Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-01-2021

WEDNESDAY 6 th January, 2021

’ No. 106234

Premier Insurance 03 Company Inc. enters market PAGE

–– company capable of insuring an oil rig, plans to offer wide range of services

Relief supplies for flood-hit Charity

Exxon begins 11 drilling Bulletwood-1 well PAGE

PAGE

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Severance, other packages for dismissed Wales Estate workers

PAGE

08 Prison officer, prisoners under investigation for contraband 02 PAGE

CARPHA says risks of importing new COVID variant ‘very high’ PAGE

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and Regional Chairman Vilma DaSilva (backing camera) engage a resident affected by the flooding (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Prison officer, prisoners under investigation for contraband

By Richard Bhainie

A prison officer and two prisoners are under investigation by the Guyana Police Force following the recent discovery of contraband at the Lusignan Pris-

on, East Coast Demerara, on Monday.

Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, on Tuesday, informed the Guyana Chronicle that based on the report he has received, on the day in question, a prison

The Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot officer accommodated the prisoners to work on the farms. Upon their return, the search was conducted and a number of items were discovered.

The items discovered were 490 grammes of suspected cannabis, one cellphone with simcard, one earpiece, 29 packets of cigarettes, a quantity of Ziploc bags, 12 smoking papers, a quantity of tobacco leaves and $30,000.

He explained that in keeping with the zero-tolerance policy of the Prison Service in relation to persons involved in corrupt activities, criminal charges and necessary disciplinary action

The suspected cannabis, a cellphone and cash discovered at the prison will be instituted against the officer and prisoners, upon conclusion and based on the findings of the investigation.

Elliot stressed that while there are a number of systems in place by the Prison Service to prevent illicit activities at all the prison locations, prison officers have an imperative role to play in relation to their supervisory duties. “It comes down to the level of supervision on the part of the ranks, so once the

ranks have been found culpable of not properly supervising the prisoners while they are outside of the prison, and even inside in some cases, we will institute criminal charges depending on the level of investigation in relation to the matter,� he said.

In December, 2020, three prison officers were charged departmentally for neglect of duty and were under investigation for criminal conduct, in relation to the discovery

of 553 grammes of cannabis, cigarettes, 5-year-old rum, Guinness and other contraband items found in the possession of two prisoners while under supervision of a prison officer.

The Deputy Director of Prisons related that the Prison Service is working to improve security of the prisons at all locations, and will continue to maintain its zero-tolerance policy in relation to corrupt activities.

A quantity of cigarettes discovered at the prison

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Premier Insurance Company Inc. enters market

–– company capable of insuring an oil rig, plans to offer wide range of services

By Navendra Seoraj

PREMIER Insurance Company Inc. has positioned itself in the local market with the aim of providing comprehensive financial protection services to suit the needs of every individual and company, including those in Guyana’s nascent oiland- gas sector.

As Guyana’s fledging petroleum sector and its general economy continue to progress and grow, the need for financial protection will become even more critical, because companies and individuals will be looking to minimise financial risks and make accidental losses manageable.

In recognising this potential need, Premier Insurance Company Inc, a subsidiary of Trinidad and Tobago’s TRINRE Insurance Company Limited, has established a local office at Lot 68 High Street, to begin satisfying the demands of

General Manager of Premier Insurance, Anil Singh (second left) and other members of the Premier Insurance team, namely Claims Analyst, Nankishore Rup (first left); Accounting Officer, Manisshaw Albert (second right); and Assistant Manager-underwriting, Mark Samaroo (Adrian Narine photo) companies.

General Manager of Premier Insurance Company Inc, Anil Singh said TRINRE’s strong business relationships, experienced team of underwriters, and internationally- recognised ‘A’ rated re-insurers under-

ready offered by the existing insurance companies.

“In terms of what is different is our contribution in terms of capacity and products to oil and gas.

Every contract that comes out of the oil-and-gas market must be accompanied

Photo courtesy of TRINRE the Guyana market.

Guyana’s insurance industry is considered competitive, but the “new kids on the block” will be looking to ride on the back of its parent company, which has, in its over 45 years of business, established the capability of providing comprehensive insurance services which cater for individuals right up to large

pin the company’s strength and stability, and enable Premier Insurance to offer a comprehensive range of general insurance products and services in auto, property, accident and liability, bonds, marine, and oil and gas, among other things.

The company plans on leveraging its expertise in oil and gas to differentiate its services from those al-

by insurance; there is no way around that,” Singh said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

Oil-and-gas insurance is defined as an insurance policy that covers human life, the environment and property from any accidents and oil-and-gas organisation activities.

The oil-and-gas indus-

try consists of a series of procedures, chemical reactions and harsh and difficult working conditions which tend to increase the risk to cost-intensive property, human life and environment.

So, the industry needs to be insured to cover a certain proportion of the liability in case of any accidents.

Based on information from Commercial Global Insurance, general liability insurance enhanced with customised umbrella policies is very important to the protection of businesses in the energy industry.

Oil-and- gas liability insurance provides liability coverage for catastrophic events such as explosions, collapses and accidents resulting in personal injury and or death.

TRINRE, and by extension Premier’s relationships with ‘A’ rated re-insurers enable the company to offer an increasing range of insurance products and services, including packaged business insurances and specialty services for liability and bonds, as well as offshore liability.

Speaking further about the company’s strength in this area, Singh said: “The strength of Premier is that we have an oil and gas

re-insurers treaty, so we can do oil and gas business… We have a large treaty which allows us to have a range of oil and gas products.”

This A-rated re-insurers treaty has equipped the company with the capacity to insure even an oil rig offshore Guyana.

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE “It is, however, not a case where we will say we are strong in oil and gas, so we are going to neglect the other areas in the market.

No! We are here as a company to serve the market comprehensively; Premier is here to offer good services, and to reach the insuring public, from the ordinary man to an oil rig,” Singh related.

The company, he said, also offers motor, fire, burglary, personal accident, and machinery insurance, and every other policy that falls within the definition of accident and liability products.

“Our short-term vision is to reach out to the market and identify areas where there are deficiencies… We

want to bring to the market a new flare of insurance services. We want to sell the name to the public, and make it a household name, because it is not just about making money; we want to help in the development of Guyana,” Singh said.

One of the company’s primary goals is to change the Guyanese mindset towards insurance by eliminating the fallacy that insurance companies do not pay.

“We want to instill confidence that when you buy insurance, you will be paid.

We have a well-established claims department with a documented claim manual and claims procedures that we have to follow. We have claims we want to settle in 48 hours, and those we want to deal with as soon as customers satisfy claims requirement,” Singh reasoned.

He assured customers that the company will find prudent ways to offer services, and provide same in a cost-effective way.

As it is now, the company has four employees, but Singh said expansion will happen incrementally, as the company continues to establish its name locally.

The insurance company, after meeting the Bank of Guyana’s capital requirement of $400 million and other pre-requisites, was granted a licence to operate in February last year. But, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the political climate caused the company to hold off on its commencement until January 4, 2021.

“I’m really looking forward to Premier serving the Guyanese people, as well as collaborating with and contributing to the Guyanese insurance industry as a whole, and by extension, its citizens,” Singh said.

For further information about Premier Insurance Company Inc., contact anil.singh@premierinsurance.gy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Exxon begins drilling Bulletwood-1 –– first in a multi-well, fully-funded drilling campaign

DRILLING has commenced at ExxonMobil’s highly-prospective Bulletwood-1 well offshore Guyana, in the Canje Block.

According to a statement from Westmount Energy on Tuesday, the maiden “Canje well” was spudded recently by the Stena Carron drillship.

Based on reports, the Canje Oil Block is estimated to hold about 10 billion barrels of oil-equivalent in just over a dozen prospects to be drilled.

The Bulletwood-1 well is the first in a series of wells to be drilled in the block, which, according to Westmount Energy, is fully financed.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Canje Block, with a 35 per cent interest, while Total holds 35 per cent, JHI

Associates Inc. has 17.5 per cent, and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. has 12.5 per cent. Westmount Energy has a 7.2 per cent interest in the issued share capital of JHI Associates Inc. Chairman of Westmount Energy, Gerald Walsh was quoted in the statement as saying: “Bulletwood-1 is the first well in a multi-well, fully-funded, drilling campaign being operated by ExxonMobil on the Canje Block over the next six months or so.

This campaign will evaluate high-impact Upper Cretaceous prospects in the proven Liza play fairway, with, in some cases, additional deeper reservoir targets.”

Considering the positive prospects of the Canje Block, experts believe it might become more lucrative than

A pictorial representation of ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana, in the various blocks (ExxonMobil’s photo) the Stabroek Block, where 18 discoveries have so far been made.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres), with current discovered recoverable resources

Wednesday, January 6, 10:30hrs - 12:00hrs

estimated at more than nine billion oil-equivalent barrels.

The 18 discoveries on the block to date have established the potential for at least five FPSO vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per

day by 2026.

ExxonMobil’s first offshore Guyana project, Liza Phase 1, began producing in late 2019, well ahead of the industry average for development time. Liza Phase 2 remains on track to begin producing oil by early 2022.

Liza Phase 2 will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates, using the Liza Unity FPSO. Recently, the oil giant, following an agreement with the Government of Guyana, decided to proceed with the Payara field development offshore Guyana.

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

The $9 billion development will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels.

Ten drill centres are planned, along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21 injection wells.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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Tight Senate elections unfolding in Georgia

Early vote totals suggested close contests were unfolding in two U.S. Senate races in Georgia that will decide which party controls the chamber and the possible fate of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s legislative agenda.

Republican incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler faced Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a pastor at a historic Black church in Atlanta.

About an hour after polls closed at 7 p.m. (0000 GMT), Warnock led Loeffler by 6.2 percentage points, while Ossoff was ahead of Perdue by 5.6 percentage points, with 20 per cent of the estimated vote counted, according to Edison Research.

An Edison exit poll of more than 5,200 voters found half had voted for Republican President Donald Trump in November and half for Biden. The voters were also evenly split on whether Democrats or Republicans should control the Senate.

The survey included both early voters and voters who cast ballots on Tuesday.

Democrats must win both contests in Georgia to take control of the Senate. A dou-

ble win for the Democrats would create a 50-50 split in the Senate, giving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote after

tively wield veto power over Biden’s political and judicial appointees as well as many of his policy initiatives in areas such as economic relief,

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock holds a small rally with young campaign volunteers on election day in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff election, in Marietta, Georgia, U.S., January 5, 2020 (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

she and Biden take office on Jan. 20. The party already has a majority in the House of Representatives.

