Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-04-2021

WEDNESDAY 7 th April , 2021

’ No. 106323

Economy to grow 16.4 per cent PAGE

03

–– IMF projects in new economic outlook report

Health Minister 02 appeals for vaccine acceptance

Electric bike, an 15 electrifying new trend PAGE

PAGE

Girlfriend on the run after allegedly chopping boyfriend to head 19 PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Health minister takes COVID ‘jab’, appeals for vaccine acceptance … as COVID hospitalisations, deaths increase

By Vishani Ragobeer AMID a noticeable increase in COVID-19 deaths and the number of persons who have been hospitalised with the more severe symptoms of the disease, COVID-19, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has called on all eligible Guyanese to take the vaccine.

On Tuesday morning, Dr. Anthony took the first dose of the recently procured Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, alongside his wife, Dr. Shanti Singh; Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins.

“People feel that I am hesitant to take the vaccine so I want to dispel that myth and ensure that people can see that I have taken the vaccine and now if that was preventing them from getting theirs, that they can come on board and get theirs,” Dr. Anthony told reporters, after he took the vaccine.

He also related that he wanted to ensure that many of Guyana’s frontline healthcare workers received their vaccines before he took his, adding that Guyana has been able to secure many doses of vaccine and is expecting many more.

Clinical trials have shown that this Sputnik V vaccine has an efficacy of about 92 per cent. Guyana

is also rolling out the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India and the Sinopharm vaccine from China.

Meanwhile, during his daily COVID-19 update, he reminded the public that the Ministry of Health has issued several warnings over the increase in the number of COVID-19 deaths and the amount of people hospitalised with the severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus, recently. He, however, emphasised that these stark occurrences can be prevented with the vaccine.

“We can reduce deaths, we can reduce hospitalisations if a lot of people take their vaccine,” the health minister advised, adding: “That has been shown

around the world because we see in countries where there are high rates of immunisation that cases have dropped and hospitalisations have dropped.”

He said that the vaccines went through the necessary stages of trials and review before they were approved and they have been used by millions of people, without a great number of adverse effects. As such, he called upon all Guyanese, who are eligible to receive the vaccines [those persons 40 years and older and all health care workers], to visit their nearest vaccination site to get inoculated.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony receives his COVID-19 vaccine (DPI Photo) The Ministry of Health currently has vaccination move from community to sites in every region, cou- community in a bid to inpled with mobile teams that crease vaccination. In fact, it is expected that there will be 100 vaccination sites across Guyana, as the ministry aims to vaccinate 40,000 persons this week.

Dr. Anthony noted that partnerships with community and religious organisations have been instrumental in ensuring that more persons take their vaccines. He encouraged more of these organisations to partner with the ministry to bolster the Dr. Shanti Singh receiving her COVID-19 vaccine countrywide vaccination (DPI Photo) campaign.

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Economy to grow 16.4 per cent –– IMF projects in new economic outlook report

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA’S projected economic growth for 2021, measured through its real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has doubled from 8.1 percent to 16.4 per cent, according to the biannual International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s World Economic Outlook.

Earlier projections from the IMF indicated that Guyana’s GDP would grow by 8.1 per cent this year, building on the 26.2 per cent real GDP growth projected for 2020. But, in this 2021 Outlook, the IMF reported that Guyana’s GDP grew by 43.4 per cent in 2020 and is now projected to grow by 16.4 per cent in 2021.

The Real GDP is an inflation-adjusted measure that reflects the value of all goods and services produced by an economy (in this case, Guyana’s economy) in a given year. In simpler terms, the real GDP measures a country’s total economic output, adjusted for price changes.

While presenting the 2021 National Budget in February, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, noted that Guyana’s growth in 2020 was actually 43.5 per cent. The IMF’s revised growth rate for 2020 (43.4 per cent) is now closely aligned with the figures provided by the senior minister.

Meanwhile, in February also, the Dr. Singh projected that Guyana’s economy is expected to grow by 20.9 per cent in 2021.

Looking forward, the IMF projects that Guyana’s economic growth will continue. In 2022, the economy is expected to grow by a further 46.5 per cent. By 2026, economic growth is expected to be about 3.0 per cent.

Cumulatively, the Latin America and Caribbean region is expected to grow by 4.6 per cent in 2021, following the dismal 7.0 per cent

An overhead photo of Kitty, Georgetown (Latchman Singh/ Office of the President photo) contraction recorded in 2020 due to the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery is expected to continue in 2022, with the region expected to record growth of 3.1 per cent. In 2026, that growth is projected to be 2.4 per cent.

On a larger scale, after an estimated contraction of –3.3 per cent in 2020, the global economy is projected to grow at six per cent in 2021, tapering to 4.4 per cent in 2022.

The IMF, in its April report, posited that with the “unprecedented” policy response, the impact of the COVID-19 recession will be less severe than the 2008 global financial crisis, leaving smaller scars than the 2008 global financial crisis.

“However, emerging market economies and low-income developing countries have been hit harder and are expected to suffer more significant

medium-term losses,” the IMF noted. Guyana and the wider Latin America and Caribbean Region falls into this bracket.

The IMF also highlighted that output losses have been greater for those countries that depend on tourism and commodity exports, and for those with limited policy space to respond.

SPECIFIC FOCUS Meanwhile, as the worldwide vaccination campaign continues, the IMF emphasised that countries’ policies should first focus on escaping the COVID-19 crisis, prioritising healthcare spending, providing well-targeted fiscal support, and maintaining accommodative monetary policy while monitoring financial stability risks.

The IMF suggested that as recovery progresses, pol-

icymakers will need to limit long-term economic scarring with an eye toward boosting productive capacity (for example, public investment) and increasing incentives for an efficient allocation of productive resources.

Last week, the World Bank noted that Guyana’s economy will maintain its positive growth trajectory over the next few years, largely due to the burgeoning oil and gas sector. Based on the World Bank’s latest estimates, the country is set to record economic growth of 20.9 per cent at the end of 2021, 26.0 per cent in 2022 and 23.0 per cent in 2023.

It is important to note, however, that Guyana’s ‘non-oil’ sectors were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to measures instituted to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus and the effects of the COVID-19

pandemic. Dr. Singh, during this year’s budget presentation, also highlighted that the non-oil sector of the economy contracted by 7.3 per cent.

The tourism, fishing, mining, forestry, manufacturing, services and construction sectors were all impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in reduced productivity. There were small increases recorded in the water supply and sewage sector as well as in the electricity sector.

On Monday, during a virtual ministerial conclave on human capital, convened by the World Bank, Dr. Singh underscored that Guyana remains the fastest growing economy in the world and will remain among the fastest growing economies over the next few years.

The Senior Minister highlighted that Guyana is rich in natural resources,

including oil, minerals, and forests that cover 85 per cent of the country’s territory, making its economic prospects very promising despite COVID-19 and domestic political issues which caused a sharp contraction in non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, Guyana was projected to grow by a massive 86 per cent in 2020.

But, even with the country’s prospects being bright, Dr. Singh told the virtual caucus: “… we also face extreme vulnerabilities to climate change, as well as significant development challenges.

We are well aware of the magnitude of these challenges.

They include avoiding the resource curse, promoting a strong and competitive non-oil economy, addressing our infrastructure gap, and improving human development outcomes.”

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Americans 18 or older to be eligible for —says U.S. President COVID-19 vaccine by April 19

(Reuters): U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday moved up the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility target for all American adults to April 19, but warned that with new virus variants spreading “we’re still in a life-and-death race” with the coronavirus.

Biden directed states to widen the vaccine eligibility to people 18 or older by April 19, two weeks earlier than the May 1 deadline he announced previously.

No COVID-19 vaccine is authorised yet for children under 16, although testing is underway.

Most U.S. states had already said they would

open vaccines to all adults by that new target date.

“What we do now is going to determine how many people we’ll save or lose in the month of April and May, and June, before we get to July Fourth,” Biden said at a White House event.

More than 80 per cent of teachers and school staff had received at least one vaccination shot, Biden said, but noted that variants of the coronavirus are spreading and generating a rise in cases.

“We aren’t at the finish line. We still have a lot of work to do. We’re still in a life-or-death race,” Biden

said.

He said that by no later than April 19, every adult 18 or older will be eligible to be vaccinated.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Biden’s announcement had confirmed for the public that “everyone is eligible around the country.”

This means Americans no longer need to check with state and local websites to see whether they

qualify, she said.

“No more confusing rules,” said Biden.

Vaccine supplies and efficiency in getting shots into arms have increased significantly in the race to get more people inoculated as more contagious virus variants circulate.

Biden spoke after touring a vaccination site at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.

“Governors - Demo-

U.S. President Joe Biden

crats and Republicans - are working with (the White House COVID-19 response team) to accelerate the vaccination program,” White House Chief-of-Staff, Ron Klain said on Twitter.

When vaccine doses were in shorter supply, states initially limited distribution to high-risk groups, such as the elderly and front-line healthcare workers, and then gradually opened up vaccines to other

age and at-risk groups.

Upon taking office in January, Biden set a goal of delivering 100 million shots into people’s arms within his first 100 days in office, which is the end of April. That goal has since been doubled to 200 million.

COVID-19 has killed more than 555,000 people in the United States - the world’s highest coronavirus death toll. But more than 167 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country. Four in 10 Americans have had at least one vaccine dose, a rate far ahead of most countries.

The authorized vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/ BioNTech both require two doses, while Johnson & Johnson’s is a one-shot vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those aged 16 and up, while the other two can be given to adults age 18 and older.

U.S. vaccine distribution began haltingly under Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

T&T’s PM tests positive for COVID-19

(News Day): Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement on his Facebook page, on Tuesday, said Dr Rowley, 71, began experiencing flu-like symptoms on Monday evening and was subsequently tested for COVID-19.

5

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley

Rowley is in isolation and under medical supervision.

The Prime Minister was expected to receive his Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at 14:30h on Tuesday, at the Scarborough Health Centre, Tobago.

Mottley: Coordinated action key in COVID fight (Nation News): Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley said, on Tuesday, that the novel coronavirus pandemic has the capacity to “upend developing countries” and that it is necessary to “put down the tools to avert a debt crisis which is potentially on us if we do not get it right”.

Mottley issued this advice while addressing a

World Health Organisation (WHO) media briefing.

She repeated calls for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and technical resources, and said there is an urgent need for coordinated action in fighting the virus.

Mottley said she looked forward to continued support from the WHO and the Pan American Health O rg a n i s a t i o n i n g r a p -

pling with the effects of COVID-19.

The Prime Minister also said there is no measure that is too much on the personal, national or global level to safeguard lives and reminded of the importance of the personal protocols in curbing COVID-19.

She expressed best wishes to Prime Minister of Trinidad and current chair of the Caribbean Commu-

CAL offers COVID-19 test booking service to customers

(LoopNews): CARIBBEAN Airlines (CAL) has partnered with Ink Aviation to allow its passengers to book and pay for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR tests via the airline’s website.

In a statement on Tuesday, CAL said passengers can book tests up to seven days in advance but no less than 48 hours prior to their flight departure date.

“The portal makes booking appointments and paying for tests easy and convenient,” CAL said.

“The platform integrates with multiple stakeholders, including medical establishments, airlines, airports and governments, to securely validate and share passenger health credentials, such as test results and vaccines. This enables the passenger journey to be simple, fast and safe, with

all steps connected together.”

