Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-02-2021

WEDNESDAY 3 rd February, 2021

’ No. 106261

Fishermen released –– to depart Venezuela today; families rejoice at good news

MACORP to construct US$25M mega complex at Covent Garden PAGE

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–– total employment to reach close to 600 in five years

GECOM secretariat the problem

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President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Learning and earning through BIT training 09 PAGE

Land clearing ongoing at Covent Garden ahead of the anticipated July start to construction of MACORP’s mega complex (Delano Williams photo)

Guyana not immune to earthquakes

Court throws out 14 Colwyn Harding’s 08 ‘baton sodomy’ lawsuit PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

GECOM secretariat the problem – President reiterates need for restructuring, stresses officers must be impartial

By Richard Bhainie

IN addressing electoral reform, the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) Secretariat must be restructured and officers of the entity must be professional in executing their duties.

This view was expressed by President,

Dr. Irfaan Ali, during an interview on Globespan 24x7 with Charles Sugrim and Dr. Asquith Rose on Monday.

A question was posed by Dr. Rose to the President on whether the ‘Carter Formula’ utilised by GECOM whereby there are three Government commissioners and three opposition commissioners is effective and whether the President intends to change the structure.

President Ali responded by highlighting that the elections fiasco in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections did not emanate from the Commission itself, but from the secretariat.

To make his point, he exemplified by identifying that two key figures, who are currently before the courts for alleged electoral fraud, Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield are not members of the commission but officers of the secretariat.

The President explained that these persons were supposed to be professionals, who are unbiased in their execution of office but they failed to do so.

“It is the professionals who are supposed to be unbiased that failed us in the first place, the secretariat itself, and that is what has to be addressed, the restructuring of the entity itself,” he said.

“We didn’t reach to the commission, the problem started with rogue action, the problem started with unprofessional behaviour in the wide view of the world,” he further added.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali President Ali expounded that one of the major problems that has to be addressed in Guyana is separating professionalism and politics.

He noted that while electoral reform is critical, the issue must not be narrowed to the ‘Carter Formula’ and the commission but secretariat must be addressed as well.

“The secretariat itself failed, the professionalism and professional conduct that was expected they did not deliver and that has to be fixed,” he said.

The method of appointment of GECOM commissioners was based on a recommendation former U.S. President Jimmy Carter made for the 1992 election that has become known as the “Carter Formula”.

In a statement issued by the Carter Center in March, 2020 pertaining to the March 2, 2020 elections, the Center noted “the formula gives GECOM a partisan structure that has resulted in a highly polarised and sometimes ineffective board of commissioners. It also advantages the major parties and excludes newer parties.”

The statement added: “The Carter Center reiterates a recommendation made in multiple prior reports that Guyana consider adjusting GECOM’s structure to increase its independence, effectiveness, and professionalism.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

MACORP to construct US$25M mega complex at Covent Garden –– facility to house new HQ, MACORP University, other operations

–– total employment to reach close to 600 in five years

By Navendra Seoraj ONE of Guyana’s leading suppliers of heavy-duty machinery and equipment, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP), in positioning itself to service Guyana’s growing economy, will be constructing a US$25 million (approximately G$5.4 billion) mega complex at Covent Garden, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

During its almost 28 years of operation in Guyana, MACORP-- the only authorised dealer of Caterpillar products in Guyana -- has been very active in this country’s development, contributing directly to local advancement through technical support and the provision of equipment which is supplied to the most important productive sectors, namely mining, agriculture, construction, marine, forestry and electric power generation.

An aggregation of the impact of those sectors on Guyana’s economy would basically reflect a large portion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a component of the nation which is projected to surge tremendously in the coming years.

The country’s GDP, as stated by the World Bank, is US$5.4 billion. But progress in Guyana’s burgeoning oiland-gas-sector and increased economic activities are expected to push that figure way beyond what it is now.

In recognising the prospects that are on the horizon, MACORP has spared no bone in making the necessary investments to ensure that it is well positioned to absorb the potential opportunities and even serve as a conduit for other businesses to benefit from the bounties.

One of the company’s first steps towards expansion was the procurement of 25 acres of land at Covent Garden, in 2019.

“We made this investment because we would have to expand our operations to cater for the growth that is expected in the years to

come. We have been trying to a find a suitable location where we would be able to expand the operations to the way we saw it fit to serve the Guyanese public, and to help grow the economy.

And, after a long search, the opportunity presented itself in this plot of land,” Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Human Resources Manager of the MACORP Group, Anita Ramprasad, said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle at MACORP’s Providence Headquarters, on Tuesday.

In further speaking about the company’s initial move, Ramprasad said: “It was debatable whether we wanted to make such a sizeable investment a mere distance away from our current location, especially with our very limited level of infrastructure. But, one thing about this company is, no decision that we make here is ever based on what we see happening today or what has happened in the past. We try to look forward; where do we see ourselves, this country and the economy within the next five to 15 years.”

From all indications, Guyana’s entire landscape and infrastructure will change in a very short space of time. So, MACORP, with this in mind, decided to go ahead and invest in 25 acres of land at Covent Garden.

In the initial phase of the potential development, the company will utilise approximately 12 acres of land for the construction of a conjoined, state-of-the-art five-section complex which will house its new corporate office and other facilities which will offer services to every productive sector in Guyana.

“The state-of-the-art complex will match the Caterpillar dealerships worldwide. The building that we are in was inherited and we tried to match that, but as far as standards go, the only thing we have been able to match is the colour of paint.

There is nothing worldclass really about the current look of the company; the service is world-class.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and HR Manager of the MACORP Group, Anita Ramprasad WORLD-CLASS LOOK “We want the worldclass service to be matched by a world-class look.

The new offices will be completely state-of-the-art… in Caterpillar world, it has a lot to do with the logistics of the office and the aesthetic of it… it will be the kind of environment which will make workers happy and enhance customer experience, which is important to the caterpillar network, globally,” Ramprasad said.

A design of the complex was drafted two years ago but, based on the company’s vision and changes in the economy in terms of opportunities, MACORP was forced to rethink the initial concept; a new design is being finalised.

While a design is in the works, the company is certain about the facilities which will comprise the five-section complex.

According to Ramprasad, in addition to administrative offices, the complex will include a massive warehouse.

“We already have a multi-billion dollar inventory, so this new complex will be designed in a way to cater for all the different types of product lines,” the CFO explained.

Traditionally, the com-

pany has been focusing on mining, construction and energy, but the expansion to other productive sectors has necessitated the construction of a larger warehouse.

Not only will there be a larger warehouse, the company will also be creating a massive state-of-the-art machine workshop, which will have greater capacity to disassemble, repair and assemble complex machines.

Speaking about plans specific to the workshop, Ramprasad said: “I know there are a few machine shops, but ours will be different, in the sense that it will be a lot more modern.

Our equipment is next level, and the machine shop is something Caterpillar prides itself on; it is a precision design.”

MACORP UNIVERSITY Modern equipment and facilities are indeed critical, but it is common knowledge that it takes human resources, in most cases, to make them functional.

It is for this reason that

MACORP plans to expand its existing training programme by creating its own university at the new complex.

“We will have our MACORP University which will cater for all levels of technical education… we have it now, but on a smaller scale, and it is more focused on technician and apprentice level,” Ramprasad explained.

The company, through its existing progamme, has been training excavator operators and other technicians; however, the potential expansion will create the space for the training of engineers and other technical persons.

Based on an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana (UG), MACORP takes in three students for attachments, but the new facility will increase this number to ten and allow the company to cater for any type of engineer.

“There are technical institutes in Guyana, in all major towns. But after you have graduated from the institute and UG, all you have is a

piece of paper and a hope that somebody will hire you… there is no facility in Guyana that integrates that knowledge with practical applications to prepare you for the world of work,” Ramprasad reasoned, adding that MACORP plans to fill this void with its technical university.

The existing facility has been serving this purpose to some extent, as it is equipped with labs which afford persons the opportunity to engage in simulations of failure analysis, repairs, and so forth. The plan, however, is to upgrade this programme to have simulations of oil-andgas-type repairs.

Overall, the entire programme, as said by Ramprasad, is part of the company’s commitment to enhance the technical skills of Guyana’s youth population and give persons a wide range of career options.

The company usually hires 90 per cent of the persons who pass through its training programme, and See page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Guyana will receive ‘Sinopharm’ vaccines from China –– Health Minister says, efforts being made to secure vaccines for more Guyanese

By Vishani Ragobeer THE 20,000 vaccines that will be donated

by China to aid Guyana’s fight against the COVID-19 virus will be

from Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned company that is developing two COVID-19 vaccines, according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony.

Wednesday February 3, 2021 – 09:30hrs

On Tuesday, while answering questions posed by the Guyana Chronicle during his daily COVID-19 briefing, Dr Anthony related that the country is concluding arrangements to receive those donations from China.

This vaccine, reportedly, has an efficacy of 79.34 per cent, from all the clinical trials conducted and it has already been given emergency use authorisation in China and a number of other countries.

Commenting on these vaccines, the minister said that the efficacy rate (or the effectiveness of the vaccine) is “pretty good”.

But outside of this donation from China, Guyana will also receive nearly 104,000 Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine doses from the COVAX facility, a global vaccination alliance, in the coming weeks. This vaccine needs to be given in two doses, which means that 52,000 persons will be able to benefit.

Dr Anthony reminded that the Health Ministry is focused on using the vaccines to immunise frontline workers, the elderly and persons with co-mor-

bidities (other underlying medical conditions) first. He said that there are about 22,000 healthcare workers who are all eligible to receive the vaccines, while the remainder will go to the other two groups.

“We are making other arrangements to be able to acquire more vaccines, so we should have enough vaccines for the elderly and persons with co-morbidities. (These arrangements) haven’t been completed as yet, but we are very optimistic that we will have more vaccines for persons in those areas,” he highlighted, adding: “When we complete the health workers and the elderly and people with co-morbidities, then we will go to the next level, which is other people in the population.”

What is important to note is that the government will not be making vaccination mandatory, so persons who are eligible have the ability to opt out of receiving these immunising agents. But, the minister did advise persons who are offered, to take it, since that will help to minimise infections and reduce their chances of being hospitalised.

A woman receives a Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine in Bahrain, a Middle Eastern Country, which has already approved the shot (Photo credits: AFP via Getty Images) Widespread vaccination is the “exit strategy” for the pandemic; this means that only when about 80 per cent of the population is immunised through vaccination or through recovering after contracting the virus, would there be some sort of ‘normalcy’.

To cater for the deployment of vaccines, Guyana’s vaccination capacity has been bolstered. Since Guyana was not yet sure which of the COVID-19 vaccines it will receive, in anticipation, the country secured the necessary cold chain infrastructure to

ensure that it is equipped to store the vaccines at temperatures that are cold enough.

Additionally, healthcare workers are being trained to administer the vaccines to adults, since a majority of Guyana’s vaccination regime deals with immunising children.

Also, since COVID-19 vaccines require two doses over a period of time, copious record-keeping must be done.

Health workers must also be trained to spot and treat potential side-effects of the vaccine, though these are not common.

MACORP to construct ...

From page 3

this trend is expected to continue and even expand with the new facility.

JOB CREATION As it is now, MACORP has in its employ 215 persons, a number which will increase to about 300 within the next three years and then double in five years, with the increased range of services the company plans to offer.

“The most versatile occupation in Guyana would be the technical line, so it is our hope to recruit, train and hire more young people,” Ramprasad said.