If Republicans hold onto the Senate, they would effec-

climate change, healthcare and criminal justice.

The results could be known by Wednesday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told CNN,

although the outcome may remain in doubt for days if the margins are razor-thin.

Both Biden and Trump campaigned in the state on Monday, underscoring the stakes.

No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Georgia in 20 years, but opinion surveys show both races as exceedingly close. The headto-head runoff elections, a quirk of state law, became necessary when no candidate in either race exceeded 50 per cent of the vote in November.

Biden’s narrow statewide win in the Nov. 3 election - the first for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 - has given the party reason for optimism in a state dominated by Republicans for decades.

More than three million Georgians voted early by mail or in person, shattering the record for runoff elections even before Election Day arrived. The two races drew nearly half a billion dollars in advertising spending since Nov. 3, a staggering total that fueled a tsunami of television commercials.

In Smyrna, about 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Atlanta, Terry Deuel said he voted Republican to ensure a

check on Democratic power.

“The Democrats are going to raise taxes,” the 5 8 - y e a r- o l d h a n d y m a n said. “And Biden wants to give everyone free money - $2,000 each or something like that for COVID stimulus? Where are we going to get the money?”

Ann Henderson, 46, cast ballots at the same location for Ossoff and Warnock, saying she wanted to break Washington’s gridlock by delivering the Senate to Democrats.

“It’s the social issues civil rights, racial equality, voting rights, pandemic response,” she said. “If we take it, maybe we can get something done for a change.”

TRUMP RAGES The campaign’s final days were overshadowed by Trump’s continued efforts to subvert the presidential election results.

On Saturday, Trump pressured Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on a phone call to “find” enough votes to reverse Biden’s victory, falsely claiming massive fraud.

Trump’s efforts to undo his loss - with some Republicans planning to object to the certification of Biden’s

win when Congress meets on Wednesday to formally count the presidential vote - have caused a split in his party and condemnation from critics who accuse him of undermining democracy.

At Monday’s rally in Georgia, Trump again declared the November vote “rigged,” an assertion some Republicans worried would dissuade his supporters from voting on Tuesday.

His attacks appear to have undermined public confidence in the electoral system. Edison’s exit poll found more than seven in 10 were very or somewhat confident their votes would be counted accurately, down from 85 per cent who said the same in a Nov. 3 exit poll.

Wall Street’s main indexes finished higher after a weak start on Tuesday as investors awaited the outcome in Georgia.

If elected, Warnock would become Georgia’s first Black U.S. senator and Ossoff, at 33, the Senate’s youngest member. Perdue is a former Fortune 500 executive who has served one Senate term. Loeffler, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, was appointed a year ago to fill the seat of a retiring senator. (Reuters)

Jamaica: More students turn up at Clarendon school As predicted by principal of Alston High School in Clarendon, Adrian Sinclair, more students showed up for face-to-face classes on Tuesday than the 84 who came in on Monday when the new school year began.

On Tuesday, 130 of the 540 students enrolled came out for classes and he expects the numbers to increase in the weeks ahead.

Sinclair’s confidence that the numbers will grow is influenced by the turnout last year when the school was among 17 in a pilot programme that saw them opening their doors for faceto-face classes.

“Of the 540 students enrolled at the school, as much as 335 came out on [November 10],” he said. “[Our checks showed that] others were out of the parish with family members, some [had damaged] their uniforms and could not afford new ones, the rest were employed and

some still are [employed].”

He added that some parents kept their children at home because of fear they would contract COVID-19.

There were other reports of students being asked to stay home to care for family members suffering from co-morbidities. Students stuck at home but unable to join online classes, Sinclair explained, “were provided with a special learning kit to ensure they are not missing out on the schoolwork”.

To keep students and teachers safe now that the new school year has started, efforts are visibly being made to follow the safety protocols that come with attending face-to-face classes during a pandemic. Desks are placed the required six feet apart while helpful signs and sanitisation stations are seen at various locations on the school compound.

There is also a contingency plan in place if the num-

ber of students who turn out for the upper school, made up of grades 10 and 11, increases. There are two extra classrooms that can be used.

Students are encouraged to have at least two masks in their possession when coming to school, and to wear

The school has aimed to ensure strict COVID compliance among students

them especially when travelling on public transportation.

“For those students who sometimes forget their masks, they are provided with disposable masks at the school gate,” Sinclair told OBSERVER ONLINE. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Serving with pride

THERE was a time in Guyana – pre1992, when the average Guyanese faced a starkly hopeless future.

Real estate was owned by some entrepreneurial dynastic families through great sacrifices and astute investments, some descendants of slaves and indentured immigrants who had the foresight not to sell their ancestral patrimony to others for short-term gains, and the privileged elite who were gifted large acreages of State lands in return for loyalty to the administrative construct of the day.

But the average rank-and-file Guyanese masses had scant hope of ever owning their own homes, or of emerging out of poverty; especially with the PNC Economic Recovery Programme which, among other inhibiting strictures to personal development, had frozen the wages of public servants at an approximate $2,000, while the toothless poodle that was the Public Service Union then and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stayed inactive, until Dr. Cheddi Jagan, post-elections of 1992, engaged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on their very unfavourable conditionalities and restored bargaining power to trade unions.

The subsequent drive to reduce and/or altogether eliminate Guyana’s debt burden and simultaneous developmental interventions was done through engagements at various fora – nationally, regionally, and internationally; but the Jagans and their loyal comrades-in-figurative arms had achieved their hearts’ objective and restored democracy – real freedom to

Guyana and the Guyanese people before being forced to succumb to their mortality.

However, the Jagan icons had charted the course of this nation’s future through the political infrastructure they had created and they placed this machinery into the hands of someone they hand picked.

Bharrat Jagdeo had the simple humility of the Jagans; but he also had the vision, the strength, the courage and the commitment to chart the course of this nation forward as outlined in the National Development Strategy and the Poverty Reduction Strategy, crafted by the PPP administration soon after assumption of office in 1992.

Jagdeo, after stakeholder consultations, made no compromises to deliver to Guyana and the Guyanese people all that Dr. Cheddi Jagan had promised in successive PPP/C Manifestos; albeit with some detours along the way to fit new and emerging challenges.

As then PPP General-Secretary, Donald Ramotar, said at Babu John, one year during commemorative observances for the Jagans, the PPP has never diverted from the course of progress charted by its founding leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, although some characteristics had been re-structured and re-formulated to address requisite changes in the administrative constructs and implementation of programmes created in the original PPP blueprint of Guyana’s development paradigm.

The charge laid on the then very young shoulders of Bharrat Jagdeo by the patriarch and matriarch of the land has

been executed, maybe even beyond their expectations, during his successive tenures as President.

It has not been an easy road, because his stewardship of the land was severely constrained by violent protests, crime waves, volatile and inhibiting opposition factions, including hostile media and opposition-supported NGOs, all of which have strong links to powerful lobby groups in international spheres, and which did not engage in constructive ways with the PPP/C Government to advance the interests of the nation, but instead devised strategies intended to derail (and sometimes succeeding) the Jagdeo-led Government’s thrust to rebuild all the destroyed and devastated demographics of this nation.

As Dr. Jagdeo embarked with the PPP/C ship into another battlefield to again restore democracy from the re-configured PNC dictatorship, and subsequently to rejoin the presidential leadership partnering His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, he can stride with head held high for a job magnificently done during his first successive tenures as President, and the hallmark of excellence stamped upon his leadership; despite the best attempts of his detractors and the pessimists of the land, all of whom are continually pursuing self-serving agendas inimical to the general welfare of the nation.

The sad reality is that the destructive elements in this beautiful country continue to intentionally propagate hatred among the peoples of this land on the erroneous premise of discriminatory practices by the

former and current PPP/C administrations against some communities, despite overwhelming and abundant evidence to the contrary.

However, most Guyanese – across every divide, throughout the land, have gotten wiser and are rejecting calls for division and strife in the land, opting instead for peace that they know will lead to prosperity and a posterity of promise fulfilled to the maximum of Guyana’s potential for greatness under the mantle of another PPP/C administration.

The PPP/C’s even-handed administration is now being recognised for its progressive governance by the people, who have now largely embarked on a course whereby most are eschewing divisive politics and opting for a developmental paradigm where everyone can eventually stand up and say with pride, “I am a Guyanese citizen”, and stand and applaud the achievements of leaders all their own, who have brought glory and recognition to the Guyanese people – collectively.

In the words of Dave Martins, albeit used in another context, Guyana’s Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and his remarkable achievements, which are being lauded at world fora, “is we own”, and, fittingly, in 2020, the leader that is “we own” has once more taken his rightful place at the helm in partnership with the President and team-players of the nation’s ship to steer us once again into safer socio-economic waters. The Jagan legacy of struggle for restoration of democratic norms is in safe hands.

Active pluralism operating in democracy achieves Guyana’s Nirvana

Dear Editor,

I REFER to Mr. Vincent Alexander’s recent letters on race and racial conflicts in Guyana.

Mr. Alexander always talks of racial conflicts within the paradigm of the plural society. In his letter to the editor of 30th December, he gives quotes on descriptions of plural societies, beginning with Furnivall’s observations in the Dutch East Indies. He then invites public debate and discussion on the issue.

Alexander, Dr. David Hinds and other such intellectuals describe the plural society with its various different elements, and they all conclude that almost insoluble conflict is in-built in such societies. Their solution is to engineer the plural society within itself, and set it again like a jigsaw puzzle, and expect

thereafter that conflict would be minimised or disappear. I am emphasising that these intellectuals are operating solely within the paradigm or confines of the plural society.

Actually, their attempted engineering is always met with opposition and failure in real life, and this is so because they are operating, as it were, within the lifeless snapshot of the plural society. The solution lies in if the concept of Pluralism is applied to the Plural Society. When pluralism is applied to the Plural Society, it injects movement, and the various different elements of the Plural Society begin to move towards each other in their own organic way, leading to compatible meetings of these elements, resulting in the beginning of natural growth towards unity.

In modern societies such as the USA, the elements of their plural society are allowed to grow naturally and organically, and co-

alesce and work together towards unison.

India, which is the world’s plural society par excellence, allows the myriads of elements of its plural society to grow naturally and organically, and as such they move towards unity. From being a Culture Nation, plural India is moving towards a modern pluralist state.

Guyana is indeed a plural society, but its plural nature and its plural elements are not as sharp in Old World countries. If the plural elements are left undisturbed, they will move naturally and organically towards unity, though not in uniformity. This movement towards unity is, of course, the play of pluralism on the Plural Society. But Guyanese pluralism is subject to the regular disturbance of politicians who would stimulate race and racism as a means of political mobilisation; they would also try to remove

democracy with un-democracy in its different manifestations, since they could see political gain from destroying democracy.