Caribbean Airlines Chief Operations Officer, Steve Azevedo noted: “This is a major step for Caribbean Airlines to support countries to safely reopen their borders while preventing the importation of COVID-19 cases. The platform is compatible with all digital and paper COVID-19 test certificates including results from RT-PCR, LAMP and Antigen tests.

Azevdo continued: “The innovative solution allows passengers to verify their health credentials using several identification options.

And it works seamlessly with any departure control system (DCS), immigration systems and all self-sovereign digital health passports. In addition, an inbuilt declaration form digitizes and unifies the travel details submitted by the pas-

senger with advanced passenger information (APIS)”.

Using the Passenger COVID-19 test booking portal, customers can input their booking reference code and a list of approved testing labs in the country where their flight originates, along with available appointment dates and times, will appear.

CAL advised customers to choose appointment dates that align with the specific entry protocols for the destination to which they are travelling.

Payment is required immediately after securing the appointment and the cost of the test will vary based on the country and lab.

Upon completion of their test, customers can download the Ink Mobile App (Tento Wallet), via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, to receive their results.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

nity (CARICOM), Dr Keith Rowley, who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mottley said the “tail” of the pandemic is long and she looks forward to continue working to reduce its consequences.

The Prime Minister was among other officials addressing the briefing.

Meanwhile, earlier Tuesday, Barbados received an additional

33,600 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, which have been provided through the COVAX Facility.

Mottley was joined

by Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic and other local and international officials when the vaccines arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport around 7:00h.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

The COVID crackdown WITH 47 deaths and over 10,000 recorded cases of the novel coronavirus here, of which close to 1100 are active cases, the recent robust crackdown on persons and businesses in breach of the national COVID-19 guidelines is commendable and could not be timelier.

However, while it shows that the authorities are serious in ensuring public safety, it would have been good if the current approach by the Joint Services was adopted much earlier in the fight against the virus.

This is not to say that the Joint Services was in idle mode earlier. Any such thoughts would be far from the truth as members of the Joint Services have been very actively spreading awareness of COVID-19 and sharing out masks, among other activities in the various regions.

No doubt their messages of safety have registered with some but it is strongly doubtful it registered with many others, even though their messages of awareness have been constantly repeated in face-to-face outreaches, in addition to similar messages on the radio,

television and in the newspapers.

This is evident with some businesses in the recreation industry which have been tolerating gatherings at their establishments in contravention of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) guidelines.

Some patrons at these establishments seem to unreservedly convey the impression that COVID-19 does not exist, notwithstanding high number of reported cases daily as well as the consistent reports on deaths.

Sometimes, because of cultural habits of people, it is difficult to get them to understand simple messages even when those messages are for their personal health, safety and well-being.

It is against this backdrop that the efforts by the Joint Services over the weekend which led to the arrest scores of persons in breach of the NCFU guidelines could not be timelier and should not let up.

Businesses aside, their work has also focused on the ordinary folks. It was not the best of sights on Easter Day which is celebrated with much festivities but the work of the Joint

Services was praiseworthy in keeping wide open public spaces free from picnics, fetes and other activities which, over the years, have traditionally generated mass gatherings.

And in cases where mass gatherings were found, persons were arrested and are expected to be placed before the court. This posture by the Joint Services should not only continue but intensify if Guyana is to bring down the number of deaths due to COVID-19 as well as the number of cases that are diagnosed daily.

It would meaningfully compliment the significant work of the government which has done all it could, from facilitating online learning, distribution of masks and hand sanitisers, to the rolling out of a countywide vaccination programme, to keep the novel coronavirus as bay.

Strick enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines would not make Guyana an oddity compared to nations the world over. Today, many countries, especially the European nation are also taking a more serious approach to the virus, aside from vaccinating their citizens.

Kudos to the Joint Services Dear Editor,

And where they are instances of unfair police harassment, report it to the hierarchy of the OVER the busy Easter Holiday weekend, force. But first ensure you have the evidence to I, like many Guyanese, chose to relax with back your accusations against the lawmen. good friends and catch up on the things that I want to urge the party-going crowd and are important to us. socialites to understand the impact that the I noticed there was a heightened presence pandemic is having on the world we live in, of members of the Joint Service including the and in our lives. There are 10, 580 cases of police officers and soldiers who were on the COVID-19 confirmed in Guyana to date with roadways and closely monitoring the seawalls. 243 persons losing the battle to this dreaded I was pleased, despite the few instances of pandemic. bars being closed at 21:00 hours and customers While 9,250 persons are recovered from up in their feelings about it, that the ranks who this dreaded disease, many more will have to were present refused to give in or relent on be tested and vaccinated so as to protect themtheir instructions. I wish to say publicly that I selves further from COVID-19 which is still support this restriction and am quite pleased at being spread like an inferno. the enforcements of the laws and regulations I see this Irfaan Ali Administration takthat are in place to protect us all. ing the COVID-threat very seriously and Those brave ranks are just carrying out their they are in order. Let’s do our part to save operational instructions to ensure that we are all and protect our human resources from going to be safe in our homes and way out of COVID-19 epidemic and all of its strains the reach of COVID-19 once we are following now. the guidelines. Do not curse, abuse and refuse to comply with the instructions of the law men Regards, or else you will be charged and prosecuted.

Alvin Hamilton

France has entered its third lockdown and schools are closed; Italy had a total lockdown during Easter; in Demark, the government has proposed the introduction of a ‘corona pass’ for everyone over age 15 to show that they have been vaccinated and their COVID-19 status; Greece is opening tourism in mid-May; the Czech Republic is tightening up their lockdown; and Spain has not let up on its curfew and other measures to minimise or prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In India, the state of Maharashtra is expected to go into lockdown if there is no fall in the number of COVID-19 cases being diagnosed daily.

Guyana, therefore, would not be alone if it continues to ensure strict enforcement of its national guidelines to protect it citizens from the pandemic; it is necessary to protect its most valuable asset— its people -- as well as save money with regards to dealing with long-term heath complications and social issues as a result of the virus.

Jesus conquered darkness of death so shall we also conquer this pandemic Dear Editor,

EVERY year the Easter is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. It is a celebration of joy and peace upon the earth but more importantly a celebration of light upon the earth when Jesus is resurrected. Christians gather in churches to commemorate the event of resurrection and hence consolidate the faith in the resurrection. In Guyana, flying kites is very much associated with the Easter where people of every walk of life fly kites in unison. This used to be the way we celebrated the Easter.

However, this year has brought an enormous challenge to every celebration, including the Easter. Due to COVID-19, this year Easter saw a much toned down celebration mostly confined to the houses. It seemed Easter light was dim both from COVID-19 and rain.

In order for us to see the light, we need our eyes. Light on its own, without the eyes, is meaningless and also if we have excess of light our eyes might be blinded or vice-versa. We have huge challenge ahead of us in ensuring that we, as community, see the light of Easter as we overcome the darkness of COVID-19. Jesus conquered darkness of death so shall we also conquer this pandemic. However, it is crucial to co-operate with guidelines and measures that are in effect to slow and conquer this deadly virus.

Yours sincerely, Jerri Melwin Dias

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

7

A third of COVID survivors suffer neurological or mental disorders: study LONDON (Reuters) One in three COVID-19 survivors in a study of more than 230,000 mostly American patients were diagnosed with a brain or psychiatric disorder within six months, suggesting the pandemic could lead to a wave of mental and neurological problems, scientists said on Tuesday.

Researchers who conducted the analysis said it was not clear how the virus was linked to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, but that these were the most common diagnoses among the 14 disorders they looked at.

Post-COVID cases of stroke, dementia and other neurological disorders were rarer, the researchers said, but were still significant, especially in those who had severe COVID-19.

“Our results indicate that brain diseases and psychiatric disorders are more common after COVID-19 than after flu or other respiratory infections,” said Max Taquet, a psychiatrist at Britain’s Oxford University, who co-led the work.

The study was not able to determine the biological or psychological mechanisms involved, he said, but urgent research is need-

Nurses react as they treat a COVID-19 patient in the ICU at Milton Keynes University Hospital, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (Reuters/Toby Melville photo)

ed to identify these “with a view to preventing or treating them”.

Health experts are increasingly concerned by evidence of higher risks of brain and mental health disorders among COVID-19 survivors. A previous study by the same researchers found last year that 20% of COVID-19 survivors were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within three months.

The new findings, published in the Lancet Psy-

chiatry journal, analysed health records of 236,379 COVID-19 patients, mostly from the United States, and found 34% had been diagnosed with neurological or psychiatric illnesses within six months.

The disorders were significantly more common in COVID-19 patients than in comparison groups of people who recovered from flu or other respiratory infections over the same time period, the scientists said, suggesting COVID-19 had

There is an upside to the COVID– 19 pandemic Dear Editor,

THE COVID-19 pandemic has caused the imposition of severe restrictions to airline travel as well as group gatherings. Heads of State and various ministers who would have been plane-hopping to the numerous conferences and meetings are now doing all of them virtually.

The upside to this is that our President and his Cabinet have freed up a lot of time to physically attend to our problems locally. It is a joy to see ministers each and every day all over the country, sometimes in one day at warp speed being at extremities, for one minute in Crabwood Creek and the next at Lethem solving a host of issues on the spot.

The President and his ministers are having a first-hand and on-the-ground assessment of the work or lack thereof by designated government agencies and personnel. Clogged drains, silted canals, inoperable pump stations, water woes, lack of electricity, errant engineers, petty crimes, drug abuse, larceny, dilapidated community centres, poor healthcare service , outstanding pension payments , unattended house lot applications and a host of important community matters that were long neglected or given short shift by government officials are brought to light. The President and his ministers are actually remedying most of these problems on the spot or instituting systems in place for an effective solution for those that will require some time to resolve.

This is really a situation of the government working for your tax dollars and maybe an upside brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

a specific impact.

Anxiety, at 17%, and mood disorders, at 14%, were the most common, and did not appear to be related to how mild or severe the patient’s COVID-19 infection had been.

Among those who had been admitted to intensive care with severe COVID-19 however, 7% had a stroke within six months, and almost 2% were diagnosed with dementia.

“Although the individual risks for most disorders are small, the effect across the whole population may be substantial,” said Paul Harrison, an Oxford psychiatry professor who co-led the work.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Bloodshed in Myanmar as troops open fire on protesters (Reuters) - Myanmar troops stormed an anti-coup protest camp on Wednesday, a resident said, in a pre-dawn operation that local media said killed and wounded several demonstrators, as activists defied a bloody crackdown and internet blockade by the ruling junta.

Myanmar has been in chaos since a February 1 coup that ended a brief period of civilian-led democracy and sparked nationwide protests and strikes, despite the ruling military’s use of lethal force to quell the resistance.

Violence erupted as troops entered the protest site on Wednesday in the town of Kale in the Saigang region, a hotspot of unrest, where demon-

Villagers attend a protest against the military coup, in Launglon township, Myanmar April 4, 2021, in this picture obtained from social media (Reuters photo)

strators were demanding the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, a resident told Reuters.

News outlets cited witnesses saying there were casualties and repeated gunfire. Mizzima news outlet said three people were killed and posted pictures on Facebook of a fire burning near parked vehicles and soldiers with rifles in the street.

