Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-02-2021

FRIDAY

Happy New Year

5th February, 2021

' No.106263

External debt ceiling set at $650B; domestic debt $500B

–– adjustments pave way for widened fiscal space, regularisation of Coalition-accumulated liabilities SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

‘One China Policy’ remains intact 05 PAGE

Guyana to receive additional 149,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses

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Speaker not intimidated by 'front yard and backyard bullies'

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446 scholarships awarded since August

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Thursday met with Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Xilai, during which they discussed areas of mutual interest and cooperation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Guyana to receive additional 149,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses

–– through agreement between African Union, CARICOM

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony responding to a question in the National Assembly on Thursday

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA is set to receive the largest quota of COVID-19 vaccines it has managed to secure thus far -- some 149,000 doses -- through an arrangement with the African Union, facilitated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to Minister of

Health, Dr Frank Anthony.

The minister made the announcement on Thursday at the National Assembly, while responding to questions raised by Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Health, Dr Karen Cummings. “... CARICOM has brokered an arrangement with the African Union and they have

A third-year emergency medicine resident gets one of the first COVID-19 vaccinations at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center on December 14 (Photo Courtesy of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)

set aside 1.5 million doses for the Caribbean and out of that allotment, Guyana’s quota is going to be 149,000 doses,” the minister said on Thursday.

The quota earmarked for Guyana is just less than 10 per cent of the vaccine doses that will be distributed to the Caribbean region. It is not yet clear which vaccine Guyana, and the Caribbean region, will receive through this arrangement but since most of the COVID-19 vaccines are two-dose vaccines, at least an additional 74,500 persons may become immunised with these additional vaccines.

Most of the COVID-19 vaccines are distributed through two-dose regimens because the first dose helps the body to recognise the virus and ‘wake up’ one’s immune system, while the second shotwhich is given a few weeks later- helps to strengthen the immune system generated after the first dose.

Already, 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.

And, on Wednesday, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Xilai confirmed that the 20,000 Sinopharm vaccines earmarked for Guyana have been approved.

Sinopharm is also a two-dose regimen, and this therefore means that some 10,000 persons will be immunised.

Altogether, this means that Guyana has been able to secure 273,000 vaccine doses thus far which could be used to immunise some 136,500 individuals, or approximately 18 per cent of the population.

FRONTLINE WORKERS The Health Minister has continuously emphasised that the vaccines will be used to immunise frontline workers, the elderly and persons with co-morbidities (other underlying medical conditions) first. 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

External debt ceiling set at $650B; domestic debt $500B –– adjustments pave way for widened fiscal space, regularisation of Coalition-accumulated liabilities

By Navendra Seoraj

have already been reached.

THE need for wider fiscal space to advance local development and the reconciliation of liabilities incurred

by Guyana under the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government, trumped arguments which sought to restrict motions, tabled in the National Assembly, to increase the archaic domestic and external debt ceilings.

Orders seeking to make the necessary adjustments to both the domestic and external debt ceilings were tabled in the National Assembly,

by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, through the motions which were approved by the House after about five hours of intense debates on Thursday, proposed that the current domestic debt ceiling of $150 billion be increased to $500 billion, and that the existing $400 billion external debt ceiling be increased to $650 billion.

Passage of the Government’s motions to increase those ceilings were secured even after arguments from the Parliamentary Opposition that those ‘caps’ could have been increased incrementally or not at all, since Guyana remains below the ‘vulnerability’ threshold.

Opposition Parliamentarians, Ganesh Mahipaul and Khemraj Ramjattan both argued that the debt ceiling could have been increased incrementally, since a rise in debt could be detrimental to the country, particularly taxpayers and the “small men”.

This view was supported by their colleagues Shurwayne Holder, Jermaine Figueira and others, who argued too that loan-funded projects and an increased rate of borrowing would not be ‘healthy’ for Guyana.

The fact remains, however, that even though the ceiling might increase, it does not mean that the rate of borrowing would increase extravagantly to match the ceilings. Mover of the mo-

MONEY TREE The former Coalition Government, he argued, believed that the Central Bank was a “money tree” that they could constantly pick from.

In explaining the situation, Dr. Singh said the previous Government tried to finance fiscal deficits through overdrafts in order to avoid the debt ceiling.

“If it had been financed by the issuance of Government securities, the ceiling would have been reached… we would have come in when the ceiling was already reached if you treat the overdraft in the manner it was supposed to be treated,” the senior minister explained.

It is for this reason that the Government is looking to regularise the existing situation by increasing the debt ceiling.

Dr. Singh explained that the proposed domestic debt ceiling represents 2.19 times of the Government’s current revenue, compared to 1994, when it would have taken six years of Government revenue to discharge its debt repayment obligation. Conversely, today, if the entire ceiling is

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

tions, Dr. Singh, assured the House that the debt ceilings have been set at a prudent level.

In further defending the necessity of this increase, the senior minister said: “While it is necessary to address the level of indebtedness [accumulated over the past five years] and not withstanding our ambitious plans, they have been set at a prudent level.”

As explained by Dr. Singh, this increased ceiling is especially necessary because of the large overdraft at the Bank of Guyana, which was racked up over the past five years by the former APNU+AFC Government.

“When we assumed office [August 2020] we went about trying to take stock of the state of the public finances… this process is still ongoing, but as time has gone by, you heard us sharing some of the issues we have identified in relation to stock taking and the state of domestic finances.

“There was a discovery that the Government [APNU+AFC] had accumulated

Opposition Parliamentarian, Shurwayne Holder

a very substantial overdraft at the Central Bank, and we have spoken publicly that this overdraft has been accumulated and rose constantly over the course of five years,” Dr. Singh had said.

It was reported that the Government, after being elected to office in August last year, met a net overdraft of G$93 billion at the Central Bank. The Government is also saddled with a G$30 billion National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) bond, of which G$17 billion has been drawn down, and G$12 billion is owed to the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).

“We inherited a huge overdraft. In addition to this, we also ascertained that there were a lot of other outstanding monies to other agencies, mainly suppliers of goods and services,” Minister Singh lamented, noting that the Government is still in the process of uncovering other liabilities.

Had all those issues been treated in the “appropriate manner”, the ceilings would

utilised, it would take two years.

Similarly, in an even more striking comparison, external debt of $400 billion, in 1994, amounted to 33.8 times the Government’s revenue, meaning it would have taken 33 years of the Government’s revenue to clear the country’s debts. However, the proposed external debt ceiling of $650 billion represents a mere 2.85 times of the Government’s current revenue.

Guyana’s ability to offset its debt is compounded by the country’s improved creditworthiness, which was referred to by Government Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin.

“We are more creditworthy… if we do not raise the ceiling, how are we going to fund and finance the developmental projects and how is the Government going to meet its obligations to the people of Guyana?” Datadin questioned, noting again that Guyana’s credibility has improved so the country has the ability to handle debt and provide better services to its people.

Advancements in the near term will, however, have to

be managed simultaneously with the “cleaning up” of the ‘mess’ created by APNU+AFC through, what Datadin considered, “poor financial practices”.

“So, these increases will allow Government to regularise and accurately reflect the significant liabilities accumulated over the past five years and harness Guyana’s debt carrying capacity to finance the development agenda,” the parliamentarian asserted.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, also justified the need for increased debt ceilings, by arguing that although the ceiling is larger, the minister with responsibility for finance still has to report incurred debt and loans to the National Assembly; upholding transparency and accountability.

The Government’s arguments were, however, not enough to convince their counterparts on the opposing side of the house, as the passage of both motions were, in the end, determined by way of two separate votes, which concluded both times with the Government leading the way with 32 and the Opposition recording 29.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

MoE awaiting CXC timetable to set NGSA’s

–– meanwhile, schools to remain closed for all grades, except 10, 11 & 12 THE Ministry of Education (MoE), on Thursday, announced that it is awaiting word on the timetable dates of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations before moving forward with a decision on when to schedule the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

In the meantime, however, schools will continue to remain closed for Grade Six learners and those of all the other Grades except Grades 10, 11 and 12.

Schools in Guyana have been closed since March 2020, as part of the measures implemented to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

However, schools were partially reopened for Grades 10, 11 and 12 students in November, so as to allow them to prepare for the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

“Schools will remain

closed for face-to-face learning for the month of February, except for Grades 10, 11 and 12, which we reopened last October. All the other grades will continue to be engaged in the way that they have been engaging,” said Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Thursday in a post on the MoE’s official Facebook page. “We are advised by the Ministry of Health (MoH) that we cannot open any other grade and level at this point,” she added.

As pertains to the NGSA, the minister explained that the ministry has not yet decided

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand

on a date, but she did confirm that the exam will not be held in its customary March/April schedule time slot.

“If we were to say what we will do now, it would be premature, because we wouldn’t know what the country will look like regarding COVID-19, and we don’t know what the advice from the MoH will be in two to three months,” she said, adding: “We know for sure that the exam will not be held in March/April, when it is usually held. It’s going to be pushed back to closer to July/ August.”

Held annually, the NGSA is written by Grade Six pupils, with exams in the four core subjects of Mathematics, English Language, Science and Social Studies. The assessment is considered a serious matter for both learners and their parents, as it is used to determine the child’s placement in a secondary school. Secondary schools are awarded based on the child’s performance and ability to meet predetermined cut-off scores for each secondary school.

Guyana to receive...

“We are in a number of bilateral talks with various countries, including China but also Russia and India to ensure that we can have more than that 20 per cent for this year,” Dr Anthony said, adding that the Government is in talks with a number of multilateral agencies and the manufacturers of the vaccines themselves.

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

Friday February 5, 2021 –– 00:30HRS & 10:30HRS Saturday February 6, 2021 –– 01:00HRS & 11:00HRS

minister did advise persons who are offered, to take it, since that will help to minimise infections and reduce their chances of being hospitalised.

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.

Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recently lamented the unequal and inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Subsequently, the Economist reported that advanced global economies will achieve wide-

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spread vaccination coverage exponentially faster than 84 poorer countries, which are projected to achieve that widespread coverage only until 2023. Guyana was listed as one of those 84 countries.

But, during an address to the nation last Saturday, President, Dr Irfaan Ali posited that his government wants to accelerate the rate of securing and distributing vaccines.

