap metal industry, to improve its performance under a new process.

Stakeholders present at the consultation exercise raised a number of concerns in terms of the efficiency of the process due to its intricate nature; however, they were assured by Singh and Low that efforts were made by CANU and GRA to ensure that the process is efficient.

Minister Walrond said that authorities already contemplated that the new regulations and procedures might be subject to minor setbacks during the implementation process; however, the units are committed to addressing issues as they arise.

“We want to facilitate the trade, we want to make an enabling environment for economic activity to resume in this sector … this is government’s resolve to have the trade reopened and it’s not to hinder any sort economic activity,” she noted.

––for his role in execution of Lusignan beautician with Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours,” for the capital offence, but the latter has since filed a constitutional motion in the Demerara High Court, seeking a permanent stay of the case against him, and asking that he be granted bail, pending the hearing of his application.

The Guyana Chronicle had initially reported that Wayne was allegedly the ‘triggerman’, while Doris was the taxi driver who facilitated the execution.

It is also alleged that following the commission of the crime, Doris took Wayne back to the city, where the victim’s

cellular phone was handed over to one of the two persons who’d allegedly contracted the duo to carry out the ‘hit’ for $2.5 million.

It is alleged that the two men were contracted by the hairdresser’s brother-in-law, and an accomplice who wanted her dead after they suspected that she had ‘snitched’ on them. They reportedly believed that it was she who had informed the police of a drug operation they were engaged in, resulting in the narcotics being seized.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Region Three gets first smart classroom ―facility commissioned at the Leonora Secondary School

TRANSFORMING and improving the delivery of education continues to be at the forefront of the Ministry of Education’s plans, as evidenced by the commissioning of a smart classroom at the Leonora Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The facility, which was commissioned by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Thursday, is the first of its kind in the region.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Education, Minister Manickchand said that she was extremely happy about the occasion since it was the first smart classroom to be commissioned in Region Three.

She promised, however, that it will not be the only such facility in the region, as there were plans to establish three additional smart classrooms at the West Demerara Secondary School, the Parika-Salem Secondary School and Leguan Secondary School.

Minister Manickchand said that the education sector must continue to cater to the needs of the various generations of students. And, a smart classroom was one way of addressing existing needs, since it was important not only to the school at which it was established, but to other schools around the country that did not have a smart classroom as yet.

She said that in cases where some schools did not have a specialist teacher in a particular subject area, a teacher from the Leonora Secondary School could assist those students by conducting lessons virtually without having to travel to the other school.

Minister Manickchand said that teachers will be trained to use the facility.

There have already been

many initiatives to incorporate Information Technology (IT) into the classroom but

ly to ensure programmes and policies are being executed in the region, in a transparent

dra Persaud, said that the smart classroom had come at a time when the region need-

but also how students learn.

Systems Development Coordinator at the Minis-

teachers of all subject areas can use the classroom to their advantage. He said too that it was a great opportunity and that the Management Information Systems Unit (MISU) of the Ministry of Education will continue to work with the school to ensure the facility is used efficiently.

Following the ceremonial commissioning, attendees were treated to a demonstration as to how the smart classroom will work.

Just last week, the Ministry of Education commissioned smart classrooms at the Brickdam Secondary School and the East Ruimveldt Secondary School. All

Minister Manickchand cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially declare the smart classroom open

not many of those projects were taken seriously enough to put the education sector in a position to deliver education online when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

H o w e v e r, s h e c o m mended those teachers who stepped up to the challenge during the pandemic and managed to teach their students virtually. She said that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Ministry of Education to regroup and ensure that systems were put in place to have as many children as possible engaged during this time.

Regional Chairman of Region Three, Ishan Ayube, said that he was happy that the education sector has a minister who was delivering progress according to the government’s policy.

He said that the teachers and students needed to grasp the opportunity and utilise the facility to its fullest.

The Regional Democratic Council will work assiduous-

Systems Development Coordinator, Godfrey Munroe, conducting a demonstration of how the smart classroom can be used by teachers and students

manner.

On behalf of the RDC, he thanked the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana for making such an investment in his region.

Regional Education Officer of Region Three, Devin-

ed such a facility. He assured those in attendance that the classroom will be taken care of and used for its intended purpose.

He said that the smart classroom will not only enhance the way teachers teach,

try of Education, Godfrey Munroe, said that there were unlimited possibilities with utilising the smart classroom.

He said that the facility will allow for technology-infused learning.

According to Munroe,

classrooms will have an interactive board, a television that allows teachers and students to connect remotely, and motion and voice-activated cameras complete with a face recognition feature.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Four persons die of COVID-19 FOUR persons have died of COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 235, the Ministry of Health has announced.