The Kale resident said the information was provided to him by witnesses, who took pictures of five dead bodies. Reuters could not independently verify the information.

The mostly youth-led movement’s ability to organise anti-coup campaigns and share information via social media and instant messaging has been severely hamstrung by curbs on broadband wireless internet and mobile data services.

Fixed-line services, which few in Myanmar have access to, are still available.

“Myanmar has been subject to a stepwise collapse into the information abyss since February,” Alp Toker, founder of internet blockage observatory NetBlocks told Reuters on Wednesday. “Communications are now severely limited and available only to the few.”

With print media also halted, protesters have

sought workarounds to get their message across, producing their own A4-sized daily news pamphlets that are shared digitally and printed for distribute among the public.

On Tuesday, Dr Sasa, who leads a parallel government of remnants of Suu Kyi’s administration, said in a statement that its legal counsel would be submitting evidence of military atrocities to different United Nations human rights bodies.

He said lawyers for his Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) had received 180,000 items of evidence and would meet on Wednesday with representatives of an independent investigative mechanism for Myanmar.

Some 581 people, including dozens of children, have been shot dead by troops and police in almost daily unrest since the coup, and security forces have arrested close to 3,500 people, with 2,750 still detained, according to advocacy group the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

JUNTA ‘LOSING CONTROL’ Arrest warrants have been issued for hundreds of people, with the junta this week going after scores of influencers, entertainers, artists and musicians.

The country’s most famous comedian, Zarganar, was arrested on Tuesday, local media reported.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed how Britain and the international community could support a Southeast Asian effort to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Wednesday, after meeting her British counterpart in Jakarta.

Indonesia is among several Southeast Asian countries leading a push for high-level regional talks on Myanmar.

Western countries including the United States, Britain and Australia have imposed or tightened sanctions on the generals and the military’s huge network of business monopolies in response to the coup, detentions and use of lethal force against demonstrators.

The European Union is expected to follow suit.

Russia, which has shown support for Myanmar ’s ruling military council, on Tuesday said the West risked triggering civil war in the country by imposing sanctions on the military junta.

Fitch Solutions in a report issued on Wednesday said targeted Western sanctions alone were unlikely to succeed in restoring democracy. It predicted in the medium-term a violent revolution between the military on one side and an armed opposition comprised of members of the anti-coup movement and ethic militias.

Some ethnic military, which control large swathes of Myanmar ’s border regions, have said they can not stand by as the junta kills people and already engaged the military in skirmishes.

Fitch said Myanmar was heading towards being a failed state.

“The escalating violence on civilians and ethnic militias show that the Tatmadaw is increasingly losing control of the country,” it said, adding that the vast majority of people backed the parallel government.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

9

Canada faces ‘very serious third wave’ of pandemic: Trudeau

(AL JAZEERA): Canada is facing “a very serious third wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday, as the country’s most populous province is struggling to respond to rising infections and hospitalisations, and the rapid spread of coronavirus variants.

During a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau warned that hospitalisations are increasing, intensive care units are filling up, and coronavirus variants are spreading.

“Around the world, countries are facing a very serious third wave of this pandemic and right now so is Canada,” he said.

“Even if the sun is shining and the weather is getting warmer, COVID-19 isn’t done with us yet.”

Canada has reported at least one million cases of COVID-19 and more than 23,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.

A recent increase in cases and hospitalisations in several provinces – including the most populous, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia on the west coast – has prompted calls for stricter public health measures to stem the spread of the virus.

B C h e a l t h o ff i c i a l s have reported cases involving the coronavirus variants first discovered in the UK, South Africa and Brazil.

“We do know that a lot of that is the variant[s], and it does seem like it is a more transmissible strain and it also seems that people do get sicker with some of these variants,” Dr Gerald Da Roza, head of medicine at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC, told CBC News.

“Some people say this is the busiest we’ve been in 15 years,” he said.

The Quebec government announced on Tuesday evening that it was tightening restrictions in so-called red zones, including the province’s largest city, Montreal, amid the rise in infections.

ONTARIO CRISIS Meanwhile, Trudeau told reporters he planned to speak to Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Tuesday.

Ontario has seen a surge in COVID-19 infections in

recent weeks and imposed limited lockdown measures over the weekend. On Tuesday, it reported 3,065 new cases as the seven-day average of new infections reached 2,862.

The situation has renewed a push for the province to grant paid sick leave, as many workers deemed essential during the pandemic have been unable to take time off when sick, which advocates

it is up to each province to set the rules around how the jabs are administered and to whom.

CBC News reported that an average of 72,543 jabs are administered in Ontario daily, despite having the capacity to get as many as 150,000 shots in arms. In total, the province had administered more than 2.6 million jabs as of Monday evening.

In a separate news confer-

Canada is seeing rising hospitalisations, intensive care unit admissions, and the spread of more easily transmissible coronavirus variants, Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday [File: Blair Gable/Reuters]

say is fuelling the spread of the virus.

Andre Picard, a health columnist at the Globe and Mail newspaper, said the latest modelling data estimates Ontario could see as many as 6,000 new COVID-19 infections daily – up from 2,500 now – and 800 ICU patients by the end of April.

Picard criticised the province’s measures, questioning why “relatively low-risk activities such as outdoor dining are being stopped, while high-risk activities such as large church services can go ahead” and retail stores remain open.

“As the third wave of the pandemic continues to pick up steam, we have seemingly learned nothing from the two previous waves,” he wrote.

VACCINATIONS SLOW Ford’s government has also faced widespread criticism for failing to quickly administer COVID-19 vaccines, despite large supplies and widespread demand.

While Canada’s federal government approves and secures coronavirus vaccines,

ence on Tuesday, Ford said the province would expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, targeting people with underlying health conditions and their caregivers, as well as geographic hot spots that have seen rising cases.

He also said Ontario was “finalising plans to vaccinate workers in settings where we’re seeing outbreaks”.

“Last week I said we were in a fight with a new enemy, one that is rapidly evolving. The game is changing and we need to shift our response to stay ahead of this virus,” Ford said.

SCHOOLS SHUT The spread of variants has prompted concerns from doctors and other healthcare workers, who say younger people are becoming sicker and requiring hospitalisation.

Last week, more than 150 intensive care physicians in Ontario wrote an open letter to the provincial government, urging it to put stricter public health measures in place to stem the spread of the virus – and of the new variants in particular.

“We are seeing younger patients on ventilators – many are parents of schoolaged children. We are seeing entire families end up in our ICUs. We are caring for people who have contracted COVID-19 at work, or who have followed all the rules and only gone out for groceries,” they wrote.

“The impact of this virus has been disproportionate, infecting those with highest exposure risk, commonly from lower income and racialized communities. The current

measures and framework are not working to contain the spread of this virus.”

The situation also prompted a federation for secondary school teachers on Tuesday to call on Ford to order schools in areas that have seen rising case numbers to shift to remote learning immediately.

The Toronto Star newspaper reported that all schools in Toronto – Canada’s largest city – would be closed as of Wednesday due to the surge in infections.

A similar school closure was ordered on Monday for the Peel region, an area home to about 1.5 million people west and northwest of Toronto, where students will have access to remote learning for at least two weeks.

“With increasing case counts and the presence of variants of concern, we need to break chains of transmission and keep our schools safe,” Peel Region Medical Officer of Health Dr Lawrence Loh said in a statement.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

UG’s class of 2021 celebrates a series of ‘firsts’ THE University of Guyana (UG) has recorded a number of ‘firsts’ among the graduating class of 2021, including a PhD in Bio-diversity, Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology, Master of Agro-Technology and Business, Bachelors of Mathematics (online) and the advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

The first graduates with any PhD from UG will be those from the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Biodiversity, an interfaculty research programme being offered jointly by the faculties of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Agriculture and Forestry.

The two PhD graduates, Dr. Cecil Boston and Dr. Rajini Kurup, were among the first set of graduates to have walked the virtual graduation stage in the first of five graduation ceremonies held on Friday, March 19.

Dr Boston’s doctoral thesis focused on: “A study relating to the use of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of Diabetes mellitus in Guyana with a case study of Pakuri (St Cuthbert’s Mission) on selected indigenous herbal treatment for diabetes.”

Dr. Cecil Boston Dr. Boston successfully defended his PhD thesis on June 1, 2020. His earlier degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a Master of Science in Environmental Management.

“I am elated that I was able to complete this programme,” Dr. Boston, who currently serves as the Dean of the College of Medical Sciences at the University of Guyana, said.

Dr. Kurup’s doctoral research, on the other hand, was focused on microbial diversity and knowledge and practices among diabetic foot patients in Guyana.

She completed and successfully defended her research thesis on May 28, 2020. The young woman possesses a degree in in Zoology and a Master of Microbiology.

The proud graduate commented: “I am happy and grateful to have achieved this milestone. Of course, it’s important to know and plan one’s research that would help or benefit humankind and the country.

“This programme could help more towards the benefit or betterment of environmental sustainability of the country. I’m thankful for all involved in the success of this program, thanks for your words of encouragement and thanks to the University of Guyana for providing this opportunity.”

Dr. Elroy Charles, one of the three persons responsible for the development of the PhD programme while he was Dean in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and who continued as faculty representative on the committee, said he is elated with the success of Boston and Kurup as well as several others expected to march in the 2020/2021 graduation later this year.

Dr. Rajini Kurup He noted that the programme is essential because Guyana is 80 per cent forested with a high level of biodiversity of flora and fauna, a lot of which is unknown to science. According to Charles, there is a huge amount of work, especially on taxonomic diversity that needs to be done.

The academician explained: “Quite often, the Guiana Shield is represented as the last bastion of biodiversity that remains largely untouched. For this reason, the graduates’ work is important as it addresses and contributes to the body of knowledge that is necessary for the development of Guyana and the region.

Graduates from the Doctoral programme will energise the Guyanese public and academia and the programme will gain the recognition it deserves.

“When we go abroad to study, the majority of the study is centred on issues relevant to that country. By having our own PhD programme, we can address our local issues thus enriching our body of indigenous biodiversity knowledge.”

The UG Doctorate in Biodiversity (UGDB) is a state-of-the-art doctoral research programme for doctoral research training. It also seeks to address managerial issues of significance for the future of biodiversity, its ecosystems and services for Guyana, the Guiana Shield, the Caribbean and the world. The mission of the programme is to generate primary and cutting-edge knowledge in the complex field of biodiversity.

Close to 2,500 students have graduated from the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen and Berbice Campuses, and from the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education programmes for 2021.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia talk over Nile dam fail (AL JAZEERA): The latest round of talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have ended with no progress made.

Delegations from the three countries met in an attempt to break a deadlock in negotiations over Ethiopia’s massive dam on the Nile river, a project Addis Ababa says is key to its economic development and power generation.

The negotiations, held in Kinshasa, DR Congo, concluded Tuesday without a deal being reached, according to a communique released after they finished.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said the talks failed after Ethiopia rejected a Sudanese proposal to include international mediators in talks.

Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said Ethiopia rejected the United States, European Union, the United Nations and the African Union playing a role in overseeing the negotiations.

“This position reveals once again Ethiopia’s lack of political will to negotiate in good faith,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Sudan’s foreign minister said Ethiopia’s unilateral moves over the dam were a clear violation of international law.