Widespread vaccination is the “exit strategy” for the pandemic; this means that only when about 80 percent of the population is immunised through vaccination or through recovering after contracting the virus, would there be some sort of ‘normalcy’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

‘One China Policy’ remains intact

Guyana and China have enjoyed friendly and mutually beneficial ties, dating back to the 1970s.

FLASHBACK: H.E. Raymond Arthur Chung, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, during his visit to China in 1977

THE Guyana Government has moved to terminate a day-old agreement which had initially granted approval for the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office, here in Guyana. The approval for the office raised questions relative to Guyana’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China, which considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province under the ‘One China’ principle. Taiwan, on the other hand, has been pushing to become an independent nation.

As concerns surfaced, the Government of Guyana responded via a press release issued via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“The Government of Guyana wishes to clarify that it continues to adhere to the ‘One China’ policy and its diplomatic relations remain intact with the People’s Republic of China,” the Government reassured.

The statement emphasised

the fact that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan. The ministry said that it was forced to terminate the agreement, “as a result of the miscommunication”.

The controversial agreement was signed in January, 2021, and made public following a statement from the United States Embassy in Georgetown, which welcomed the decision.

“The United States applauds the agreement to establish a Taiwan Office in Guyana. Deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security. Closer ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana on the basis of shared democratic values, transparency, and mutual respect,” the US Embassy statement read.

Appearing on a NewsTalk radio programme on Wednesday evening, Perma-

nent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, asserted that “Guyana has not recognised Taiwan as a State.”

She added: “We continue to accept the One China policy and our diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China remains intact.” She highlighted that China was aware of the decision to open the Taiwanese trade office in Guyana, and that the establishment of the office was geared towards “attracting trade and investment opportunities”.

“That is what the focus is; there is nothing on the diplomatic side…. It’s not something that is new. I believe that when you look at what is happening in the world, when you look at what is happening in Guyana’s economic trajectory and the fact that we are opening up our country for business, then we are looking for credible investments and to give opportunities even to our private sector to do joint ventures even with credible

businesses and other businesses that want to invest,” Ambassador Harper said in her radio interview.

She indicated too that there are several other countries that enjoy diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, while still maintaining Taiwanese Offices that deal specifically with trade and economic issues.

Reuter’s news agency had recently reported that “Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had responded to the move by saying Beijing hoped Guyana would not engage in official ties with Taiwan, calling on the country to “earnestly take steps to correct their mistake”.

The article pointed to the fact that Taiwan has already secured formal diplomatic relations with 14 countries, including four Caribbean nations. Guyana has reiterated its position to adhere to the ‘One China’ policy and not consider Taiwan an independent nation.

Guyana formally estab-

lished diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on June 27, 1972, under the leadership of former President, the Late Arthur Chung. This landmark arrangement would see Guyana becoming the very first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Over the last few decades, the two countries have enjoyed friendly and mutually beneficial ties that hinge on cultural connections dating back to colonial immigration.

China is the motherland of an important fraction of our Guyanese ancestors. In recent years, Guyana has benefitted significantly from loans, and various outreaches from the Chinese Government.

The Guyana Government has assured the Guyanese population that it “continues to adhere to the One China policy and its diplomatic relations remain intact with the People’s Republic of China.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

This paradise

FAR-flung under the warm Atlantic sun, with Berbice awash with the sunrise in the east and Essequibo bathed with the sunset in the west, Guyana today awakens from its 55 years of slumber as a giant in the Caribbean and South American region, with its rolling verdant fertile land along the coast dazzling the eye, trees waving in the tropical wind, and flat savannah opening up as far as the eye could see for grazing cattle and sheep, and vibrant rivers teeming with fish, providing the Guyanese people with an abundant opportunity for sustainable progress. The Guyana land, especially in Berbice and Essequibo and the hinterland, has sustained the nation with a thriving agriculture industry since the nation's founding, and Government today understands this bond between Guyanese and their land, with the State's land policy of easing up land access for average citizens a visionary, humane, natural strategy for socioeconomic progress.

Much of the imminent progress Guyanese face today stems from the natural resources inherent in the land, including oil and gas.

Rural life fuels the nation's progress. People tend to focus on Georgetown as the centre of the Guyanese world, but the role of Berbice, Essequibo, and the hinterland is, without doubt, of immense importance and significance to the overall development process.

The State recognises the role these far-flung areas play; their valuable contribution to the national well-being.

Demerara, being the main Government region of the country with the City of Georgetown in its midst and hosting the international

airports and major development projects, always instinctively functions as the focus of attention and the main national hub. However, Berbice and Essequibo play a great role in this country's welfare, and the hinterland serves as the showcase for Guyana as a model for the world's natural environment, with Iwokrama the centrepiece, not to mention the hosting of the mining industry that dots pockets of the interior.

The people of Berbice and Essequibo gave so much to this country; hard-working souls who work the land with patience, sustaining the rice and sugar and cash-crop and forestry industry, even through hardships and sometimes major flooding, and even when international markets are unfavourable, as with world sugar prices, or low demand for rice. From rolling acres of flourishing rice in Essequibo, to sugarcane fields in Berbice, and the sprawling ranches of the Rupununi, and more and more these days, eco-resorts, Guyanese walk and live their attachment to the land with dedication, discipline, and determination to achieve success.

Many of the leaders who run the State today came out of families that worked the land.

Many business leaders and academics and scores of Guyanese who have accomplished international excellence emerged from landcultivating families. Guyanese and their land; it is a close relationship, and so it is almost poetic that government made land access for housing and economic progress a major development strategy. When President Ali served as Minister of Housing, the government made house-lot allocation a cornerstone of its development agenda. Indeed, when the

People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) came to Government after free and fair elections in 1992, Dr Cheddi Jagan's Government faced a mammoth housing crisis across the country, and quickly solved the Guyanese housing disaster that the People's National Congress (PNC) regime had caused. With 100,000+ house lots allocated to citizens, today Guyana enjoys the privilege of being a well-housed nation, and yet Government continues to implement a housing plan as a natural ongoing development strategy.

To Berbicians and Essequibians, whether land- working families or professionals like lawyers and doctors and teachers and administrators and business owners and scores of Guyanese waking up every day in these regions to make Guyana a great nation on the earth in this 21st Century quietly, unassumingly, anonymously working and developing their communities, the nation owes a depth of gratitude.

The residents of Lethem and Linden and Bartica and outlying areas who do their part to make this nation function with progressive movement, these citizens are important and valuable. The nation may focus on Georgetown and the massive world-class projects now underway on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerera, but it is only a matter of time before these far-flung areas see major projects bedazzle their communities. With the Suriname-Corriverton international bridge and the Lethem-Brazil highway and with anticipated victory at the International Court of Justice in the Venezuela-induced border controversy over Essequibo, development projects will flow through the entire land as

these mega infrastructure projects come into fruition.

In the charm of the Ancient County of Berbice, and the grace of Essequibo, the Cinderella County, and the mystique of the hinterland with the ranch-dotted flatland and intimidating towering mountains of the Rupununi, Guyanese inhabit a land from the gods: A tremendously blessed country; a star of the Caribbean and a jewel of South America on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Throughout the land, Guyanese must be sensitised with a deep awakened consciousness of their country; of how amazing is this nation, and with stunning socio-economic progress and development happening now with such rapid pace, propagating the intangible goodwill of the nation becomes of utmost importance in propelling the Guyana brand, first to Guyanese, and then to the world community.

One of the most ground-breaking projects Guyana has accomplished in the past decade is the Berbice Bridge, linking Demerara and Berbice with a smooth roadway that even opens easy access between Suriname and Georgetown. Now, with keen cooperation between Suriname and Guyana, all of Berbice becomes a potential development corridor. In time, with development of the human resources capital across the country, Berbice will rank with Demerara as a thriving development hub, with Essequibo and the hinterland flowing with the tide of progress. And through it all, the Guyanese love for the land would fuel the future, as much as it did for the nation's history.

Good-faith, inclusive dialogue for national development in Guyana Dear Editor, THE Government of Guyana under the presidency of Dr. Irfaan Ali must be highly commended for its proactive approaches in consultation with several organisations and reaching out to various communities throughout the country. National inclusive dialogue involving all key stake- holders is essential for building consensus on major issues for the development of our country, and should be institutionalised and sustained in national governance I would like to encourage an open debate and advocacy for national consensus on all

major political, economic, social and security issues.

There are many voices calling for national dialogue with the political parties and interest groups to forge a consensus for national social and economic development.

Genuine national dialogue guarantees participation in a democratic process. The development of our economy offers opportunities from which all can gain, but these have to be grounded in principled and participatory processes and institutions, if they are to confer legitimacy and sustainability on economic and social policies.

The pillars of society constituted by the National Assembly, government, private

sector, workers’ and civil society organisations must commit themselves to engage in determined dialogue, based on the principles of mutual trust and good faith. Success in the mutual outcome of national dialogue also requires national commitment and national political will, and the full commitment of the private sector, workers and their organisations, and civil society. National dialogue processes need to be strengthened, encouraged and supported. The building of that trust, its maintenance and its sustainability requires a high degree of commitment and leadership.

Good-faith national conferring and dialogue among

the political parties and other main stakeholders in society, including the private sector organisations, trade union bodies, religious bodies, professional organisations and the universities on governance and social and economic development matters should be promoted and adopted as a matter of high priority for the national good.

The objective is to foster confidence, high trust, mutual understanding, cordial and civil communication and good relations at the national level. Another objective is also to find agreed solutions to political governance and socio-economic problems and issues, and to forge national consensus for political

governance and national development. The promotion of political and social justice in Guyana could be achieved if the identified groups are involved in the search for appropriate solutions through genuine dialogue. They bear major responsibility for success of the dialogue.

In Guyana, the real challenge is to develop national consensus in the form of national accord on political governance and an agreed programme for social, economic, security and human development in the interest of the national community, rather than partisan political interest. National consensus agreements provide the framework for strategies to

achieve good political governance, international competitiveness, higher standards of living, improved social protection, a stable currency, investment-friendly policies, and a conducive political and social climate in an environment which upholds and respects fundamental rights and freedoms at all levels in the national community.