Guyana’s movement towards a democratic, pluralist and unified country is inexorable, and the defeat of the massive attempt to cause an explosion of racism and un-democracy during the season of the last elections is a clear indication that political-inspired racism had met its Waterloo. Racism and un-democracy will continue to survive for some time, but they are becoming weaker and weaker with the passing of each year.

In less than a decade, Guyana will be a rich, unified, pluralist state, and no notice would be taken of any politician trying race-talk.

Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Guyanese and Georgia’s Senate elections

Dear Editor,

THE State of Georgia held special election on January 5 to choose two senators who will decide which party controls the US Senate (currently 50-48).

The Republicans need only win one, and retain control, while the Democrats need to win both for a tie that will give them control through the Vice-President who sits in the Senate as Chair and as tie-breaker. The next Vice- President is Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

The election is critical, and a lot of money is being spent by both political parties and all four candidates, since control of Washington hangs in the balance. The two Democrats have raised over $100M each over the last two months, pumping the money in the race.

The Republicans have raised $68M and $64M respectively. Close to $300M will have been spent on this special election, signaling its critical importance.

There are many thousands of Guyanese settled in Georgia. Do their votes matter?

How will they vote? Who will win the two Senate seats?

Guyanese (of both major races) have been moving to Georgia in small numbers since the 1990s because of lower cost of living than

in the US north-east. Property costs are also much lower, and Guyanese prefer to own rather than rent. Jobs were also easily available. Many former Afro-Guyanese soldiers and police are settled in Georgia.

Former President David Granger visited and interacted with APNU supporters. (Curiously, in a speech in 2017, he reminded them how the PNC won elections during the 1960s through the 1980s, and rhetorically asked whether the Coalition should return to that method of winning an election.) Many former soldiers and police returned to Guyana to vote in the March 2 elections. There are also significant numbers of Indos; several Indos own agricultural (agricultural and fruit) and animal farms in Georgia. Guyanese are largely employed as educators, security guards, and in the health professions. There are also tens of thousands of nationals of other Caribbean and Asian countries settled in Georgia; their votes would decide the Senate outcomes.

Guyanese are divided in their preference.

‘Afros’ tilt almost exclusively for the Democrats. Black Americans (over 90 per cent) tend to vote Democrat. ‘Indos’ are heavily Democratic-oriented, but some are leaning Republican. Indian Americans (80 per cent) lean Democrat. Tens of thousands of Asians

(Orientals or Mongoloids and Indians) have been settling in Georgia over the last two decades. The Asians are mostly professionals; Indians own various businesses, including in the hotel or hospitality and industry, and have stations, convenience shops, and other small businesses. Thousands of Indians are also employed as medical professionals (doctors and nurses). Media reports stated that Asian votes made a difference in the November elections, with over 80 per cent voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tilting the Presidential contest in their favour. Their votes may have prevented the Republican Senate candidates from getting over 50 per cent of the votes necessary for victories.

Because the Republicans failed to cross 50 per cent of the votes last November, runoffs are held on January 5 between the two contenders of each contest. Georgia requires that a candidate wins a majority of votes; failing that, there is a run-off. There were two contests, because the six-year term for one Senator was over, and he was seeking re-election. The other Republican was filling in for another Republican Senator who resigned, and was required to seek voter approval to complete the remaining two years of that Senator’s six-year term.

Last November, the two Republican candidates received just 50 per cent of the votes; way ahead of their Democratic contenders.

One led the closest democrat by some 78K votes, and the other led by 35K votes. This lead gives the Republicans the edge to retain both seats. But the outcome is a toss-up, especially which the Democrats are outspending Republicans in the media war, and analysts feel they can go either way. Biden won the state by just 14K votes, suggesting split-ticket voting.

Every vote matters! Thus, Guyanese are urged to cast their ballot, if they have not done so in early voting, or in mail-in (absentee) ballot. Over half the electorate already cast votes.

Currently, polls put the two Republican candidates slightly ahead of the Democrats, making the elections a dead heat.

The polls have been a see saw, with the candidates alternating in the lead marginally. Because Georgia has been a Republican-oriented state for decades, this writer feels the Republican candidates hold the edge. But they can go any way.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Patterson owes nation apology for misleading information Dear Editor, PLEASE allow me to respond to an article published in today’s edition of Stabroek News, under the headline “Patterson says Asphalt Plant fully functional, questions aspects of audit findings”.

Editor, it is my firm view that the former Minister of Public Infrastructure owes the nation an apology for leading the people astray. In this article, Patterson claims to have been “reliably informed that the plant is fully functional” while rubbishing the findings of a special investigation ordered to probe alleged mismanagement at the Asphalt Plant.

Kindly allow me to update the former Minister, and the rest of the nation, on the accurate position of the Asphalt Plant at the moment.

MINISTERS’ VISIT On August 28, 2020 just after assuming office, myself and Minister Deodat Indar visited the Asphalt Plant to be updated on the progress of works. During that visit, the Main Power Control Cabinet was yet to be installed .

TESTING OF THE SYSTEMS This aspect of the work was completed on November 25, 2020. On December 12, 2020 the German Engineer commenced rechecking and verifying the electrical and electronic components of the structure.

After completing this, he commenced testing of the systems.

These systems include the: - Cold Feed System - Conveyer Systems - Drying Systems - Burner Systems - Dust collection Systems - Mixer System - Hot aggregate storage

The Plant Manager shows off the newly The dormant Asphalt Plant currently installed Main Power Control Cabinet sitting at Garden of Eden

- Vibrating Screen System - Reclaimed filler silo - Bitumen Weighing Scale - Granulate System After the tests were conducted, it was found that three of the systems were not functioning, hence making the structure inoperable to date. The systems which are currently not functioning are the Burner System, the Bitumen Weighing Scale and the Granulate System.

The Burner is presently not working due to a software controller, which has to be configured for the use of Diesel Fuel.

The Bitumen Weighing Scale was unable to be tested as two load cells were not operable due to moisture, likewise the Granulate System is unable to function as a result of a load cell that needs to be replaced.

Editor, let me make it clear that these findings were reported to the factory and the Germans will stand the expenses of these components, given that the structure has not been commissioned as yet.

The yet to be functional Burner at the Asphalt Plant

COMPLETION The Factory Engineer left Guyana on January 04, 2021 and is anticipated to be back by mid-February for final testing and training of the Engineers and plant operators.

Finally, let me end by saying that the principal functions of the Asphalt plant are the drying, heating and cleaning of aggregates facilitated by the burner thermal energy, through communication with the BLS 3000. The BLS 3000 is the asphalt plant operational software.

Due to aforementioned issues (software and electronic components), the plant is not fully functional to date. I therefore urge Mr. David Patterson to apologize to the nation for his misleading statements.

Yours truly, Bishop Juan Edghill Minister of Public Works

The Plant Manager points to a load cell that needs to be replaced on the Asphalt Plant

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Severance, other packages for dismissed Wales Estate workers

THE 60 dismissed Wales Estate workers would be compensated for loss of wages, for their annual leave and will receive payment in lieu of notice, the Ministry of Labour said in a statement on Monday.

The ministry also noted that it was agreed that the workers would be awarded severance for their years of service based on the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. The agreement was struck following lengthy discussions between Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle and representatives of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the statement said.

On Monday, GAWU accused the state-owned holding company, NICIL, of firing approximately 60 workers on December 31, 2020, who were employed at the Wales Sugar Estate on the West Bank of Demerara without notice.

“The workers were mainly engaged in providing security as well as other labouring tasks. The sudden termination dumbfounded the workers who were completely unprepared for the bombshell announcement,” GAWU had said in a statement.

NICIL, however, insisted that developmental efforts are underway at the Wales Estate and these efforts are part of the Government’s vision to revitalise the sugar industry.

“NICIL’s actions to separate from fortnightly paid workers were in full support of its intent to ready the estate for the ultimate transition,” a release from NICIL stated.

This transition, NICIL said, is the development of the flagship project known as the Wales Development Authority (WDA) from the estate. This project will benefit from special incentives which, in turn, will benefit from a special tax regime

to motivate investors in manufacturing, industrial development, warehousing, connectivity and wharf development. And, in light of

The Wales Sugar Estate this, NICIL began re-organising its operations across its varied locations.

Since 2017, most of the equipment and machin-

ery of the Wales Estate were transferred to other estates to enhance their operational efficiency and optimise their operations.

Newtown residents fume at contractor over shoddy road work

RESIDENTS of Newtown, Georgetown, are expressing outrage at the deplorable state of one of the streets, which they alleged were caused by a contractor’s sloppy work.

Republic Street, which is used as an access road by persons in the area, has been in an egregious state for almost a year now, with potholes causing severe inconvenience to residents of the area.

When this newspaper visited Republic Street, residents explained that the massive potholes — much like craters — in the road were especially irksome during the rainy season, as they would fill with water and prevent some persons in the area from accessing their houses by foot.

This, of course, poses a challenge, since taxi drivers and motor vehicle drivers avoid the road, due to the

The large potholes along the northern section of Republic Street, Newtown (Delano Williams) damage it causes to their vehicles.

“Right up the road deh, got a vulcanising shop,” a resident, who declined to give his name, explained, noting that “… in order to get there, people got to be dam-

aging their vehicles, then fuh go and get it repair.”

Nicholas Richardson, manager of the Car Clinic in Newtown, stated that previous reports have been made to the relevant authorities and that repairs to the road were

expected to commence soon, but efforts to repair the road have not yet been seen.

“Long, long the road deh so,” one resident, who gave his name as “Ryan”, told this newspaper, in a brief interview on Monday. “Since

under the Coalition Government. GWI bring somebody come to do construction work and they do a set of nonsense, and by time they finished, the road left just so.”

Ryan, who does vehicular repairs at the Car Clinic, lamented that the condition of the road made it difficult for the business to “get work”.

“People come to fix up their vehicle, and they don’t want to come in the street. Some of them watch it and drive away. It’s hard for we to earn money,” he said.

He further added that business has been hard as well for the enterprise, as customers complain of having to wash their cars, and then having to navigate the deteriorated road in order to leave.

“You come to get your car wash, and then what happen when you driving back out the street? It dirty again,”

he said.

“The people finish construction, and dump the waste in the drains. Now when it rain, the water fulling up the drain and flooding the road,” another frustrated resident complained. “We never had that [problem] before.”