The latest fatalities are two women, aged 91 and 84, from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara - Upper Berbice), respectively, and two men, aged 62 and 45, from Regions Three (Essequ-

ibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica), respectively.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has recorded 126 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,273 tests conducted for March 31, 2021. This was shown in the ministry’s daily COVID-19 dashboard for April 1.

Of these, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

Schools to remain closed all April

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand

IN a video recording posted on the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s social media page on Thursday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, confirmed that public schools will remain physically closed for the entire month of April 2021.

This is with the exception of those schools with Grades 10, 11 and 12, where students have been in attendance since November last. Meanwhile, for those learners attending virtual classes, school closed last Friday for the Easter holidays, and is scheduled to be reopened on April 12.

Minister Manickchand, in making her announcement to the nation, noted that after taking a number of factors into consideration, Cabinet thought it best that schools continue to remain closed all April.

“For the month of April, we will keep our schools closed. As soon as this information changes we will let you know in updates such as these,” Minister Manickchand said.

Further, she said: “Cabinet has considered the issue again, and took all the matters into consideration, including the robust vacci-

nation programme that we have unfolding presently, the number of persons being vaccinated, the rate at which vaccination is being administered, the availability of vaccination, [and] numbers of new infection.

“The paramount consideration is the safety of all our people, our students, our teachers and the families they go home to.

Having considered all of that, we are advised that we cannot open school for the month of April, except for those classrooms we have already reopened, particularly the Grades 10, 11 and 12.”

With that said, the minister took the opportunity to urge all persons to enjoy the Easter holidays, saying: “In the meanwhile, be safe!

Have an enjoyable Easter!

Remember to wear your mask, and stay appropriately distanced!”

However, notwithstanding the closures for the Easter holidays, some schools will still be opened for students writing the 2021 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams, so as to make up for time lost due to the COVID-19 situation.

recorded eight cases; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 27; Region Four, 62; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), six; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 17; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), one, and Region 10, four.

The group of newly infected persons comprise 56

males and 70 females. No other region has confirmed new cases within the past 24 hours.

There are currently 12 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 64 in institutional isolation, 907 isolated at home, and 21 in institutional quarantine. Guyana has confirmed a total of 10,375 cases since the detection of COVID-19

in Guyana. The country has 1,004 active cases.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six-feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to

help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Should you or anyone you know display any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Financial analyst dies in Mabura accident PRITTIPAUL Jaigobin, 54, an economic and financial analyst at the Ministry of Finance, died in an accident on Thursday after the driver of the vehicle he was travelling in lost control and toppled several times before coming to a halt on the Mabura Access Road.

The vehicle in the accident is a black Toyota Tundra bearing registration # GTT 1936.

Nand Singh, 44, of 111 Miles, Mahdia, Region Eight, the driver of the vehicle and Ravie Gayadean, 25, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo were injured in the accident which occurred around 15:00 hours and about five kilometers from the Mabura Police Outpost.

Reports indicate that Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams, was passing at the time of the accident and he rendered assistance to the occupants of the vehicle. Singh, Gayadean and Jaigobin were subsequently attended to by a medic and then transported to the Linden Hospital Complex.

On arrival at Linden, they were seen and examined by a doctor who pronounced Jaigobin dead on arrival.

Dead: Prittipaul Jaigobin

Nand Singh and Ravi Gayadean were admitted and their condition is said to be stable, reports indicate. Police are investigating the accident.

Meanwhile, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, in a Facebook, post described Jaigobin’s death as a tragic loss.

Jaigobin was coordinating the second phase of the COVID-19 cash grant. In this phase, he was training staff on the verification of the pink form. Since the commencement of this programme, the President said Jaigobin had worked beyond the call of duty to bring relief to every

family.

“I ask all the families who benefitted from the work of this outstanding public servant, and all other Guyanese, to hold this family up in prayers in their moment of grief. To the extended family at the Ministry of Finance, I share your grief and shock. I cherish the moments we worked together at the Ministry of Finance. I thank his family for sharing this incredible soul with us.

Rest in Peace, Jai,” President Ali said.

Minister within the office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, was also deeply saddened at Jaigobin’s tragic passing.

“Jai was a highly valued and much loved member of the MoF [Ministry of Finance] family. He was a dedicated and trustworthy team player, with a warm and lively personality. He will never be forgotten. At this sorrowful time, I send heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” Dr. Singh said.

The Tundra Jaigobin was in at the time of the accident

Leisa Gibson, creating great hair-care products THE new Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), through its Guyana Shop continues to lend vital support to the nation's fast-emerging agro-processing industry.

This is according to Leisa Gibson, a local agro processor, beautician, and dedicated mother of one. Gibson started her entrepreneurial journey 14 years ago as a beautician by opening Leisa's Salon N Beauty Supply.

Eight years later, she decided to venture into a new business by creating her very own hair-care line of products to contribute to the grooming of healthy hair.

According to Gibson, some of her customers started complaining about challenges they were experiencing with their hair, which she herself had also experienced.