In addition to the direct jobs, she explained that the construction phase of the company’s new complex will also be replete with employment opportunities.

Work on this project is scheduled to start in July this year and last for about two years, so, within this time, businesses will be able to capitalise on opportunities at all levels.

Instead of the usual one-contractor approach, the company, as said by its CFO, will be outsourcing services from multiple contractors.

“Businesses can look forward to us putting out Expressions of Interest (EoIs), and, unlike in the oil-and-gas-sector where even if they put in an EoI, there is just a limited pool of people who qualify, ours has no limits to qualifications,” Ramprasad explained.

From the purchase of stones to interior decorating, all stakeholders will be given a fair opportunity to benefit once they are operating legally.

Considering the spin-off and direct benefits of this project, Ramprasad is of the firm view that it will be a highly beneficial partnership with the government and the people of Guyana.

This project is one in a slew of projects which are scheduled for this year. It was reported in December 2020 that the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) was able to facilitate 55 potential investments valuing $276.6 billion within three months, paving the way for the creation of more than 10,000 jobs in 2021 and beyond.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that of the 55 projects to which Go-Invest referred, 28 are local, 25 are Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), and there are two joint ventures.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Opportunity knocks for ‘Primary Top’ students in Reg. 9 –– will write CXC this year, for the very first time

By Tamica Garnett SECONDARY School students of the Nappi and Karasabai “Primary Top Schools” in Region Nine will be afforded the opportunity this year to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations for the very first time.

The 20 students from Nappi and 16 from Karasabai will be writing the ‘exam’ in the four core subjects of Mathematics, English Language, Social Studies, and Integrated Science, as well as Agricultural Science.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) for Amerindian and Hinterland Development, Marti DeSouza, explained that for students of the Nappi and Karasabai “Primary Top” schools, the opportunity to write the exams at their own schools will be a second chance for them to complete their secondary education, and is a move towards the government’s commitment to universal education.

“The MoE is trying it’s

DCEO for Amerindian and Hinterland Development, Marti DeSouza best to achieve universal secondary education. This is one of the ways we are opening the doors for children who do not have access to a secondary school, so that they can still write CSEC. And they are doing it with the fewer number of subjects that they can handle,” DeSouza explained in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle

on Tuesday.

In Guyana, “Primary Top Schools”, as they are called, are primary schools with a secondary school department, and are used as an alternative for students who would not have attained enough scores at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) to be placed at a secondary school.

Though a traditional secondary school runs from Grades Seven to Eleven, classes at “Primary Top” schools run from Grades Seven to Nine, and the students are usually transferred to a secondary school after writing the National Grade Nine Assessment (NGNA).

However, though students on the coastland have a number of secondary school options, in the hinterland, the situation is much more tedious. In Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in particular, there are only four secondary schools, and without this new initiative, “Primary Top” students hoping to complete their education at one of those institutions are faced with many challenges, due to the great distances

they have to travel to get there.

Originally, after Grade Nine, students from the Karasabai “Primary Top” would attend Annai Secondary or St. Ignatius Secondary, while the students from Nappi would attend St. Ignatius Secondary. The other secondary schools in Region Nine are Sandcreek Secondary in Central Rupununi, and Aishalton Secondary in the South Rupununi.

As DCEO DeSouza explained, “The four secondary schools are not adequate to serve all the children. Karasabai and Nappi have a large number of students at the ‘Primary Top’ who cannot access the secondary schools, because of distance. And the dormitories are already filled, and there is no place to accommodate additional students.”

But now the students have a chance to stay in their respective villages, and still get their education.

“It is important because they are in their own comfort zones; they are at home and don’t have to travel, and can

Comprehensive firearm audit of security forces underway –– Guyana to advance plan on illicit proliferation of firearms, ammunitions A COMPREHENSIVE audit is currently underway in relation to missing firearms from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum said.

A number of recoveries of missing firearms were made, he said at a virtual executive seminar held by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) on Tuesday.

The Senior Superintendent presented on the national perspective regarding the state of disarmament in Guyana’s security landscape.

The purpose of the seminar was to initiate the steps needed to map out Guyana’s priorities, plans and timelines for implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap and to advance Guyana’s National Action Plan on the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunitions.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, in his opening remarks, noted that Guyana attaches great importance to the imple-

representatives of the Minister’s Secretariat.

mentation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, and recognises the significance of working together, both bilaterally and through multilateral collaboration.

He added that Guyana will work keenly with regional and international partners to achieve the successful implementation of the National Action Plan.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum The seminar benefitted from presentations delivered by the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime

and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), UNLIREC and Guyana.

The seminar was attended by senior representatives of CARICOM IMPACS; UNLIREC; NonResident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guyana, Ute König; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas; Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie; Colonel Anderson of the Guyana Defence Force; Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Teshana JamesLake; representatives of CANU and

A collection of the Micro Science Kits being received at the Nappi Primary Top School focus more on their schooling. Secondly, it is a big deal, because it’s a second chance for them, at the end of the five years, to be able to write their subjects, which would not have been afforded to them if the ‘Primary Top’ had not been opened,” the regional educator said.

Written at the end of one’s secondary schooling, CSEC is an important part of academic life for Guyanese students, as the grades they achieve are used to either obtain a job or access higher education institutions.

Towards assisting the students to be equipped to complete their Integrated Science exams, the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) recently donated a number of ‘Micro’ Science Kits to Nappi and Karasabai “Primary Top Schools”.

These kits will be used by the students to carry out

their science experiments, so that they can complete their School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in a timely manner. Modules were also given to guide teachers and students on how to carry out the experiments, and how the different pieces of apparatus can be used.

“Being a ‘Primary Top’, they don’t have a science ‘lab’, so, in the absence of that, these ‘micro’ science kits will allow these students to have hands-on experience, and develop the science skills. And it is important that they get it, to be able to complete the practical, so that they come out with the practical skills,” DeSouza said.

The kits for the Nappi Primary school was handed over on Monday, while Students of the Karasabai Primary Top are expected to receive their kits on Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Information and governance IN today’s interdependent world order, nothing matters more for good governance than for leaders to keep abreast of new information and knowledge, with objective application of strategic decisions that stem therefrom, to the task of national progress. New thinking, research, and global agendas are moving with such rapid pace that local leadership must keep up, or be left behind the 21st century world’s accelerated advance.

Good governance results when a country engages its leadership cadre from a pool of efficient, competent, professional men and women from among its ranks; people who know what it means to always upgrade the information at their fingertips. The world is a place of such rapid flow of new information that it takes keenly thinking leaders to make modern societies work well. This is why, for example, engaging Dr Ashni Singh, a brilliant mind, in charge of the nation’s financial coffers, is such a positive move.

Bad governance happens when leadership is lackadaisical, prone to egotistic personalities, and subject to inferior minds. In today’s globalised world, good governance demands leadership of immense mental fortitude, leaders who absorb knowledge and information of the wider world, and are able to exercise critical thinking in assessing fast-flowing information for application to the local scenario, and who can adapt their thinking with ease, and full self-confidence.

For example, the five years of the previous Coalition Government saw unbelievable failure to exercise good governance and, by the end, the leaders had squandered ev-

ery single goodwill they had accumulated that had propelled them to government in 2015. They damaged their reputation not only with a wide swath of their previous supporters, but with the world community, the local diplomatic corp, the media, and professional organisations like the private sector bodies and even the bar association.

Guyanese could look back as recently as a year ago to see the terrible impact of bad governance, which stemmed from a leadership that refused to realise that the world is a place of information resources. The Coalition governed with wanton disregard for efficient information flow, even refusing to host regular media conferences as a staple of the governance process.

If leaders refuse to spend the time absorbing new information of how the 21st century world is unfolding, and if they are unable to implement local application, and if they believe just the title of leader is enough to push society forward, the result would be a decimated administration, as happened with the Coalition.

Guyana would do well to implement a national think tank structure to analyse things like these; like the advent and failure of the Coalition, to prevent such things from hampering socio-economic progress ever again. Even, maybe, a national professional conversation, including even academic papers, of what went wrong with the People’s National Congress (PNC) in its 28 years of governance, which saw Guyana reduced to tatters. These kinds of audit of the nation’s history would be invaluable research and analysis, lending important lessons to the

cause of securing the future upward trajectory of the society. Indeed, the major countries of the world all exercise this kind of hindsight to gain insight and foresight into what mistakes not to repeat. The United States is resplendent for such thought-leadership, with keen intellectual analysis of the era of every President, and even now an introspection of the Trump presidency is underway.

Obviously, the University of Guyana is the place for such probing of the way Guyana evolves as a world class nation, but in the professional media landscape, and within government itself, the society would benefit from good governance out of this analysis of information, and application to the local playing field.

This idea of engaging Guyanese national leaders who demonstrate efficiency and competency and professionalism in how they tackle the task of leadership, in how they recognise that information is the fundamental currency of today, this is what determines the level of progress for Guyana.

Thankfully, the nation sees in the current government a deep respect for thought-leadership, and for men and women who are the best in the country. Cabinet must be a wonderful room to sit in, with these minds tossing ideas and thoughts around. In people like Ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana employs its best minds to this task of accelerating socio-economic progress, locally, and on the world stage.

For Guyana to establish this structural foundation of information to be the determining factor for policies, programmes

and projects, rather than for personal preferences of powerful figures to determine national actions, as was the case with the Coalition, which gave a lucrative contract for a pharmaceutical bond, for example, to its financial supporter in a blatant display of cronyism, it is key for the country to implement a free-flowing digital culture of love for credible information. The Internet is where information happens, albeit there must be a way for credible information to be guided to citizens. Excellent leaders make use of the Internet to connect with important global organisations to keep in the loop of where the global village is heading. Good governance today demands leaders who love gathering credible information with an eye to local application.

Like the rest of the world today, Guyana faces an uphill battle to weed out information that stems from innuendos, emotive irrationality, and unprofessional bias - as is happening even in some media houses, and to cultivate a citizenry and a leadership cadre that understand the value of real information.

Life today happens, around the world and in this country, in data, in analysis and research and information gathering.

And nothing contributes more to good governance, to a full-functioning democratic culture, and to fairness and justice and equity and sustainability, than for the country to nurture its leadership team from people who show a knack for lifelong learning and humble acknowledgement that new information is always necessary.

Guyanese life impacted by NY snow storm Dear Editor, THE huge snow storm that blanketed the greater New York area impacted the lives of all, including the large Guyanese population that make the city their home.

Sunday night through Monday and into the evening, New York City experienced its biggest snowstorm in over two years, creating a beautiful scenery on roads, trees, and rooftops.

It was cold and frosty, not the kind of weather Guyanese like or enjoy. Fingers and toes were frozen with heavy winds painfully hitting against the face. It is a lot of work for Guyanese and other homeowners who are required by law to clean the snow on pavements in front of their houses.

But snow comes occasionally during winter months (December thru March) and the Guyanese kids welcome the snow that provided an opportunity for outdoor fun.

Although a burden to remove the snow and a disruption to lives, the storm was welcomed as a respite among Guyanese and others from COVID-19 that had devastated lives for over ten months in New York. Many Guyanese were victims of COVID-19 – thousands in-

fected and hundreds dead. The snow forced people to stay in the safety of their homes – secure from the virus if the environment is COVID free. The storm caused people to shift focus away from COVID. Every life was affected by Monday’s storm as people were stuck indoors. Conditions were very treacherous for traveling. Visibility was minimal. Flights were cancelled.