Deputy Mayor of the City of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, claimed that although the Mayor and City Council is aware of the issue affecting residents, repairs to the road were out of their remit. “The contractor was meant to dig up, install and repair the roads,” he said on Tuesday.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the contract awarded to the contractor was terminated, allegedly due to unsatisfactory performance. Efforts by this newspaper to contact the contractor proved futile.

Cop still ‘missing’ six months after leaving home IT has been more than six months since Police Constable Quincy Lewis went missing, after leaving his La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home for work.

Lewis, who is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force since 2015, is stationed at the Agricola Police Station, East Bank Demerara.

According to the man’s

relatives, he was last seen alive on the afternoon of June 19, 2020, when he left in his friend’s car, PTT 7541, to report to work.

His cousin, Revon Jordon, had earlier told this newspaper that he’d initially thought that Lewis was inline, seeing that he was a policeman, and that was all part of the job.

However, a few days lat-

er, the owner of the motorcar he’d borrowed paid the family a visit, looking for Lewis, as he hadn’t returned the vehicle, and neither was he answering his cell-phone.

As was only to be expected, Lewis’s relatives not only became worried, but suspicious as well, as, like his friend said, calls to his cell-phone were going unanswered. Things went

even more downhill, when the family decided to call the Agricola Police Station where he was stationed, and his colleagues told them that he’d never shown up for work.

On June 26, Lewis’ family filed a ‘missing person’ report at the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station.

An investigation was duly launched, and a review of

CCTV footage of various points on the Demerara Harbour Bridge showed that Lewis did cross it, presumably on his way to work.

According to the police, that investigation is still active, and they’re asking that anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call them on either 6776547; 680-1436; or the nearest police station.

Police Constable Quincy Lewis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

CARPHA says risks of importing new COVID variant ‘very high’ –– four cases already confirmed in Jamaica

–– no changes to local guidelines as yet but CARPHA urges maintenance of local guidelines

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) emphasised that the Caribbean region has a “very high” risk of importing the newer variant of COVID-19, which was discovered weeks ago in the United Kingdom (UK) and is reportedly more transmissible.

According to the CARPHA Situation Report (No. 120) that was published on January 4, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was identified through viral genomic sequencing in the UK. It was found to be potentially more transmissible than previous variants of the virus. And as of 26th December 2020, more than 3,000 cases of this new variant, confirmed by genome sequencing, have been reported from the UK. “The risk of importation of the VOC-202012/01 [the ‘UK variant’] to the Caribbean is very high due to incoming travel from the UK and Europe,” CARPHA’s report

stated, adding, “To date, four cases of the new variant have been confirmed in Jamaica.”

Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to prohibit all flights from the UK for an initial two-week period ending January 4, 2021. Several countries across the world have restricted travel from the UK and, in some cases, from other countries that documented cases with the variant. This variant has already spread to the US, though.

Guyana has not imposed any ban, as yet. It is important to note that Guyana’s borders have been reopened since October, 2020. Emphasis has been placed, however,

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony on ensuring that all incoming passengers have tested negative for COVID-19. There are several measures in place at the ports-of-entry, to help ensure safety.

Amidst this new strain, however, Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, recently noted that the country was advised by CARPHA to await further scientific information to guide

any decision. A meeting between CARPHA and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) across the Caribbean was held on Monday (January 4) and it was expected that the regional officials would discuss this variant further and, perhaps, make a coordinated decision on potential travel restrictions.

The Guyana Chronicle is aware that the meeting with CARPHA and the CMOs did occur, but reliable information indicates that the region’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, sometime over the next few months, was the focus of this meeting. Efforts to contact CMO, Dr. Narine

Singh for an update proved unsuccessful.

Previously, Dr. Anthony also told this newspaper that CARPHA can assist Guyana in identifying variants, but the agency will probably send those suspected samples to other laboratories, since CARPHA of itself does not have the capacity to test for the variants.

On Monday night, replying to a question posed by the Guyana Chronicle on her official Twitter page, Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr. Joy St. John, said that CARPHA has begun testing for the new variant.

‘FOCUS ON COVID-19 GUIDELINES’ Amidst growing concerns of the impact this new strain will have on the Caribbean, CARPHA’s report stated: “... countries are urged to continue maintaining national regulations inclusive of limiting gatherings, observing physical distancing measures, as well as appropriate hand hygiene and use of facial coverings where applicable. Country travel guidelines and entry requirements should continue to be enforced.”

On Tuesday, a representative of the Health Ministry told this newspaper that the ministry has not yet made the decision to impose any additional restrictions at this time but affirmed that engagement with CARPHA is ongoing.

Importantly, CARPHA emphasised that initial analysis shows that this ‘UK variant’, and another variant that was found in South Africa, suggest that there is no change in the severity of illness or the mortality rate.

But, reports do indicate that persons can become more readily infected by the UK strain, given that it is more transmissible.

“Investigations are ongoing as to whether the new variants are linked to altered pathogenicity and clinical outcomes,” CARPHA noted.

MORE VARIANTS In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle,

Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc. testing sites at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) the Health Minister exThe ‘South African issued to the media on Monplained that there are sev- variant’, CARPHA said, day, the Eureka Medical eral variants of COVID-19. is also of potential con- Laboratories Inc. affirmed Importantly, he noted that cern. Since it was first that it is capable of identisomeone who was previously detected in October 2020, fying persons infected with infected with COVID-19 more than 300 cases of both the common and mucould become re-infected by th-is variant have been tated strains (that, variants) another variant of the same confirmed. of the novel coronavirus, virus.

Locally, in a statement COVID-19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

ERC hauling ‘ethnic offenders’ to courts IN 2021, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) will be heading full steam ahead with new strategies to address issues of ethnic relations and racially-motivated crimes.

This is according John Smith, the Commission’s Chairman, who, on Tuesday told the Guyana Chronicle that over the years, the Commission has had somewhat of a ‘polite’ approach to addressing persons who would have publically committed racially-motivated crimes.

The ERC has been criticised for its silence during the attempt by elements in the Coalition Government to rig the March 2, 2020 elections, and is viewed by some sections of society as selective and partisan.

Recently, President Dr. Irfaan Ali also expressed critical views with regards to the panelists of a two-day forum hosted by the ERC to

improve race relations.

“In the midst of the ERC discussion, persons who were part of a process to derail democracy were present. How did they arrive at the names for the panel?” he asked.

Before 2020 ended, the Commission had begun subpoenaing offenders to appear in the Magistrates’ Court answer to crimes that they would have committed.

“We realise that we have been asking them politely to desist, but we needed a stronger approach, so we found a new way to bring them before the courts. So that’s where we are now,” Smith told this publication.

Recently, three persons were charged and fined for comments offensive in law.

The Commission had reported in late December that, through its lawyer, Mr. Stanley Moore, several complaints were filed in the Georgetown Magistrates’

Court, and three defendants, namely, John Gobin, Steve Anthony Barakat, and Lashona Chester were arraigned before City Magistrate Rhondel Weever on December 9.

Based on the specific nature of their conduct and words, the charges against the defendants included causing ethnic/racial violence or hatred, and exciting hostility or ill-will on the basis of race.

Gobin pleaded guilty, and was fined $20,000. The magistrate warned him not to repeat the offence, or publish any similar material in the future. Barakat pleaded not guilty, and was placed on $30,000 bail. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat, and his matter was adjourned to January 20, 2021 for trial.

The complaint against Lashona Chester could not be served, despite vigorous attempts to locate her. The magistrate ordered that steps

be taken to summon her again, and adjourned Chester’s matter to January 20, 2021 as well.

Meanwhile, Smith noted that in the new year, the ERC will do all in its power to exercise the body’s constitutional power, and fulfill its mandate to better serve the

Guyanese people.

The Chairman noted that while there is more to be done, and the Commission is optimistic that when persons see that there are severe consequences to their actions, they will desist from taking part in such crimes.

ERC Chairman, Mr. John Smith

Businessman remanded on ‘ganja’ trafficking charges A FORTY-seven-year-old businessman, who was allegedly nabbed by the police with nine pounds of cannabis and a sativa plant, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison on two narcotics charges.

Ryan Joseph called “Decky” appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and plead not guilty to the offences.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Joseph, on January 3, at his lot 249 Crane, West Coast Demerara house, had 4,236 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. The second charge alleged that Joseph cultivated a prohibited plant.

Magistrate Lambert remanded Joseph to prison until January 25.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on the day in question police raided

Joseph’s home and a garbage bag in a barrel in the lower flat.

Three bulky transparent plastic parcels which had leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were in the garbage bag.

According to the police, under caution, Joseph said: “Is me weed, don’t involve me family.”

A further search was carried out on premises and a white container with a cannabis sativa plant, about two and a half feet in height, growing inside, was found in the yard. The police said Joseph again admitted ownership and asked for his family not to be implicated.

He and his wife were both arrested and escorted to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, West Bank of Demerara.

However, his wife was released, and Joseph was charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Relief supplies for flood-hit Charity –– Windsor Castle pump to be transferred to help drain water

By Indrawattie Natram

PRIME Minister Mark Phillips and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday visited Charity to assess the flood situation first-hand, and among steps taken was the immediate transfer of the Windsor Castle pump to assist in draining the floodwater which has been stagnant for several days.

In the coming days residents can expect relief packages, while farmers will receive supplies for use when the flood ends.

The two ministers lead a team through the flooded streets of the Region Two community’s squatting area and listened to concerns of the affected residents.

The region has been experiencing

Most of the nearby canals and the Pomeroon River are swollen and according to residents, the construction of additional sluices at Friendship and Cozier may help to alleviate this situation.

On hearing this, Minister Zulfikar instructed National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) engineers to immediately transfer the pump to Charity.

The minister informedresidents that while this is a temporary measure, key stakeholders such as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Charity/Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and central government will be collaborating to find a long-term solution for the Charity area.

RELIEF

Minister Mustapha and regional officials during the walkabout

Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mutapha listen to concerns of residents. Also pictured (right) is Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva Additionally, a team will be dispatched to the region to further assess the situation.

The RDC will be monitoring the Pomeroon areas, where hundreds of acres are reportedly under floodwaters.

A task force at Charity and one for the rest of the region were set-up to continuously monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, the minister used the opportunity to disclose that the Government of Guyana recently approved $7.8 billion for improvement of infrastructure across the country. He said that he has since noticed that most of the drainage and irrigation (D&I) infrastructures are collapsing and that critical structures had been neglected by the previous administration.

over the years that is clogging the area.

We, therefore, expect the RDC to work with the NDC and with the help of central government this can be fixed,” the Prime Minister said.