This motivated her to create her line of hair-care products.

Leisa's Salon N Beauty Supply makes products for both men and women. The beauty line carries a variety of handmade soaps, hair and scalp conditioners, hair growth oils, body oils, face serum, body lotions, and body scrubs.

Gibson said currently her biggest supporters are women. She also said she has had

ing potential customers.

She also expressed her gratitude for GMC's Guyana Shop, which was the first supermarket to shelve her products and to market them through its Guyana Shop corners in other leading supermarkets around the country.

Over the years, GMC's officers have worked assid-

uously to assist agro-processors to improve the overall standard and presentation of their products to a point where they can compete with other regional and international brands.

Gibson also said the growing demand for Leisa's Salon N Beauty Supply products keeps her

Some of the products offered by Leisa's Salon N Beauty Supply (DPI photo)

positive reviews from her customers, and she was very excited to relay that she has been getting inquiries from persons overseas on how they can purchase her line of products.

The agro-processor said that her current challenge as an entrepreneur is continuing her business during the pandemic, amidst a decline in sales. She, however, remains confident that business will improve, using this downtime to experiment with new products.

Gibson credits the GMC for the role it plays in marketing and promoting her products. She said she willingly attends all of corporation’s activities aimed at building awareness while generating traffic towards local products.

These include farmers markets, exhibitions, and other promotional events. Gibson expressed how thankful she is to participate in those activities and shared how she always uses her participation to build her clientele by meet-

Leisa Gibson (DPI photo)

inspired, and motivates her to continue working hard as an agro-processor to further develop her business. Persons desirous of purchasing Gibson's products can find them in the Guyana Shop or other “Guyana Shop corners” in all the major supermarkets. [DPI]

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ICC cricket committee ...

FROM PAGE 39

be sick. And the use of saliva to shine the ball was outlawed.

These rules had originally been added as a temporary measure and the cricket committee has decided that they will continue to stay in play, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

EXPANDING THE USE OF SUBSTITUTES The ICC currently allows players to be substituted for two reasons: concussion and COVID-19. But having opened the doors for it, the cricket committee now appears to be in favour of expanding the remit.

Previously, any time a team ends up fielding more than 11 players, the game’s official status would be stripped and it would be considered just a friendly. That will no longer be the case now as the law-makers try to assess a more general use of replacement players, starting at firstclass level. (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

Brathwaite, Mayers, Holder fifties help Windies set Sri Lanka 377 to win NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies were left needing ten wickets on Good Friday to win the second Test and clinch the two-match series after captain Kraigg Brathwaite, his predecessor Jason Holder and rookie Kyle Mayers all lashed half-centuries to spearhead a clinical victory bid on Thursday’s penultimate day.

Brathwaite followed up his first innings 126 with an accomplished top score of 85 while Holder struck an unbeaten 71 and Mayers an up tempo 55 as the home side, armed with a first innings lead of 96, declared their second innings on 280 for four, just over 45 minutes before the close at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Faced with a tricky nine overs at the end, lefthanders Lahiru Thirimanne (17 not out) and Dimuth Karunaratne (11 not out) denied the West Indies bowlers any success, bolstering Sri Lanka’s chances of saving the affair.

The visitors will require a further 345 runs on the final day to win the contest but will be focussed more on survival than an unlikely victory.

Brathwaite conceded afterwards that hard work lay ahead but urged his side to stay disciplined.

“We just wanted to get a few overs in this evening, obviously a tough period for openers to bat,” Brathwaite said.

“We wanted to run at them for nine overs and look to get one or two wickets. It didn’t materialise but tomorrow is a very important day for us.”

He added: “The runs on the board are good. It won’t be easy. I still think the pitch is decent so we’ve got to work hard tomorrow and make West Indies proud.”

West Indies had earlier needed all of 23 deliveries to wrap up the Sri Lanka first innings for 258, seamer Kemar Roach removing Pathum Nissanka for 51 and tail-ender Vishwa Fernando without scoring in the space of three balls in the fourth over of the day, to end with three for 58.

But West Indies then

suffered an early setback when left-hander opener John Campbell advanced to pacer Suranga Lakmal (2-62) in the seventh over, checked his defensive stroke and got an edge behind to fall for 10 with 24 runs on the board.

As he did in the first innings, Brathwaite then anchored the innings, posting 44 for the second wicket with Jermaine Blackwood (18) before inspiring successive half-century stands with Mayers and Holder.

Blackwood, without a significant score in the series, struck two fours in just over an hour at the crease before feathering a cut behind off seamer Dushmantha Chameera (2-74), about 25 minutes before lunch.

Brathwaite and Mayers buckled down in an 82-run, third wicket stand which carried West Indies to lunch on 69 for two and allowed them to flourish in the first hour after the resumption.