Shops were closed early or not opened at all. The vaccination program was cancelled for Monday and Tuesday and those with appointments would have to be re-scheduled.

Currently, anyone (regardless of immigration status) over 65 is eligible for the COVID Vaccine, but appointments are difficult because of shortage. But many Guyanese were vaccinated with a first dose and are due for a second dose. Those providing essential services, including supermarket workers and teachers, get priority appointment for immunisation. Special locations have been set up for vaccinations. The vaccine is free for all – questions on status or employment are not asked. Guyanese are urged to sign up especially that the infection rate in Richmond Hill is perhaps the highest in the country.

Activist Vishnu Mahadeo has been successful

in getting the city to romp up testing in Richmond Hill. He has been focusing on testing like no other does; he deserves a medal for his work. A mobile-testing vehicle is parked on the road at Smokey Park at 125 Street and 95th Ave – it was supposed to be since Monday and cancelled because of snow. It will be there from Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The tests are free and there are no limits to the number of tests a person can undertake. There are also other sites doing free testing in Richmond Hill and around the City.

As a result of the snow storm, roads were impassable and very dangerous to navigate with vehicles skidding and sliding.

A near state of emergency was declared for Monday. Schools were closed for Monday and Tuesday. Virtually no one went out on Monday except essential workers and those shoveling snow in front of their homes or in their driveways. Guyanese were seen in Woodhaven and Richmond Hill with snow plows and shovels clearing the white stuff from sidewalks and driveways throughout the day and into the evening.

Public transportation shut down early on Monday at 2:00 PM, with those depending on

mass transit urged to get home early before the last train. Hardly any moving vehicle was seen outside on Tuesday as roads remained impassable with thick layer of ice. It was almost impossible to navigate roads as reported by news outlets that urged people to stay home. The roads were plowed by trucks to remove snow. The roads were also salted to allow for the ice to melt quickly, but much of the road remained icy and dangerous. Those of us who study Chemistry would know that salt reduces the melting point of ice clearing roadways.

Guyanese homeowners were observed in Richmond Hill clearing stairways to their homes and pathways on sidewalks and sprinkling salt to melt the ice. Guyanese children were seen playing in the snow – skiing, skating, snowboarding in the park and on the empty streets. The Guyanese kids delighted in the chance to play with snow flake in what was the second major storm of this winter season.

The kids and adult made snowmen and they also pelted snow balls at one another.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Fishermen released –– to depart Venezuela today; families rejoice at good news

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANESE fishermen, who were detained on their boats in Venezuela for about two weeks, will use the very vessels to return home today, after being released by Venezuelan authorities on Monday.

Leaving home close to one month ago, for what they would consider a routine fishing trip, took a turn for the worse when a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s territory and apprehended them.

It was reported that Venezuelan naval troops entered Guyana’s territory on January 21, and apprehended the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf, which are both owned and operated by Guyanese.

According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Captain Richard Ramnarine of the Lady Nayera and Captain Toney Garraway of the Sea Wolf, after being apprehended in the Waini area, were instructed to chart a course to Port Güiria in Venezuela, where

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd rine, Ramlakan Kamal, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph.

“They are leaving there tomorrow at 8 [08:00hrs],” Lalbachan said during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday evening.

An elated Lalbachan told this publication that Venezuelan authorities have seized the ‘catch’ of both vessels, but they have released the crew and the boats. This is

vessel owner said he is “very excited” to have his crew and ‘new’ boat back.

Trisha Roberts, the wife of one of the fishermen, Orland Roberts, is also excited for the return of not just her husband, but also the entire crew of fishermen who will soon be reunited with their families.

“I am happy that they were unharmed and that they will return with good health and strength, thanks to God,” Roberts said in an invited comment on Tuesday.

While the Guyana Chronicle was unable to reach the other family members, Roberts, who is in close contact with some of them, expressed gratitude and elation for the release of the fishermen, on behalf of everyone.

Gratitude was also directed to the Government of Guyana for constantly engaging the Government of Venezuela and lobbying for the release of the Guyanese fishermen.

Both Roberts and Lalbachan acknowledged the Government’s efforts, noting that had it not been for local

From left: Joel Joseph, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston , Orland Roberts, Captain of the Lady Nayera, Richard Ramnarine and Shirvin Oneil both vessels, which are registered in Essequibo, and the 12-member crew were detained.

On January 25, the 12-member crew appeared in a Venezuelan court, where they were informed that they will be held for 45 days on their boats, pending an investigation.

It is unclear why the Venezuelans reneged on their harsh decision to detain the men for such a long period of time, but the owner of the Sea Wolf vessel, Kumar Lalbachan, confirmed that the fishermen have been released and will set sail for Guyana today.

The crew members of the Sea Wolf are Garraway, Errol Gardener, Orland Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shirvin Oneil and Randy Henry while those aboard the Lady Nayera are Ramna-

especially great, he said, noting that the fishermen were running low on supplies.

The fishermen were in the custody of Venezuelan authorities for a little under two weeks, so it is only expected that food and other supplies would run low, since a fishing exercise usually lasts for about 20 days, and they were already 15 days into the trip prior to being captured.

While there was some level of uncertainty on whether Venezuela would provide supplies, Lalbachan said the fishermen were given fuel, food and water ahead of their trip back to Guyana.

From all indications, the men were not mistreated

by Venezuelan authorities, but the mere fact of being detained in one area was torturous for the fishermen. But, with the way clear for their safe return to Guyana, the

authorities the men would have probably still been detained.

“I am pleased that it was dealt with diplomatically… we left it to the Government and we kept them updated,” Lalbachan said, noting that he reported to Government officials on a daily basis.

The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, had issued a protest note to the Venezuelan Government, calling for the immediate release of the fishermen. This call was supported by Guyana’s regional and international partners.

According to Lalbachan, the Government has already signalled its intention to continue its support, but this time in the form of a donation of two hampers to each household of the fishermen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Guyana not immune to earthquakes –– regional expert urges local authorities to focus on mitigation efforts –– efforts underway to assist affected communities in Region Nine

By Vishani Ragobeer

EVEN though Guyana is situated on a relatively stable continental shield, Research Fellow at the University of the West Indies (UWI)’s Seismic Research Centre, Lloyd Lynch, has urged local authorities to focus on greater mitigation efforts since earthquakes can still impact the country.

On Sunday, an earthquake which seemingly had its epicentre in the South Rupununi area of Region Nine, struck Guyana and Boa Vista, Brazil. The country has experienced tremors from time to time, with one of the more prominent and recent ones occurring in 2018. Yet, Sunday’s occurrence was thought of as an outlier-- given that Guyana is not necessarily considered to be vulnerable to this

natural disaster.

However, Lynch told the Guyana Chronicle that there are certain structures within these stable continental regions that can produce earthquakes. These include changing geological structures such as rifts. Two failed rifts cut through southern Guyana-- the Takutu Rift graben and the Pisco-Jurua Mega fault.

And, importantly, these faults are located just about where the greater impact of Sunday’s earthquake was felt.

“Earthquakes are very devastating, particularly in spaces that do not plan for then,” the UWI Research Fellow highlighted. For context, in simple terms, an earthquake is caused by sudden movement of the material that makes up the earth’s crust.

The shaking that is felt is caused by the The damage caused by the earthquake in South Rupununi (South Rupununi District Council photo) energy that is released in waves which travel through this crust following a sudden release of ‘stress’ caused by the continuous movements of the earth’s tectonic plates (which are pieces of the earth’s crust).

Earthquakes can lead to massive damage, including the collapse of infrastructure and cracks in the earth’s surface itself. The recent earthquake, pegged at a magnitude of about 5.7, can be classified as a moderate one. While some houses and earth surfaces were damaged, there has been no extensive harm done.

Even so, the possibility of future, more devastating earthquakes should not be ruled out. And Lynch urged local authorities to prepare for such occurrences.

“In a region where [earthquakes] don’t occur frequently, it tends not to have such (building) codes and regulations to ensure that buildings are built to resist these forces... so if you do have (an earthquake), a lot of buildings would not be ready for that load,” Lynch highlighted.

With the high construction activity occurring here in Guyana, Lynch reasoned that focus should be given to ensuring that buildings are constructed to prepare for these natural disasters.

This Research Fellow has conducted extensive research on Guyana, and in 2012, he published a report on seismicity and the seismic hazard of Guyana. The aim of that report was to start the discussion on earthquake safety in Guyana.

During his recent interview with this newspaper, he emphasised that it will be wise for the local authorities to focus on basic monitoring for earthquake activity.

He also called for more focus to be given to outreach and education activities on earthquakes and on building regulations.

RUPUNUNI EXPERIENCE Meanwhile, Manley Thomas, a resident of Aishalton in Region Nine, related that the earthquake on Sunday ‘shook’ the community because of how unexpected it was.

“My wife was in the house preparing a late lunch and the ware plates on the rack fell off and she wanted to know what was happening; and I was outside and I thought it was a jet because you would sometimes see these now and then... but I didn’t see anything of the sort,” Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

In his community, he said that the earthquake seemed to last an entire minute. Whether other villagers were in their yards or farms,

there were all scared at what was happening.

Soon enough, cracks appeared on the earth surface.

Further south, in the community of Katoonarib, the impact was much worse. Thomas and a team of regional officials visited the community to assess the damage done and it was discovered that a few homes and roads had been damaged. Rumblings continued in this community, even until Tuesday.

“We were wondering if that is the epicentre because the rumblings just continue all the time,” Thomas said.

Lynch explained that, simply, sometimes a rupture is not complete following the earthquake. Therefore, the area experiencing the ‘stress’ would have some aftershocks spreading throughout the space.

“It’s highly unlikely that [these aftershocks] will lead to something stronger,” the Research Fellow noted, while explaining that such occurrences gradually lose their strength as the days go by. Nevertheless, he highlighted that the gradual decline is not an absolute occurrence; it is possible for the tremors to become stronger.

Even so, the occurrence has left the South Rupununi area rattled.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the impact of the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which was felt across Guyana on Sunday. According to a release from the body, the CDC would be partnering with the Minister of Natural Resources to conduct further analysis, observation, and assessments to gain a comprehensive perspective of the region’s susceptibility to seismic hazard.

As part of assessment efforts, the CDC noted that it is in discussion with The Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide technical support if the need arises.

“The result of these assessments could determine future actions which can include, but not limited to, conducting earthquake preparedness and response planning and training, evacuation drills and exploring the possibility of developing earthquake-resilient infrastructure codes for that region and, by extension, Guyana,” the release stated further.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer, Karl Singh, informed the CDC that the region will assist in the rehabilitation of the homes that are damaged. Construction materials are being deployed to the communities today. Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Brian Allicock, also committed to providing help for the citizens.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Learning and earning through BIT training –– 54 benefitting from cake decoration course

By Kellon Rover WHEN thinking of things to do daily, most times, you will not put learning a new skill on your todo list. But you could be missing out on something great, both personally and professionally.

Learning something new

attend the morning sessions while the remainder participates in the afternoons.

Each session runs for three hours.

Ms. De Souza explained that the lessons were taught in three stages: elementary, intermediate and advance.

“At the elementary stage, we did mixing of the icing,

Ms. Collette Hinkson

Shantie Bunbury

helps you grow as an individual, improves your knowledge base and gives you access to new and different opportunities. You can even potentially earn more money from learning a new and appropriate skill.

This is the goal of the PPP/C Government for every Guyanese, young and old, to ensure that they learn a lifelong skill from which they can obtain a comfortable livelihood and lifestyle.