The outcome of national dialogue can promote effective management of the economy in a climate of good political governance with inclusive goodwill in political and civil society participation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Speaker not intimidated by 'front yard and backyard bullies' –– threatens to refer MPs to Parliamentary Committee of Privileges

By Navendra Seoraj ARGUING that criticisms of the Speaker of the House is permissible only by way of a motion tabled in the National Assembly, House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, has said that punitive actions will be taken should Members of Parliament (MPs) continue to breach the established Standing Orders.

His warning was directed specifically at Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and Opposition MP, Sherod Duncan, who were both critical of the Speaker on various social media platforms.

“I am no one’s little boy or intimidated by front yard

or back yard bullies,” Nadir said during the sitting of the National Assembly, on Thursday, when he called out MPs for breaching various Standing Orders.

According to the Speaker, in the space of one week, he has witnessed many breaches of Standing Orders, parliamentary conventions and custom and practices. Some of those breaches included personal and offensive charges against him by MPs and the dissemination of a recording from an in-camera meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Addressing the criticisms against him, Nadir said: “It seems that after the sixteenth sitting of the National Assem-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon

bly, it was open season on the Standing Orders and the speaker.”

Citing the Canadian House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Nadir said one of the best known rules of parliamentary procedures

is that the conduct of the Speaker cannot be criticised except by way of a substantive motion.

Duncan and Harmon have been particularly critical of the Speaker because of their dissatisfaction with his conduct during the debates on

the Narcotics Bill and his decision to not entertain a motion related to the murder of the “Henry boys”.

Duncan, in a post on his Facebook Page, said: “Mr. Speaker started out nice like them new cookshop and then the price raise and standard fall… I thought after the second bout of COVID he would stay close to God.” This, Nadir said, was supplemented by criticisms made

by Harmon, who appeared recently on a social media show hosted by Duncan.

Social media was again the source of exposure of breaches of the Standing Orders, as it was a Whatsapp message to the Speaker, which included a recording

Good-faith, inclusive dialogue for national ...

It is crucial for agreeing on measures for balanced economic, social and political developments. The governing authority of the National Assembly and the government bear a heavy responsibility for ensuring that good governance, defined as: “The manner in which power is exer-

cised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development,” reflects fairness in political, economic and social justice.

A country that is committed to such good political governance will ensure that there is genuine participation by the political and social part-

ners who must demonstrate credibility, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of national affairs.

The challenges in terms of national strategies is to promote a mature political culture, economic growth, social, political, and human development,

call for action at the national level. It is for the government, the political parties, private sector, the labour movement and civil society in Guyana (a) to respect, promote and realise in good faith the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in our national constitution and laws, UN Conventions, and Regional and other International

of a part of the in-camera proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Monday February 1, 2021.

The Speaker, in addressing that, reminded members that Standing Order 95 (9) (a) stipulates that meetings of committees shall be held in private.

“I caution and implore Honourable Members to respect and uphold the Standing Orders and not to bring the National Assembly into disrepute,” Nadir said.

He warned MPs that further breaches of the standing orders may result in them being referred to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges for disciplinary action.

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Treaty obligations; and (b) to adopt through genuine and sustained national dialogue, changes in political governance and the management of national socio-economic and public affairs.

These must be promoted in a paradigm shift -- from the prolonged confrontational and divisive posture to one which cultivates consensus

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and co-operation in the national interest. Let genuine dialogue among all the parties/partners begin afresh without delay to achieve national consensus to move this country forward as a united country.

Sincerely with thanks Samuel J. Goolsarran

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

446 scholarships awarded since August 2020 ASIDE from establishing the Coursera partnership for free Online learning, the Guyana Government, from August 2, 2020 to present, has awarded a total of 446 scholarships to Guyanese learners. This was confirmed on Thursday by Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, as she responded to written questions posed by Tabitha Sarabo-Halley in the National Assembly.

The minister said that 26 of the overseas scholarships awarded were accessed Online.

“It must be noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most scholarships awarded are of an Online nature,” Minister Parag noted.

By way of providing a geographic breakdown of how the scholarships were distributed, Parag submitted to the National Assembly a spreadsheet indicating that 14 were awarded to learners in Region One (Barima-Waini); 21 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 51 in Region Three (Esse-

quibo Islands-West Demerara); 226 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 23 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); and 42 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). A total of seven scholarships were awarded to persons in Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), respectively.

Ten learners in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 45 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) also benefitted from scholarships.

Opposition Member of Parliament Sarabo-Halley also requested a demographic spread of all the local and overseas scholarships that have been approved since the People’s Progressive Party Civic assumed office in August 2020.

Parag, in her spreadsheet, indicated that a total of 39 persons have benefitted from scholarships at overseas institutions, with 24 being female and 15 being males.

The gender breakdown for scholarships to local institutions shows 230 female

recipients, as against 177 males.

According to the Public Service Ministry, the local scholarships which were granted facilitated studies in areas such as Accountancy, Agricultural Science, Applied and Exploration Geology, Biology, Business Management, Chemistry, and Civil Engineering, with Environmental Engineering, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Dental Surgery, Early Childhood Education, Economics, Education, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Studies, Finance, Food Science and Nutrition, Forestry and General Psychology, etc.

International studies were awarded in areas such as Cardiovascular Surgery, Ophthalmology, Climate Change, Management and Education, Children, Youth and International Development, Chemical Process, Labour and Employment Relations, Environmental Engineering, Water Management,

Environmental Engineering and Project Management, Bio-Chemistry, Finance, Law, Maritime Affairs, Meteorology, Tourism, Public Procurement Law and Strategy, Nephrology, and Oiland- Gas Engineering among other disciplines.

The international scholarships were granted to countries such as Russia, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, India, and Spain, along with a few sister countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Many of the overseas scholarships were granted as study leave with pay, while some were donor-funded. The most expensive of the international scholarships was for studies in the area of Water Management in the Netherlands, in the sum of $10,403,613. On the other hand, the most expensive of the local scholarships was in the area of Public Health, at a cost of $1,427,800.

Seven years on…

Two to stand trial for taxi driver’s murder –– third accomplice already sentenced

Tappin and her ‘sweetie’ in court again –– as hearing into reputed husband’s 2017 murder begins THE High Court trial of Alexis Tappin and her lover, Stephon Barlow, for the murder of her reputed husband commenced on Thursday before a 12-member jury.

Tappin and Barlow have both pleaded not guilty to killing Sherwin Johnson on July 2, 2017 in Georgetown.

The trial, which is presided over by Justice Brassington Reynolds, commenced on Thursday, with the victim's brother, Andre Johnson, and another relative giving testimony. It is scheduled to continue on Monday, February 8.

According to reports, Tappin had a child with Johnson, and the three had lived together in suburban Lodge.

But on July 2, 2017, Johnson reportedly got home early from work and caught Tappin ‘red-handed’ in bed with

Alexis Tappin

Barlow.

In the confusion, Tappin and Barlow reportedly attacked Johnson and dealt him several lashes about his body. She then allegedly armed herself with a crowbar and stabbed Johnson several times.

Johnson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he later died.

SEVEN years after taxi driver Raphael Campbell was murdered, the trial into the matter is expected to commence on February 16 at the Demerara High Court.

Shawn Edinboro and Michael Bishop were arraigned before Justice Brassington Reynolds on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charge that between January 2 and 3, 2014 at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, they murdered Campbell.

Last November, Sean Collins, who was jointly charged with Edinboro and Bishop for the murder opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He was sentenced to serve 10 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh.

According to reports, on January 2, 2014, Campbell picked up Edinboro, Bishop and Collins on Camp Street, and, at their behest, took them to a location on the East Coast Demerara, where his body, minus the vehicle, was reportedly found the following day, January 3, 2014.

The police subsequently launched an investigation into the slaying, and the trio was stopped at a roadblock on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, while travelling in the stolen vehicle.

MoE awaiting CXC timetable ...

FROM PAGE

The minister further stated that the imminent CXC examinations also compound the situation in deciding on a date to schedule the NGSA. She explained that a difficult situation would arise should the two exams overlap.

“CXC has not announced dates for their CSEC and CAPE exams, and the country may not have the capacity to run three

major exams at the same time, and maintain the high integrity of the exams,” Minister Manickchand said. “So, because we may not be able to run CSEC, CAPE and NGSA at the same time, we want to hear CXC’s dates for CSEC and CAPE before we schedule our NGSA. As soon as we have a date, we promise to the let the nation know,” she added.

She, however, said that should the NGSA exams go forward, it is most likely to be held with exam questions, using curriculum content up to Grade Five, given that the students had their education delivery interrupted over the past year.

Nonetheless, a number of other options have been put forward for how the ministry could move forward with the NGSA.

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“Options range from having an assessment as is known, Paper One and Two, to not having an assessment at all, and using Grades Two and Four assessment results. The most popular option among stakeholders is to do a paper one and two mostly, up to the [content] level of Grade Five,” the minister said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

CH&PA launches national strategy to address squatting

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Thursday, launched a “Guyana Strategy for Informal Settlements Upgrading and Prevention” (GSISUP), a collaborative multi-stakeholder programme that seeks to develop a national strategy to address and eventually eliminate squatting here.

According to statistics compiled by the CH&PA, some 15 per cent of the Guyanese population, the equivalent of just over 110,000 persons, are living in informal settlement communities, while another over 27,500 households are known to be residing on State lands in 231 informal settlement communities.

“Informal settlements have been a challenge,” CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sherwyn Greaves said during the launch on Thursday.

He said that the CH&PA is currently dealing with issues at a number of squatter settlements that at times prevent the Authority from carrying out its mandate of developing communities across the country.

“At CH&PA, we hope to deal with it in a manner that there is a win-win situation for all, and does not go down the road that causes anarchy in some areas,” he said, adding: “We want to address this as quickly as possible, and look forward to all of us working together to resolve this.”

Greaves emphasised that in order for the CH&PA to properly deal with the situation, it must first embark on a data-gathering process to

get a holistic view of squatter settlements in Guyana, by understanding how widespread it is, as well as the reasons that drive the squatting situation.