On nine at lunch, Mayers raced to his second Test half-century off 63 balls on the stroke of the drinks break when he dispatched Lakmal to the mid-wicket boundary.

He had struck eight fours and faced 76 balls in nearly 1-¾ hours when he was lbw to Lakmal, in the fourth over following the resumption from drinks.

Brathwaite and Holder then combined in an 87-run, fourth wicket partnership to further put the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach, and take the Windies to tea on 173 for three.

Dropped on 34 at short leg off Chameera, Brathwaite went on to hit four fours off 196 balls in five hours while Holder notched his tenth Test fifty, facing only 88 deliveries in 2-¼ hours and counting seven fours.

Unbeaten at tea on 60, Brathwaite looked a sure bet for another hundred in the match before he was bowled trying to clip a full length delivery from Chameera exactly an hour after tea.

Holder and wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva, who was not out on 20 when the declaration came, put on 53 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand, heaping further pressure on an already frustrated Sri Lanka late in the day.

SCORECARD

WEST INDIES 1st Innings 354 Sri Lanka 1st Innings (overnight 250 for eight) *D Karunaratne c Bonner b Joseph 1 L Thirimanne b Roach 55 O Fernando lbw b Mayers 18 D Chandimal c sub (Hayden Walsh Jr) b Gabriel 44 D de Silva lbw b Blackwood 39 P Nissanka c sub (Hayden Walsh Jr) b Roach +N Dickwella c wkp Da Silva b Holder 20 S Lakmal c Brathwaite b Joseph 6 D Chameera c wkp Da Silva b Holder 2 L Embuldeniya not out 0 V Fernando c wkp Da Silva b Roach 0 Extras (b4, lb5, w1, nb7) 17 TOTAL (all out, 107 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Karunaratne), 2-64 (O Fernando), 3-77 (Thirimanne), 4-152 (Chandimal), 5-177 (Dhananjaya), 6-203 (Dickwella), 7-214 (Lakmal), 8-231 (Chameera), 9-258 (Nissanka), 10-258 (V Fernando) Bowling: Roach 18-5-58-3 (nb4), Gabriel 16-3-37-1, Joseph 224-64-2 (w1), Holder 21-3-39-2 (nb2), Mayers 11-7-10-1, Cornwall 15-5-25-0, Blackwood 4-0-16-1.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings *K Brathwaite b Chameera 85 J Campbell c wkp Dickwella b Lakmal 10 J Blackwood c wkp Dickwella b Chameera 18 K Mayers lbw b Lakmal 55 J Holder not out 71 +J Da Silva not out 20 Extras (b2, lb12, w1, nb6) 21 TOTAL (4 wkts decl, 72.4 overs) 280 Did not bat: N Bonner, A Joseph, R Cornwall, K Roach, S Gabriel.

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Campbell), 2-58 (Blackwood), 3-140 (Mayers), 4-227 (Brathwaite) Bowling: Lakmal 14-3-62-2 (nb2), V Fernando 12.4-1-49-0 (w1, nb1), Dhananjaya 28-3-81-0 (nb3), Chameera 18-0-74-2.

SRI LANKA 2nd Innings (target: 377 runs) L Thirimanne not out 17 *D Karunaratne not out 11 Extras (nb1) 1 TOTAL (without loss, 9 overs) 29 Bowling: Roach 4-0-18-0, Holder 3-2-3-0 (nb1), Cornwall 2-08-0.

Position: Sri Lanka require a further 348 runs with all 10 wickets intact.

There is no captaincy position available – Justin Langer tells Steve Smith AUSTRALIA head coach Justin Langer has given a blunt reply to Steve Smith’s hopes of regaining captaincy, by making it clear that the former skipper would not get the role at least in the near future.

charge of the limited-overs team. But the call to reinstate Smith as captain has increased following Australia’s defeat at the hands of India in the home Test series earlier this year.

And Smith recently added fuel to the fire by express-

Australia coach Justin Langer (left) with Steve Smith (Source: Twitter)

Smith was sacked as captain in 2018 in the wake of the infamous sandpaper-gate.

Following the scandal, he was slapped with a one-year ban from cricket and a two-year leadership ban.

The ban ended in March last year but Smith has not been considered for the captaincy role so far. At present, Tim Paine is leading the Test side while Aaron Finch is in

ing his desire to lead Australia again. The batting star stated that he is willing to take up captaincy if Cricket Australia decides to hand the responsibility to him again.

“I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again I would be keen. If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly some-

thing I would be interested in.

I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there.

Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve learned so much in the last few years about myself and (have) grown as a human being,” Smith told NewsCorp.

Steve Smith might have started harbouring the hopes of leading his country again but Justin Langer is in no mood to hand him the captain’s hat. The Australia coach has thrown his support firmly behind Finch and Paine by hailing them as ‘very good captains’.