THREAT TO HEALTH Residents living in the squatting area said the flood situation has them living in continuous fear.

Their lower flats are inundated and many are exposed to “filthy” water flowing out of nearby pit latrines.

Monique Edwards, a worried mother of seven, said her children are sick and vomiting. She explained that she has a pit latrine and her yard has been inundated

Those residents who are severely affected by the flood will get relief packages from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister Zulfikar said he has instructed the heads of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana Livestock Development Association (GLDA), and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to assess the losses suffered by the residents and to use that information to compile a report, so that the relief distribution can commence.

The affected cash-crop farmers will be given planting materials; poultry farmers will also receive assistance.

Bottles and other garbage which are clogging the drainage system at the Charity Market

Monique Edwards, a mother of seven, is concerned about the health and safety of her children who are suffering from a gastro-like illness heavy rainfall for more than a week. Charity, the most affected part of the region, has been under floodwater since Boxing Day. Rain has been falling continuously since then, resulting in the water remaining in bottom flats and yards.

During one of the interactions, some residents told the ministers that they have been underwater for approximately four days. This situation they explained, is a serious threat to their health.

A resident in a flooded part of Charity

“What we are encountering now is, we are seeing collapsing of D&I structures.

We have seen it in Wakenaam, Leguan and right on the Essequibo Coast. Kokers and sluice doors collapsing. We have to ensure we fix these structures,” he said.

PM Phillips later indicated that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) will be visiting the Charity area on Wednesday to further assess the losses residents have incurred.

During the walkabout, he noted his dissatisfaction with the way vendors were dumping garbage into the drainage system.

“There is a lot [that] needs to be done in terms of not only clearing the outfall and the koker and pumping the water off, but also there is a lot of garbage built up

since Boxing Day. This, she said, is posing serious health threats to her family.

“My children vomiting and getting diarrhoea. Since Boxing Day they been sick. We need instant help because if the situation doesn’t change, then I am sure people will die,” Edwards expressed.

Another severely affected family are the Johns. Mervin John, a father of nine became emotional while relating that he has not showered in days. His family would usually rely on the canal water to shower, but due to the flooding, no water is available for this or other domestic purposes.

“I want some freshwater to bathe.

Me and my children, we are suffering.

There is nothing to eat nor drink since the flooding,” the father said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

28 new COVID-19 cases recorded

THE number of persons tested positive for the coronavirus has increased by 28, according to the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard for January 5, 2020.

Even as new cases were recorded, 12 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus.

The newly-confirmed cases were recorded in nine of the 10 administrative regions; Region Six recorded no new COVID-19 cases. Thirteen of the new confirmed cases were males with the remaining 15

being females.

Regions Two, Three and Eight recorded two cases each while Regions Five, Seven and Nine each recorded one new case; three cases were also recorded in Region 10. The remaining 11 cases were recorded in Region Four. It was reported that the 28 new cases were recorded from a total of 329 tests.

The country has now recorded a total of 6,407 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

An additional 12 persons have recovered from the virus,

bringing the total number of persons who have recovered since March to 5,948.

There are currently 339 active cases, five of which are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Currently, there are 18 persons in institutional isolation; 270 are in home isolation and 46 are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they

are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from January 1, 2021, until January 31, 2021. All persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important.

The current curfew time is 22:30 to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Bus driven by police kills pedestrian –– Top Cop, senior ranks visit relatives

A MINIBUS driven by a Police Constable on Tuesday morning killed a 59-year-old woman on the Nandy Park Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Dulmattie Boodlall, of 950 Block ‘Y’, Section ‘C’, Golden Grove, EBD. Reports indicate that the fatal accident occurred

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie and Traffic Chief, Superintendent Ramesh Ashram in conversation with Boodlall’s relatives in the aftermath of the fatal accident

DEAD: Dulmattie Boodlall

around 07:40hrs when minibus, PWW 7172, driven by the Police Constable at the time, hit Boodlall.

It is alleged that the woman was approaching a pedestrian crossing at the time of the accident. The bus was proceeding north along the western side of the eastern carriageway, when the accident occurred.

However, police said that the bus was almost 10 feet away from the crossing when Boodlall began crossing. Although the driver swerved, he still collided with the pedestrian.

As a result of the impact, she fell onto the roadway and received injuries about her body, and was picked up in an uncon-

scious state.

She was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, along with Commander Region Four (B), Senior Superintendent Linden Isles; Traffic Chief, Superintendent Ramesh Ash-

ram; and Officer-in-Charge, Traffic, Region Four (B), Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Harper, along several other ranks Tuesday visited the home of Dulmattie Boodlall.

The commissioner met with family members and relatives of the deceased, and assured them that a thorough investigation will

be done, and that no stone will be left unturned.

Additionally, pastors from the Police Cops and Faith religious organisation who were present at the visit, prayed with the family while emphasising that the Guyana Police Force will support them throughout this trying time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

China sheds light on global poverty eradication (Xinhua) -- China has made historic achievements in eradicating absolute poverty. It was a problem that has plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years. It is also a victory for humanity.

In 2020, all of China's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line shook off poverty after eight years' efforts. All 832 poor counties have now been lifted out of poverty.

Eliminating poverty in a country with a population of 1.4 billion may sound too ambitious or be regarded as a mission impossible for some Western critics. But it is a mission that must be accomplished for China because achieving mutual prosperity is the goal of socialism. The Party has always come from the people and is rooted in the people.

No individual or ethnic group should be left behind on the nation's way to a moderately prosperous society for all.

With the philosophy of putting people first, CPC members and government officials at all levels and the society have made concerted efforts to fight poverty. These efforts include releasing preferential tax policies, improving the use of anti-poverty funds, and establishing online platforms for selling agricultural products from poverty-stricken areas.

It also includes launching workshops and recruitment campaigns to alleviate poverty, coordinating wealthy eastern regions to support impoverished western areas, and sending millions of cadres from government to these areas for the anti-poverty battle. These efforts are a manifestation of China's systematic advantage -- the ability to mobilize resources and pool strengths to tackle critical issues.

Precision is key to the success of China's

A host makes a heart shape while promoting her free-range pigs via a livestreaming platform in Luonan county, Shaanxi province, on April 27, 2020. [Photo/ Xinhua] battle against poverty. The country precisely poverty alleviation was held on March 6, the identifies real problems of different localities 300-day countdown for China to eradicate and individuals. It enables the government to absolute poverty as promised. It demonstrattake targeted measures to ensure substantive ed that the country never considered finding and sustainable outcomes. Localities across any excuse to retreat.

China have developed various industries to Because of these efforts, China will support employment and increase people's achieve the goals set in the United Nations income according to local conditions, re- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development located those living in uninhabitable areas, ten years ahead of schedule. Its practice and and participated in pairing-up aid programs, exploration have proved that if a country can among other measures. follow a people-first approach, draw conChina's poverty-relief success did not certed efforts, proceed from its development come easily. By the end of 2019, 5.51 mil- realities, and seek a targeted and practical lion people were still living in poverty. The solution, it will successfully find a poverty COVID-19 epidemic has added an unprece- reduction path suiting its own conditions dented challenge to the country's efforts to and needs. lift those people out of poverty. However, Despite the achievement in poverty allethe promise to the people had to be kept. A viation, China remains the biggest developing symposium on securing a decisive victory in country globally. It still faces acute problems

caused by unbalanced and inadequate development and onerous tasks of consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation achievements. For China, poverty alleviation is a success but not a full stop.

The country will improve the monitoring and assistance mechanism to prevent those who have shaken off poverty from falling back into destitution. It will work to beef up follow-up support for relocated people to ensure that they can settle down, stay employed, and steadily get rich and help families with semi-able-bodied members find jobs nearby to ensure their livelihood.

China's poverty alleviation cause has received a lot of support and assistance from the international community. The country has taken concrete actions and shared its experience and wisdom to contribute to global poverty reduction efforts.

Putting all the detailed measures aside, a glimpse of China's determination, persistence, and concerted efforts to protect every person's rights in pursuit of a happy life could give the world more reason to be confident in meeting challenges posed by poverty.

Extreme poverty is rising. The threat of famine looms. The world faces the biggest global recession in eight decades.

It is indispensable for countries to tackle this common challenge facing humanity with strong political wills, targeted policies, and close international cooperation.

The international community must commit more decisively to working together and ensuring that no one across the globe is left behind along the path towards the world's final victory over poverty.

China pledges safety, effectiveness as vaccination to be carried out nationwide (Xinhua) -- China's State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19 has ordered the strict inspection of vaccine quality, safety and smooth cold-chain transportation, as well as timely and accurate delivery of vaccines, as the country's first self-developed vaccine got market-approval with the vaccination campaign to be carried out nationwide gradually.

China has always attached great importance to the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The mechanism has also emphasized the importance of providing medical support and service. It especially applies to timely treatment and reporting of adverse reactions during the vaccination drive.

China approved the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines in June, targeting groups with high risks of infection. By the end of November, more than 1.5 million doses of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines had been distributed for emergency use, and 60,000 vaccinated people have traveled

abroad to high-risk regions, with no severe adverse reactions reported.

On Dec. 15, China officially launched a vaccination program for this winter-spring

period, targeting a number of key groups, including those engaged in handling imported cold-chain products, customs officers, medical workers and people working in public transport and fresh markets. The COVID-19 vaccines will be provided free of charge to all Chinese people.

The number of vaccination doses among the key groups has exceeded 3 million. "The 3 million vaccine doses, plus the previous 1.5 million doses, fully prove that Chinese vaccines are safe," said Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission.

The most common adverse reaction in the inoculation was pain at the injection site, with less than 0.1 per cent cases of mild fever. About two cases per million encountered slightly serious adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis. All the reactions are controllable and have been well treated in a timely manner.

China granted conditional marketing authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine in December. The inactivated vaccine developed by China National Biotec Group

(CNBG), affiliated with Sinopharm, showed 79.34 per cent efficacy against COVID-19, according to the interim results of the phase-3 clinical trials.

China has adopted five technological approaches in developing COVID-19 vaccines, of which five are undergoing phase-3 clinical trials.

Some countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have approved the Chinese inactivated vaccine registration according to the World Health Organization technical standards. Egypt licensed China's inactivated COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Saturday. Countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Chile and Malaysia, have ordered vaccines developed by Sinovac Biotech.