“Without a new approach to negotiations, there becomes space for Ethiopia to impose a fait accompli and put all the peoples of the region in grave danger,” Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi told reporters.

Ethiopian officials made no immediate comment.

The GERD, whose planned capacity of 6,500 megawatts will make it the biggest dam in Africa, has been a source of tension since its first stone was laid in April 2011.

Ethiopia says the dam project is key to its economic development and power generation for its population of 110 million people.

But Egypt fears the dam will imperil its sup-

plies of Nile water, while Sudan is concerned about the dam’s safety and water flows through its own dams and water stations.

Last week, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said there would be “inconceivable instability in the region” if Egypt’s water supplies were affected by the dam.

Major sticking point Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said the objective of the talks was to come up with a road map for negotiations to continue before Ethiopia fills the dam for a second time.

“Sudan and Egypt on one side want the mediation to expand to include the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union – who are right now holding the role of observers – rather than the mediators.”

However, she continued, the major sticking point is that Ethiopia wants the GERD talks to be led solely by the African Union.

“Ethiopia also said that Egypt and Sudan came up with points that were not part of the agenda, such as postponing the filling of the GERD until a deal is reached,” she added.

Ethiopia announced the second filling will take place in July and is set to store 13.5 billion cubic metres of water.

“That’s three times more than the amount of water that was stored in the GERD in the first filling last year, which had impacted water stations and some farms along the Nile and affected the water supplies of five million people in the country,” Morgan said.

Allam Ahmed, founding president of the World Association of Sustainable Development, told Al Jazeera that a country or bloc that has not been involved in past negotiations and is seen as independent – such as possibly the US, Canada, or China – will likely have to play a mediating role to move the talks forward.

“The conflict will continue to escalate and I think there will have to be an intervention at a higher

level,” he said.

He said that none of the parties is seriously considering destroying the dam, but that independent technical experts need to scrutinise the data on the dam held by Ethiopia in order to address the concerns.

“The outstanding issues could be resolved quickly if we can have a transparent technical evaluation of the dam – that is the key point.”

Three countries are deadlocked in negotiations over Ethiopia’s massive dam on the Nile river [File: Eduardo Soteras/AFP]

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

ENDS can bring more informal operators into formal economy – business leaders

(Jamaica Gleaner): Business sector leaders say the E-Commerce National Delivery System (ENDS) can potentially assist in revolutionising economic activity in Jamaica, by facilitating the transition of more informal operators into the formal sector.

ENDS is a partnership between the Government and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

It allows the quick service industry and delivery operators registered on the web-based platform to operate until midnight during the hours of the curfew, which has been imposed to control the spread of COVID-19

infections.

The pilots got under way in Portmore, St Catherine, on March 26, and in Kingston and Montego Bay, St James on April 2.

Small Business Association of Jamaica President Michael Leckie told JIS News that the initiative augurs well for commercial activity in terms of enhancing service delivery and regularising the operations of informal entrepreneurs.

BEST WAY FORWARD “It is the best way forward, especially for persons in the food and restaurant industry, especially

the corner shops. If we can encourage and facilitate delivery services for customers, who only need to place a call to an individual or establishment, in light of what we are now experiencing with the rate of COVID-19 infections and the resulting curfews to reduce the spread, then that’s the best route to go,” he said.

Leckie also believes that more informal operators will be encouraged to regularise their operations.

“I believe that where persons see the benefits to be derived, we will have more individuals who are operating informally, buying into the

Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association President, Richard Pandohie concept and being more convinced that they can move from informal to becoming formal,” he said.

Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Richard Pandohie describes ENDS as an “excellent initiative,” noting, “I think it is part of the whole

progress towards getting (informal businesses) registered.”

“You have to be (registered to participate) … and I think it also augurs well in the Government’s thrust towards transitioning Jamaica to a fully digital economy,” he said.

Noting that the concept is already being successfully utilised in commerce locally, Pandohie says ENDS represents the format’s elevation to the national level.

“I think it’s a [big] move, and I really hope the vendors and other stakeholders really capitalise on it. I think they’ll be really amazed by their successes in doing so,” he added.

Jamaica Chamber of Commerce President Lloyd Distant Jr said that in light of the challenges posed by COVID-19, “It’s good to see something like ENDS being developed,” adding, “we hope that it delivers the kind of benefits that are expected”.

For his part, business analyst Warren McDonald said the decision to introduce the initiative indicates that “we’re moving in the right direction,” as it will serve to regularise the operations of more informal entrepreneurs.

“It’s a good idea and we certainly should strive for its success,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

‘Killa’ turns self in after warrant issued in relation to ‘execution’ of ‘Paper Shorts’ ONE hour after the Guyana Police Force issued a wanted bulletin for Rondell Bacchus, called “Killa”, for questioning into the murder of Ricardo Fagundes, called “Paper Shorts”, he turned himself in to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), at Eve Leary, on Tuesday.

Fagundes was killed by a hail of bullets from high-powered guns less than a month ago on downtown Main Street.

The popular gold dealer and biker was riddled with bullets on the evening of March 20, 2021, after he exited the Palm Court nightclub on the said street.

CCTV footage of the night of the incident showed Fagundes walking towards a black vehicle after exiting the nightclub, when two gunmen jumped out of a parked white Toyota ‘Fielder’ across the road and opened fire on him.

In one frame, Fagundes was seen lying on the roadway as the two men stood over him and riddled his body with bulRondell Bacchus, lets, before escaping in the called “Killa” waiting vehicle.

The police are yet to determine whether the torched ‘Fielder Wagon’ that was discovered at Swan Village, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, is the same one used by the gunmen.

They have, however, confirmed that investigators of the Major Crimes Unit have acquired enhanced footage from one of the CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the crime scene; this will be used for evidential purposes.

Ricardo Fagundes, Bacchus, 40, of ‘C’ called “Paper Shorts” Field Sophia, Georgetown, was sentenced to 16 years, eight months behind bars in 2019 on pleading guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter after facing two trials for the July 24, 2008 murder of city businessman, Akbar Alli.

On the two previous occasions he was tried, Bacchus had pleaded ‘not guilty’, and the jurors were unable to arrive at a verdict.

According to reports, on the day in question, Alli and his wife, Rameena Hydar Alli, were on Brickdam transacting some business when they were pounced upon by two armed men and relieved of a bag containing over $2 million in cash.

Alli reportedly ran after the men, who were on a motorcycle, and was shot in the chest by the pillion rider.

Alli’s wife, who had witnessed the entire incident, had identified Bacchus as the shooter, and so testified during both hearings.

While he’d initially denied guilt of the capital charge on which he was originally indicted, Bacchus would later accept, on the lesser count of manslaughter, that he did unlawfully shoot and kill Akbar Alli.

On doing so, 11 years were deducted from Bacchus’ sentence for time spent in incarceration, which meant that he would have still had to serve five more years behind bars.

It is unclear when, and on what grounds, Bacchus was eventually set free.

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Time to enshrine the offence of ‘Misconduct in Public Office’ in statute

By Richard Bhainie

ENSHRINING the offence of Misconduct in Public Office in statute is imperative as it acts as a safeguard against corruption and dereliction of public duty, and to promote and ensure transparency and accountability by officials who hold public office.

Attracting a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the offence is used broadly to prosecute because it is believed that there is a serious criminal misconduct for which alternative offences are not

sufficient.

Recently, several employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), including Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and Region Four District Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, were charged with the offence pertaining to their alleged conduct in the March 2, 2020 Elections.

Prior to this, when the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office in 2015, several members of the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)

administration were also charged with this offence; however, they have since been vindicated of the said charges.

Misconduct in Public Office is a common law offence dating back to centuries, with the usually cited starting point being the case of R v Bembridge (1783) 3 Doug KB 327.

However, despite its age and importance, it has often been characterised as ‘ambiguous’ by members of the legal fraternity.

In December 2020, the Law Commission of England and Wales published its final Misconduct

in Public Office Report (Law Com no 397), which outlined several areas of deficiency and suggested necessary reforms to the offence, specifically enshrining it in statute.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, prominent Attorneys-at-law and President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Teni Housty, and Chairman of the GBA Criminal Bar Committee, Glenn

Chairman of the Criminal Bar Committee, Guyana Bar Association, Glenn Hanoman Hanoman, related similar sentiments as the Law Commission outlined in its report.

“Because of the difficulty in proof and the increase in the allegations, both locally and in the Caribbean, certainty is required in the framework, so anything to add certainty and clarity to the basis of proof of an offence is

required,” Housty noted.

“There is some legislative action that needs to be taken so that people who commit criminal offences from within the system … that conduct has to be criminalised,” Hanoman said.

CLEARLY OUTLINED The elements to be satisfied for successful prosecution of the offence were clearly outlined by Lord Justice Pill in the case of Attorney General’s Reference (No 3 of 2003) [2004] EWCA Crim 868.

Justice Pill noted that it must be shown, that a public officer acting as such, willfully neglects to perform his duty, and/or willfully misconducts himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in the office holder, without reasonable excuse or justification.

One of the challenges pertaining to the offence is that the parameters of ‘public office’ are difficult to ascertain. Despite the test established by Lord Justice Leveson in R v Cosford [2013] EWCA Crim 466, the Law Commission reported that ‘public office’ and ‘acting as such’ are not sufficiently defined.

“That’s a technicality that has arisen very often about the definition of a public officer and it has been used in innovative ways to avoid conviction, but misconduct in public

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Teni Housty office ought not to depend on a legalistic definition of a public officer,” Hanoman said.

He added that “once you perform a public function whether you are in the public service or a contracted employee performing a public function it should apply across the board.”

In addressing that issue, the report recommends a two-stage process to determine whether a person holds ‘public office’. Firstly, there should be a fixed list of such persons and secondly, a functional test which sets out the specific circumstance in which the offence applies.

Hanoman made similar recommendations; he noted that if a list is provided for, it should not be exhaustive as the world is evolving and the legislation should be drafted in such a manner to encapsulate future ‘public officers’ which might not be contemplated at the time of drafting.

“If ever that offence is created they should make sure that it is not only for people who are in the public service per say but people who are performing public function,” Hanoman said.

GREATER PREDICTABILITY Housty also noted See page 16

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Electric bike, an electrifying new trend

By Tamica Garnett

ON any given day on a drive around, one might spot someone moseying along the side of the road on an electric bike, and those sightings are going to become even more frequent as the popularity of the bikes continues to grow.

Retailing for between $70,000–$150,000, the bikes cost considerably less than the conventional motorcycles, and due to the ease with which they are operated, they are becoming the go-to mode of transportation for many.

Egbert McCoy, 64, purchased his first electric bike on Tuesday from the Phillips E-Bike Shop at the corner of George and Durban Streets.

“I was just curious and I

anywhere between 15 – 20 electric bikes per month. The bike McCoy bought has a maximum speed of 38kmph, and once fully charged, can go for five hours. When drained, the bike would take approximately six hours to recharge, Phillips said.

She said the ease of maintenance is also another reason the bike is fast becoming a hit with consumers.

“The battery does got to service every nine months; you got to water it. Persons could come back or they can do it themselves,” she explained.

Devon Stuart has also recently become involved in the business of selling the bikes and was encouraged to become a retailer given the growing demand for the

Some of the electric bikes on sale need it for my grandchildren them. It easier to handle, and you don’t have to get helmet to traverse with it and you can carry it around easy,” he commented about his reason for getting on board with the electric bike.