Langer also made it clear that he has his eyes set on the crucial year in which Australia will play the T20 World Cup in India and the Ashes at home.

“We have two very good captains and two important competitions coming up – an Ashes and a T20 World Cup. Our future looks good.

Despite the media chatter, there is no captaincy position available,” Justin Langer told ABC. (CricTracker)`

Mackenzie Sports Club Members meeting set for tomorrow

THE Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) will be holding a Special Ordinary Members Meeting tomorrow at the MSC’s main pavilion and COVID-19 protocols will be in place to facilitate this happening.

All members are invited to attend the meeting which will commence at 16.00hrs and will be chaired by MSC president Avery Trim.

High on the agenda will be the offer by Government to make the MSC into a multipurpose facility while there is

expected to be discussions on the closure of the main sports facility in Linden since March last year.

This meeting may consider the chances of reopening the ground to allow persons to do early morning or in the afternoon exercises like what has been happening at other open spaces across the country, but not in Linden.

It was last year March that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Club’s Management Committee decided to close

the club, as the staff was sent home because the rental of the Club was the means by which the club earned cash to pay its employees.

One month ago, the decision was taken to have the groundsman return to help in maintaining the field to the point that it can be used by persons who wanted to use the facility to become fit.

Of interest also is the Annual General Meeting along with Biennial Elections expected to take place in May this year.

Finn Allen blasts 71 as New Zealand sweep Bangladesh in T20 series FINN Allen blasted 71 from 29 balls as New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 65 runs in a rain-affected third T20I to sweep the series 3-0.

In a 10-over-a-side contest, the Black Caps amassed a massive 141-4 from their 10 overs after being sent in. Allen, who only two matches ago registered a golden duck on debut, raced to a half-century off only 18 balls - the second-fastest by a New Zealander in T20 internationals.

Bangladesh did not seriously challenge their target in reply, ultimately being bowled out for 76 in 9.3 overs. New Zealand leg-spinner Todd Astle, playing only his fourth T20I since 2016 and his first in almost 18 months, took 4-13 from his two overs.

After a delayed start to the game due to bad weather in Auckland, Allen shared in an 85-run

opening stand with Martin Guptill (44 off 19) in just 5.4 overs to get the home side off to a flier.

“It was good fun,” Allen said.

“We wanted to give ourselves a bit of a chance at the start and then take it from there. I just tried to look at it as another game of cricket, stick to my processes and keep watching the ball, trying to hit it as hard as I’ve tried to do all season.”

Guptill hit two sixes and a four from the first three balls of the sixth over before falling to Mahedi Hasan. Allen’s fifty came in the seventh over, followed swiftly by New Zealand’s 100.

There were handy contributions too from Glenn Phillips (14 off 6) and Daryl Mitchell (11 off 6), while Allen finally fell in the final over.

The Tigers’ run chase got off to a dreadful start as Tim Southee

dismissed Soumya Sarkar (10) and Liton Das (0) with the last two balls of the first over.

Astle then removed Mohammad Naim (19) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (8) in the fourth over and Afif Hossain (8) and Mahedi Hasan (0) in the sixth as the Bangladesh innings fell apart.

Southee missed out on a hattrick but finished with fine figures of 3-15, while speedsters Adam Milne (1-24) and Lockie Ferguson (1-13) contributed. Off-spinner Phillips (1-11) too chipped in as the visitors were bowled out with three balls to spare.

“We’re not playing good cricket in batting and fielding,” said Bangladesh captain Das. “We bowled well every game.

In the sub-continent we are a good team, but on a bouncy wicket we are a little on the back foot.” (Sky Sports)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

USOPC sets rules for protests at U.S. Olympic trials (REUTERS) - Athletes competing in the U.S. Olympic trials can protest, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said on Tuesday, including kneeling or raising a clenched fist on the podium or at the start line during the national anthem.

In a detailed document, the USOPC outlined a wide range of ways athletes can advocate for racial and social justice but drew the line at what will be unacceptable, including wearing a hat or face mask with a hate symbol or hate speech on it.

In an open letter sent to Team USA athletes, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said the organisation “values the voices of athletes and believes that their right

to advocate for racial and social justice as a positive force for change aligns with the fundamental values of equality that define Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic movements”.

The USOPC made it clear that the guidelines are only meant for the U.S. Olympic trials and not the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to open on July 23.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has its own guidelines with Rule 50 prohibiting protests and demonstrations.

The USOPC said guidance for the Tokyo Games will be published separately in the coming months once the IOC issues its updated policies.

Current IOC rules say:

“No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”

USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland

The relaxing of rules is an about face for the USOPC who sanctioned two ath-

letes for protesting police brutality and racial injustice during medal presentations at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima.

Fencer Race Imboden knelt during the national anthem while hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist, the USOPC later placing both athletes on 12-month probations.

Under new guidelines these demonstrations will be acceptable.