The government continues to provide training opportunities through the Ministry of Labour - Board of Industrial Training (BIT), with a host of new courses planned this year.

Currently, 54 persons are participating in a fourmonth cake decorating course at the Diamond Community Centre, East Bank Demerara.

Instructor, Ms. Kelie De Souza, told the Department of Public Information recently, that the training began on October 12, 2020, and classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In keeping with the COVID-19 protocols, she said 25 persons would

we did shapes, how to make lines, scrolls, lattice, borders, how to cover a cake.

During the intermediate classes, they learned how to cut different patterns to make character and novelty cakes.”

With just a few days remaining for a February 5 completion, the tutor said the group of women is now wrapping up the training’s advance aspect.

“Here is where we are doing wedding and drip cakes. I also taught them how to do different types of icing mixture. For example, we did the royal mixture, the buttercream. Right now, we are working with fondant.”

Ms. De Souza said she is a happy Guyanese at this time. She adds that it has been a pleasure serving as an instructor to these ladies, and she is elated knowing that she has contributed positively to their lives.

“I feel that what I have done for them will make them realise that there is a different way to earn and they can also save. I am excited because some of them started knowing nothing

about making cakes, but now I can tell you that they are all very equipped and know exactly what to do and how to do it correctly.

They have the will and the ability to work.”

LEARNING AND EARNING Many of the partic-

Basmattie Bridgemohan ipants have no regrets enrolling. Ms. Collette Hinkson, one of the participants, said she already has six orders lined up and that is her “side money” to assist with expenses.

A nursery school teacher for 28 years, Ms. Hinkson said she has always had a love for the art form and wants to explore its various aspects.

“I have learnt different patterns and how to use different icing like buttercream. I also learnt how to use cake frosting,” she said.

Learning how to make fondant is what caught her interest. However, the woman said previously, when she attended cake decorating courses, “it was like rushing into things. So, coming here, it allowed me to get into the nitty-gritty or the fine things so that you can get through the process easily.”

Ms. Hinkson praised the initiative, saying she now

has another job lined up after her retirement.

For Ms. Shantie Bunbury, it was during the course that she made her first crumb coat and learned how to use a thimble and a forcing bag.

“What actually prompted me - I am not a person to do anything much with

Kelie Desouza my hands; I am more into academics, but many times, we want to do stuff, and we have to pay. So, when I actually heard about it, I was elated. I came on board, and when I came here, I didn’t know anything. I only knew how to bake.”

“Many times, we have persons that know how to do cakes, they know to use a thimble, but they do not know how to use a forcing bag. I’ve learnt these things, and I have mastered them today,” Ms. Bunbury added.

Another participant, Ms. Basmattie Bridgemohan, has started earning now that she has nearly completed the course. “Cake decorating is something I always wanted to learn,” she said, noting that she wants to start her own business when she finishes the training.

TAKE ADVANTAGE Meanwhile, the BIT continues to encourage persons to capitalise on

Some of the works done to date during the cake decorating training (Images courtesy of Ms. Kelie De Souza) the opportunity to learn a new skill and enroll in the courses.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has travelled to several communities countrywide to identify the training needs and the desires of residents.

He explained that the programmes offered would provide residents with the skills and knowledge to improve their livelihoods and contribute to nation-building.

Some of the BIT courses

include carpentry, masonry, electrical installation, cosmetology, catering, garment construction, information technology, mechanics and heavy-duty equipment operation.

Minister Hamilton said the training is free and participants would be given a stipend to assist with their travelling expenses. Instructors are selected from the community where the course is being conducted. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

GTT continues to top list of complaints against utility companies –– over 500 received by PUC in 2020

THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC) received 546 complaints in 2020 against the four utility companies it monitors, and more than half of them were related to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT).

A total of 363 complaints were lodged by consumers in 2020 against GTT, just two less than those made against it in 2019. Comparatively, the PUC had received a total of 715 complaints in 2019.

In terms of the other utility companies, for 2020, there were 122 complaints against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL); 56 against the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI); and three against Guyana’s other telecommunications company, Digicel.

Comparatively, GPL had 262 complaints lodged against it in 2019, while there were 86 against GWI and four against Digicel in 2019.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, PUC Complaints Manager, Destra Bourne, explained that the majority of the issues against GTT were technical in nature, while the majority against GWI and GPL had to do with billing.

“Majority of those technical issues would have been for application for service and billing queries,” Bourne said, adding: “What we found is that persons were applying, but due to the COVID-19 situation, the utilities had to reassess application for services.”

She said too, “Majority of the complaints we would have received from GPL were billing inquiries, where consumers were not clear about billing. For GWI, majority would have been for billing queries also.”

She noted that due to the COVID-19 epidemic, which existed throughout most of 2020, the work of some of the utility companies was delayed, and so they were constrained in their ability to look into some of the complaints being made.

“There are some cases that would require an investigation to ensure that the instrument is operating properly,” Bourne said, adding: “During the period with COVID, utilities had to take a step back and assess how they go out to do the investigations and interact with persons, so that their staff would be protected. But we have worked with them to get these matters resolved in a timely manner.”

She also noted that while some of the matters were still unresolved as at the end of the year, a lot of that was due to the complaints having been recently received and investigations were still being done when the year concluded.

“We are working with the utilities to get to the resolution of these matters,” Bourne explained.

Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday was PUC Chairman, Dela Britton, who explained that though the COVID-19 situation did not largely affect the Commission’s ability to function, it did affect some customers’ ability to report issues.

Britton noted that this was largely due to the Commission having to ask consumers to make their reports via virtual means, which would have affected those who do not have access to such medium.

“Nothing really affects the work at PUC, because we operate on a virtual private network, and we were able to move seamlessly to working from home, in order to protect our staff and the public. But we continued to urge the public not to come into the office, but to utilise our website portal, as was feasible,” Britton explained.

“But we always have challenges, and for us, it was not being able to serve them as we would have liked to because of the situation,” she added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Last round of filaria pills being distributed from Feb. 14 –– Guyana can lose gains made in the past few years, if distribution not successful

By Vishani Ragobeer IT is crucial for Guyanese to take the filaria pills that will be distributed from February 14, so that the gains made over the past few years to eliminate filaria as a public health issue will not be lost, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony said.

During his daily COVID-19 update on Tuesday, Minister Anthony stated that the distribution of the pills will begin in Regions Three and Four on February 14. It is expected that this rollout will last about two weeks, during which time a number of pill distributors will be going house-to-house to distribute the medicine.

Subsequently, in March, the pills will be distributed in Regions Six and 10, before the health personnel move onto the other regions. The entire distribution should be finished in March.

“If we’re successful at getting about 70 per cent of the population to take these tablets, we would be able to eliminate filaria from Guyana,” the Health Minister affirmed.

In October, 2017, the local health authorities launched a reconceptualised, multi-year Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, seeking to eradicate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly called filaria or “big foot,” in Guyana. Through this, efforts are made to have at least 70 per cent of the population consume the ‘filaria pills’Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), Albendazole (ALB) and Ivermectin (IVM) – to sterilise and kill the worms that cause filaria.

Filaria is caused by bancrofti worms and is transmitted by culex mosquitoes.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it affects the body’s lymphatic system, which functions to remove unwanted fluids from the body and transports ‘lymph’- a fluid which contains white blood cells that help to fight infections.

Though Guyana is one of few countries in the Americas to still have this disease, if this year’s MDA is successful, Guyana will be able to elim-

students will take the tablets unless their parents have signed dissent forms preventing them from consuming the filaria medication.

If someone is infected with filaria, they may develop chronic conditions, resulting in swelling of the legs and scrotum.

Locally, the swelling of

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony inate it.

The success of this multiyear MDA lies squarely on the population taking these pills, this year. If not, Guyana would have to restart another MDA and try to eliminate LF once again.

“If you go beyond a certain time period, we’ll have to start all over again because that first dose medication which was distributed in 2017) would not be all that effective and when you do the second dose, it’s not going to have the same impact,” Dr. Anthony explained.

A combination of the three pills will be given to individuals on the basis of their height. Pregnant women, seriously ill persons, children less than two years old and shorter than 90 cm of height will not be given the pills.

In the revitalised 2017 MDA, the Education Ministry was recruited to join the campaign, since in a previously unsuccessful filaria campaign, children were the group that failed to meet the minimum percentage for coverage.

“While schools in the past (rounds of this MDA) have been one of the areas that we’ve targeted, because the students are out of school but they are at home, once we do the house-to-house work we’ll be able to reach them as well,” Dr. Anthony explained recently.

The smaller number of older students, who have been allowed to return to their schools for physical engagements, would be given the tablets there. Just as in previous rounds, it is expected that the

tissues in the leg is called ‘big foot,’ while scrotal swelling is termed ‘goadie.’

There is no cure for filaria, which means that these chronic manifestations are irreversible. And it is for this reason that taking the tablets to prevent infection is imperative.

One of the three filaria pills which will be distributed from February 14 (PAHO photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Trafficking of boys increases five-fold –– COVID-19 seen worsening overall trend in human trafficking, says UNODC report THE share of children among detected trafficking victims has tripled while the share of boys has increased five times in the past 15 years. Girls are mainly trafficked for sexual exploitation, while boys are used for forced labour, according to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Tuesday.

In 2018 about 50,000 human trafficking victims

were detected and reported by 148 countries. However, given the hidden nature of this crime, the actual number of victims trafficked is far higher. The report shows traffickers particularly target the most vulnerable, such as migrants and people without jobs. The COVID-19-induced recession is likely to expose more people to the risk of trafficking.

“Millions of women, children and men worldwide are out of work, out of school and without social

support in the continuing COVID-19 crisis, leaving them at greater risk of human trafficking. We need targeted action to stop criminal traffickers from taking advantage of the pandemic to exploit the vulnerable,” said UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly.

“The UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2020, coupled with the technical assistance UNODC provides through its global programmes and field network, aims to in-

form governments’ anti-trafficking responses, end impunity, and support victims as part of integrated efforts to build forward from the pandemic.”

PROFILE OF THE VICTIMS Female victims continue to be the primary targets for trafficking in persons. For every 10 victims detected globally in 2018, about five were adult women and two were young girls. Around 20 per cent of

human trafficking victims were adult men and 15 per cent were young boys.

Over the last 15 years, the number of detected victims has increased, while their profile has changed. The share of adult women among the detected victims fell from more than 70 per cent to less than 50 per cent in 2018, while the share of children detected has increased, from around 10 per cent to over 30 per cent. In the same period, the share of adult men has nearly doubled, from around 10 per cent to 20 per cent in 2018.

Overall, 50 per cent of detected victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, 38 per cent were exploited for forced labour, six per cent were subjected to forced criminal activity, while one per cent was coerced into begging and smaller numbers into forced marriages, organ removal,

can range from tens of US dollars to tens of thousands, with large criminal organisations making the highest incomes.

Traffickers have integrated technology into their business model at every stage of the process, from recruiting to exploiting victims.

Many children are approached by traffickers on social media and they are an easy target in their search for acceptance, attention, or friendship.

UNODC has identified two types of strategies: “hunting” involving a trafficker actively pursuing a victim, typically on social media; and “fishing”, when perpetrators post job advertisements and wait for potential victims to respond.

The internet allows traffickers to live stream the exploitation of their victims, which enables the simultaneous abuse of one

and other purposes.