McCoy, who had never ridden an electric bike before, was planning to ride home with his new purchase. He believes his experience with riding a bicycle would be enough to help him learn to navigate the operations of the electric bike.

Co-owner of Phillips E-bike Shop, Melisa Phillips, said that McCoy would not be the first customer to simply purchase a bike and learn to properly operate it within minutes on the first go.

“It depends, because you just have to turn on the keys, rev the throttle; it don’t have no gear or nothing,” she explained.

The business has been retailing the bike for a few months now. Phillips averages that the business sells

bikes.

“To me, it’s just more comfortable,” he said as he described why he thinks the bikes are becoming as popular as they are.

How the operations of the bike are monitored, however, is not clearly understood. Because it is mechanically propelled, the bikes are legally classified as a motor vehicle.

The bikes, however, do not come with a licence plate.

Most of the users do not use a helmet and the riders rarely ever have a driver’s licence. The bikes also do not use motor vehicle road service licence or Certificate of Fitness for motor vehicle.

For the most part, the riders are allowed to operate the bikes unhindered and appear to do so cautiously in the corner of the roadways, as most of the bikes have maximum speeds below 50kmph.

Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, explained that riders are not required to wear a helmet for bikes that are 49CC and below. The electric

bikes do not come with an engine.

Ashram noted that it is up to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to get the vehicles registered and to put in place a system of what requirements would be needed for the operations of the bikes.

“They are mechanically propelled, so it’s a vehicle.

It is up to GRA to create a registration, but these bikes do not have chassis and engine for them. They [GRA] have to make contact with the importers of the bikes and get them registered,” Ashram commented.

Egbert McCoy (left) learning about his new electric bike

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Man dies in Time to enshrine the offence ...

Nabaclis fire From page 14

A SECTION ‘C’ Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man, said to be of unsound mind, is dead after he reportedly set his house on fire Tuesday afternoon.

Dead is Phineas Headley, 27, called “Tall Man” of Lot 63 Section ‘C’ Nabaclis, ECD. He suffered severe burns about the body from the fire that occurred around 16:50 hours.

Reports indicate that the one-storey wooden building, which is approximately 20 × 30 in measurement and resting on wooden posts about 10 feet off the earth’s surface and facing west in an open yard, was not fitted with electricity.

According to information received from relatives, they heard a loud explosion and screams and saw the victim lying in the yard on the ground.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was listed to undergo a surgery but later succumbed to his injuries.

that solidifying of the offence in statute would present greater predictability in relation to what constitutes the offence, a benefit for persons who hold ‘public office’ and a deterrent to prevent them from indulging in ‘misconduct’.

“The less we rely on resorting to common law for certain offences, especially in a modern day, the better it is for the protection of the person’s human rights because you have an idea of the case you have to meet and certainty and predictability in the framework is essential, undeniably so, both in the criminal and civil liability,” he noted.

“Protection of the law has several elements in it and it’s

one of the most imperative rights that an individual is permitted to, if you’re going to be charged for an act in an office why not create that certainty or predictability one way or another in relation to the conduct,” he added.

He further explained that enshrining the offence in statute would provide much needed guidance to public officials, pertaining to their conduct in public office.

“Punishment is not the only objective of the law, part of the law is to guide conduct so that notion of certainty and predictability is something that I find is always important from several perspectives including a human right perspective,” Housty said.

Hanoman explained that

with Guyana’s newly discovered oil resources and the massive development anticipated for the country, the legislation is imperative to prevent public officials abusing public office, similar to what has transpired in many nations on the African continent.

He also made reference to other sections to the criminal legislative framework that is in need of updating to prevent corruption by public officials, namely, rigorous elections campaign financing laws.

“You would find that because this is geared towards charging people in Government really that Governments are slow to enact these provisions,” Hanoman said.

Housty took the opportu-

nity to commend the Criminal Bar Committee of the Guyana Bar Association, made up of specialist lawyers trained in the field of the criminal law, on their initiatives and to note that he endorses the view of the Chairman, Hanoman.

“As a Bar Association we recognise the capacity and skills of all of our colleagues and all of them have an opportunity to participate in the direction and position that the Bar takes on issues,” he said; adding: “I complement the Criminal Bar Committee for their assistance on a number of issues they have addressed in recent times, particularly amendments to the laws pertaining to bail.”

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Timothy Tucker new GCCI President –– Gerry Gouveia Jr., Kester Hutson elected Vice-Presidents

THE newly elected members of the council of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have elected, from among themselves, Timothy Tucker, to serve at the helm of the organisation for the year 2021-2022.

Tucker, who was elected during the council’s first statutory meeting on Tuesday, replaces Nicholas Boyer, who served two consecutive terms as President

Technology Incorporated’s Kester Hutson, as junior Vice-President.

Other newly elected members of the executive body of GCCI are Demerara Bank Limited’s Shaleeza Shaw, who will serve as secretary, and treasurer, Gavin Ramsoondar of Zarc Properties Inc. Early this month, at the GCCI’s 131st Annual General Meeting (AGM), a new 21-member council was

Ramprasad of Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd. (MACORP); Briony Tiwarie of BK Supermix Inc; Komal Ramnauth of Kojac Marketing Agency; Keon Howard of Winedaysgy; Candelle Bostwick of Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc.; Navin Prashad of M.P. Insurance Brokers & Consultants Limited; Shaam Outar of A&S Enterprise; Samuel Arjoon of Guyana Beverages Inc

Newly elected President of GCCI, Timothy Tucker (second from left) and Senior Vice-President, Gerald Gouevia Jr. (third from left) with other executive members, namely Junior Vice-President, Kester Hutson (first right); Treasurer, Gavin Ramsoondar (first left) and Secretary, Shaleeza Shaw (second from right) of GCCI. According to a statement from GCCI, Tucker, the Proprietor of Rid-O-Pes, who previously served as senior Vice-President of the organisation, will be joined

by Roraima Airways’ Gerald Gouveia Jr., as senior Vice-President, and Dapper

appointed.

Members of the council, in addition to the newly elected executive members, are Anije Lambert of Project Development Consultancy; Dr. Vishnu Doerga of ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc.; Dr. Rosh Khan of Social Rank Media; Anita

and Cassandra Jaikaran of OceanAir Logistics.

Other members of the council are Sean Ramrattan of RRT Enterprise; Rayad Boyce of Sonic Business Service; Carlos Mendonca-Rodrigues of Ricks & Sari Agro Industries Ltd and Pradeep Ramoutar

Gambling shop argument ends in death of shopkeeper A 49-year-old shopkeeper, Trevor Alfred, of Nazarene Street, Grove Squatting Area, East Bank of Demerara (EBD), was stabbed to death during an argument over money around 18:30h, on Monday.

According to information from the police, Alfred and the suspect, a 36-year-old mason of Grove, EBD, were gambling at a shop called ‘Rocky’ at Second Street, Grove Squatting Area when they got into a heated argument, and, as a result, the owner of the shop asked them to leave the premises.

Police said that the argument then intensified outside with the pelting of

bottles, followed by both men arming themselves with knives.

During the fight, Alfred fell to the ground and was stabbed several times by the suspect, who then escaped. However, Alfred followed the suspect and continued fighting, until they both ended up in a nearby culvert.

Police said Alfred was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect was also taken to the hospital and is admitted under police guard as investigations continue.

of Western Logistics (Guyana) Ltd. In addressing members of the council at the organisation’s recent AGM, Boyer said the GCCI has amassed 201 new members over the past two years.

“Our chamber has now been able to almost double its membership, standing at about 420 members, by and far, the largest BSO in Guyana,” Boyer was reported as saying.

He noted that of these members, many continue to be extremely active in the chamber, participating in committees, programmes, webinars and, benefitting from the work of their chamber.

While the chamber has a lot to be proud of, the past year has been turbulent, Boyer said.

“As we are all aware, it was an unprecedented start

to a new year. First-hand, we have seen how fragile our lives are, and we have witnessed the precarious nature of our business community,” the former GCCI President said.

The chamber, however, remains committed to helping businesses craft a new roadmap and will continue to advocate robustly on all business-related issues on the members’ behalf.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Guyana a prime destination for business process outsourcing operations –– says Dr. Singh, following tour of Qualfon Call Centre at Providence

THE Government of Guyana plans to promote the country as a prime destination for business process outsourcing (BPO) operations such a call centres, which have the potential to create thousands of new jobs for Guyanese, Senior Minister in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh has said following a tour of the Qualfon Call Centre at Providence, on the East Bank Demerara.

The senior minister said that Guyana has a number of obvious advantages as a destination for BPO operations, and those include the country’s English-speaking population, as well as the population’s high level of literacy, along with the country’s location in the same time zone as the east coast of North America.

He said, too, that the recent liberalisa-

tion of the telecommunications sector here also adds to Guyana’s potential of being a prime destination for BPOs. Call centres such as Qualfon, which employs large numbers of persons, will assist in the diversification of the economy through job creation and employment, which is a major focus of the President Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration.

While recalling that it was under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration that Qualfon opened its doors in Guyana, Minister Singh said: “Guyana has remarkable potential in the BPO sector, especially in the generating of income and creating jobs. Our government (at the time of the Company’s opening) had recognised the remarkable potential of the company.”

The senior finance minister reminded his audience that Qualfon started its operations in Guyana in 2005 with 25 employees, and expanded rapidly to reach 2,800 employees by 2014, which figure has fallen to below 1,800 over the past five years.

He promised, however, that the government’s intention is to see the company once again realise its full potential, and that the BPO sector in general will once again become a major employer in Guyana.

“We believe that the company has phenomenal potential in Guyana. We would like to see thousands of jobs created by Qualfon and other companies operating in this sector. We were (at the time of Qualfon’s opening) advocating Guyana as being an attractive BPO destination, which we intend to resume doing. We see companies like this, and the sector as a whole, as being an important part of economic diversification,” Dr. Singh said.

The senior minister, who was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, prior

to elaborating on the role of Qualfon and call centres, was taken on a tour of the campus by Qualfon’s Country Director, Luanna Persaud.

There, he witnessed a large number of young people at work in various departments, serving Qualfon’s clients around the world through the use of modern information and communications technology.

With Guyana being a major international player, due to its being an oil-andgas producer, President Ali’s Government, since its ascension to office in August 2020, has continued to reiterate the importance of the other sectors in the country, and has placed much focus on ensuring that the sectors receive the necessary attention and efforts to assist in boosting the country’s non-oil economy, Dr. Singh related.

Some of the sectors recording consistent increases are agriculture, tourism, services and logistics, and housing and water.

Those sectors are expected to be the country’s main economic drivers going forward.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Motorcycles, ATVs to boost New GMC’s extension services

THIRTEEN motorcycles and three all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) valued $13 million are to be bought by the end of July to enhance the extension services at the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC).

This development is another demonstration of the PPP/C Government fulfilling its pledge to farmers and producers to invest in agriculture to secure their livelihoods, and expand the sector.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has pointed out, several times, that thousands of farmers had been significantly affected by the APNU+AFC administration’s “don’t care attitude”.

“I have recognised that the last government failed our farmers when it came to extension services. Farmers were not accessing the service. They were not satisfied with the service and this meant they could not increase production or productivity.”