Athletes will also be allowed to wear a hat or mask with messages such as “Black Lives Matter” or “equality” or “justice” and use their voices outside trials venues in other forums such as social media and the press.

Everest Club president, executives congratulate newly elected GCB body

EVEREST Cricket Club president and Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Manzoor Nadir, in an official release on Wednesday, hailed new GCB head Bissondyal Singh and his executive members following this week’s long-awaited GCB elections.

“On behalf of the members, executives and myself (I extend) my warmest congratulations to you and the newly elected executive of the Guyana Cricket Board. We assure you and the Board that our club will continue to work within our local umbrella associations and zones along with the GCB to further enhance the game and strengthen the skills and talents of our players”, stated the letter.

The statement continued, “The Everest Cricket Club invites you and your executive to visit our club so that we can share our ideas and strategies along with listening to you concerning your vision for the sport in our country.

For the past few years, we have cooperated and shared our resources with other facilities to improve the standard of the game among the clubs in our locality”.

“As more clubs emulate this friendly rivalry, our country will improve its performance at all levels in cricket. Please accept our assurances of the highest regards”. ended the letter.

Josh de Caires hits hundred against Yorkshire JOSH de Caires, the son of ex-England captain Michael Atherton, scored an unbeaten century against Yorkshire for Leeds-Bradford Universities.

The 18-year-old, who signed a contract with Middlesex last year, retired on 118 on the third and final day of the friendly at Head-

Josh De Caires first represented Middlesex at under-10 level

ingley yesterday.

De Caires batted for 292 balls against a strong Yorkshire attack preparing for the new County Championship season.

The university side were 302-3 at lunch in reply to Yorkshire’s 485-5 declared.

England bowler David

Willey, plus experienced trio Steven Patterson, Matthew Fisher and Ben Coad, were all part of Yorkshire’s attack.

Right-hander De Caires is a product of the Middlesex academy and, although yet to make his first-team debut, featured for the club’s Second XI in 2017, aged only 15.

His Middlesex contract runs until 2023 throughout his university studies.

De Caires’ father, Michael, played 115 Tests for England, hitting 7 728 runs with 16 centuries.

Opener Taylor Cornall, 22, also hit 142 from 297 balls for Leeds-Bradford.

(BBC Sport)

US Olympic, doping chiefs call for major WADA reforms Hazlewood opts out of IPL to rest

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) - US Olympic and doping leaders called for major reforms at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), seeking greater independence and a greater voice for athletes in the change process.

The open letter calls for greater transparency and accountability to protect the global integrity of the sport’s doping watchdogs.

“WADA must change and become a strong, independent anti-doping regulator and protector of

clean athletes’ rights,” said a joint statement from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and US Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council.

“All athletes have been promised the opportunity for a fair, safe, and level playing field and WADA must transform itself immediately to deliver on this agreement.”

WADA is consulting with stakeholders about possible changes, but the US groups are pushing athlete engagement and major

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ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

influence in any reforms.

“The only way WADA can achieve these objectives is to eliminate conflict of interest and truly embrace athlete input,” the letter said.

“Many individual athletes and athlete groups have also submitted reform proposals as athletes worldwide rally for change. “ Wi t h o u t a t h l e t e s , WADA would cease to exist. Incorporating athlete feedback is long overdue, but it’s not too late. WADA must act now.”

The US groups call for an independent governance structure for WADA with no sport official being allowed to serve on WADA’s executive committee, with that body to include “independent athletes and be empowered to discuss change impacting them and their colleagues”.

The foundation board should consist of representatives from government, sport, athletes, national anti-doping organisations and independent experts, the letter says.

All executive committee and foundation board decisions must be publicly disclosed, including stakeholder compliance decisions, with votes recorded and made public, the US groups argue, saying WADA cannot be regulated by the sporting movement or governments.

“Athletes must receive independent and fair apportionment around all key WADA decision-making tables,” they said, pushing for a separation of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of WADA to avoid conflicts of interest.

“Now is a critical time for WADA to respond to its failures by committing to a stronger and more independent WADA that builds credibility with athletes around the world,” the letter said.

“Refusal to implement these simple and unprejudiced changes will continue to render WADA inept at fulfilling its purpose and mission for clean athletes and the integrity of sport.”

up for Ashes, T20 World Cup

JOSH Hazlewood has decided to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rest up for a crowded schedule of international cricket for Australia culminating with the Ashes at the end of the year.

The 30-year-old fast bowler was scheduled to play a second season for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which is being played across six venues, initially without spectators, from April 9 to May 30.

“It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months,” Hazlewood told cricket.com.au.

“We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown on the end of that.

“Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months ... and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that.

“That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me.”

Hazlewood’s international team-mates, wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh have also pulled out of this year’s IPL, both citing personal reasons for their decisions.

Australia are scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches in the West Indies in June and July before heading to Bangladesh in October for three warm-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.