Victims’ profiles differ according to the form of exploitation. In 2018, most women and girls detected were trafficked for sexual exploitation, whereas men and boys were mainly trafficked for forced labour.

The share of detected victims trafficked for forced labour has steadily increased for more than a decade. Victims are exploited across a wide range of economic sectors, particularly in those where work is undertaken in isolated circumstances including agriculture, construction, fishing, mining, and domestic work.

PROFILE OF THE OFFENDERS Globally, most persons prosecuted and convicted of trafficking in persons continue to be male, with around 64 and 62 per cent respectively. Offenders can be members of organised crime groups, which traffic the great majority of victims, to individuals operating on their own or in small groups on an opportunistic basis.

Traffickers see their victims as commodities without regard for human dignity and rights. They sell fellow human beings for a price that

victim by many consumers around the globe.

TRAFFICKING FLOWS Based on the data collected from 148 countries, UNODC was able to record 534 different trafficking flows around the globe although victims are typically trafficked within geographically close areas.

A typical example involves girls recruited in a suburban area and exploited in nearby motels or bars.

Globally, most victims are rescued in their own country of origin. For more details, please consult the attached table on regional trends, or the Report.

The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons is produced by UNODC every two years, to inform an effective response to this crime and place it within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.

The 2020 edition covers data from the world’s largest database on trafficking victims, compiling figures from official sources across 148 countries. It also analyses 489 court cases from 71 different countries, providing more qualitative information on the perpetrators and the characteristics of this crime.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Churches now allowed to open at 40 per cent capacity

By Vishani Ragobeer

ALL places of religious worship are now able to accommodate worshippers at 40 per cent capacity, a revision of the previously allowed 25 per cent capacity allowed in accordance with the gazetted COVID-19

services.

Additionally, where there are multiple services, there should be no less than 45 minutes between each service to allow for sanitisation and cleaning of facilities. Sanitisation or handwashing stations should also be provided for persons to use be-

cent capacity of the building, tables must be spaced six feet apart and no more than four persons are to be seated at one table, and each person must be three feet apart.

Just as places of worship have been tasked with ensuring crucial COVID-19 measures are

A ‘socially-distanced’ church service at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception at Brickdam, Georgetown (Delano Williams photo) Emergency measures.

Based on informa tion seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Paragraph (11) Section (2) (a) of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (no. 14) would be amended to read: “Religious leaders shall ensure that attendance at religious services and gatherings is restricted to 40 per cent the capacity of the building where the service or gathering is to be held.”

These emergency measures took effect from February 1 and last until February 28; meanwhile, the amendment was made on February 1 and was expected to take immediate effect once published in the official gazette.

In addition to ensuring that gatherings at these places of worship do not exceed 40 per cent, a wellplaced source highlighted that these religious spaces would be tasked with ensuring that the place of worship is cleaned and sanitised immediately before and after all gatherings or

fore and after the service.

Where persons enter the place of worship barefoot, feet washing facilities should also be provided.

Other standard COVID-19 guidelines should also be in effect at these places. Those include ensuring that persons maintain a physical distance of six feet, once they are not from the same household; all persons must wear a face mask to cover the nose, mouth and chin; and, handshakes, hugs or other forms of physical contact should be avoided.

As per these newer COVID-19 guidelines, indoor dining is now permitted at bars and restaurants after indoor dining and the opening of bars were prohibited over the past few months.

Dining will only be permitted, however, between the hours of 04:00 hrs and 21:30 hrs. It was further noted that indoor dining at a restaurant and bar is restricted to 40 per

in place to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, restaurants and bars are required to organise their premises in compli-

ance with the adequate spacing and sanitisation guidelines.

The indoor dining at bars and restaurants are being monitored by the Guyana Tourism Au-

thority (GTA); the national curfew remains at 22:30 hrs to 04:00 hrs daily.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

‘Human Services’ to urgently address alleged assault of pensioner by staff member

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) has sent home the staff member who is alleged to have assaulted a pensioner on Monday morning at its Cornhill Street office, and says that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said that it has taken note of a post being circulated on social media alleging that a pensioner who was at the office enquiring about her pension book, was slapped by the female member of staff with whom she’d spoken.

The ministry says that if the allegation is true, then not only is the incident “inexcusable” but “unacceptable” as well, and would like to take the opportunity to apologise to the pensioner who was wronged.

“We take all incidents of abuse or violence against the elderly/pensioners seriously, and are dealing with the matter with alacrity,” the ministry says in its statement, adding: “We sincerely apologise to the pensioner for the trauma caused, if this incident has occurred.”

Noting that all public service rules and

procedures will be followed in dealing with the matter, it said: “We have made contact with the individual who made the allegation through a Facebook post, and that person will be giving a statement. The pensioner has also been contacted to provide a statement as well. The Officer has been sent on administrative leave, while a thorough investigation is being conducted into the incident.”

In the well-circulated Facebook post she made on Monday, University of Guyana (UG)’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Melissa Ifill says she was at the ministry’s Cornhill Street office at the time when she witnessed the pensioner being slapped by the Officer.

Ifill said the reason she was there was because she’d taken her father to uplift his old age pension book, and was sitting around waiting on him to complete his business when the incident occurred.

“I saw a heavy-set staffer quarrelling with the pensioner, telling her to leave and stand outside,” Dr. Ifill said, adding: “And then, to my shock and horror, the staffer leaned back and slapped the pensioner. I couldn’t see properly, but it appeared as if she fell.”

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Cornhill Street office where the incident allegedly took place She said the pensioner was later assisted out of the building by another staff

member. She noted that the incident occurred at approximately 09:15hrs.

Court throws out Colwyn Harding’s ‘baton sodomy’ lawsuit JUSTICE Navindra Singh, on Monday, dismissed the $80M lawsuit that Colwyn Harding had filed against the State after his attorney failed to attend the court hearing.

Harding had approached the court seeking damages after being allegedly sodomised with a baton while in police custody.

In November 2013 he was detained at the Timehri Police Station on the allegation that he had assaulted a police rank and had resisted arrest.

He had contended that while in custody, officers pushed a condom-covered baton into his anus, causing him to suffer internal injuries.

Constables Devin Singh and Roselle Tilbury-Douglas were fingered in the alleged assault and baton sodomy of Harding and were charged.

However, in March 2016 the case against them were dismissed by Magistrate Leron Daly at the Providence Magistrate’s Court due to insufficient evidence.

He had claimed that the two constables had beaten

him during his detention until he lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness he had begun to complain of feeling pain and bleeding from his anus.

However, doctors had reported that they did not see any signs of sexual abuse to support Harding’s allegations. They noted that they observed the man to be suffering from an intestinal infection and condition.

Harding in his High Court action had alleged that he was assaulted and battered by the ranks resulting in his

sustaining injuries, and that his fundamental rights were breached as a result of the incident.

He contended that a foreign object was inserted into his anus triggering a need for corrective surgery, and that he was repeatedly assaulted while in custody.

The State had denied these claims, asserting that the medical evidence did not support Harding’s contention and that any surgical procedures undertaken were as a result of a medical condition he had developed.

In the lawsuit, Harding sought damages in excess $100,000 and exemplary damages for assault and battery and in excess of $80,400,000 and exemplary damages for the breach of his fundamental rights.

At Monday’s hearing the case was dismissed for want of prosecution after Harding’s attorney failed to appear in court. Harding was also ordered to pay the State $100,000 in costs for each claim, which amounted to a total sum of $200,000.

Colwyn Harding

Electrician working taxi carjacked in Sophia A MAN and a woman are wanted by police for reportedly stealing a new model silver Toyota Allion motorcar PXX 4871 from a 43-year-old electrician on Monday at ‘D’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The electrician, who was working taxi with his car, was identified as Corwin Griffith.

Reports indicated that Griffith was working private hire taxi and was in the

vicinity of America Street, Georgetown, when he was stopped by a medium built man dressed in a grey jersey and black short pants and a medium built with plait hair woman dressed in black outfit known as a “Rampa”.

The duo requested the taxi driver to drop them off at ‘D’ Field Sophia. The driver accepted the request and the suspects boarded the vehicle after they placed two black garbage bags of suspected

clothing into the trunk of the car.

Police said on arrival to the last street, ‘D’ Field Sophia access road, the taxi driver exited his car and proceeded to his trunk to remove the bags.

However, while removing the bags, the male passenger jumped into the driver seat with the woman in the vehicle and made their escape in the car.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Armed bandits rob women at Meadow Bank Wharf ARMED bandits robbed two women at the “Wild Caught Fresh” Fish Depot at Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown on Monday.

The incident occurred at around 17:00hrs and the victims were identified as Renita Joseph, 43, of Onderneem-

ing, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and Ariel Mangar, 19, of Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Police said the women were robbed by two unidentifiably men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The two bandits stole

a large quantity of cash as well as other valuables including cellphones and jewellery from the women before they escaped on a Honda XR motorcycle. Police are currently hunting for the bandits as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

New carbon trading rules take effect amid China's efforts to go carbon-neutral (XINHUA) -- A set of interim rules for carbon emissions trading management in China came into effect on Monday, marking a key step in the establishment of a unified national emissions trading system (ETS) amid the country's all-out efforts to meet its 2060 carbon-neutral target.

A total of 2,225 power firms across the country, assigned with carbon dioxide emission caps, can trade their emission quotas via the system whereby firms that exceed their caps can purchase unused quotas from those with low emissions.

It is the first time China has specified the responsibilities of enterprises to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which will help boost green development and tackle climate change.

China has announced that it will strive to bring its carbon emissions to a peak before 2030 and become carbon-neutral before 2060.

In an effort to build a national ETS, the country has been piloting emissions trading at the regional level since 2011, covering seven provinces and cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.

The pilot programmes have driven major emitters to significantly reduce their emissions over the years.

At the China Emissions Exchange (Guangzhou), the country's largest local carbon market based in the southern Guangdong Province, carbon emissions of listed enterpris-

es in the power generation, cement, steel, and petrochemical sectors dropped by 12.3 per cent from 2013 to 2019.

Chai Qimin, who heads the strategic planning department of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said the construction of a national emissions trading system can connect the various local markets in the country, enhancing market liquidity and reducing trading costs for enterprises.

NEW ENERGY, LOWER EMISSIONS In a bid to achieve its ambitious carbon-neutral target, China is striving to slash its carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

The country has vowed to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25 per cent by 2030, and bring its total installed capacity of wind and solar power to more than 1.2 billion kilowatts (kW).

In north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a major coal-producing area, a total of 36 wind-power plants with a combined installed capacity of nearly seven million kW were connected to the power grid in early January in the region's latest effort to curb its carbon emissions.

The total installed capacity of renewable

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 19, 2018 shows a wind-power base in the city of Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Peng Yuan)

Aerial photo taken on July 11, 2018 shows a photovoltaic power base in Kubuqi Desert of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Peng Yuan) energy in Inner Mongolia has reached 50 restoring wetlands to create more carbon million kW, providing about one-fifth of total sinks.

Carbon sinks are reservoirs such as forelectricity consumption in the region, accordests, lakes and oceans that absorb and store ing to data from the regional energy bureau.

Electricity generated here will also be carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

China saw its forest coverage rate transmitted to China's more developed eastern region, contributing to nationwide emission rise from 21.66 per cent in 2015 to 23.04 per cent in 2020. Its forest carbon reduction efforts.