"China will vaccinate the eligible population as widely as possible, and gradually build an immune barrier in the whole population to control the epidemic," said Zeng. He added that 60 or even 70 per cent of the vaccination rate is needed to establish universal protection.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Air transportation must be accessible, reliable and affordable –– says Minister Edghill as gov’t continues talks with Virgin Atlantic, Fly Always, and InterCaribbean Airways

By Jared Liddell WITH Guyana considered one of the fastest growing economies globally, investors’ interest in the country has been ever increasing, including those of the major airline operators.

Virgin Atlantic, Fly Always, and InterCaribbean Airways have set sight on Guyana.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill has disclosed that government is currently in talks with these airline operators to assess the potential of approval for operation in Guyana.

He said Guyana’s resilience and potential make it the ideal investment destination, a reality which has not escaped the attention of ‘big’ carriers.

Describing the potential for investment in Guyana as “limitless”, the minister said an international carrier would allow for a significant number of investors to have easier access to this country.

Even while noting the country’s potential for investment, Minister Edghill emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring air transportation is robust, accessible, predictable, reliable,

affordable and competitive.

As such, he said, any approval for operation in Guyana would have to be beneficial to the country as a whole.

As of recent, several major investors in the international hotel industry have tendered their proposals to be part of Guyana’s growth by providing first-class accommodation and other activities/ services. These investments are expected to grow with new international airlines operating here, Minister Edghill said.

And on that note, he pointed out that competition is always beneficial to the

Display leadership while serving communities –– Commander Watts tells newly promoted ranks

REGION Three Police Commander, Senior Superintendent, Errol Watts, has charged ranks under his command, who were recently promoted, to display leadership in their actions while serving communities and the society at large.

“The foundation has been laid through training and my leadership, we are working very hard both by day and night to win back the public’s trust. The foundation is now set to reverse all the negatives and my juniors and seniors have come on board to support all the initiatives started under my leadership,” the commander noted.

On Monday, Commander Watts and staff held a meeting with the 23 newly promoted ranks of the division to congratulate them on their achievement.

Four ranks were promoted to Sergeant, seven to Lance Corporal, and 12 to Corporals.

The commander explained that leadership can be learned and a law enforcement officer’s success is dependent on learning it.

Commander Watts explained that he would usually advise ranks to do their best

at their current level while obtaining the knowledge they will need to be successful at the next level.

Further, the commander noted that ranks must learn to follow positive role models and learn to handle disappointments as well as success while being a team player.

He explained that good policing requires public cooperation in order to maintain public order while preventing and detecting crime.

“Be true to your oath and values, do your best and prepare for success and it will come in its own time,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commander instructed all ranks under his command to ensure that they clamp down on all illegalities in the region, especially the sale and trafficking of narcotic.

“The public can help in this fight by texting, all the information they are privy to, to my personal police cellular phone on Whats App number 620-6863.

Your cooperation will be most welcome and, importantly, your identity will be kept very confidential,” the commander added.

Second from left at front: Commander Errol Watts with other senior ranks and the newly-promoted subordinate officers

consumer and noted that in this instance, the consumers, the Guyanese people, could benefit from lower travel rates.

Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited is a British airline, which would bring to Guyanese the opportunity of affordable flights to and from Guyana to London, which would promote a higher level of connectivity between Guyana and England. Fly Always Airline will be connecting

persons seeking to travel to neighbouring Suriname.

Meanwhile, InterCaribbean Airways is a The Turks and Caicos-based carrier, which connects 27 destinations and 15 countries across the Caribbean.

Just recently, the government welcomed the inaugural flight of JetBlue, another international airline that had expressed interest in being a part of the local aviation sector.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill Minister Edghill noted that with Guyana rising as an oil giant, “comfortable access” is one of the major things investors are looking out for.

The most direct activities associated with aviation have already created $20.7 billion in annual economic activity for Guyana, representing 3.2 per cent of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Young cancer patient dies after celebrating her birthday

By Naomi Parris

SIXTEEN-year-old Shaniece Nanhoe, who was battling a rare form of cancer, has succumbed.

The teen was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), which is a rare type of cancer that forms in the soft tissue of one’s body.

Nanhoe was battling with the disease for some six months but, sadly, the fight came to an end on Tuesday, one day after she celebrated her birthday.

RMS forms in soft tissue, specifically skeletal muscle tissue or sometimes in hollow organs such as the head, bladder or uterus. RMS can occur

at any age, but it most often affects children.

According to the teen’s mother, Shelly Balkarran, her eldest child—Shaniece-- fell ill sometime in July 2020, but she thought it was a case of the common cold.

“I suggested that it was just a cold, so we watched it for a week; at that time the

eye started to get more small and we saw that there was like a funny look in the eye and, after that, the jaw started to swell and we thought maybe she has an infection,” the mother related.

The family visited two dentists and an optometrist who all treated the child for an infection with antibiotics,

16-year-old Shaniece Nanhoe during the early stages of her illness but after her condition wors- as no other options are left. ened, she was rushed to the “Three cycles ago, that emergency ward where it is when we realised that was later discovered she had the body is rejecting the a tumor. chemo; that’s why we have The following month, the no options. The cancer is family travelled to Jamai- now attacking her other eye ca where it was discovered but as a mother I have to try that the tumor is cancerous. everything and I’m going to There, Balkarran noted that fight this.” her daughter was given one The woman disclosed dose of chemotherapy but, that doctors had recently with limited money, the fam- given up hope and had given ily was unable to continue her daughter up to Christmas the treatment.

Eve to live; however, she had B a l k a r r a n s a i d s h e not given up and was in the reached out to the Cancer process of collecting funds Foundation here and returned to further seek treatments for home. The mother noted her daughter. that her daughter’s body Her optimism even grew recently began to reject the after her child had exceeded chemotherapy, forcing her the doctor’s expectation. to reach out to the public for Sadly, the teen passed away assistance. just after celebrating her 16th However, after 16 rounds birthday. of Chemotherapy failed, the Balkarran described family was told by doctors Shaniece as a jovial, brave that they would need $1.3M and very optimistic young to begin radiation treatment woman.

Shaniece Nanhoe and her mother, Shelly Balkarran, in happier times

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

GFF Elite League could return in March ... Federation’s releases ‘ambitious’ 2021 football calendar

AFTER a hiatus of two years, Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League can see a return in March, if the local governing body of the ‘Beautiful Game’ gets the green light from the country’s National COVID-19 Task Force.

The GFF Elite League, the Federation’s flagship Men’s club competition, wrapped up in March, 2019, with Fruta Conquerors taking the title.

However, a series of questionable events, coupled with the advent of COVID-19 in the 2020, saw GFF being unable to host the ten-team tournament.

On Monday, GFF in a release, said they have proposed a comprehensive competition calendar for 2021.

U n d e r t h e p ro p o s als, competitive matches could kick off as early as

mid-January with an official GFF futsal tournament while full leagues and tournaments for men, women, boys and girls are provisionally scheduled to commence in March.

All competitions are contingent on a safe and secure playing environment and can only proceed with the approval of the authorities.

“Many countries around the world have resumed sports activities despite the ongoing pandemic, via spectator-free or partially-attended events with rigid health and safety measures such as social distancing, masks, squad bubbles and testing in place,” the Federation said.

According to GFF, careful planning for this year’s proposed competitions has formed a crucial part of the 100-day ‘Bounceback’ initiative under the UEFA As-

sist programme, in which football administration experts from European associations have supported the GFF team in its preparations for the responsible resumption of football.

Meanwhile, president Wayne Forde, as per release, noted that “following the huge success of the year-end tournament, where we were able to show that football can be staged safely once the correct measures are in place, we are now hoping to move to the next phase of ‘Bounceback’ as we progress towards the careful return of competitive football in Guyana.” “ H o w e v e r, w i t h t h e COVID-19 pandemic still causing great suffering and disruption around the world, it is vital to emphasise that these competitions will only take place once the condi-

tions allow and as the authorities feel it is safe. When we do move forward, we will ensure that all the necessary measures are in place to protect the wellbeing of our community,” Forde said.

GFF pointed out that its own COVID-19 Task Force will continue to oversee and implement the Federation’s ‘Bounceback’ strategy, with regional associations and private entities required to submit proposals for tournaments for review, to ensure appropriate health and safety protocols are in place.

At the end of December, GFF had partnered with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Kashif & Shanghai Organisation to host three matches which were played without fans and with strict health measures in place.

The Federation explained

that the event was staged as a dry run for the return of football.

If all goes to plan, under GFF schedule, this year will feature seven months of sustained competitive football for senior men and women, with a similar duration for each layer of youth football, in line with FIFA guidelines for funding and optimal development.

“In order to give our home-grown talent the best chance to reach theit full potential, especially after the disruption of 2020, we will make every attempt possible with the support of the authorities to complete as much of this ambitious programme as we can,” said Forde. “If any competitions cannot be completed as scheduled for any reason, we will find new dates when conditions allow.”

CWI president Skerritt mourns passing of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, “a true West Indian legend” ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday praised Gordon “Butch” Stewart as “a true West Indian legend in his own right”, as the regional governing body paid tribute to the the late Caribbean business magnate who died Monday.

In a statement, CWI said Stewart, through his many commercial endeavours, had played a huge role in Caribbean life and development and emerged as “a stalwart of the Caribbean society, an iconic figure across the region, and a true supporter of the game of cricket at all level”.

Jamaican Stewart was the founder and chairman of Sandals International Resorts Ltd – the current sponsors of West Indies cricket.

“CWI mourns the passing of the Honourable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart OJ and sends our sincere condolences to his family,” said CWI president, Ricky Skerritt.

“He was a life-long West Indies cricket fan, fierce champion of the Caribbean and a major commercial partner. He was also a true West Indian legend in his own right.

“He established unique and very successful Caribbean brands and created many opportunities for young men and women across this region to grow.”

Sandals, a luxury hotel chain, replaced telecommunications giants, Digicel, as the major commercial sponsors of West Indies cricket in a two-year deal back in 2018.

Then, Stewart described the partnership as a “natural fit”, pointing out that “Sandals and West Indies cricket are two of the most successful indigenous brands to have come out of the Caribbean”.

Stewart passed away from an undisclosed illness with his son Adam Stewart, deputy chairman of the Sandals Group, saying it had been his father’s wish to keep a recent health diagnosis private.

T&T head coach Fenwick hoping for January friendlies after ‘depressing’ 2020 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago head coach, Terry Fenwick, said plans were in the pipeline to host international friendlies against fellow Caribbean Football Union (CFU) nations later this month, as the national side seeks to turn the page on a “depressing” 2020.

The Newsday reported that discussions were ongoing between T&T and Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with the hope of ensuring match preparation ahead of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in March.