Afghanistan will play a one-off Test in Australia, postponed from last year, in November, before the five-Test Ashes series against England around the New Year. (Sky Sports)

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 2, 2021

ICC cricket committee makes key change to lbw reviews in DRS

… The “wicket zone” will now be extended all the way to the top of the bails. Previously it stopped at the bottom of the bails

THE ICC cricket committee has made changes to the way lbws will be adjudged under the Decision Review System (DRS), effectively increasing the area of the stumps a ball must be shown as hitting for a not-out decision to be overturned.

This “wicket zone” will now be extended all the way to the top of the bails, having previously gone only to the bottom of the bails, which is why deliveries just clipping the bails ended up staying with the umpire’s call on the field.

By DRS protocol, if more than half the ball is predicted to hit this region, an on-field call of not-out is reversed.

Lbw decisions have been at the very centre of most debates around the DRS, whether it is on the efficacy of ball-tracking

technologies or - as the focus is these days - around the umpire’s call element.

Virat Kohli said during the recent ODI series with England that it caused a lot of confusion. But the ICC cricket committee, as reported earlier by ESPNcricinfo, has decided to retain umpire’s call.

“The principle underpinning DRS was to correct clear errors in the game whilst ensuring the role of the umpire as the decision-maker on the field of play was preserved, bearing in mind the element of prediction involved with the technology,” Anil Kumble, former India captain and current head of the committee, said. “Umpire’s Call allows that to happen, which is why it is important it remains.”

This is the second time

the ICC has adjusted its definition of the “wicket zone” for lbws. In 2016,

ball had to hit any part of the off- or leg-stumps, rather than having to hit

change will now allow teams to ask on-field officials if they think the

Bowlers might enjoy the changes made by the ICC cricket committee to the way an lbw decision will now be reviewed (Getty Images)

they had increased the wicket zone by expanding its width, so that half the

at least half of each stump previously.

Another significant

batsman was playing a shot before they decide to review. And short-run

calls, like no-ball calls, will now be the third umpire’s responsibility.

COVID-19 REGULATIONS TO STAY In the age of a pandemic, the ICC had to make some leeway to ensure matches can be played while also keeping people safe.

As a result, they allowed for the use of home umpires - when previously all matches had to be adjudicated by neutrals. Coupled with that, all teams were given an additional DRS review per innings to account for the possibility of unconscious bias.

There were also provisions made for COVID-19 substitutes in case a player in the XI is found to

TURN TO PAGE 36

New Junior Chairman of Selectors, Percival, wants to create ‘pressure-free’ environment for youth cricketers

NEW Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Junior Chairman of National Selectors, Andre Percival, said he wants to create a pressure-free, hands-on environment as he undertakes his new role in developing and preserving the next generation of players.

The Berbician spoke exclusively with Chronicle Sport yesterday, as he congratulated the new executive body for all its hard work leading up to this new era in local cricket.

The former all-rounder said that among his new goals as Junior Selector is that of ensuring the youngsters are protected and eventually moulded into the model cricketers they ought to be.

New GCB Junior Chairman of l Selectors Andre Percival

With the current cricket landscape being successful, given the number of Guyanese players both male and female, who have represented Guyana or the West Indies over the past 8 years, Percival said it was important to maintain such high cricket standards and equally important to further ensure that selection is fully based on performance, fitness and dedication towards the sport.

“We will be looking at selection from the level that players will be selected based on performance. Players’ performances must count. Once they play well they will be selected. That will be my ploy,”said the 46-year-old.

“I wouldn’t pressure them because I know what it takes, so what I’m going to do is just allow them to have a free mind, play their roles and make the best of it. I will let them play their games, perform, whether it be to score runs or take wickets; whichever they are selected for,”. Percival added.

Regarding women’s cricket, Percival, a former national women’s coach, said that a complete overhaul will be needed.

He noted that in the past, it has proved difficult to round up

20 odd females who are genuinely willing and eager to learn/ play cricket.

The ex-West Indies Under-19 skipper further added that when players are discovered, it’s maybe just a handful of ladies who are fully equipped to play, thus lessening the number of women-tomen ratio of cricketers.

However, the former Guyana Under-19 captain said that the women will have their time to evolve now with plans to target

them at the club levels before transitioning to intercounty or the national scene.

Looking ahead, Percival said there is a lot of work to be done and with COVID-19 still wreaking havoc, the new GCB will have to navigate throughout the obstacles which exist, courtesy of the pandemic, additionally waiting on further clearance from Cricket West Indies (CWI) regarding the Green Light going forward. (Clifton Ross)

Over 30 golfers register for Bruster’s tournament tomorrow

The event is scheduled to be held at the Lusignan Golf Club on Saturday

OVER 30 golfers had registered, up to yesterday afternoon, for the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream golf tournament which is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The medal-play, 18-hole event, is expected to attract between 40 and 50 of the country’s best golfers, according to information from the lone nine-hole golf club in the country - the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).