“We cannot manage what we don’t know,” he said, adding: “So we have to know the numbers, and to know the why; why people go this route of squatting? This will help us decide whether we regularise or relocate. All the input will form part of the final strategy, which we will use going forward, and educate us to come to amicable solutions with persons.”

The GSISUP programme is an initiative that comes under the United Nations Hu-

man Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and is part of the third cycle of a tripartite partnership programme, the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP).

PSUP is directly linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 Target 1, which seeks to “ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums by 2030”. The programme seeks to transform slum areas for a better urban future.

The PSUP has facilitated the development of the Caribbean Strategy for Informal Settlements Upgrading (CSISU), of which GSISUP is a part.

GSISUP aims to develop a set of strategic priorities and actionable policy proposals that will address issues surrounding informal settlements in Guyana, and facilitate settlement regularisation, or relocation from zero-tolerance areas, as well as to reduce the likelihood of future informal settlement development.

Guyana is one of five Caribbean nations where PSUP is being implemented, with the overall programme being implemented in 40 countries.

Aside from the Caribbean region, it is also being implemented in countries in Africa and the Pacific regions.

Founded in 2008, the

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 179 TWO men and one woman, aged 54, 73 and 58 respectively, succumbed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past four days, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths to an unnerving 179.

The trio reportedly died while receiving care at the Ministry of Health’s convalescence facility for persons infected with COVID-19.

According to the ministry’s daily COVID-19 dashboard, 139 new cases were recorded over the past 96 hours, from the 1,125 tests that were done in that four-day period.

Of those 139 new cases, three were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 13 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 72 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 11 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); nine in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); four in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and 18 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), however, has not recorded any

additional cases over the past four days.

To date, five persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 62 are in institutional isolation, 710 are in home isolation, and 15 are in institutional quarantine, bringing the number of recorded active cases to 792.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, all Guyanese are being reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures (No.14), which are in effect until February 28, 2021. This order emphasises: The need for cor-

rect and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six-foot physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you are, or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotlines: 231-1166, 226-7480, & 624-6674 immediately, or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

PSUP is a tripartite initiative of the Secretariat of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the European Commission, and UN-Habitat.

Also present at Thursday’s launch and delivering remarks were CH&PA Community Development Officer, Roxanne Campbell; UN-Habitat PSUP Regional Programme Advisor, Emrah Engindeniz; UN-Habitat Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Elkin Velásquez; and Senior Informal Settlements Upgrading Expert, Michel Frojmovic.

Frojmovic will be working with the CH&PA and

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UN-Habitat, over the next few months to craft the strategy that will guide national policies. During his remarks, he emphasised the importance of ensuring all stakeholders are involved in the crafting of a national strategy. He stressed that consultations and data gathering are therefore critical aspects of the programme.

“We are at a critical stage of preparation of this strategy. Consultation will continue for a couple of months, in order to move to a formal strategy. Stakeholder engagement and participation are at the centre of the process,” Frojmovic said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Moves afoot to craft national plan to guide labour market

By Tamica Garnett IF Guyana is to ensure maximum local- content involvement in the oil-andgas sector, then there is need for a national plan

that speaks to where the skillset of Guyana’s labour force is, and how the country will go about ensuring the available labour matches the job market needs.

Speaking on the topic with the Guyana Chronicle

recently, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, explained that at present, the Guyanese population is not properly informed on what types of skills, and how much of each is needed in either the oiland-gas or other job sectors in Guyana, and this needs to be changed.

“If in the next five to 10 years the oil-and-gas industry is to be maximally populated by Guyanese, we have to know what we have to get; and we don’t know that at the moment,” Hamilton explained.

“Based on my interactions with all the regions in Guyana, we don’t have a national plan,” he said. “We have a lot of training happening, but it is happening as silos training. Everyone has their silo, and think they are doing well, but there is no cooperation and collaboration; so that is missing.”

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton

Hamilton emphasised that notwithstanding the call to ensure local content in the oil-and-gas sector, enough action is not being put behind the words.

“We can’t just talk about it and say what we desire; desire doesn’t take you where you want to go. We have to have data to guide us, so that we can properly plan. So I am headed to do those things, and have the information that we need in order to plan,” he explained.

To rectify this situation, the Ministry of Labour (MoL), on Monday, launched a multi-stakeholder steering committee, and is preparing to embark on a survey and assessment of Guyana’s workforce to put together a national plan that will guide it on the way forward.

The committee’s first task will be to host a national conference to facilitate consultations with various stakeholders to get a better collaborative understanding of the needs of Guyana’s job market.

“I’ve established this steering committee to plan a conference in this first quarter, where all the technical training schools, and all the people involved in policies and whatever can sit down

for two days and share ideas, and plan and strategise, and present a national plan, since we don’t have that at the moment,” Minister Hamilton said.

The minister said the conference will be used for the companies involved in Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector to properly outline their current and projected labour needs as they grow, so that Guyanese can better align themselves to capitalise on these opportunities.

STEERING COMMITTEE Aside from the MoL, the steering committee includes representatives from the various trade unions, the University of Guyana, the TVET Council, and Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) among other stakeholders.

In addition to the committee, the ministry has begun work on the labour survey, which will focus on gathering in-depth data on Guyana’s labour market, and issues creating a disconnect between the skills available and the skills needed.

The minister explained that the survey will be in-

dependent of the Bureau of Statistics (BoS)’s quarterly Labour Force Survey, as it will focus on wider issues.

“We are hoping to launch it very soon; our department which works with the ‘stats’ is working on the questionnaire, and the issues to focus on, and they will consult the ‘Stats Bureau’ on the way forward. We hope to conclude the formal economy assessment by the second quarter, and then do the informal economy that we hope to conclude by the third quarter,” Minister Hamilton said.

He said that in the absence of a national plan, the country’s labour force simply operates in a haphazard manner.

“There is a disconnect, and it is because we don’t know what is needed,” Hamilton said, adding: “We don’t know in five years’ time how many persons for a particular skill set we would need to train. We might be over-training in one skill set, when we are not training at all in another skill set.”

He said there are several stark examples across the country, where the haphazard way in which persons are trained is manifested.

“In Berbice, I engaged the Chambers [Of Commerce] there, and they said they have dozens of tractors and combines laying all over the place; money rotting because they have no mechanic to fix them. The Region has three technical institutes and no mechanics; it must be that we have a problem,” Hamilton said, adding: “I went to Region One. The manganese company cannot find a heavy-duty operator from Region One to employ; they have to import them from Region 10. It’s happening because there is no coordination and collaboration.”

GTT allocates $4M towards cancer care ON the occasion of World Cancer Day on Thursday, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) announced the allocation of some $4m from its ongoing Pinktober Fund to go towards the diagnostic testing and treatment of cancer patients in Guyana.

According to a release,

this year, the global village is called upon to ‘speak up, stand up and take action together’ in commemoration of World Cancer Day – and GTT’s contribution is a direct response to that rallying call.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens,

explained that the Cancer Institute of Guyana will provide the treatment while the Oncology Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) would identify patients to access the services as they have done in the past.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

UG to investigate alleged breach of COVID-19 protocols on campus

THE University of Guyana (UG) has warned that those students who allegedly posted ‘selfies’ of themselves breaching its COVID-19 protocols while on campus will face disciplinary action, and that plans are afoot “to take immediate corrective actions” to prevent future occurrences.

According to a statement from the university on Tuesday, a “selfie video” of the incident, ostensibly going the rounds on social media, was brought to its attention.

Though it did not say when the incident would have occurred, or when they learnt of it, the university said, “The Administration finds this unfortunate and deeply disturbing, and has taken immediate corrective action.

The students in the video are being identified, and will face disciplinary action under the Acts and Statutes of the University immediately.”

Calls made to UG Students’ Society (UGSS) President Jafar Gibbons for a comment on the issue have so far proven futile.

UG’s campuses have been closed since March 2020, when measures were

first put in place to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, though the majority of the classes are being held virtually, some students have been given permission to use the campus’ facilities on occasion to do the practical aspects for their programmes.

“Courses with laboratory components for students who need these courses in order to graduate this year have been allowed under strict COVID-19 Protocols for sanitisation, masking, and physical distancing,” the University explained.

Requests for students to be on campus have to be submitted by the relevant Heads of Department (HOD) three weeks in advance, it said, and that protocol requires that the number of students who will be using the institution’s facilities at the time be identified.

Said protocol also decrees that an action plan be crafted to outline how the COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced.

“The Office of Occupational Health and Safety wishes to take this opportunity to remind staff and students that there

The University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus

m u s t b e s t r i c t a d h e rence to the protocols on the University’s website (link: https://uog.edu.gy/ documents/covid-19-documents), which were developed to protect staff and students in the context of the pandemic,” the University said.

GTT allocates $4M towards ...

FROM PAGE

Last year, the company collaborated with the institute to offer similar services, which resulted in 20 patients being able to access treatment and diagnostic testing in the Linden, Bartica, East Bank, West Coast, East Coast and West Bank Demerara areas.

Gittens highlighted, of the 20 patients, 55 per cent completed CT scans for diagnostic purposes, while 70 per cent accessed radiation treatment. Of those who benefitted, 50 per cent were diagnosed with breast cancer while 45 per cent were diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Gittens shared that “…those being assisted were between the ages of 39 to 78 years old.”

“The loss of lives and livelihoods due to cancer in Guyana is alarming. GTT remains committed to reducing this burden on our Guyanese society by saving lives using the Pinktober fund and promoting awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment. We are grateful for every individ-

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens

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ual who contributed to the Pinktober Funds through the purchase of a bottle or just making a donation. Our contribution is on your behalf – we are in this together,” Gittens reminded.

GTT’s Pinktober initiative is a fundraising and awareness initiative; 100 per cent of all funds raised go directly back into cancer care and treatment in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

NA youth to benefit Global fisheries, aquaculture hard hit by COVID-19 from ‘Boys to Men’ empowerment seminars FAO reports…

GLOBAL fisheries and aquaculture have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and could face further disruption in 2021 as lockdowns affect supply and demand across the sector, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The report, titled ‘The impact of COVID-19 on fisheries and aquaculture food systems’, was featured during the 34th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) hosted by FAO. Fish supply, consumption and trade revenues for 2020 are all expected to have declined due to containment restrictions, the report noted, while global aquaculture production is expected to fall by some 1.3 per cent, the first to have been recorded by the sector in several years.