Inner Mongolia is the epitome of China's reserve has hit 9.2 billion tonnes, an nationwide drive to allow renewable energy to average annual increase of over 200 milplay a greater role in its energy structure. Offi- lion tonnes in the past five years, which cial data shows that as of December last year, is equivalent to a carbon sink of 700 China's total installed capacity of wind power million to 800 million tonnes, according has reached 229 million kW, while solar cells to the National Forestry and Grassland across the country have reached a combined Administration.

The administration has vowed to increase installed capacity of 228 million kW. In the consumption end, Shanghai has the country's forest coverage rate to 24.1 per pledged to lower the proportion of coal in its cent by 2025 and raise the country's forest primary energy consumption to around 30 per stock volume by 1.4 billion cubic metres to cent by 2025, and add about 200,000 public reach 19 billion cubic metres in the next five charging piles for new energy vehicles, ac- years.

To date, the transaction volume of carcording to a government work report released at the annual session of the local people's bon sink trading in the area total nearly two million yuan (about 311,200 U.S. dollars), congress in January.

The megacity aims to bring its carbon according to official data.

"The revenue from carbon-sink trading emissions to a peak before 2025, five years has been used to improve local ecological ahead of the national target. protection efforts, thus achieving a balance between economic development and enviMORE CARBON SINKS In addition to curbing carbon emis- ronmental protection," said Song Yongli, sions, China is also afforesting its land and a local forestry official.

China vows more COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries (XINHUA) -- CHINA will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to other countries, especially the developing ones, in a timely manner within its capacity and contribute to the building of a community of health for all, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing after announcing that China donated COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan on Monday morning, the first shipment of China's vaccine aid to other countries.

Reiterating China's commitment to making its COVID-19 vaccines a global public good once developed and put into use, Wang said China will contribute to achieving the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. "We act on our words."

Besides Pakistan, China is also providing vaccine aid to 13 developing countries, including Brunei, Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Palestine, Belarus, Sierra Le-

Workers unload containers with the second shipment of nearly million COVID-19 vaccines developed by Chinese firm, Sinovac Biotech, at Santiago international airport in Santiago, Chile, Jan. 31, 2021.

(Chilean Ministry of Health/Handout via Xinhua)

one, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, with 38 more developing countries in need slated to receive China's vaccine aid at a later stage.

"We are also participating actively in the WHO-led COVAX initiative to provide vaccines to developing countries," the spokesperson added.

China has supported its companies in conducting joint research and production of vaccines with foreign partners and already exported Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines to countries including the UAE, Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil, and Chile, Wang noted.

Besides, China also supported relevant companies in exporting vaccines to countries that were in urgent need, recognized Chinese vaccines, and authorised the emergency use of Chinese vaccines in their countries, Wang said.

He added that China expects the international community to make joint efforts in promoting the equitable distribution and use of vaccines and ensure the availability and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Nesha’s Flowerland opens branch at MovieTowne LEADING floral business, Nesha’s Flowerland, which has become a household name has opened its newest lo-

cation on the ground floor of the MovieTowne Mall, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Speaking at the open-

ing ceremony on Monday evening, co-owner, Samaria Deonauth, explained that the branch was opened to cater for

The new Nesha’s Flowerland location at the MovieTowne Mall (Delano Williams photo)

(From right to left) Founder of Nesha’s Flowerland, Yasmin Deonauth; her daughters Pritti, Samaria and Xaphira Deonauth, and her husband, Raj Deonauth (Delano Williams photo)

the influx of queries about their services for East Coast Demerara residents.

“People kept asking, ‘when are you coming back?’, because they missed our branch in Giftland, so we had to open another one,” she expressed.

She noted that customers have nothing to fear when it comes to differences in customer service, or the services offered by the floral company.

“This MovieTowne branch will continue to

serve all of the same products, the same great service, and the same high quality. It’s really just an extension of our larger branch,” she reassured.

The new location will also feature delivery, customizable orders and special bouquet arrangements for various holidays and occasions. One of the store’s key attractions is customers’ ability to select flowers of their choice, to be wrapped into a bouquet in under 15 minutes.

“So we have the West Coast covered in Parika, we have the East Coast covered here, and town is covered in Church Street,” Deonauth concluded. “Our aim is to continue to grow, so that we’ll be able to serve everybody.”

Nesha’s Flowerland has been in operation for over 25 years, and specializes in professional floral arrangements for every occasion, including bouquets, corsages, and wreaths.

‘Habitual drinker’ drowns at Henrietta koker HOURS after leaving home with a bottle of rum, a pensioner tragically lost his life when he fell off the

koker at Henrietta, in Region Two. Dead is 70-year-old Chitramjan Das of 87 Richmond

Curious residents looking at the spot where Chitramjan Das was discovered Housing Scheme.

The incident reportedly occurred around 08:45hrs.

According to the man’s wife, Nandranie Das, her husband left home around 06:00hrs with a bottle of rum and never returned. She said that when she noticed his absence, she went to the Henrietta koker where she saw him floating in the trench.

“I always have the fear that one day he will drown.

Every time he goes out drinking, I does feel that way,” the woman said.

Das was wearing the same clothes he left home with. The woman said she raised an alarm and residents

immediately gathered and assisted in removing the body from the trench. The woman described her husband as a habitual drinker.

When the body was retrieved, bruises were visible on the right elbow and on his nose.

A report was made to the Anna Regina Police Station and detectives subsequently visited the scene.

Das was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead. His body is currently at the Suddie mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

NA Municipality presents proposed $224M budget for 2021 THE New Amsterdam Municipality, on Monday, presented a proposed $224M budget for the year 2021 and is anticipating a collection of some $137M in market fees and property tax.

The projected $39,343,336 which is expected from market-related fees and $98, 136,533 from Municipal Property Tax, along with the $18M subvention from Central Government, will be used in part, to improve the services offered to the residents of the township.

The proposed budget, which has to be approved by the Ministry of Local Government, also includes a sum of $12, 615,751 which will be used to fill potholes and repair cross streets.

In her report, municipal treasurer, Kerryanne Edwards, described 2020, as “a very unusual financial year where adaptability was the main theme”.

She said that, in-spite of the challenges encountered with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, many tax payers chose to honour their financial obligations to the municipality, which ensured that the 90 plus staff remained employed.

During the last financial year, the municipality’s income was $159,026,897, which represented a 72.7% intake when compared to the projected $218,656, 236.

The municipal market which is the second highest income generating area was hard hit. It raked in $20,017,229, representing 51% of the projected $39,343,336. Due to the pandemic, the doors to the market were closed for many weeks, only allowing customers to benefit from essential services.

The parks and playfield were expected to generate $2.2M. However, a meagre $50,000 was added to the municipal coffers.

Employment costs had a budget of $126,243,984, but only $85,777,864 was realized. For 2021, a projected amount of $128,689,256 will allow staffers to enjoy a minimum wage.

Edwards noted that in the third quarter of 2020, the NA Municipality was able to collect 54.57% of the budgeted revenues, which in actual dollars was $106,741,554 of its projected $218,656,236.

Additionally, the council

received a $10M subvention from Central Government, the majority of which was assigned to infrastructural developmental works.

Further, Central Government in 2020 funded the Community Enhancement Infrastructure Project (CEIP) which assisted the municipality with much needed drainage and developmental works, she added. A team leader and 36 individuals were part of that project.

Unlike the previous years, notices for this year’s budget hearing were not dispatched to a wide cross section of the township. Instead, just two representatives of each of the seven constituencies received notices, as part of the municipal’s efforts to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and limit persons’ exposure to the virus.

Additionally, municipal staff, councillors and media operatives, who were present were made aware of a variety of issues affecting residents. These included overgrown bushes on house lots, poor solid waste management, roaming cattle, and blocked inter-lot drains.

CHALLENGES Meanwhile, Mayor (ag) Wainwright Mc Intosh applauded staffers, from the frontline workers to the department heads, for their continuous hard work to ensure that the municipality functions effectively.

He said their efforts also highlight the many challenges such as deficiencies in departments, inclusive of inadequate staffing, that the municipality was facing.

“If we are to adequately address the issue of solid waste management, that department must be adequately staffed,” he said.

He used the opportunity to urge the Ministry of Local Government to give the council the sole responsibility of hiring its staff.

“Residents, you must understand that the council is not solely responsible for hiring, and, that process is stymied through the Ministry of Local Government, which leaves a bitter sweet taste in the mouth of residents...

When we look at the buildup of the illegal dumping of garbage, we cannot unilaterally employ, but because this process is stymied, it would have placed us in a precarious situation. And, through

Central Government I humbly ask that the issues such as these are addressed in a vicarious manner, and that the municipality be given the sole responsibility for hiring of staff,” he added.

Further, it was noted that the assistance given to the municipality through its Community Infrastructure

Enhancement Programme from which several workers have been recalled and excuses such as budgetary issues are appalling.

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people,” Mayor Mc Intosh emphasized.

The two-hour session

which was punctuated with comments and observations was chaired by municipal staffer Taleisha Simon. Also in attendance were Town Clerk, Sharon Alexander; Finance Chairman, Buster Wright; General Foreman, Charles Johnson and Senior Clerk, Claudine Lamazon.

Acting Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright Mc Intosh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

GTT collaborates with Health Ministry to offer free pap smears, VIA screening THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) recently collaborated with the Ministry of Health’s Chronic Disease Unit to offer a week of free pap smears and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening to women across Guyana in a bid to promote the early detection of cancer.

The one-week outreach, to observe Cervical Cancer

Awareness Month, began at the Goed Intent Health Centre in Region Three before being rolled out in several regions across the country.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, said the company is delighted to contribute to this outreach as it offers women in Guyana access to screening and testing – free of cost.

“It is my hope that women in the respective areas

where the free tests and screening were offered, took advantage of the availability to know their status. As GTT has reminded over the years, ‘early detection saves lives’ and this exercise was aimed at doing just that – helping as many women in Guyana to fight against cancer through early detection and medical care,” she stated.

National VIA Coordinator at the Ministry of Health,

Dr. Martin Campbell, said he and his team were pleased once again to be collaborating with GTT to provide VIA and free pap screening during this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

“We hope to continue building on this relationship until every woman in Guyana is screened for Cervical Cancer,” said Dr. Campbell.

The Cervical Cancer screenings also occurred at Dr. Campell receives the donation from Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens the Rosignol Health Centre, the Mahaica Health Centre, the Kuru Kururu Centre and the Mahdia District Hospital; the outreach concluded at the Craig Health Centre.

Gittens noted that the Linden Cancer Society and Berbice Cancer Society will host screenings during the month of February for women in their regions.

Rape accused freed SAMUEL Whaul, was, on Tuesday, freed of a rape charge by the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court, after a jury returned a not guilty verdict.

Whaul of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 20-year-old woman on October 25, 2018, at the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown, The jury, after deliberating for almost two hours found Whaul not guilty of rape. He was also found not guilty of the alternative count of sexual assault.

Whaul was represented by attorney Adrian Thompson, while the State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Sarah Martin and Nafeeza Baig. He was out on $200,000 bail during trial.

According to the report, Whaul is known to the victim, since they had communicated frequently on Facebook.

On the day in question,

FREED Samuel Whaul both parties met at a location in Georgetown and then went to the Promenade Gardens.

It is alleged that while there Whaul told the victim to sit on his lap, which she did.

Whaul reportedly unbutton her pants, placed one of his hands inside and fondled her. He held onto her neck with his other hand.

The woman tried to fight Whaul off during the alleged rape. She later saw some basketball players and raised an alarm, but Whaul managed to escape.