Tee-off time is 12:00hrs.

At the official launch of the inaugural event yesterday at Bruster’s in the MovieTowne Mall, co-proprietor of the franchise Paton George, who is also an executive member of the LGC, handed over the sponsorship cheque to another executive member, Chet Bowling.

George later told Chronicle Sport that he had hoped to make this tournament a grand event for adults and children,

but due to the pandemic it was tailored to fall within the stipulated guidelines of the COVID-19 Task Force.

Nevertheless, golfers will battle for several trophies, including the traditionally top three net finishers (total scores minus handicaps) and overall best gross (total score). George noted that he also intends to have prizes for persons who finished on top in the front nine (first nine holes played) and the

back nine (the last nine holes played).

He said that once the pandemic is over by next Easter, he is hoping to have additional activities, including driving, chipping and putting competitions for children.

“We had to cancel the kids’ activities this year, but we still make a contribution to one of the local schools, the Colaaco Centre of Learning in Thomas Road.”

Brathwaite, Mayers, Holder fifties help Windies set Sri Lanka 377 to win SEE PAGE 37

Kyle Mayers fights a short delivery off on his way to a half-century (Getty Images)

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite gathers runs stylishly during his top score of 85

Recently-elected GCB Treasurer dies in road accident WELL-known Guyanese cricket executive, Pretipaul Jaigobin died on Thursday in a road accident in Mahdia, Region Eight, police said.

Police say Jaigobin was travelling in a black Toyota Tundra when it toppled

several times on the Mabura Access Road at about 15. 00 hrs. The mishap occurred about five kilometetres from the Mabura Police Outpost Jaigobin and the other injured persons were transported to the Linden Hospital.

At the time of the accident, he was on work assignment for the Ministry of Finance’s COVID-19 financial relief project.

On Monday, Jaigobin was elected Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

He also served as an executive member of

the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB).

Several years ago, he survived an acid attack that had been widely believed to have been linked to his principled position on accountability in cricket governance.

(Demerara Waves)

Sanasie, Hope pull out leaving Skerritt poised for easy CWI re-election BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Incumbent Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, appears set to be returned unopposed at elections later this month after the under-fire pair of Anand Sanasie, and running mate Calvin Hope, announced Thursday they were withdrawing their challenge.

In a joint statement, Sanasie and Hope said the recent developments with the Guyana Cricket Board elections along with the events surrounding the postponement of last Sunday CWI Annual General Meeting, had forced them to “withdraw our respective candidacies for President and Vice President in the CWI election”.

“Given the unfortunate circumstances leading up to and recent events in Guyana regarding the Guyana Cricket Board, one of the six (6) Full Members of CWI, together

SEE PAGE 39

with the refusal by the leadership of CWI to uphold the highest standards, long-standing traditions and rules for governing the administration of West indies cricket,” the statement said.

“We, Anand Sanasie and Calvin Hope, having distanced ourselves from such

action of CWI, have decided to withdraw our respective candidacies for President and Vice President in the CWI election scheduled to take place at CWI 22nd Annual General Meeting on 11th April, 2021.”

The move comes in the wake of a decision by the

Barbados Cricket Association and the Guyana Cricket Board to skip the scheduled virtual AGM forcing a postponement and subsequent suspension of the presidential elections.

Sanasie of the GCB and Hope, a BCA vice-president, had been primed to face off against Skerritt and his

CWI presidential challenger Anand Sanasie and running mate Calvin Hope have withdrawn their bid

vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow.

However, both the BCA and the GCB said they were dissatisfied with the late distribution of CWI’s audited financial statements, contending the governing body had not provided the documents the stipulated 14 days in advance.

The no-show by the BCA and GCB was met by a backlash from their territorial board counterparts with all four who attended Sunday’s AGM issuing statements condemning the move.

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket board president, Azim Bassarath, said the GCB and BCA had “made a mistake” while the Leeward Islands Cricket Board said the action had brought CWI “into disrepute”.

The Jamaican Cricket Association labelled the decision a “dark moment”

while the Windward Islands Cricket Board contended there had been no “good reason for the manner in which confusion and disrepute have been foisted upon our esteemed and honourable governing body.”

Sanasie and Hope campaigned on the platform of revamping West Indies cricket, with their “Operation Rescue” manifesto proposing a suite of initiatives aimed at restoring “excellence, soundness, confidence, unity and enthusiasm.”

Despite withdrawing from the elections, however, Sanasie and Hope said they would continue to engage the development of West Indies cricket “We remain firmly committed to, and passionate about, cricket and to focusing on what is in the best interest of the administration of West Indies cricket,” the joint statement said.

Over 30 golfers register for Bruster’s tournament tomorrow

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021