“The pandemic has caused widespread upheaval in fisheries and aquaculture, as production has been disrupted, supply chains have been interrupted, and consumer spending restricted by various lockdowns,” FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo said, adding: “Containment measures have provoked far-reaching changes, many of which are

Fisheries and aquaculture have been hard hit by impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (FAO photo)

likely to persist in the long-term.”

While food itself is not responsible for the transmission of COVID-19 to people, the report stressed that every stage of the fisheries and aquaculture supply chain is susceptible to being disrupted or stopped by containment

restrictions.

Aggregate prices for 2020, as measured by the Fish Price Index, are down year-on-year for most traded species.

Restaurant and hotel closures in many countries have also led to a fall in demand for fresh-fish products.

“The impact has been significant in developing countries, especially those with large informal sectors, where smallscale and artisanal workers and communities depend on fisheries for their food security and livelihoods. They have borne the brunt of restrictions,” Semedo said.

The FAO report indicates that in aquaculture, there is growing evidence that unsold production will result in increasing levels of live fish stocks, creating higher costs for feeding, as well as greater number of fish mortalities. Sectors with longer production cycles, such as salmon, cannot adjust rapidly to the demand shifts.

Global catches from wild fisheries are also expected to have declined slightly in 2020, as, overall, there has been a reduced fishing effort due to COVID19-related restrictions on fishing vessel crews and poor market conditions.

As a result of COVID-19, consumer preferences have shifted. While demand for fresh fish has waned, consumer demand for packaged and frozen products has grown, as households look to stock up on non-perishable food.

Before the pandemic, the sector was on a general upwards trend. In 2018, global fisheries and aquaculture production (excluding aquatic plants) reached an alltime record of nearly 179 million tonnes. Overall capture fisheries, with 96.4 million tonnes, represented 54 per cent of the total, while aquaculture, with 82.1 million tonnes, accounted for 46 per cent. And over the last decades, fish consumption has grown significantly to an average of over 20 kilos per person.

The FAO has called for disruptive border restriction measures on trade in food to be minimised for food security.

The report has called for sectoral and regional organisations to work together in order to manage fisheries and aquaculture during the pandemic, with measures that support job protection and ensure a fast recovery of the sector without compromising sustainability.

The impact of COVID-19 on women, already vulnerable as food producers, processors, vendors and carers, should also be considered, with government support provided for women along the fish value chain.

Uncertainty continues to dominate the outlook for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, particularly with regard to the duration and severity of the pandemic.

This year, COFI 34 is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, a landmark instrument endorsed by FAO member states that has been guiding efforts towards sustainable fisheries and aquaculture around the world.

With the uncertainty in the sector posed by the pandemic and other issues, the Code's principles have never been more vital to ensuring the fisheries sector remains viable and sustainable. (FAO)

Jeune Bailey Van Keric THE Grace Temple Assembly of God Church, in New Amsterdam, will, on February 6, launch a ‘Boys to Men’ project to equip young men with the requisite tools for a successful adulthood.

The project, which targets the 13 to 25 years age group, will support the educational development of the participants by providing

Coordinator Odessa Shako

them with psychological support and positive role models.

Their social and leadership skills will also be strengthened.

The project’s coordinator, Odessa Shakom, revealed that during 2021, four one-day Leadership and Empowerment seminars will be held for males in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and surrounding communities.

“The initiative was conceptualized as a means of assisting young men at our local church, whom I regard as my little brothers.

However, the project was later extended to young men in the wider New Amsterdam area,” she explained.

The project was developed in response to the observed challenges of young men, many of whom are willing but lack the social and psychological tools to overcome the intrinsic challenges of adolescence and early adulthood. There was also an observed absence of strong positive male role-models inside and outside of the home to support young males.

The seminars will address issues important to the academic and social development of males such as choosing careers, hygiene, conflict resolution, drug abuse, developing leadership and communication skills, goal setting and understanding male reproduction.

Without the necessary financial and psychological support from strong role models in and outside their homes, many youths are unable to skilfully navigate adolescence and transition to adulthood. For males, this is reflected in high drop-out rates, drug abuse, perpetuation of criminal activities, and teenage fatherhood.

In New Amsterdam and adjacent communities, there is a high number of school drop outs and unemployed youth. This is believed to be contributing factors to increased drug trafficking and criminal activities among young males in the township.

The first seminar is scheduled for February 6 at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School from 8:30 am. The speakers will include Reverend Dr. Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer and Dr. Darren Shako, a consultant. Other participants at the seminar will include representatives of the University of Guyana and the GuySuCo training centre.

The seminars are being funded in part by the U.S. Embassy Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Issues relating to importation of goods from Florida discussed the very issue and that the problem has been compounded by the allegation that no-objection is granted to certain importers based upon no known criteria.

He further indicated that several matters of litigation have been filed

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., meeting with the delegation (Photo taken from the Attorney General’s Facebook Page)

By Richard Bhainie THE Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Tuesday, met with representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and discussed issues relating to the importation of goods from Florida, USA. Present at the meeting was the Chairman of AmCham, Zulfikar Ally and AmCham’s Economist, Stephen Kissoon, as well as the United States Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinane and Economic/Commercial Officer, Benjamin Hulefeld.

The main concern of the delegation was the Guyana Government Analyst Food and Drug Department’s (GA-FDD) refusal to accept Certificates of Free Sale issued by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), a non-profit, public/private entity which certifies products for exports on behalf of the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture.

The Attorney-General was informed that GAFDD is insisting on a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Certificate for such goods, however, the FDA certificate is no longer issued in respect of goods exported from Florida and that function is now performed by Enterprise Florida Inc. During the meeting, the

Attorney-General reiterated Guyana’s commitment to free trade and market economy, subject of course to obligations owed under various treaties.

However, he cautioned that the government and the state apparatus must remain vigilant to protect Guyana from “dumping”, a problem facing countries all over the globe. Therefore, goods coming into the country, especially food items, must be carefully scrutinised.

The Attorney-General indicated that he has received several complaints from local businesses of

against the government because of this very issue.

The minister assured that he will follow the issue up with his colleague sector minister and the agency involved with a view to bringing regularity to this issue in a timely manner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

New well for Lusignan, neighbouring communities PREPARATIONS are underway for a new well to be drilled in the community of Lusignan to alleviate the water woes being experienced by a number of communities along the East Coast of Demerara.

This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, during a meeting with the Chairman and Councillors of the Mon Repos La – Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic

Council, as well as residents of surrounding areas last week.

Villages such as Enmore, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Annandale, Good Hope, Friendship, Enterprise, and other nearby villages have been

experiencing a low level and in some cases, a disruption of service due to the collapse of a well, a GWI release said.

Baksh explained that a camera inspection of the well revealed that there was a breach in the well casing, causing the pump and motor to be stuck.

“Our investigation reveals that there is a perforation in the casings at around 224 feet below ground,” he said. This resulted in the well producing sand. Numerous attempts have since proved futile to repair the well and bring it back into operation.

It was noted that the entire well head had sunk approximately two inches into the earth. This is an indication that there is danger in proceeding further, since the entire well surroundings, buildings, machines, equipment and people could potentially be dragged into a pit.

Following these unsuccessful events, the CEO made a decision to drill a new well to provide a permanent solution to affected residents. He told the NDC Councillors that GWI will return to the community to consult with residents regarding the most suitable location for the well to be drilled.

Baksh explained that GWI has already moved to secure funding and all necessary resources to drill the well, noting that the materials have already been ordered. The materials are expected to arrive within two

GWI CEO, Shaik Baksh, addressing councillors and residents

Technical staff carrying out work on the defective Lusignan well

months, after which drilling will commence.

In the meantime, GWI has implemented alternative arrangements to provide a steady level of ser-

vice to areas that have been affected by the collapsed well. This includes reactivating the Enmore well station, which has previously been out of operation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

100 computers to help learners with ‘Zoom school’

By Vishani Ragobeer

THERE is much talk about the digital transformation needed in Guyana to prepare citizens for the country’s ongoing development, but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous learners were unable to simply attend their online classes.

Recognising this challenge, in August 2020, Guyanese Computer Science student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Aggrey Marsh decided that he wanted to do something about it.

He recognised that many Guyanese are inherently benevolent- as much as reasonably possible- and he realised that he and his friends could put their ‘tech skills’ to good use.

And so, in August, the group began with a project known as ‘Computers for Guyana’ where they refurbished old computers donated to them and gave it to families in need. Eventually, the project grew and not only were computers ‘fixed up’ and given to children and students in need, but companies began donating tablets, which were also distributed.

“We know the need is great… The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing us to get a little bit more digital,” Marsh said, in a recent interview.

He highlighted that currently, the group has a database of over 200 persons who have all reached out to Computers for Guyana, from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. And, more than 60 families and learners who are trying to make the best of the circumstances they are confronted with in the pandemic have benefitted so far.

Colette McKenzie, a parent in Leguan whose son in secondary school received a tablet through this initiative, explained that the shift to the virtual delivery of education, prompted by the pandemic presented some challenges for her son.

As a secondary school student, he needed to attend numerous classes weekly and try to keep up

with his assignments and examinations. The young man did not have his own laptop and instead, used his aunt’s laptop whenever he could, though McKenzie said that was “one and far”.

SOME RELIEF The tablet helped to provide some relief to him and he navigated his school life and ‘Zoom school’. McKenzie also highlighted that there are numerous students on the island of Leguan who face similar issues. Often, she said, more than one learner in the household would have to attend online classes, concurrently, but there is only a laptop for the family.

Dane Prince, a father, also received a tablet through this initiative and highlighted that this has been a welcomed relief for his six-year-old who has his Grade One classes now online. Prince told the Guyana Chronicle that this tablet has been able to help his son attend the classes and also engage in learning activities on his own.

While the group continues to serve the six regions, Marsh noted that emphasis will now be placed on hinterland communities too, recognising the disparities that exist there, as well.

On Monday, Schlumberger, a company providing services in Guyana’s oil and gas industry, donated 100 new and used computers to the group.