After the ordeal, the victim reported the matter to the police and Whaul was arrested and later charged.

Teen remanded on two counts of attempted murder A 19-year-old resident of Best Village squatting area, West Coast Demerara, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison on two counts of attempted murder.

Richardo Orlando Persaud appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the charges.

Particulars of the charges alleged that, on January 30, at Lot 133 Best Village, he wounded Shemiza Persaud and Harry Persaud with the intent to commit murder.

Magistrate Lambert remanded the teen to prison until February 22.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Cancer the second leading cause of death in the Americas

ON the eve of February 4, World Cancer Day, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Carissa F. Etienne, called for ensuring diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the Americas, where services have been seriously disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We must not forget other grave illnesses while we combat COVID-19,” Etienne said. “We must fight the pandemic while continuing to make advances against other diseases, particularly cancer.

For cancer patients, lack of diagnoses, treatments, and medications can be deadly,” she remarked.

In the Americas, cancer is the second leading cause of death, with an estimated four million people newly diagnosed in 2020. An estimated 1.4 million people died from cancer in 2020. And approximately 57 per cent of new cancer cases and 47 per cent of cancer deaths occurred in people 69 years of age or younger, in the prime of their lives. Among men, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers are most common whereas among women, breast, lung and colorectal cancers are most common.

Pandemic-related disruptions to cancer services arose due to multiple causes, according to a PAHO/WHO survey of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, in seven countries in the Americas. They resulted from cancellation of elective medical procedures, closure of services, reduction in de-

mand due to lockdowns, and the need to channel resources into COVID-19.

In addition, some cancer patients have been reluctant to show up for office visits or go to hospitals for treatment where COVID-19 patients may also be receiving care.

Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing the most serious and potentially fatal forms of COVID-19.

“We must ensure that people who are already sick with cancer do not miss life-saving diagnosis and treatment because of the pandemic,” said Anselm Hennis, director of PAHO’s Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health.

“There are tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment that can show us how to achieve this.”

PAHO/WHO provides guidance on how to adapt services for cancer patients amid the pandemic.

These are: Prioritise treatments for cancer patients, taking into consideration the safest and most effective interventions, the speed at which the cancer is progressing, and the effects of delayed treatment on clinical outcomes and quality of life; minimise the number of in-person visits to health centres, especially in areas where there may be more patients with suspected COVID-19; lower risk of exposure by providing services and clinical trials at alternate healthcare facilities; provide follow-up counselling, psychological support or palliative care by telephone or remotely; facil-

Teen accused of robbery granted bail AN 18-year-old welder, was, on Tuesday, released on $50,000 bail by Magistrate Alicia George after pleading not guilty to a robbery charge.

Seon Benjamin called “Black & Shine” of ‘D’ Field Sophia, during his appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, denied that, on December 17, 2020 at ‘B’ Field Sophia, he robbed Fitzroy Cummings of cash and articles valued at $815, 000 with the use of Seon Benjamin called ‘Black & Shine’ personal violence.

Magistrate George released Benjamin on $50,000 bail with the condition that he reports to the Turkeyen Police Station at the end of every month until the completion of the matter. She also ordered him not to be seen on the road between 18:00 hrs and 06:00hrs.

The case was adjourned until March 9.

Benjamin is currently before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for an alleged armed robbery he committed on a Merriman’s Mall businesswoman.

He is currently out on $150,000 bail for that offence.

itate home delivery of drugs and in-home testing and sampling; move practitioners’ offices to locations with lower risk of exposure; and delay personalised follow-up visits for several months when feasible, for example, when patients have completed treatment, have a good prognosis, and can be seen in telehealth consultations.

WORLD WITHOUT

CANCER World Cancer Day works to save millions of lives each year by raising awareness and education about cancer and by calling on governments and people around the world to take action against the disease.

From 2019 through 2021, the theme of World Cancer Day is “I am and I will” – a collective call to action to reduce the global impact of

cancer. This global day invites people to express who they are and what actions they will take to create a world without cancer.

Between one-third to one-half of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine also prevents Cervi-

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PAHO, Director Carissa F. Etienne cal Cancer.

“Cancer should never be a death sentence, even during a pandemic,” Dr. Hennis said.

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COVID-19: GAPLF proposes...

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calendar of events for 2021 and although dates and venues have been scheduled for the events, IPF stated that due to the pandemic, the calendar is subject to change.

For Guyana, they may have some time to get their athletes into the competition phase under the guidelines of COVID-19 since their first International engagement is scheduled for August. The IPF’s calendar has the 18th edition of the Pan American/ South American Powerlifting (FESUPO) and Bench Press Equipped and Classic Championships billed for August 17-21 in Orlando, Flordia.

Guyana finished third overall in the 2019 edition of the competition with Masters Frank Tucker, Nadina Taharally, Naranjan Singh, Franklyn Brisport and Noel Cummings hauling in a combined total of 65 medals.

The other largely successful lifters at this event included record-holder Natoya Robinson who had six gold medals and two silver pieces and Runita White who claimed two gold medals and an equal amount of silver.

Bjorn Williams also claimed six medals competing in the 105kg class while Lisa Oudit hauled in 4 medals during her run.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

CSA extremely disappointed at Australia pull out (ESPNCRINFO) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) (organisers) are “extremely disappointed” and “frustrated” at Cricket Australia’s decision to pull out of their Test tour in March, saying they couldn’t have done more to appease the touring team.

“We are extremely disappointed by the decision of CA,” Graeme Smith, CSA’s Director of Cricket, said in a strongly-worded statement.

“CSA has been working tirelessly in recent weeks to ensure that we meet every single expectation of CA. “This was set to be our longest tour in a bio-secure environment (BSE) comprising a three-match Test series that was scheduled to begin with Australia’s arrival later in

the month. So to be informed about the CA decision at the eleventh hour is frustrating.”

Smith was intricately in-

Asked if South Africa would consider an earlier offer from CA to play the series in Perth, Graeme Smith said “no” (AFP)

volved in organising the Australia tour in which CSA organisers were willing to put in place their strictest restrictions of the summer.

That included a longer quarantine period than South Africa’s players have had to deal with before - quarantine for other members of staff including hotel staff and transport staff, purchasing an Australian track-and-trace system and obtaining government-sanctioned VIP treatment for the touring party.

“The protocols we proposed to CA were unprecedented,” Dr Shuaib Manjra, CSA’s chief medical officer said.

“Firstly, we had agreed that our own Proteas team would enter the BSE 14 days prior to the arrival of the Australian

team, thus altering their planning during the current tour of Pakistan.”

South Africa are currently on their first tour to Pakistan since 2007, a series which includes two Tests and three T20Is. All but four members of the Test squad will return home after the second Test finishes on February 8 with a second-string T20I squad to arrive in Pakistan tomorrow to play the three matches.

But Australia’s cancellation of their tour to South Africa means that these arrangements will not be changed though the Test squad no longer has to prepare for Australia, who would have played their first Test series in South Africa since 2018.

They will return home

early, as planned, but will not need to enter two-week quarantine as they would have done if the three Tests would be going ahead as scheduled.

For South Africa’s previous home series this season against England and Sri Lanka, players entered the BSE without quarantining but had to socially distance until they had returned three negative COVID-19 tests.

Both those series took place with the squads staying at one hotel albeit confined to different areas. For the Australia’s visit though, CSA organisers were due to make use of separate facilities for each squad, thus adding to the cost of hosting the tour.

“We agreed to two separate BSEs and had granted Austra-

lia full and exclusive use of the Irene Country Lodge - which we shared with Sri Lanka with a minimum staff present on site,” Manjra said.

“In terms of the arrangements, the Proteas were to move to a separate hotel altogether. Furthermore, all hotel staff, match officials and even bus drivers were to enter the BSE 14 days prior to Australia’s arrival. In addition, CSA had also committed to importing an Australian tracking system at great cost to ensure proper tracking of close contacts in the event of a positive test. The touring team was also going to be granted VIP access through the airports - after government intervention - to ensure this privilege.”

Fans ejected after argument with LeBron James (BBC) - LeBron James says an argument between himself and fans during Los Angeles Lakers’ 107-99 win over Atlanta Hawks was “blown out of proportion” and they did not deserve to be ejected.

Two women heckled James after he had exchanged heated words with a man they were seated with and they were thrown out.

There were about 1 300 fans at at the Hawks’ State Farm Arena.

James said: “I’m happy fans are back. I need that interaction. I don’t feel like they deserved to be kicked out.”

Explaining what had gone on in the incident that caused the game to be paused in the fourth quarter, James added: “There was a back and forth between two grown men, he said his piece, I said my piece.

“And then someone else jumped in and said their piece. But I don’t think they should have been kicked out.

“They might have had a couple of drinks maybe. It’s fine. It kind of got blown out of proportion, fans in the stands, just feels better.”

One of the women had removed her face mask to shout at James, a move condemned

by Lakers’ head coach Frank Vogel.

James scored 21 points, including the decisive final nine for his side, and added seven rebounds nine assists in the win over Hawks, with Anthony Davis top-scoring for Lakers with 25.

It means Lakers return to LA with a record of five wins and two defeats from their longest scheduled road trip of the NBA season, hot on the

heels of Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz at the top of the Western Conference.

Elsewhere on Monday night, Charlotte Hornets needed overtime to beat Miami Heat, eventually recording a 129-121 win.

Reserve Malik Monk scored a career-high 36 points to help Hornets, who had trailed by 10 points with fewer than three minutes remaining in normal time.

Monk’s three-pointer with 17 seconds left forced overtime, which Hornets then dominated.

with 22 points seven rebounds six assists three steals as Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 134-106 win over Portland Trail Blazers.

Visiting Sacramento Kings rallied in the fourth quarter to beat New Orleans Pelicans 118-109, while Houston Rockets broke their franchise three-pointer record in a 136-106 win over Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Rockets’ previous best for the number of three-pointers made in a game was 27, which they set

NBA official Mousa Dagher #28 looks over at a fan courtside as he stands in front of LeBron James #23 of Los Angeles Lakers during the incident (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Cleveland Cavaliers edged past Minnesota Timberwolves 100-98, while Devin Booker hit a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds left to seal a 109108 victory for Phoenix Suns over Dallas Mavericks.

Lauri Markkanen scored 30 points as Chicago Bulls ran out 110-102 victors at home to New York Knicks, while Jrue Holiday starred

last season and was an NBA record before Milwaukee Bucks made 29 earlier this campaign. The Rockets hit 28 against the Thunder with five coming from Eric Gordon.

Meanwhile, nine Memphis Grizzlies players scored in double figures as they eased past San Antonio Spurs 133-102, recording a season-high points total for the second successive game.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

West Indies relishing underdog tags

(CMC) – Depleted by the withdrawal of several first-choice players and with lingering doubt over their proficiency in difficult sub-continent conditions, West Indies will enter the first Test against Bangladesh here today as rank underdogs but hoping they can spring a surprise.

Add to that their form on their last tour here three years ago, when they lost both Tests inside three days, and not many pundits are likely to give West Indies any chance of coming away from the two-Test series with success.

The Caribbean side have been hit hardest by the withdrawals in their batting, with the likes of Test captain Jason Holder, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Shamarh Brooks, Shimron Hetmyer and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich all missing.

That has resulted in the uncapped Nkrumah Bonner, Shayne Moseley, Kyle Mayers and Kavem Hodge included in the touring 15-man squad, with a few debuts also likely.