On Monday, New GMC’s General Manager, Teshawna Lall, commended the procurement, noting that transportation was identified as one of the issues hindering field work.

“This will help our staff to get into the farmlands easier. By strengthening

our extension department, we will be able to gather a larger database of crop production for our marketing purposes.

“This will enhance the timeliness and reliability as well as how we respond and follow up on issues facing our farmers. I must reiterate that a lot of focus will be placed on the extension department as it relates to them assisting agro-processors,” Ms. Lall relayed.

In keeping with the government’s mandate to meet farmers at the grassroots level, she said swift action would be taken to improve the New GMC’s services, specifically for those farmers in far-flung areas.

The General Manager noted that there has to be a new approach to operations at the agency for a better outcome.

The ATVs will be distributed to Regions One and Seven, while the motorcycles are expected to assist extension officers in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha said the New GMC will continue to be more responsive to the needs of the people of Guyana.

“We will ensure that we spend the resources to give you the kind of guidance needed, and establish the

Girlfriend on the run after allegedly chopping boyfriend to head A 29-year-old hire car driver, Parmanand Thakur, of Number 60 Village, Corentyne, Berbice was chopped to the head during an argument with his girlfriend, on Easter Day. Reports are that the victim was in the company of his girlfriend, Radika Hardeo, at her Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice home when the two had an argument.

During the argument, Hardeo reportedly armed herself with a cutlass and dealt Thakur a single chop to his head.

The injured man told investigators that he then entered his motor vehicle and drove to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was treated and sent away.

Based on information received from the victim, checks were made for the suspect at her Number 68 Village, Corentyne home, but she was not found.

Several persons in the area were contacted and questioned as investigations continue.

necessary infrastructure.

We will work along with farmers to produce … and will work overtime to meet their needs,” he said.

Some $28 million was allocated in this year’s national budget to improve extension services.

(DPI)

New GMC’s General Manager, Teshawna Lall

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Sri Lanka beauty queen injured in on-stage bust-up

The winner of a major Sri Lankan beauty prize has suffered head injuries after a brawl broke out on stage (BBC photo) THE winner of a major Sri Lankan beauty prize has suffered head injuries after a brawl broke out on stage.

Beauty queen, Pushpika De Silva, won the “Mrs Sri Lanka” title at a ceremony on national TV on Sunday.

Moments later, the 2019 winner seized Mrs De Silva’s crown, claiming she could not be awarded the title because she was divorced.

The prize has now been returned to Mrs De Silva, after pageant organisers confirmed she is not a divorcee.

Judges named Ms De Silva the 2021 winner at the Mrs Sri Lanka final in a theatre in Colombo on Sunday night.

But the 2019 winner, Caroline Jurie, stripped Mrs De Silva of her crown, citing a pageant rule that competitors must be married and not divorced.

“There is a rule that prevents women who have already been married and are divorced, so I am taking steps to make the crown go to second place,” Mrs Jurie told the audience.

She placed the crown on the runner-up, prompting a tearful Mrs De Silva to walk off stage, a video of the incident showed.

The organisers have apologised to Mrs De Silva, who says she is sepa-

rated, but not divorced.

In a Facebook post, she said she went to hospital to be treated for head injuries after the incident.

Mrs De Silva said she would take legal action for the “unreasonable and insulting” way she was treated.

“There are a lot of single mums like me today who are suffering in Sri Lanka,” Mrs De Silva told a press conference.

“This crown is dedicated to those women, those single mums who are suffering to raise their kids alone.”

The national director of Mrs Sri Lanka World, Chandimal Jayasinghe, told the BBC that the crown would be returned to Mrs De Silva on Tuesday.

“We are disappointed,” he said, adding: “It was a disgrace how Caroline Jurie behaved on the stage and the Mrs World organisation has already begun an investigation on the matter.”

Police have questioned Mrs Jurie, who is the current holder of the “Mrs World” title, as well as Mr Jayasinghe, about the incident.

The Mrs Sri Lanka World beauty pageant is a major contest in the country.

The prime minister’s wife was among the guests at the ceremony.

(BBC)

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Kwakwani residents urged to pursue opportunities beyond bauxite

MINISTER OF LABOUR, Joseph Hamilton, has urged Kwakwani residents to pursue livelihoods in other sectors to enhance their lives and develop their communities.

The Minister was, at the time, addressing a small gathering at the Kwakwani Primary School during a recent outreach to several villages in the Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).

The residents were in-

quiring about the way forward for bauxite workers since the Russia-owned bauxite company RUSAL suspended its operations over a labour conflict back in January 2020. That impasse resulted in workers who had been laid-off, blocking the Berbice River, preventing the movement of the company’s bauxite out of Guyana.

“You cannot sit down and wait for RUSAL and bauxite. The information I received is that RUSAL

might not be back here because RUSAL has been able to get a bauxite operation in Brazil that is more lucrative to them.

They are able to produce bauxite three, four times cheaper than they were doing in Guyana…

That’s why as leaders, we have to be careful about decision making,” he said.

Minister Hamilton also said Linden and Region 10 can no longer be regarded as bauxite areas, and that residents must now focus

on the other sectors including agriculture, forestry, mining and tourism.

At the same time, he noted that discussions are ongoing between local and partners regarding taking over the company in the future.

“I had a meeting with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners about mining and they raised that they are engaging people at the level of UK as a conglomerate to put a proposal to the Government. I don’t

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, during his engagement with Kwakwani residents

Some Kwakwani residents at the meeting

know when, I don’t know how, I don’t know how soon,” he said.

In the interim, the Labour Minister presented to the residents a range of opportunities for skills training through the Board of Industrial Training for youths, women and retirees. These include training in areas such as small engine repairs, mechanics, plumbing, masonry,

heavy-duty machinery operation, solar panel repairs, cosmetology, and garment construction.

He also encouraged Friendly Society groups to regularise themselves so they can also benefit from training and access small loans and grants to undertake economic ventures. These groups can also bid for small government contracts. (DPI)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Brazil daily COVID deaths tops 4,000 for first time BRAZIL has recorded more than 4,000 COVID-related deaths in 24 hours for the first time, as a more contagious variant fuels a huge surge in cases.

Hospitals are overcrowded, with people dying as they wait for treatment in some cities, and the health system is on the brink of collapse in many areas.

The country’s total death

toll is now almost 337,000, second only to the US. But President Jair Bolsonaro continues to oppose any lockdown measures to curb the outbreak.

He argues that the dam-

Brazil has become the global epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic (BBC photo) age to the economy would be corded more than 13 million gen and sedative. But despite worse than the effects of the cases of coronavirus, ac- the critical situation, some virus itself, and has tried to cording to the health min- cities and states are already revert some of the restrictions istry. Some 66,570 people easing measures limiting the imposed by local authorities died of COVID-19 in March, movement of people. in the courts. more than double the previ“The fact is the anti-lockSpeaking to supporters ous monthly record. down narrative of President outside the presidential resIn most states, patients Jair Bolsonaro has won,” idence on Tuesday, he crit- with COVID-19 are using Miguel Lago, executive diicised quarantine measures, more than 90 per cent of in- rector of Brazil’s Institute claiming they were linked to tensive care unit beds though for Health Policy Studies, obesity and depression and numbers have been stable which advises public health led to unemployment. He did since the past week, accord- officials, told the Associated not comment on the 4,195 ing to the health institute Press. deaths recorded in the past Fiocruz (in Portuguese).

“Mayors and governors 24 hours.

Several states have reSee page 23 To date, Brazil has re- ported short supplies of oxy-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Forecasters predict ‘above-normal’ 2021 hurricane season METEOROLOGISTS at AccuWeather have predicted that the 2021 hurricane season is expected to be an above-normal season for tropical storm activity in the Atlantic, but not see off-the-charts activity like last season.

The 2020 hurricane season produced a record-breaking 30 named storms. Thirteen were hurricanes, and six developed into major hurricanes.

According to a team of tropical weather experts at AccuWeather, led by veteran meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, they predict 16 to 20 named storms for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.

From this number, seven to 10 are projected to reach hurricane strength, and about three to five are predicted to become major hurricanes.

“Current indications are this will be another above-normal season,” said Kottlowski, who is in his 45th year of issuing forecasts for AccuWeather. “This can translate into high impacts on the United States.”

It was noted that water temperatures in the Atlantic are already above normal.

The report says waters in much of the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are also warmer than normal, or around normal.

As of March 29, water temperatures off Key West, Florida, were around 81.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about five degrees above normal, but not higher than temperatures recorded in 2020, which was 87.8 degrees around the same date.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; however, the National Hurricane Center has indicated that it will begin issuing tropical weather outlooks from May 15. (LoopNews)

Brazil daily COVID deaths tops 4,000 ...

From page 22 are politically prohibited from beefing up social distancing policies because they know supporters of the president, including business leaders, will sabotage it,” he said.

The far-right President, who repeatedly played down the virus, raised doubts about vaccines and defended unproven drugs as treatment, has seen his popularity plummet amid criticism of his handling of the crisis.

He has shifted his tone on immunisations recently, pledging to make 2021 the year of vaccinations. But the government has struggled with the rollout of its programme.

Critics say his government was slow in negotiating supplies amid a worldwide run, leaving Brazil facing delays in receiving jabs. Only around eight per cent of the population has received at least one dose, according to the Our World in Data tracker.

Epidemiologist Ethel Maciel said the country was in a “dreadful situation”, telling AFP news agency: “At the rate we’re vaccinating... the only way to slow the extremely fast spread of the virus is an effective lockdown for at least 20 days.”

Fiocruz said it has detected 92 variants of coronavirus in the country, including the P.1, or Brazil variant, which has become a cause for concern because it is thought to be much more contagious than the original strain.

The variant is thought to have emerged in Amazonas state in November 2020, spreading quickly in the state capital Manaus, where it accounted for 73 per cent of cases by January 2021, according to figures analysed by researchers in Brazil.

It has been linked to a spike in infections and deaths in a number of South American countries.

(BBC)

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Business training for women in rural communities

WELEAD CARIBBEAN has partnered with the Embassy of the United States of America to launch an initiative called the ‘academy for women entrepreneurs’, which will provide business training to women in rural communities across Guyana.

This initiative forms part of their mandate of developing, supporting,

and promoting women entrepreneurs and will help to reduce barriers and facilitate female entrepreneurship in the local economy, founder of WeLead Caribbean, Abbigale Loncke, said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Some 25 female entrepreneurs from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will be invited to participate in the training

programme. All of the entrepreneurs have either already started businesses or are in the process of starting a business.

“The five-month programme aims to support women in rural areas of Guyana and includes Venezuelan migrants. After the training is completed, the participants will be provided with practical tools to start their businesses

through a mentorship programme,” the release noted.

The ‘academy of women entrepreneurs’ will be managed by the founder of WeLead Caribbean Abbigale Loncke, an alumnus of the Department of State’s Young Leaders of America Programmee.

Interested persons are encouraged to visit www. weleadcaribbean.com or bit.ly/AWEGuyana for application instructions.

Persons are also asked to contact Loncke on telephone number 648-4302.

The deadline for registration is April 28, 2021.

Successful applicants will be notified by May 5, 2021 and the programme will commence on May 11, 2021.