“We’ve got Dominica, St Vincent and Grenada that we’ve reached out to, to try and bring them to Trinidad in January for this local squad of players,” Fenwick said.

“We are trying to be proactive, we are trying to get out there, we are trying to make things happen … I (have) 45 years plus (experience) with clubs in the UK. I know how it works, how it operates and I am trying to move it on.”

The COVID-19 pandemic last year halted competitive football across the region, with most sports also suffering due to the widespread lockdown in Caribbean countries to mitigate against the spread of the virus.

T&T in particular found itself engulfed in controversy, however, with football’s world governing body, FIFA, abruptly replacing the then recently elected executive of the T&T Football Association in March with a normalisation committee.

That action triggered a series of legal battles, between

the executive and FIFA, resulting in an international ban for the country.

Fenwick said in the wake of the challenges with COVID, coupled with the off-the-field politics, he was hoping 2021 brings better fortunes for T&T. “I am trying to sidestep the politicking that is going on in the background that is holding things up because at the end of the day for me and my staff it is about the kids,” Fenwick stressed.

“No games in 2020, no matches, no nothing – it is depressing.

“If we can change that around and have a real positive start to the new year, that is how we’ve got to lead ourselves into World Cup qualification games.”

Fenwick said if the initiative to host the friendly internationals was to be successful, the full support of all stakeholders would be required.

“We, of course, need the support of the normalisation committee and (committee chairman) Mr (Robert) Hadad. We want government’s support because this is the biggest sport on the planet,” he explained.

“We’ve got loads of players that are Trinidadian playing around the world and more than anything I want the people of TT that love their football, that support their Premier League teams or whoever they support, to come out and support their national teams.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

South Africa win second Test for 2-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka

By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa completed a sweep of their two-match series against Sri Lanka as they strolled to a 10-wicket win on the third day of the second Test yesterday.

South Africa knocked off a target of 67 runs without loss as openers Dean Elgar (31 not out) and Aiden Markram (36 not out) saw them to victory at the Wanderers Stadium – with two and a half days of the contest still remaining.

Success in Johannesburg followed a convincing innings and 45-run triumph in the first Test in Pretoria last week and turns around a poor run of Test form over the last year.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in their second innings, surviving only 95 minutes of yesterday’s morn-

ing session. They resumed their second innings at 1504 overnight with a tenuous five-run lead but with captain Dimuth Karunaratne

as the visitors began in aggressive fashion, but a misjudged pull shot saw the Sri Lanka skipper top-edge Anrich Nortje to be caught by Wiaan

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram led South Africa's fourth-innings victory cruise (AFP/Getty Images)

not out on 91 and hoping to set the home side an imposing target to chase in the fourth innings.

Karunaratne reached his 10th Test century off 123 balls

Mulder in a major blow to their hopes, just 20 minutes into the day’s play. He was dismissed for 103.

“We wanted to turn the pressure over onto South

Africa but unfortunately they bowled really well,” Karunaratne said afterwards.

Niroshan Dickwella, who scored 36, followed in the next over as Lungi Ngidi (4-44) took another crucial wicket, setting off an end to the resistance among the lower order.

Lutho Sipamla cleaned up the tail with three wickets in 12 balls, including bowling Wanindu Hasaranga for 16, to finish with figures of 3-40.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, scored 157 in their first innings and South Africa replied with 302, with Elgar top-scoring on 127.

“We wanted to get the new year off to a good start, and it was good to see our experienced batsmen among the runs as well as our young bowling line-up putting up their hands,” said winning captain Quinton de Kock.

Williamson hits 238, Nicholls 157, Mitchell 102 in Kiwis’ 659-6 declared NEW Zealand captain Kane Williamson scored h i s f o u r t h Te s t d o u ble-century as his side took charge of the second Test against Pakistan.

The number one-ranked Test batsman scored 238 from 364 balls on day three in Christchurch.

second innings, still 354 runs behind.

New Zealand, who won the first Test in Mount Maunganui, will become the number one-ranked Test team if they complete a 2-0 series win.

The Black Caps can also go second in the World Test

fielding.

He was dropped on 82, 107 and 177 as Pakistan’s slip and gully fielders put down chances.

Nicholls was also dropped three times as he scored his seventh Test century with a well-crafted 157, including a record 369-run partnership with Williamson.

It was New Zealand’s highest fourth-wicket stand in Test cricket, and the best at the Hagley Oval ground.

As the Pakistan bowlers tired, Mitchell blasted an unbeaten 102 from 112 balls for his maiden Test ton, including eight boundaries and two sixes.

Wi t h 11 o v e r s t o face in the fading light, Masood - who had earlier dropped three catches - edged Kyle Jamieson to Tim Southee at slip to leave Pakistan facing an uphill task to take the match to a fifth day.

(BBC Sport)

South Africa now look ahead to their first visit in 14 years to Pakistan, where they will play two Tests and three Twenty20 internation-

Kane Williamson converted his 24th Test ton into a fourth double-century, scoring 238 from 364 balls, including 28 boundaries

Batsman Henry Nicholls and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell also scored centuries as the hosts declared on 659-6.

Pakistan lost opener Shan Masood for a duck as they finished on 8-1 in their

Championship table with a victory. The top two teams will compete in the final at Lord’s next summer.

Williamson scored 24 boundaries in his knock but rode his luck thanks to some lack-lustre Pakistan

PAKISTAN 2nd innings Shan Masood c Tim Southee b Kyle Jamieson 0 Abid Ali not out

7 Mohammad Abbas not out

1 EXTRAS: 0 TOTAL: (one wkt, 11.0 overs)

8-1 Fall of wickets: 1-3.

Bowling:Tim Southee 6-5-5-0, Trent Boult 3-2-2-0, Kyle Jamieson 2-1-1-1.

als later this month, while Sri Lanka return home to host England in two Tests in Galle. The first starts on January 14.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 157 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 302 SRI LANKA 2nd innings o/n 150-4 Dimuth Karunaratne c Wiaan Mulder b Anrich Nortje 103 Kusal Perera b Lungi Ngidi

1 Lahiru Thirimanne c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 31 Kusal Mendis c Quinton de Kock b Lungi Ngidi 0 Minod Bhanuka c Keshav Maharaj b Anrich Nortje 1 Niroshan Dickwella c Temba Bavuma b Lungi Ngidi 36 Dasun Shanaka c Lutho Sipamla b Wiaan Mulder 8 Wanindu Hasaranga b Lutho Sipamla

16 Dushmantha Chameera c Quinton de Kock b Lutho Sipamla 0 Vishwa Fernando not out

1 Asitha Fernando b Lutho Sipamla

0 EXTRAS: (b-9, lb-2, nb-2, w-1)

14 TOTAL: (all out, 56.5 overs)

211 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-86 e, 3-92, 4-109, 5-176, 6-181, 7-190, 8-209, 9-210.

Bowling: Lungi Ngidi 15-5-44-4, Anrich Nortje 19-2-64-2 (w-1), Wiaan Mulder 13-3-52-1 (nb-1), Lutho Sipamla 9.5-1-40-3 (nb-1).

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings Aiden Markram not out

36 Dean Elgar not out

31 EXTRAS:

0 TOTAL: (no wkt, 13.2 overs)

67 Bowling: Vishwa Fernando 4-0-23-0, Asitha Fernando 4-1-200, Wanindu Hasaranga 2.2 0-16-0, Dasun Shanaka 3-1-8-0.

South Africa coach Boucher hails team after easy series win

By Mark Gleeson

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa coach Mark Boucher hailed a first series win for his side following a lean run of form over the last two years after they romped to an easy 2-0 triumph over Sri Lanka yesterday.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings 297 NEW ZEALAND 1st innings o/n 286-3 Tom Latham c Haris Sohail b Shaheen Afridi 33 Tom Blundell lbw Faheem Ashraf

16 Kane Williamson c Shan Masood b Faheem Ashraf 238 Ross Taylor c Shan Masood b Mohammad Abbas 12 Henry Nicholls c Naseem Shah b Mohammad Abbas 157 BJ Watling c Haris Sohail b Shaheen Afridi 7 Daryl Mitchell not out 102 Kyle Jamieson not out 30 EXTRAS: (b-27, lb-8, nb-12,w-17) 64 TOTAL: (six wkts decl., 158.5 overs) 659 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-52, 3-71, 4-440, 5-452, 6-585.

Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 35.5-8-101-2 (nb-2), Mohammad Abbas 34-11-98-2 (w-2, nb-1), Naseem Shah 26-2-141-0 (w-4 nb9), Faheem Ashraf 28-4-106-2 (w-3), Zafar Gohar 32-0-159- 0..

21

South Africa coach Mark Boucher

“First of all, it’s just good to get a win under our belts,” said Boucher after South Africa beat Sri Lanka in the first Test in Pretoria last week and followed it up with a 10-wicket triumph in the second Test at The Wanderers Stadium yesterday.

“Our batsmen got among the runs, spent good time in the middle and so that will have given them a lot of confidence for our next series in Pakistan then against Australia. They can build on

that momentum.”

South Africa now prepare to visit Pakistan for the first time in 14 years for a two-Test series later this month. They then host Australia in February and March.

“If you look at our bowling attack, there are only a handful of caps between them and so a lot of inexperience there,” Boucher told a news conference.

“They learnt a lot of lessons and they learnt them very quickly as well. It’s a group that is growing and as long as we see growth we are happy. The way they responded to a few harsh words that were needed at times was good and is something to build on.”

South Africa had lost eight of their previous nine Tests, five of them at home, going into the Sri Lanka series at the end of a 11-month hiatus, having dropped to six in the world Test team rankings.

“By no means are we a finished product,” Boucher warned. “There is still a lot of hard work to be done but the guys understand that.

“We are going to make mistakes along the way but as long as we keep learning from those mistakes, then we are heading in the right direction.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Antetokounmpo shines as Milwaukee Criticism of Cavani ban grows in South America Bucks beat Detroit Pistons

TWO-TIME NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43 points to help Milwaukee Bucks to a 125-115 win over Detroit Pistons.

The 26-year-old scored 30 of Bucks’ 67 first-half points before a superb late block and put-back basket to end Pistons’ comeback hopes.

“The block and put-back was big,” said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.

Bucks now have four wins, while Philadelphia 76ers lead the Eastern Conference on six wins and one loss.

All five Philadelphia starters reached double figures on Monday as they beat Charlotte Hornets 118-101.

In the Western Conference Stephen Curry followed up a career-best 62-point effort with 30 more in just 31 minutes to propel Golden State Warriors to a 137-106 win over Sacramento Kings.