Even with a stronger squad back in 2018, West Indies could muster only 246 and 139 to lose the first Test here by 64 runs, before tea on the third day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Faced with the same venue and with the likelihood of a spin-based attack in equally spin-friendly conditions, interim captain Kraigg Brathwaite stressed it was imperative West Indies post strong totals.

“It’s crucial for us to put runs on the board. That’s the truth,” the seasoned opener told a media conference here yesterday.

“The bowlers still have to get 20 wickets but I think once we put some good runs on the board, I think that would be key for this West Indies team.”

He added: “It is key in any game for the openers to put on a good partnership. Especially here in Bangladesh, that is a key factor for us.

“If we as openers could build a big partnership and basically make it easier for the guys to come, I think that

would really put us in a good position.

“John (Campbell) is batting well. I really enjoy batting with him and we look forward to the challenge.”

And therein lies West Indies’ biggest challenge. Their highest opening stand on the last tour here was 29; the three other opening partnerships were in single digits.

Further, West Indies managed only three half-centuries on that tour. Hetmyer scored two of them and Dowrich got the other and neither is present this time around.

Exploiting the conditions, Bangladesh fielded a single seamer in the first Test and a battery of five spinners. In the second Test in Dhaka, they picked a five-pronged spin attack and ignored their seamers altogether.

N o t s u r p r i s i n g l y, Brathwaite said West Indies were bracing for more of the same.

“It’s a dry surface. I don’t think it will be much different from the last time we came,”

Former WI U-19 performance analyst latest addition to Guyana Jaguars team GUYANA Jaguars management has taken another substantial developmental step with the hiring of Dinesh Mahabir for the 2021 CWI CG Insurance Super50 Cup. This most recent addition to Guyana Jaguars management team is an indication of CGI resilience in ensuring that Guyana Jaguars have the requisites to enhance player performance and team success on a consistent and progressive basis.

This decision to employ Mahabir for the Regional Super50 Cup was derived from CGI’s interest and importance on the player and team review process, which has significantly lent itself to an inherent value of 360 degrees assessment and analysis.

Such an approach has once again borne fruit, with CGI strategically providing an additional financial stimulus to the team in form of expertise, in an effort to give Guyana Jaguars every chance of success from a management perspective.

This decision allows Guyana Jaguars to benefit from expertise that will assist the players to analyse and approach their game from a slightly different perspective.

Mahabir is fitting, since

he was the performance analyst on the West Indies U-19 team which won the ICC Youth World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016. He has contributed significantly to player development since, with his latest intervention being the hosting of an Online Introductory Cricket Analytic exercise in the latter part of January 2021.

New Guyana Jaguars Performance Analyst Dinesh Mahabir

Mahabir is a Cricket Australia High Performance Coach. Mahabir’s berth for West Indies as a Performance Analyst began with his assignment to the West Indies Women team, which was lat-

er complemented by similar roles with West Indies A and developmental teams, inclusive of West Indies Emerging Player team.

The directors of CGI strongly believe that this investment will help to reaffirm the Guyana Jaguars as perhaps the strongest team in the region, an argument that can be strengthened with their lifting of the 2021 CWI CG Insurance Super50 Cup title.

Guyana Jaguars will begin their quest for the 2021 CG Insurance Super50 Cup, on Monday February 8, 2021 against Barbados Pride in a day/night match beginning from 13:30hrs at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua.

Guyana Jaguars will then have other day/night encounters at the same venue, against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Jamaica Scorpions and Trinidad Red Force on respective dates of Friday, February 12, 2021; Sunday February 14, 2021 and Saturday, February 20, 2021 before playing their final preliminary match against Windward Volcanoes in a day match encounter from 0900hrs on Monday, February 22, 2021.

the Barbadian pointed out.

“It’s dry and I don’t anticipate there will be a great deal of bounce to be honest. It’s a typical Bangladesh-type pitch.

“As batsmen, we have our specific plans. It’s just for us as batsmen to trust them and to believe in them.

“It’s just to have the confidence to go out there and do what you’ve planned. It’s as simple as that, and don’t ever doubt it. It’s just for the guys to back their plans.”

He added: “(It’s about) being positive, in defence to rotating the strike, to when you’re looking to be aggressive.

“We all know they are quality bowlers but I think we have the skills to come out on top and get big runs. I’m backing the batters; the guys have been putting in some good work.”

With an eye on conditions, Brathwaite hinted that West Indies would lean towards a reliance on spin in the contest, with off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and either left-arm spinners Jomel Warrican or Veerasammy Permaul likely

to feature.

But with the experienced likes of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel in the side, Brathwaite said the impact of the faster bowlers could not be discounted.

“The spinners will feature in this game, that’s my honest opinion on it,” he said.

“I still think there is always room for pacers as well because the practice game was a low pitch but the pacers still did a good job and built a lot of pressure.”

He added: “Rahkeem did a very good job in the practice game … and I think he will do well in the series. He’s a quality off-spinner. We all know this, so we’ve got to support him in the field.”

Brathwaite was quick to point out, however, that despite speculation over the nature of the pitch, the critical element was for West Indies to bring a disciplined approach.

“Whether (the pitch) is bouncing or low or spinning, we just have to play good cricket,” he stressed.

“We just have to stick to our plans and be disciplined. Once we’re disciplined, whether it is bouncing or keeping low, we will come out on top and do well.”

SQUADS: BANGLADESH – Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Saif Hassan, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hassan, Taijul Islam, Shadman Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadat Hossain, Hasan Mahmud WEST INDIES – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican.

Plans to build Rio circuit abandoned

The Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo will continue to host F1 races

(BBC) - Plans to build a new Formula 1 circuit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro have been abandoned.

The project, to be built on a former army base, had been criticised by environmentalists as it required the felling of a patch of native forest.

World champion Lewis Hamilton had also indicated his opposition to the track.

Rio’s environment secretary Eduardo Cavaliere said: “We are officially giving up on the construction of Rio International Circuit.”

The circuit was to have been built in the Camboata Forest in the Deodoro area of the city. It had been backed

by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and had secured a contract with F1.

However, when opposition to the project became

clear, F1 subsequently agreed a deal to keep the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, which has hosted the race since 1990.

Last year’s Brazilian

Grand Prix was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The race is scheduled to take place at Interlagos this year, renamed the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, on November 7.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday, February 03, 2021

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Sachin Tendulkar-200 Test matches (2) Sachin Tendulkar-15,921 Test runs

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who has played most ODIs to date?

(2) Who has scored most ODI runs to date?

ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, February 3, 2021

GFF warns affiliate players against participation in unsanctioned Buxton tournament ... Federation puts COVID-19 Task Force on notice

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday said they are investigating reports of an unsanctioned tournament in the East Coast Demerara region and reminded the football community that no authorisation has been granted by the National COVID-19 Task Force or the Federation for any further resumption of football activities.

The tournament in question, though not named by the GFF, is an inter-village competition being played in Buxton, which kicked off last Sunday.

The Wayne Forde-led Federation is urging all affiliated players, match officials and coaches to abide by their constitutional regulations at all times in the interests of the entire football community.

“Any breach of GFF regulations, including participation in unsanctioned events, will be investigated and could result in suspension.

Any suspected breach of national COVID-19 rules will be reported to the authorities,” GFF warned.

GFF said regulations, under its consti-

tution, are in place to protect the interests and welfare of players, match officials and coaches, and to safeguard the future development, good governance and orderly organisation of football. Under FIFA’s global structure of football governance and its constitution, GFF controls football in all its forms in Guyana.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Forde stressed the need “for all of our friends in football to abide by the GFF constitution and the national COVID-19 rules at this time of global crisis.

According to the GFF president, “We are planning for the safe and responsible resumption of football in the coming months, in partnership with the National COVID-19 Task Force. No football competitions should take place until it is safe to do so and until they have been approved by GFF and the Task Force.”

“Unauthorised competitions at this crucial stage in the pandemic not only risk the health of the people taking part, but also the well-

COVID-19: GAPLF proposes meet for March

In 2019, Guyana finished 3rd overall at the FESUPO/NAPF Pan-American Regional Powerlifting Championships

THE Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) has been carefully plotting a course of return to competition for the 2021 calendar.

This is according to the president of GAPLF, Ed Caesar.

In a statement, the president said: “Members of the executive of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation have been meeting every Saturday to look at several issues and to plan carefully. The executive is a caring body which desires to have its athletes perform but continues to have the health and safety of its athletes on the front burner.”

He added that the federation has been given useful

guidance by both the Minister of Sport and the Chairman of the National COVID Task Force.

“A formal request with respect to our proposed competition will be forwarded shortly to the Minister of Health,” Caesar disclosed.

He noted that it is important to have readily prepared athletes to represent the nation when events arise on the calendar.

“The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation executive wishes to have its athletes prepared diligently for all competitions, both locally and overseas.

To participate internationally, each athlete must surpass the

appropriate qualifying total. It is therefore necessary to have meets/competitions, to allow athletes as many opportunities as possible to qualify.”

The GAPLF boss concluded by saying: “The proposed meet on March 7 is primarily to allow our national athletes to qualify for overseas engagements in 2021. Our plan is to hold our Novices Championship, two to three weeks after that qualifying competition and that would be followed by our annual general meeting.”

Meanwhile, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) has already released its

TURN TO PAGE 24

being of their loved ones and wider society,” Forde said.

GFF reminded that special dispensation was granted by the country’s COVID-19 Task Force for a spectator-less, limited GFF tournament in December/January as part of the Federation’s “return to play” plans, which paved the way for the responsible return of football in accordance with national protocols.

The Task Force has also granted permission for Golden Jaguars to begin training for FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

Only last week, National midfield player, Clive Nobrega, was sentenced to two weeks in prison for breaching the restriction on social activities as stipulated in the COVID-19 Emergency Measures.

The 31-year-old, who last represented Guyana against Jamaica in their 1-1 draw in Kingston, in 2019, was arrested on January 24, and appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court be-

GFF president Wayne Forde

fore Magistrate Wanda Fortune on Wednesday to answer the charge.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $30 000. Nobrega made a second appearance on Wednesday, January 27 before the same magistrate. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two weeks imprisonment.

Speaker’s Cup International Softball cricket to be launched Friday THE Everest Cricket Club (ECC) Masters in partnership with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, will host the Speaker’s Cup International Softball tournament from April 2 to 4 in Georgetown.

The tournament will feature 16 teams, six overseas-based and ten local-based, who will compete in Masters (Over-45) and Legends (Over-50).

Attractive cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners and runners-up while the man-of-the-match in each game will cop an award and there will be a cash prize for the player-of-the tournament.

The final will be played at Everest as part of its fund-raising efforts and all of the established COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

This tournament is expected to be the third since the pandemic with the Prime Minister’s

T20 Cup, being held in November last year and the President’s Cup tipped for March of this year.

portantly everyone will abide by the strict safety rules that will be established”, a member of the Organising Committee

“Softball is a growing phenomenon in Guyana and given the current times, we sought it fit with necessary approval to host this tournament during the Easter weekend. We expect it to be three days of exhilarating action and most im-

expressed.

Meanwhile, the official launch will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021, from 17:00hrs at the Everest Cricket Club, Camp Road, where further details will be disclosed to members of the public.

West Indies players train ahead of the Tests against Bangladesh, February 2, 2021

SEE PAGE 26

West Indies relishing underdog tags

SEE PAGE

27

GFF warns affiliate players against participation in unsanctioned Buxton tournament

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| WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021