“The academy of women entrepreneurs is a part of the U.S. Embassy’s ongoing effort to empower women in Guyana to fulfill their economic potential, create conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all Guyanese people,” the press release noted.

GDF corporal in custody after teen dies following WCB accident A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) corporal is in police custody following the death of a 16-yearold male who was struck down, allegedly, by the corporal with motor vehicle PKK 7780, on Monday.

The teen, who has since been identified as Lakeram Sirkissoon of No. 7 Village, West Coast of Berbice (WCB), succumbed around 05:00hrs on Tuesday, while receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Based on reports from the police, breathalyser tests conducted on the corporal showed a reading of .70 and .76 micrograms of alcohol in his blood; this is above the legal limit which is .35 micrograms and below.

Reports indicate that the accident occurred on Monday at around 21:45hrs on the Number 6 Public Road, WCB. Police said that the intoxicated driver of PKK 7780, who was transporting a male and female occupant, was travelling west along the road.

The GDF rank told police that he saw a pedal cyclist riding across the road from the northern to the southern side and he attempted to swerve right to avoid a collision. But, despite his effort, he collided into the rear of the cyclist.

As a result of the collision, the teenager fell and received injuries to his head and other parts of the body.

The teen was initially taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was treated for injuries to the head. He was then transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he later died.

The occupants of the motor car were all treated and sent away.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Former UG Vice-Chancellor to spearhead roll out of 20,000 scholarships

–– will oversee new Guyana Online Academy of Learning FORMER Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, has been appointed head of the newly established Guyana Online Academy of Learning, which will facilitate the roll out of 20,000 online scholarships for interested Guyanese.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Education, the new academy will be

These are the University of the West Indies Open Campus; the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC); the University of Applied Sciences (IUBH); the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the JAIN “deemed to be” University.

Programmes will be offered from the certificate level up to the PhD level. The timeline for completing these pro-

Some of the GOAL employees during Tuesday’s engagement with the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand housed at the Ogle Estate, East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

During a tour of the facility on Tuesday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand engaged Dr. Opadeyi and staff of GOAL on the important role they are expected to play in facilitating the development of Guyanese, countrywide.

It was reported recently that the 20,000 scholarships will be offered over five years, with 4,500 of those scholarships to be awarded this year alone.

Guyanese could apply to pursue any of the over 80 programmes from five internationally acclaimed universities being offered through GOAL.

grammes range from two months to three years.

Application forms are now available on the Ministry of Education’s website at www.education.gov.gy. The GOAL website will be launched this week to facilitate the submission of digital applications by interested persons.

According to the Ministry of Education, this initiative is the Government of Guyana’s way of providing opportunities to Guyanese for training, academic growth and lifelong learning.

It is expected that over time, more universities will come on board to provide additional programmes in various areas.

25

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, meeting employees of GOAL on Tuesday

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Three die of COVID-19

THREE additional deaths recorded by the Ministry of Health between Monday and Tuesday have pushed the COVID-19 death toll to 249.

The latest fatalities are two women, aged 67 and 78, from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Up-

per Berbice), respectively, and a 67-year-old man from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). They all died while receiving care at a local health facility.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has recorded 26 new COVID-19 cases from 296 tests conducted for Monday, April 5.

This was reflected in the Ministry of Health’s daily COVID-19 dashboard for April 6.

Of these, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) recorded two cases; Region Four, 15; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 11; and Region

10, one.

The newly infected persons were 17 males and 14 females. No other regions have confirmed new cases within the past 24 hours.

There are currently 12 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 75 in institutional isolation, 947 isolated at home

and eight in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has so far confirmed a total of 10,637 cases of COVID-19. Of that number, 1,042 are currently active. And, of the 9,354 recoveries, 65 were recorded within the past 24 hours.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the impor-

tance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Pam Dillon takes ‘Simpli Royal’ to a whole new level RENOWNED pageant planner, Pamela Dillon, on Saturday, at her D’Urban Backlands residence, launched the “Simpli Royal Professional Cosmetology Club,” to provide local cosmetologists and beauticians with a support network to motivate them to grow as professionals.

The club caters to persons who are certified cosmetologists, or self-taught operators wanting to upgrade and certify themselves, and students who are hopeful about their future, and want to be on the cutting edge of the industry.

“We aim to encourage your professional growth by combining knowledge of theory and hands-on opportunities to lay the foundation for your future career, meeting the international standards while enhancing the education of you, the industry leaders, in Guyana,”

Founder of Simpli Royal Professional Cosmetology Club, Pamela Dillon Dillon said in brief remarks on Saturday.

This club will provide a support mechanism for practising cosmetologists, and Dillon said for those who join, they should see membership as an investment in their future.

“We want to provide each member with excellent education and business support, so that he or she prepares to embrace the future with confidence in today’s changing world, as we beckon First World development because of our new-found oil wealth,” Dillon said.

Membership would also offer exclusive discounts at particular merchants. The club has already received commitments on offers of discounts at Clippers Barber and Beauty Supplies, and OD’s Creative Nail Supplies so far, and is inviting other retailers to get on board and support the mutually beneficial initiative.

“There will be other benefits such as skills upgrades, business coaching, networking opportunities, industry news, monthly support meetings, and discounted master classes,” Dillon said.

The programme is also being promoted as part of Guyana’s technical and vocational education training (TVET) landscape.

Saturday’s launch was attended by Deputy Director of the Council for TVET, Krishn Sharma. Dillon herself is a TVET-Certified facilitator, and has been teaching since 1989.

The event was also attended by a number of resource professionals within the field from the Caribbean region and the USA. Among those making remarks were Dr. Germaine Williams-Beckles, a Trichologist and Facilitator from Trinidad; Reverend Joan Ward, an Author and Publisher from Barbados; and Carlotta Braithwaite, a stylist from the USA. The event also saw products on display such as NSI Guyana, distributed by Lexann’s Nail Creations, owned

by Lexann McPhoy; Leisa’s Salon and Beauty Supplies, which manufactures local beauty and body products; and Liesl Headley, owner of Nature’s Own Body Clinic, which specialises in massages and detoxification.

Author of “A Compilation of Daily Reminders,” Wendy Hermonstine also had copies of her book on display.

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Enterprise man arrested in the ‘North West’ with unlicensed firearm A forty-five-year-old man of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was arrested in the North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), after he used an unlicensed firearm to threaten another man.

Police said that the incident occurred around 00:10hrs on Tuesday at the Water Front at Port Kaituma.

Reports indicate that Keith Doris, a labourer of Water Front, Port Kaituma, reported to the Port Kaituma Police that he was being threatened by a man carrying a gun.

This caused a party of policemen to descend on the location where Doris said the suspect could be found. A

The firearm and ammunition that were seized in the ‘North West’ search was subsequently conducted on the man’s person during which a black .32 pistol fell through the left leg of his trousers.

A search of the premises at which he was staying also unearthed eight matching rounds of ammunition, but, to his credit, the suspect, after realising that the game was up, admitted to the police that he was not licensed to carry a firearm.

Thereupon, he was cautioned, arrested and escorted to the Port Kaituma Police Station, where the gun and ammunition were sealed and lodged, and he was placed in custody pending charges.

Fisherman feared dead after falling into Waini River A fisherman is feared dead after his feet became entangled with a fishing net, causing him to fall out of the boat he was travelling in and into the mouth of the Waini River, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

According to reports, a search was launched for the man who has since been identified as 45-year-old Vickram Hardowar, of Uitvlugt, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Reports are that at around 4:30hrs on Monday, Hardowar, who was part of a six-man crew, was tossing a fishing seine into the ocean, some 65 miles offshore, when his feet got entangled with the net and he fell overboard.

Members of the six-man crew told police that they tossed two life jackets in his direction and was in the process of turning the boat around, when they heard him shout for help three times before going under. The men said they searched the area but couldn’t find him.

As a result, the crew went to the Morawhanna Police Station and reported the matter. The men are presently at the Mabaruma Police Station assisting with the investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

31

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

33

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

35

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

CWI landmark digital deal set to enhance global fan base ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has signed a landmark four-year deal with India’s premier digital sports company, FanCode, and expects the partnership to result in a strengthening of its global fan base.

The deal, announced yesterday, will allow the Indian market to have access to a plethora of West Indies cricket with nearly 150 international and 250 domestic matches in the Caribbean being streamed exclusively on FanCode.

Additionally, FanCode will also be responsible for creating content to inform “deeper fan engagement”, by showcasing behind-thescenes footage, player features and the culture of West Indies cricket.

“West Indies cricket remains immensely popular all around the world and many Indian fans see us as their second favourite team,” said CWI chief executive Johnny Grave.

They have always followed West Indies teams and players and this partnership will provide great access to bring them even closer.

“It is very important for the West Indies to access the significant cricket-loving passionate audience in India. We are excited and eager to work with FanCode and their innovative, digital-first broadcast platform.”

Available on FanCode will be 16 international West Indies series but more importantly, India’s 2022 tour of West Indies for three OneDay Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.

Several West Indies Women home series will also feature on FanCode along with Under-19 International fixtures, and matches in the Super50 Cup – CWI’s domestic one-day championship.

Other than the regular monthly and annual subscriptions, viewers will be able to watch a single match or an entire series, as well as watch real time match highlights and customised data to enhance their viewing experience.

CWI president Ricky Skerritt said the partnership was key to further enhancing the relationship with India.

“We are delighted to announce this new partnership with FanCode. India is one of our close allies in the cricket world and a key player in the global sporting landscape,” he explained.

“So this new agreement will enhance our presence there and also bring millions of fans closer to our team and to the magnificence of West Indies cricket.”

FanCode co-founder, Yannick Colaco, said the partnership was an exciting one, bringing Indian fans closer to the spirit of West Indies cricket.

“The Caribbean is home to some of the most entertaining cricket played in the world,” Colaco said.

“We are excited to partner with Cricket West Indies and bring close to 400 matches from the Caribbean, featuring some of world cricket’s biggest and brightest stars, to Indian cricket fans.

“This partnership will give millions of cricket fans in India the opportunity to experience FanCode and the many digital innovations we are bringing to improve the sports fan consumption experience.”

P&P Insurance Brokers to sponsor GSSF Shoot for sixth consecutive year AFTER a lengthy time away from the ranges, local sport shooters will be given an opportunity to participate in a match to be sponsored annually

by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited.

For the sixth consecutive year, this match marks the start of the

year’s Shooting calendar for matches hosted by the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF).

Chair of the Steel Challenge and Director of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation, Mr Dallas Thomas, noted that shooters will be competing in three divisions; Production, Limited and Wildcat.

The match will consist of two stages, with each stage consisting of five shots.

Times are recorded and the worst one is discarded, leaving the each shooter with four recorded times, the total of which is his/her score for the stage.

At the end of the match, the scores are tallied and prizes will be awarded for the top three performers in each division.

According to Thomas, “GSSF is excited to conduct our first match in over a year. Hence the name of the event ‘Rust Off’ match. We look forward to a safe and fun event which will include

COVID-19 prevention measures.”

The GSSF would like to thank P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited for its continued support and dedication to the shooting sport.

At the ceremony held at P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd office., located at Lots 272-273 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Treasurer and Director of the Foundation, Mr. Ray Beharry, met with representatives of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited for the handover of sponsorship funds, and, in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to the Executive Director of P&P, Mr. Vikash Panday.