Dallas Mavericks won a Texas tussle with Houston Rockets with help from Luka Doncic’s first triple-double of

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the season.

Doncic hit 33 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists as Dallas held off a late Rockets push for a 113-100 victory.

It was the 21-year-old’s 26th career triple-double and after a perceived slow start to the season for Doncic, coach

Rick Carlisle said: “You can see that he’s getting better and better as each day goes by.”

Jayson Tatum scored 40 points as Boston Celtics overcame a 13-point first-quarter deficit to win 126-114 at Toronto Raptors.

Payton Pritchard contrib-

Giannis Antetokounmpo was key to Bucks’ success against Detroit Pistons

uted 23 points and eight assists for Celtics, who moved their record to five wins from eight.

In the tightest game from Monday night’s fixtures, Malcolm Brogdon lofted home a 12-foot floater with 3.6 seconds of overtime remaining as Indiana Pacers secured a 118-116 win over New Orleans Pelicans.

Victor Oladipo scored 25 points on the night as Pacers moved third in the Eastern Conference with five wins and two defeats this season.

New York Knicks erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit to win 113-108 at Atlanta Hawks. Julius Randle topscored for Knicks on 28 but a late three-pointer by Austin Rivers was key as they moved to four wins from seven games.

“We didn’t play great but we found a way to win,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Elsewhere, Miami Heat overcame Oklahoma City Thunder 118-90 and Aaron Gordon put away six three-pointers for Orlando Magic as they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-83.

(BBC Sport)

Premier League returns weekly record of 40 positive COVID tests THE Premier League says 40 players and club staff have tested positive for coronavirus over the past week - more than double the previous weekly high.

After previously testing once a week, the Premier League conducted 2,295 tests across two rounds over the past week.

Between December 28 and 31, there were 28 new positive tests and 12 more found between January.1 and 3.

The previous high was 18 positive results from Devember 21 to 27.

“With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the league continues to have confidence in its COVID-19 protocols, fully backed by the government, to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled,” said the Premier League.

The Football Association (FA) said there were 15 positive results from 635 tests carried out across the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship between December

28 and January 3.

It marks a decrease in the number of positive tests from the previous round, when there were 32 positive results from 864 tests between December 14 and 20 Four players at WSL side Manchester City tested positive as a result of them taking a trip to Dubai with the club’s permission.

The latest Premier League results mark an increase in the rate of positive tests. In the latest round, 1.74% of those tested were found to be positive.

The 18 positive tests recorded between December 21 and 27 came from 1 479 tests, a rate of 1.22%.

Under Premier League regulations, players and club staff who test positive must self-isolate for 10 days.

Three matches in the English top flight were called off last week because of coronavirus outbreaks at individual clubs.

Manchester City’s trip to Everton on December 28 was called off after full-back Kyle Walker

and striker Gabriel Jesus tested positive.

City’s match at Chelsea on Sunday went ahead despite four more members of Pep Guardiola’s squad - goalkeeper Ederson, defender Eric Garcia, forward Ferran Torres and midfielder Tommy Doyle returning positive results.

Two Fulham away matches were also postponed - at Tottenham on December 30 and Burnley on January 3.

Fulham said the matches were cancelled after a “significant number” of positive cases at the club.

Last Tuesday, Sheffield United said they had recorded “a number” of positive tests but opted to play at Crystal Palace on Saturday with a depleted squad.

The importance of players sticking to the protocols has been stressed to the 20 Premier League clubs.

It comes after there were a number of apparent coronavirus breaches by players over Christmas and the New Year.

(BBC Sport)

Edinson Cavani was last week banned for three games and fined £100 000 by England’s FA

(REUTERS) - The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) joined the growing criticism of England’s FA yesterday with a condemnation of the three-match ban given to Uruguayan Edinson Cavani for alleged racism.

Cavani was last week banned for three games and fined £100 000 ($136 180) for posting an Instagram message to a friend with what the FA decided to be a racist term after his Manchester United side’s 3-2 win over Southampton on November 29.

The FA said the post brought the game into disrepute and ordered him to undergo “face-to-face education” as part of his punishment. The striker apologised for any misunderstanding and declined to challenge the ban.

“The disciplinary measure levelled on the Uruguayan player clearly does not take into account the cultural characteristics and use of certain terms spoken in daily life in Uruguay,” CONMEBOL said in a statement.

“Judgment of these kind of declarations ... should always be made bearing in mind the context in which they were made and above all the cultural peculiarities of each player and each country.

“CONMEBOL condemns and always will condemn with the greatest energy any racism or discrimination but the specific case for which Cavani was sanctioned does not constitute one of them.”

The statement followed similar protestations by both Uruguayan Football Association and a union of Uruguayan professional players.

The country’s Academy of Letters, an association dedicated to protecting and promoting the Spanish language used in Uruguay, also criticised the ban.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday, January 06, 2020

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(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: What are the best match figures by a Guyanese in a Test to date?

Who is the first Guyanese to hit a Test century at Bourda?

ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 6, 2021

23

CONCACAF cancels U-17, U-20 Championships … Guyana record best years

DUE to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the football calendar and continued concerns over international travel, FIFA recently announced the cancellation of the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Men’s World Cups, scheduled to take place in Peru and Indonesia in 2021, respectively.

Given FIFA’s decision, the continued uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 in our own region and concerns regarding youth teams travelling in this environment, CONCACAF has come to the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 CONCACAF Under-17 Qualifiers and Championship, and the 2020 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship.

UNDER-17S ADVANCE In 2019, Guyana’s participation in the biennial tournament yielded their most successful results but unfortunately their run ended at the Group stage. Pegged in a tough group, Guyana fell 0-4 to El Salvador, 0-3 to Hondu-

ras and 0-6 to Haiti.

Prior to this tournament, the National Under-17 squad had never exited the first round and qualified for the Group stage in their 11 attempts between 1996 and 2017.

UNDER-20S NARROWLY MISS 3RD ROUND The 2020 CONCACAF U-20 Championship was scheduled to be the 7th edition of the Championship (28th edition if all eras included); the biennial international youth football championship, organised by CONCACAF for Under-20 national teams of the North, Central American and Caribbean region.

Last year, the 2020 tournament was scheduled to be held in Honduras between June 20 and July 5. However, on May 13, 2020, CONCACAF announced the decision to postpone the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the new dates of the tournament to be confirmed later. With no sight

of absolute control over the pandemic in the near future, that task was among those cancelled.

Guyana’s team charged ahead in the qualifying phase of this tournament as they commenced with a commanding 6-0 win over Montserrat then followed up with a 3-0 triumph over St Vincent and the Grenadines. They notched up their third consecutive victory with a 2-0 result against the US Virgin Islands but narrowly lost the final match 0-1 to Nicaragua.

That performance was only good enough for second place in Group A which was topped by undefeated Nicaragua - the only team from the Group to move on to the third round (knockout phase).

RESUMPTION Football’s local governing body, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF,) recently breathed a sigh of relief as they managed to acquire permission for the resumption of the sport during the pandemic. However, it was the senior

Guyana’s Hazlewood Hutson (14) tries to go on the attack against Montserrat’s Ahijah Daley in their 2020 CONCACAF qualifiers Group A match

men who got the opportunity to compete again.

While it is an encouraging sign for the fraternity, all categories under the age of 20 both male and female

are still inactive locally. GFF will have its hands full with chartering a path forward to get junior level football back on track.

But with these com-

petitions being cancelled indeterminately, the Federation has a lot of time to refocus its efforts on the progression of grass-root level football.

Savory feels refreshed, eager to return to national colours

Guyana Jaguars practice matches pushed to January ... says performance during practice games at LBI crucial 18, 21, 23

By Clifton Ross sible recall. er said it will be his first of such an unpredictable first opportunity getting to … Fitness exam set for January 16

THE Guyana Jaguars 3-match practice simulations will now bowl off from January 18 with the first match at the LBI Cricket Ground, followed by the final two games on January 21 and 23.

After rescheduling their list of preparatory activities this week, the national team will now have their physical evaluation at the National Track and Field Stadium, Leonora, from 06:00hrs, after January 4’s originally scheduled date.

The three 50-Overs practice matches that follow will bowl off at 09:00hrs at the newly commissioned LBI ground. Game one bowls off on Monday, January 18 2021, followed by the second game on Thursday, January 21 and the final match Saturday, January 23.

A SEASON ago Kemol Savory made his national debut for Guyana Jaguars and time away from the team and live cricket has made the wicketkeeper/ batsman even hungrier as he’s bent on playing his way back into the side.

Savory and a number of his Academy and senior teammates will be engaging in some live action at the new LBI Cricket Ground, as part of their preparations for next month’s start to the 2021 Regional Cricket season.

More so, with a string of practice games set for this week, Savory and others will have a couple of opportunities to showcase what they have been doing during the-almost 9 months of downtime due to COVID-19.

The left-hander told Chronicle Sport, yesterday, that making his national appearance almost a year ago has been the driving force behind him keeping himself in shape for a pos-

“Around this time last season I made my debut and it was something I could never forget. Scoring a fifty on debut and bringing the team home to victory is something I always wanted to do playing for Guyana.

It’s a great feeling and I’m looking forward to doing what I need to in order to make the Jaguars team for the Super50”.

With the band back together after lockdown forced them into seclusion and a life of ZOOM sessions as well as improvised personal training, Savory believed that time back together as a team will further help to reduce any form of rust.

“I’ve been doing some training at home and at various grounds it’s great to be back training with the guys, we haven’t been doing too much together so it will be a great feeling to be among the guys again”.

Looking at the three practice games at LBI, the Essequibo franchise play-

time ever playing at the East Coast venue but was elated to see the team have such a modernised facility at their disposal, especially ahead

Professional Cricket League (PCL) season just weeks away.

“To be honest I never played at LBI this is my

Flashback! Kemol Savory is presented his Jags cap by former Guyana/West Indies skipper and Jaguars batting coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul

play there. I know it’s a new ground, new pitch so hopefully it goes well for me. I’m very anxious and hungry to play some cricket, getting to play at the new LBI facility.

I’m very excited to go out there and play some cricket; it’s been a while I haven’t played some cricket. It’s a good opportunity”.

Monday was set to be the date for the fitness test before GCB rescheduled the test to another date. Savory, however, was adamant that the first step towards even getting close to regaining a spot in the team was acing the fitness exam before going onto our his best foot forward in the practice games.

“The fitness test is right around the corner, so I just want to be ready and ensure my fitness level is up. I want to get back into the senior team, so I plan on keeping it simple, score as much as I can in the practice games and hopefully it goes well for me.” he ended.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021