This donation is expected to bolster the distributions that Computers for Guyana engages in and provide much needed support to learners as the pandemic continues.

“We are recognised as a technology company and basically what we are doing here today is helping to promote the young talent in the country to start engaging with the technology,” Schlumberger’s Managing Director, Ernesto Cuadros said.

Head of the Computers for Guyana group, Aggrey Marsh (extreme right); Schlumberger’s Managing Director, Ernesto Cuadros (second right); founder and CEO of Version 75 Solutions, Eldon Marks (second left), and another official with some of the computers donated by Schlumberger (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

FMAA amended to simplify budget process for constitutional agencies

THE government majority of the National Assembly has voted in favour of further amendments to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) which was passed in 2003 and later amended in 2015 under the APNU+AFC administration.

Thursday’s motion to make additional modifications to the Act was brought

by Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, who sought to undo some of the 2015 amendments to the Act. In presenting his mo-

tion, Dr. Singh said that the proposed alterations to the important legislation will increase the efficiency and effectiveness as it relates to the presentation and consideration of the budget for constitutional agencies. In its current amended form, Singh said that the FMAA has resulted in the budget process being unnecessarily long.

“The amendment laid out a two-stage process whereby the budget of the constitutional agencies would be brought to the National Assembly, considered and approved by the Assembly, and incorporated into the

national budget, which would subsequently be submitted to the House for consideration, at which time the budget of the constitutional agencies, would not be reconsidered, but would form part of the national budget,” Dr. Singh explained.

He noted that the 2021 amendment sought to remove the aforementioned two-stage process and replace it with a single, summarised process of submitting and considering budgets for Guyana’s constitutional agencies.

In his arguments, Dr. Singh said that certain fiscal responsibilities are best

handled by the Executive.

This, he said, is appropriately demonstrated in Article 171 of the Constitution, which states that certain matters relating to public finances, including the levying of taxes, can only be brought before the House signified by a minister.

CURTAILED THE EXECUTIVE’S ROLE “What the 2015 amendment did was curtail the Executive’s role and those budgets no longer came to the National Assembly with the signature of consent from Cabinet, as is required by

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presenting his arguments to the National Assembly on Thursday

the Constitution. Instead, it was submitted to the offices of the Clerk of the National Assembly,” Dr. Singh told the National Assembly.

He said that the responsibility of managing public finances and achieving fiscal outcomes rest with the Minister of Finance and the government of the day. The Finance Minister pointed to the fact that the 2015 amendment violated the principle of involving the Executive in the management of the public financing.

“The underlying principle is that if we will hold the Executive accountable to fiscal output, the Executive must have responsibility for the achievement of those output[s],” Dr. Singh noted.

In providing further context, the minister said that Article 222 (a) of the Constitution was very clear when it said, “in order to assure the independence of the entities listed in the third schedule, the expenditure of each of the entities shall be financed by the direct charge of the consolidated fund determined as a lump sum by way of an annual subvention approved by the way of the National Assembly, after a review and approval of an entity’s annual budget as part of the process of determination of the national budget.”

Adding his voice to the elaborate debate, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, said that in addition to infringing on the powers vested onto the Executive, the 2015 amendments had also clashed with the Constitution of Guyana.

EVADE SCRUTINY The previous amendments, according to Nand-

lall, also paved the way for billions of dollars to evade Parliamentary scrutiny.

“Simply put, this Act that they passed in 2015 in relation to constitutional agencies, they took that power from the President and they give it to the constitutional agencies to present budgetary estimates,” the AG summarised. He also pointed to the fact that Guyana’s financial structures mimic those that exist in 49 other countries across the Commonwealth.

“Let them point to one country, one country in the British Commonwealth, where you have agencies coming by themselves outside of the Executive Government to present budgets.

Let them point to one. They cannot, because it doesn’t exist,” Nandlall asserted.

The proposed 2021 amendments were heavily criticised by the Main Parliamentary Opposition, which continued its defence of the 2015 amendments that sought to remove powers from the minister, and have the constitutional agencies present their budgets without the requisite endorsement from the Executive.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes maintained that the FMAA in its current form is comprehensive, and that the government had “no reasonable explanation” to amend the already amended Bill. Following the debate, the motion to amend the FMAA was eventually passed, in the absence of the Parliamentary Opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Never Gonna Cheat

“NEVER Gonna Cheat” singer Sonia Singh, at just 18 years old, knows exactly the path she wants to tread, and her latest song, in response to Vicadi Singh’s “Never Gonna Leave” has been making waves locally.

As an upcoming artiste, she is self-employed and is doing her dancing and singing on the side, accepting hires for birthdays, weddings and small events. She also attends many charitable events and business promotions.

“I like to entertain people and make them feel

special,” Sonia told the Buzz this week, adding, “Being a dancer and a singer has always been my dream.”

Sonia, a senior member of the Ishara Dance Troupe, led by Shivanie Latchman, and the Berbice Delights, led by Valerie Barran, dreams of someday leading her own dance troupe. It all started when she attended the mandir while growing up, and local entertainer Rajesh Dubraj also played a role in helping to teach her.

“As I started to devel-

op my dreams, I realised that I can be successful in life. Growing up, as I moved forward, it was very difficult and complicated. We all know that nothing happens without hard work. Thankfully, I had my parents’ support in pursuing my career,” she said.

Speaking about her song, “Never Gonna Cheat,” which has also been playing in the Caribbean, Sonia said she loved the music in Vicadi Singh’s song and was inspired by it. “That’s why I thought it was a good

She hopes to be leading her own dance troupe someday

Sonia has learnt singing and dancing while attending her mandir

Sonia is well on her way to becoming a recognised dancer

opportunity for me to do the reply. I thought that a Guyanese would be great to do the reply.”

Wanting to make the song “fun and catchy”, she mixed it up with a little reality, drawing lessons from what she sees happening in society. “I was on my bed one night with my little sister and I said to her, ‘Help me write the reply to Vicadi song.’

The music was mixed and mastered by Bunty Singh BKVJ studios.

Sonia says her goal

Sonia Singh lately released the song, “Never Gonna Cheat”

is to become a famous singer and to be able to have her own organisation to help people who are in need. “I always love to inspire people and help them to be always happy no matter what may happen in

life. Everything happens for its own reason,” she said, adding, “Remember to always be kind to someone and share love.

Dancing and singing make me happy; you can also do what makes you happy.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Virat and Anushka welcome baby Vamika VIRAT Kohli, captain of the India national team, and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, have recently welcomed their baby girl Vamika, and has vowed to do whatever it takes to keep her out of the spotlight.

“We have lived together with love, presence and gratitude as a way of life but this little on, Vamika has taken it to a whole new level,” Sharma wrote on her Instagram account last Monday, as she shared their first family photo to the world.

She added in the post: “Tears, laughter, worry, bliss - emotions that have been experienced in a span of minutes sometimes! Sleep is elusive but our hearts are so full.

Thanking you all for your wishes, prayers and good

energy.”

Kohli had also taken to Instagram after the birth of their daughter to express how “thrilled” they were to have their daughter. “Anushka and the baby are both healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed to start this new chapter in our lives,” he said.

Sharma and Kohli had announced the pregnancy last August. In her first trimester, Sharma had been promoting

her two production ventures— Pataal Lok and the feminist supernatural film Bulbbul.

In an interview with Vogue Magazine recently, Sharma was unequivocal about retaining a sense of normalcy and privacy. She told that magazine: “We’ve thought about it a lot. We definitely do not want to raise a child in the public eye—we don’t plan on engaging our child in social media. I think it’s a

decision your child should be able to take. No kid should be made to be more special than the other. It’s hard enough for adults to deal with it. It’s going to be difficult, but we intend to follow through.”

Both being animal lovers, she also expressed that their intention is to help their daughter to be able to bond with animals too. “They are a big part of our lives and we really believe they can teach kindness and compassion to children.”

Commenting on how they plan to balance their careers with the demands of parenthood, she said: “We don’t see it as mum and dad duties but as a family unit. For us, it’s important that our child be raised with a very balanced outlook. It is all about shared duties. I will be the primary caregiver, especially in the first few years, and that’s the reality. I am self-employed and I can decide when I am working if I do one or two films a year. In Virat’s case, he plays round the year. What becomes important is the time we spend together as a family.”

She also mentioned that becoming a parent teaches selflessness. “That’s the beauty of becoming a parent. It’s a less selfish existence and I’m really excited.

I know it’s not going to be easy all the time, but you have to do what you have to do.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

International Endorsement Deal with Carib This past weekend, much of the consistent chatter across social media stemmed from news that emerged on Friday that Jamaican dancehall artist, Shenseea had been selected

by Trinidad and Tobago’s Carib Beer, to be their newest international endorsee.

Ecstatic for having signed her ninth endorsement deal, even amid the pandemic slowdown, Shenseea shared the news with fans via social media. Despite her happiness though, many questioned why the company would choose a Jamaican

the Carib brand altogether, making it clear that their choice of beer would always be Carib’s brother brand, Stag. One person went on to suggest that Trinidad and Tobago’s artistes may not be considered ‘marketable.’

“Maybe you Trinis are not marketable and Shenseea is, and Carib tryna go global and not just local. You guys need to look at it as business and not because you from Trinidad you should get that.”

That comment sparked a firestorm of rage from locals, taking the conversa-

hall superstar to t h e c o m p a n y, highlighting the good feedback received in the aftermath of the announcement.

Jamaica Dancehall recording artiste Shenseea

artiste to be its international brand ambassador, over a Trinidad and Tobago entertainer. In response, one person took to a popular Instagram page saying, “The reason our local dancehall artistes don’t get sponsored from these companies like @caribbeer @stagamansbeer @digiceltrinbago etc is because of the type of music they promote, which is violence. Big-name companies won’t endorse that.”

Others chose to disown

tion to the carnival culture, with a well known carnival photographer going as far as to say, “Jamaicans use our designers and brands for their carnival. In fact their uptown crowd may love soca as much as they love dancehall…”

Amid the tit for tat playing out across social media, the company has not made any counteractive remarks on the issue.

A statement issued simply welcomes the dance-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Brathwaite steers West ... fore reaching three figures about 15 minutes before tea.

He cut Warrican to backward point for four to move to 97, collected a couple to cover point off the next ball and then swept behind square for another couple.

Mehidy was last man out, taken at long-on hitting out against Cornwall on the stroke of the interval, after earlier losing Nayeem playing on to Bonner.

Tasked with seeing out a difficult last session, Brathwaite dispensed with his usual tedium in exchange for refreshing enterprise.

He clipped the first ball of the innings to the square leg boundary and followed up with his second scoring shot in the fourth over, coming down to left-arm spinner Shakib and lofting to the long-on boundary.

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TURN FROM PAGE 25

There was no such success for Campbell, however, the left-hander playing down the wrong line to Mustafizur in the next over and perishing lbw.

Moseley endured a nervy first 23 deliveries of his Test career, given out lbw first ball before being reprieved by DRS and then surviving a review for a catch at the wicket also off Mustafizur a few overs later.

T h e l e f t - h a n d e r ’s torment ended in the penultimate over before the drinks break, falling plumb lbw to a full-length delivery from Mustafizur after surviving a review for lbw the previous ball.

On 24 for two, West Indies took the honours in the final hour as Brathwaite and Bonner combined to deny Bangladesh any further success.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Friday, February 05, 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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Azam plays hero before rain spoils sport (ESPNCRINCINFO) A 123-run partnership between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Karachi Test hero Fawad Alam steadied the hosts from 22 for 3, set them up for a big first-innings score and kept a depleted South African attack at bay.

South Africa were without one of their two frontline spinners, George Linde, from the 23rd over, after he was forced off the field with an injury to the little finger on his bowling hand.

Linde hurt himself attempting to field a ball in his follow-through and was taken for an X-ray which found no fracture.

He was spotted 10 minutes before tea warming up on the sidelines and working on his grip but did not return to action for the rest of the day. That meant a heavier workload for Keshav Maharaj, who bowled 25 overs almost without a break.

Maharaj’s first spell, of

19 overs, straddled the first and second sessions. He was then given an over’s break to change ends and was six overs into his spell at tea and was the most successful of the visiting attack.

Maharaj was introduced in the eighth over and should have had a wicket with his first ball when he had Imran Butt pressing forward to defend a delivery that turned away and took the edge. But Temba Bavuma, at first slip, put it down. An over later Maharaj had Butt caught behind to end the Pakistan opening stand on 21. In the next over after he dismissed Azhar Ali lbw for a duck and, on the other end, Anrich Nortje got rid of Abid Ali thanks to a stunning catch

by Aiden Markram at short leg, who was diving low to his right.

But South Africa made no other inroads; Azam and Alam dug in and the surface seemed to settle after it offered significant turn

in the morning. There was not as much for the quicks and after opening with their seamers, South Africa ended

batsmen, something Alam has in strong supply. While the scoring rate hovered around 2.50 runs an over,

match, and both times he scored a hundred. The signs are there that he could convert again. Unlike Alam,

up rotating Kagiso Rabada and Nortje while giving all-rounder Wiaan Mulder just five overs.

As expected, the pitch demands patience from the

runs never seemed impossible to find, especially for Azam.

The Pakistan captain has played two Test innings in Rawalpindi prior to this

who was watchful at the start, Azam started scoring with back-to-back boundaries off Maharaj. His 12 fours included an array of drives and a whip off the waist

Brathwaite steers West Indies ship (CMC) – West Indies gifted the gutsy Mehidy Hasan Miraz his maiden Test hundred before quick strikes by seamer Mustafizur Rahman put them under further pressure, but captain Kraigg Brathwaite propped up the innings with a breezy knock on day two of the opening Test here yesterday.

Arriving at number eight in the morning’s third over, the 23-year-old Mehidy - known more for his bedazzling off-spin - rode his luck in an adventurous 103 which propelled Bangladesh to an imposing 430 in their first innings at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

All-rounder Shabibal-Hasan converted his overnight 39 into 68 while Liton Das added only four to his overnight 34 and number 10 Nayeem Hasab hit 24.

Left-armer Mustafizur then ploughed through West Indies’ top order removing opener John Campbell for three and debutant Shayne Moseley (3) in quick succession, to reduce the innings to 24 for two.

However, Brathwaite played positively to end unbeaten on 49, featuring in a crucial unbroken third-wicket stand of 51

with debutant Nkrumah Bonner who was unbeaten on 17, to see the Caribbean side to 75 for two at the close.

Brathwaite has faced 81 deliveries and struck seven fours while Bonner has counted two boundaries in his 58-ball stay at the crease.

West Indies enter day three of the contest still requiring a further 355 runs to overhaul Bangladesh.

Warrican (4-133) gave West Indies the start they needed in his second over of the day when he picked up his fourth wicket, bowling Liton Das after the righthander misjudged the line and attempted to cut.

With Bangladesh on 248 six, West Indies were sensing a way through but Mehidy turned the tide in his side’s favour by inspiring three successive important partnerships.

All told, the righthander struck 13 fours off 168 balls in a shade over 3-¾ hours at the crease, but the innings was not without chances.

On 24, he was put down by Moseley at silly point off Warrican, misstumped on 72 off off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall and then missed by Cornwall at slip, off Bonner’s part-time spin on 85.

Undeterred, Mehidy produced a combination of drives, flicks and delicate sweeps as he first put on 57 for the seventh wicket with Shakib, to steer Bangladesh safely through the remainder of the first hour.

Skakib reached his 25th Test half-century with the drinks break approaching but then fell to a soft dismissal halfhour before lunch, scooping Cornwall (2-114) to Brathwaite at point, after facing 150 balls in two hours 50 minutes, and counting five fours.

Mehidy then combined with Taijul Islam (18) in a 44-run, eighth-wicket partnership, allowing the hosts to reach lunch on 328 for seven.

Unbeaten on 46 at the interval, Mehidy brought up his fifty in the fourth over following the resumption but then lost Taijul nearing the first hour, the left-hander feathering a leg side catch to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva off fast bowler Shannon Gabriel with Bangladesh on 359.

The frustration continued for West Indies, however, as Mehidy added a further 57 for the ninth wicket with Nayeem, beTURN TO PAGE 24

through square, to reach his fifty, off 81 deliveries.

A hallmark of Azam’s innings, and South Africa’s lack-lustre effort so far is the ease with which he scored runs all around the field - 45 on the off side and 32 on the leg side.

Alam also favoured the off-side more, in contrast to the way he batted in Karachi, and provided a perfect foil. He left the ball well, and faced 114 dot balls in his innings to defy a fast-despairing South African attack.

South Africa were noticeably quieter in the field than usual and several senior players, including Rassie van der Dussen, Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis, spent time off the park.

The team management confirmed there was no stomach bug going around, so one can only assume they were either receiving tactical advice or needed a bit of a break from Azam.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

Mark Lall ‒ lone newcomer on SCA executive body

By Frederick Halley

MARK Lall was the lone new face among the executives when Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Sunday.

Lall was elected unopposed as the association’s Assistant Grounds Coordinator after incumbent Deo Samaroo decided not to serve out his remaining year of the two-year stint.

The meeting was held virtually via Zoom for the first time in the 41-year history of the association and based on the SCA’s constitution only four posts were contested with Bisham Singh (vice-president), Mathew Francis (Assistant secretary/assistant Chief Finance Officer), Craig Murdoch (Public Relations Officer/Marketing) retaining their positions.

Long-standing president Shiv Persaud, secretary Eon

Gunraj, Chief Financial Officer Vish Jadunauth, Registrar/ statistician Abigail Rajkumar (the lone female on the executive body), grounds coordinator Calvin Alexander and Webmaster Abhinav Kavuru all retained their posts.

The SCA had the unique distinction of being the only entity in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to complete its season last year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After a 11-week delay, the shortened season got underway the first week of August, ending the first week of October.

President Shiv Persaud is optimistic that the 2021 season will commence on May 8 with teams being able to compete in 14 games in the various divisions prior to the planned playoffs. He, however, cautioned that this will depend on guidelines from the government health authorities.

The Guyana-born Persaud reminded those in

attendance that “we are all in this together and have the personal responsibility to ensure we keep ourselves and family safe at all times by following all the public health guidelines.”

Persaud pointed out that he was extremely proud of the members and executives for ensuring the full completion

of the shortened season without any health emergency.

“Our objective was to maximise the number of games so our players can maintain a healthy forum to interact and engage in physical activity through the sport of cricket. This played a vital role in helping us to cope with the emotional and

stressful circumstances we are faced with.”

The president congratulated the teams finishing at the top of their respective groups and players who turned in outstanding individual performances.

Persaud lamented the fact that youths and women divisions were severely impacted as they did not have any participation for season games and the senior competition saw less participation than initially planned. He, however, looks forward to a record

participation for the 2021 season.

“As we look forward to 2021 and beyond, I will continue to ensure we strive to constantly improve the quality and level of cricket as well as the facilities. I would like to reinforce that our league has been growing and this require full participation from everyone serving as an executive to fulfil his roles. We do hope that 2021 will allow us to have a full season and an exciting one.”

Essequibo Coast Cricket Club formed in Toronto, Canada ... Club owner Kenny Ramsawak looking to bring Essequibian cricketers together

Mark Lall

Shiv Persaud

FINA assures safe return to swimming

… 2020 Summer Olympics still on THE International Swimming Federation (FINA) has acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing difficulties for the organisation of safe sporting events. However, plans for swimming at the 2020 Summer Olympics are still on for it to be hosted from July 24 to 31 of this year in Tokyo, Japan.

With almost six months left on the calendar before the event, the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) can partially breathe a sigh of relief since officials have some time left to convince the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) that swimming is safe from transmitting the virus.

They have been trying to resume light training for the athletes who are potential candidates for the 2020 Summer Olympics but no permission has been granted for resumption of activities.

Just under a week ago, GASA was relieved to learn that the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships which was scheduled for March 26 to April 7 was postponed. This was good news since their swimmers have been inactive for close to a year. That postponement came with the rise in COVID-19 cases in the host country, Barbados.

In consideration of these extraordinary circumstances, the FINA Bureau issued a document to provide mandatory guidelines for the resumption of competition in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The 44-page document states that Federations should have their own detailed

COVID-19 mitigation plans in place, in line with local government guidelines, and remain responsible for implementing necessary measures in regular domestic environment.

National Federations are responsible for preparing competition in a safe environment, ensuring they follow national and international guidelines and safety recommendations.

COVID-19 has a fragile external lipid membrane, rendering it less stable in the pool environment and more sensitive to oxidants such as chlorine.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), conventional methods employing a centralised water treatment system using chlorine filtration and disinfection are deemed capable

Jamila Sanmoogan was the only female swimmer to represent Guyana at the 2016 Rio Olympics

FINA released guidelines for every water related event which includes water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water, high diving and traditional swimming.

The document stated, “Swimming pools are already generally safe from the perspective of viral transmission/serious health risks and when hygiene measures are implemented there should be minimal spread of infection. The virus responsible for

free chlorine of at least 0.5 mg/litre ensures deactivation of SARSCoV (from the same family as the COVID-19 virus). Therefore, water used in swimming pools should be of the same quality as water for human consumption.

These principles are consistent with the opinion of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the

Hannibal Gaskin was part of the two-member team that represented Guyana at the 2016 Rio Olympics

of inactivating COVID-19.

Although the virus has been reported in river water, it has not been detected in drinking water and, based on current evidence; the risk of COVID-19 viral transmission via drinking water is very low.

It also reports that, for effective disinfection of the water, there should be a residual concentration of free chlorine.

As further confirmation, it has long been demonstrated that

reference point in USA for the application of all measures of disease prevention and control: “Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, like those in most of the municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19”. There is no evidence of COVID-19 being contracted through drinking water.

Former national youth cricketer Devon Ramnauth, right, and Kenny Ramsawak will both play for the new club

FORMER club player Kenny Ramsawak has formed a new softball cricket club in Toronto, Canada which will be made up of overseas-based Guyanese living in the North American country.

The recently formed Essequibo Coast Cricket Club was in the pipeline for some time, but was only this year realised.

Ramsawak, a cricket enthusiast, who played for Reliance Sports Club before migrating to Canada, is already the owner of the Smashers CC, but he felt that with the limited number of players allowed to participate, some of his fellow Essequibians were left out.

Smashers CC have successfully participated in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) competitions for the past three years.

“My objective is to bring my fellow Essequibian cricketers together and play competitive cricket. No doubt we have many talented Essequibian cricketers in Toronto who are playing for various other teams. It is the dream of myself and Devon Ramnauth to bring these players together and represent Essequibo to the fullest.”

The 36-year-old is hoping that his new club would be able to make their debut at this year’s OSCL which is billed for May and play other softball competitions throughout the year.

The new club would also balance its players, since Ramsawak is looking to grow a new generation of Essequibian cricketers there. He said that there is a plethora of talented cricketers in the Greater Toronto Area and his club is willing to give them opportunities to showcase their talents.

“We also want to give young Essequibian cricketers the opportunity to come to Canada and play cricket. I hope that I can inspire others to give back to the game and do more for the future of Essequibo Cricket. I want to big up Essequibo Cricket and give back to the game of cricket, which has taught me so much in life.

“I am calling on all Essequibians living in Canada to support this new club in every way they can. Cricket is our game, this is what we do in the summer month in Toronto,” Ramsawak, who is the proprietor of Platinum Lounge and Sports Bar, stated.

The Essequibo Coast CC will have the services of Ramnauth, who is a former national youth player, former inter-country player Ravendra Madholall and several other quality former club players, including Ramsawak, Ivan Narine, Nazeer Khan, Maniram Oliver and Prem Kumar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 5, 2021

We are dangerous as a unit, says Shepherd

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THERE is no doubt that the Guyana Jaguars are not a dominant force in regional cricket. They won the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day (First-Class) cricket five consecutive times.

What has eluded the Jaguars for over a decade and a half is the one-day version.

With rare display of grit and determination, Guyana last won a title at this level in 2005.

However, with the CG Insurance Super50 Cup set to bowl off on Sunday, spearhead of the Jaguars’ bowling attack, Romario Shepherd, feels the Jaguars are a dangerous unit, who are capable of upsetting any opposition on any given day.

“As a unit we are dangerous ... we have a great chance

once we play together. As a unit we are confident in our game, and once we play our brand of cricket we set out to play we will go a long way,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd, the 26-yearold, who missed the recent West Indies tour to Bangladesh due to being tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the departure of the squad, feels with the 15man squad available for the tournament, Guyana stand a good chance of winning their tenth title at this level.

“The squad is really a balanced one ... if you look at our bench, it’s strong, we can flex with our eleven on any given day, so that’s a good sign that we have a good squad - a squad hungry for the opportunity to go out and represent Guyana,” the West Indies ODI player reckoned.

Meanwhile, Shepherd is of the opinion that the tour-

nament is another opportunity for him to showcase his talent since his main objective is to give his best

Romario Shepherd

Gentle to serve for Coppin State University … Guyanese tennis player adjusting to life on NCAA circuit

By Rawle Toney

GUYANA’S Afruica Gentle is relishing the opportunity at competing against some of the top collegiate players on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One circuit, with Coppin State University.

T h e 1 9 - y e a r- o l d l o cal tennis ace acquired the scholarship to Coppin State University, one of the top historically black institutions in the US, in 2020.

and Corrections.

“College life has been great so far since it’s not very different from back home. However, there is a big cultural gap,” Gentle said.

In chronicling her journey from a humble life in Guyana to the NCAA, Gentle said she started playing tennis at age five with the Park Players Tennis Club, under coaches Debbie Bunbury-Greene and Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan.

However, after transitioning from the U-14 cate-

Afruica Gentle in action in Guyana

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Gentle, the youngest of four siblings, said she drew inspiration from her close friend, Gavin Lewis who also attended and graduated from Coppin State.

While at the Baltimore, Maryland-based University, Gentle will be reading for a Degree in Criminal Justice

gory, Gentle moved over to the Roraima Tennis Club under coaches Dexter Lewis and Rebecca Mitchell. Both coaches, she said, have been instrumental in her development.

“I grew up watching my bigger sister Shawna excel at tennis during her time as a junior so I always had it in my head that I wanted to be

in whatever situation.

“This tournament is another big opportunity for me to go out and showcase my

as good as my sister or even better. While at Roraima my game elevated tremendously,” Gentle reasoned.

Reigning local female champion, Cristy Campbell, was named by Gentle as a mentor, one of her sponsors for the scholarship, adding “she has been a great influence on my decision-making to pursue my academics and sports at a higher level. She always encouraged me to be disciplined, both on and off court. It was always a dream of mine to play college tennis.”

Gentle thanked her parents and family for the support given throughout her tennis career.

“Also my main sponsor Mr Salim of Builders Lumber Yard and Mr Bunbury of Frontline Hardware Store and also I’d like to thank the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, for his support and all Roraima Tennis Club members,” Gentle stated while extending gratitude to everyone who would fave helped along the journey.

Meanwhile, Gentle is expected to be in action for Coppin State University in their first outing this season against Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia on February 13.

The always-smiling player told Chronicle Sport that she also intends to play USTA tournaments in the summer.

skill. Yes I do set my goals from before with bat and ball in the field, but I normally like to keep it to myself, However, my number one goal is to always give my best in whatever situation,” he stressed.

The squad is fully cognizant of the hard work that is needed to lift the trophy that has been eluding them since 2005. Prior to 2005, Guyana reigned supreme in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2003.

Only the six regional franchises are taking part, which means that defending champions West Indies Emerging Players, along with Canada, USA and the Combined Campuses and Colleges will miss out.

This means the six leading franchises – Jamaica Scorpions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force,

Guyana Jaguars, Barbados Pride, Leeward Island Hurricanes, and the Windward Island Volcanoes – are the only teams competing this year for the Clive Lloyd Trophy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 19 matches will be played in the tournament scheduled to conclude on February 27.

Each team will play each other on a round-robin basis with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals and the opportunity to reach the grand final.

Matches will be played at Antigua’s two international cricket venues - Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS). There will be 13 matches at CCG including the semi-finals and final, and six matches at SVRS.

BCB to launch Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Trust Fund … $1M pumped into county cricket development

BCB Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu, hands over the sponsorship cheque to Secretary Angela Haniff on behalf of Shimron Hetmyer

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will be looking to create history when it launches the Shimron and Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Development Trust Fund at the St Francis Community Developers Training Centre.

The launching would be the first of its kind to be launched in the Ancient County and represents the largest ever financial donation by a cricketer to the BCB, since its formation in 1939.

The Hetmyers agreed to the formation of the Fund after reviewing a comprehensive proposal from BCB president Hilbert Foster.

The West Indies middle-order player had requested the president to submit the document after they had discussed the idea.

Foster explained that under the Trust Fund, BCB would assist clubs across the county with $700 000 worth of cricket balls while

$200 000 would be given to a cricketer attending the University of Guyana.

The cricketer must be living in the Canje/New Amsterdam or East Berbice Canje sub area.

In the event that a suitable candidate is not found, the funds would be equally divided to four cricketers attending secondary school and preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.

The remaining $100 000 would be used to reward the Most Valuable Player for the four inter-county tournaments that Berbice is expected to play in 2021.

The MVP of the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Female tournaments would each receive $25 000 each. The couple made it quite clear that the sponsorship would continue for the duration of the current

president’s term of office.

Hetmyer, who led to the West Indies to Under-19 World Cup glory in 2016 and has been very supportive to the Foster-led administration, has, over the last three years, assisted with funds for the BCB/RHTYSC Christmas Charity Programmes, BCB Intermediate tournament and last handed over funds for the hosting of two grassroots oneday cricket tournaments at the Rose Hall Canje and Young Warriors grounds.

Foster expressed gratitude to the couple for the support and stated that with assistance, Berbice cricket would continue to expand as the board strives to take the county game to its highest level ever.

Meanwhile, the BCB has sent an official invitation to President Irfaan Ally to be the guest speaker at the launching of the Trust Fund..

Brathwaite steers West Indies ship SEE PAGE

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Kraigg Brathwaite sweeps down on one knee (© AFP via Getty Images)

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FINA assures safe return to swimming

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| FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021