The Foundation expresses its thanks once again to Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bishwa Panday and P&P Insurance, who unhesitatingly came on board to support the sport shooting fraternity for the sixth year.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

37

Smith a ‘remarkable’ IPL steal, but faces selection squeeze

RICKY Ponting says it was “actually quite remarkable” how his Delhi Capitals franchise was able to pick up Australian star Steve Smith on the cheap for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, the Capitals head coach has indicated Smith is not a certain selection in his side as the 31-year-old battles a host of international guns and top-order talent for a spot in Delhi XI. Smith was purchased for A$390 000 at February’s auction, a significant drop in value after he’d been on a A$2.2 million deal with Rajasthan the year before.

Ponting had told Smith before the auction he was eager to bring him to the Capitals, but conceded the Australian wasn’t spoken about at length in Delhi’s pre-auction strategy meetings given they expected to be outbid by other teams who had more money available under the salary cap.

But to the shock of most observers, including Ponting as he watched the auction remotely from his home in Melbourne, there were just two bids for Smith on the night of the auction; one from Royal Challengers Bangalore and the other from Delhi, before RCB pulled out of the race.

“I’m not really sure how we got him so cheap,” Ponting told cricket.com.au this week ahead

of the 2021 tournament, which starts on Friday night.

“It was quite clear that a lot of other teams had more money than we going into the auction.

A lot of other teams released more players, so they got a lot of their salary cap back.

“So going into the auction, we hadn’t really spoken a lot about Smithy. His name did come up in some of the strategy stuff, but … we just thought ‘we’re getting outbid’, simple as that. So we hadn’t put that much time into it.

“I was on the phone at home actually watching the auction live and talking to our owners as it was all happening.

And that one bid came from us, and it was one bid and bang!

Sold to Delhi Capitals.

“It was actually quite remarkable how it turned out because that sort of class doesn’t come around all the time and that sort of experience doesn’t come around all the time.”

In a behind-the-scenes video released a week later, it was revealed that RCB only bid for Smith to force other franchises to spend money early in the auction, a part of Bangalore’s overall strategy to spend big later in the night on Australian Glenn Maxwell (A$2.52 million) and Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson (A$2.66 million).

While Smith adds plenty of depth and talent to Delhi’s list, he faces a battle to win a spot in

Khan warns Benn over Vargas threat FORMER world champion Amir Khan has warned Conor Benn about the “dangerous” power of Samuel Vargas “which can cause any fighter problems” and says the 24-yearold is taking a “massive step-up” when he risks his unbeaten record and WBA Continental title this Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK, on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.

Conor Benn

Khan knows all about the threat posed by Vargas, having been floored when they shared the ring back in September 2018. Khan sent Vargas to the canvas in the second round, only to be dropped himself and

had to respond with another knockdown, during a hardfought points victory.

Vargas is no stranger to elite level competition after being in with numerous quality operators such as Errol Spence and Danny Garcia. The former World Champion Khan says ‘The Destroyer’ will have to be at his very best this weekend if he is to maintain his unblemished record.

“He can get in there and have a little tear up,” said Khan, when speaking to Sky Sports. “He can throw a good shot as well. He’s got decent power. I think it’s a massive step-up for Conor Benn. I think Conor will have his hands full in that fight.

“Since obviously after he fought me, he has been in one or two difficult fights … and he’s been beaten after I beat him. But I still think he’s a dangerous operator.

“You have to stay focussed throughout the whole fight, because this is boxing. One punch can change a fight. Samuel has that power, has decent skills, which can cause any fighter problems.”

(Fightnews)

their first-choice side after they finished second last season.

Only four international players can be picked in any one XI and Australian Marcus Stoinis as well as South African pair Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will be hard to overlook given their strong performances in 2020.

It means Smith could be battling middle-order players

Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) and Sam Billings (England) as well as pace-bowling all-rounders Chris Woakes and Tom Curran (both England) for the fourth and final international spot.

If Smith plays, Ponting says he will likely bat in the top three in a side that is without their injured captain, Indian batting star Shreyas Iyer.

With the likes of Shikhar

Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane and Stoinis all capable of batting in the top order, there are plenty of contenders to take a spot in the top three from the man ranked number two in the ICC Test batting rankings.

But with a T20 World Cup in India later this year as well as an IPL mega-auction ahead of next season, Ponting be-

Delhi coach Ricky Ponting (left) is delighted to secure the talent and experience of the Aussie superstar, although the 31-year-old is no certain starter

lieves Smith won’t be lacking in motivation after being let go

by Rajasthan.

“I think the fact that he’s been released from the franchise that he’s been at for a long time will make him a bit hungry as well this year,” he said.

“So, if he gets an opportunity with us – I think it will be in the top three somewhere – if he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll have a great year for us.

“I caught up with him (recently), he’s very, very keen to go out there and perform well.

“Obviously the other side of that is there’s a big auction again next year, so if he happens to have a really good IPL this year, then I’m sure that that price is going to go up for the coming season. “(It’s) great to have him as a part of our squad. As I said – even if he doesn’t play, for instance, to have someone like that around with his sort of knowledge on the game and the T20 game, will be great for our group. I can’t wait to work with him again.

“When you get a chance to play in a competition like that, which is as strong as it is, it can’t hurt you. That’s for sure.

You can take so much from it because you’re playing against the best players in the world for eight weeks in a row.”

(Cricket.com.au)

North Korea drops out of Tokyo Olympics citing COVID-19, dashing South Korean hopes

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) - North Korea said yesterday it would not take part in the Tokyo Olympics due to coronavirus concerns, dashing South Korean hopes that the Games could be a catalyst to revive peace talks.

It will be the first time North Korea has missed a summer Olympics since it boycotted the Seoul games in 1988, during the Cold War. South Korean President Moon Jae-in had hoped the two countries, still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, could field a combined team in Tokyo and rebuild momentum for an improvement in relations.

The North’s withdrawal is also a setback for Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s plan, agreed in 2018, to pursue a joint Korean bid to host the 2032 Games.

When South Korea hosted the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, Kim sent his sister to head the national delegation, and both teams marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony and fielded a combined women’s ice hockey team.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula rose last month when the North resumed missile tests, although both sides said they wanted to continue

dialogue.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said Seoul had hoped the Tokyo Olympics would be a chance to “foster peace and reconciliation” and expressed regret that it could not happen.

cratic People’s Republic of Korea) to be released from their obligation to take part in the Olympic Games according to the Olympic Charter,” an IOC spokesperson said.

North Korea’s sports ministry said on its website that

North Korea Sports Minister Kim Il Guk

The Tokyo Organising Committee said it would “continue to prepare the best possible stage to welcome athletes from all countries and regions”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had asked the North Korean organising committee several times for a telephone conference to discuss the coronavirus situation in North Korea, but North Korea had been unable to comply.

“The IOC has not received any official application from the NOC of DPRK (Demo-

the decision to pull out of Tokyo had been made at a meeting of its Olympic committee with Sports Minister Kim Il Guk on March 25.

“The committee decided not to join the 32nd Olympics Games to protect athletes from the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus,” it said.

North Korea says it has not had any coronavirus cases.

The March 25 meeting also discussed ways to develop professional sports technologies, earn more medals at international competitions and expand public sports activities over the next five years, the ministry said.

Kim, known to be a fan of U.S. basketball, has expressed a desire to promote professional sports in North Korea.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday, April 07, 2021

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S: Drawn Series (0-0) Suranga Lakmal (SL)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Who faced the first ball in Test match cricket?

Who delivered it?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Liverpool outclassed by Real Madrid 3-1 in Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss

LIVERPOOL will need to produce another huge European display at Anfield if they are to reach the last four of the Champions League after suffering a crushing quarter-final firstleg loss to Real Madrid.

The Reds were largely second best throughout an entertaining game in Spain against a Real team missing their first-choice centre-back pairing, but packed with impressive attacking talent.

Much of the damage was done in the first half, begun when Vinicius Junior took down a brilliant longrange pass from Toni Kroos on his chest before firing the opener past Alisson.

Marco Asensio doubled the lead, taking advantage of a lose header from Trent Alexander-Arnold to chip the ball over Alisson and then tap into an empty net.

Liverpool came out fighting after the break, pulling a goal back through Mohamed Salah’s close-range finish off the crossbar to spark their best 20-minute spell of the contest.

But they were stung when Vinicius found the net via a first-time shot follow-

ing a fine attacking move with 25 minutes to go.

It leaves them with a mountain to climb in the return leg at an empty Anfield on 14 April.

last season’s stellar title-winning campaign.

If that was one step forward, this was two steps back, with the Reds largely outclassed by a notably superior opponent. They

break, correcting his decision to start Naby Keita ahead of Thiago.

It could easily have been any of the Reds’ outfield 10 withdrawn, though, with the front three largely pas-

Vinicius Junior (20y 268d) is the second youngest scorer for Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout match, after Raul (18y 253d) in March 1996 against Juventus

TWO STEPS BACK FOR LIVERPOOL At the weekend, Liverpool ripped Arsenal apart, winning 3-0 in a display that some felt represented the turning of a corner for a side that have fallen well short of the standards they set during

repeatedly gave the ball away under pressure and were - barring a brief rally at the start of the second half - uncharacteristically pedestrian and toothless.

It said much that manager Jurgen Klopp opted for a substitution just before the

sengers, the centre-back pairing of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak looking every bit second-string and Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson often found out of position and exposed.

They were aggrieved that a foul was not awarded for

a challenge on Sadio Mane ahead of Asensio’s goal, but 2-0 was the least Real deserved at the break.

It is to the credit of Klopp and his players that they were able to rectify some of their problems and get themselves back into the tie through Salah’s neat finish.

Real’s third goal killed their momentum and turned the match into one Real could

manage.

During their run to win the Champions League in 2019, Liverpool came back from a 3-0 away leg loss to beat Barcelona on aggregate via a stunning semi-final second leg full of ferocity and attacking brilliance.

They will need to do produce similar if they are to beat Barca’s fierce rivals in eight days time. (BBC Sport)

English Racing Tips Catterick 08:45 hrs Alsvinder 09:20 hrs Tantastic 09:50 hrs Wise Eagle 10:20 hrs Equidae 10:50 hrs Alix James 11:20 hrs Sage Advice 11:50 hrs Blissful Song

Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 11:00 hrs Chicago Black Hawk 11:30 hrs Elizabethan 12:00 hrs Pretty Rebel 12:30 hrs Adakaz 13:00 hrs Ububtu 13:30 hrs Fil The Power 14:00 hrs Gudmanlarry

Lingfield 08:00 hrs Rosie Powers 08:30 hrs Libbretta 09:00 hrs Royal Mews 09:30 hrs Emerald Fox 10:00 hrs Cuban Cigar 10:30 hrs King’s Knight 11:05 hrs Mummy Bear 11:35 hrs Axel Jacklin

American Racing Tips Keenland Race 1 Kaufymaker Race 2 Cleveland Simpson Race 3 Ballacolla Race 4 Kaley’s Sister Race 5 Scarabea Race 6 Don’t Forget Race 7 Tuned Race 8 Stay Home

Nottingham 09:10 hrs Daddy Frank 09:40 hrs Straightouttacompton 10:10 hrs Copinet 10:40 hrs Muker 11:10 hrs Sir Ron Priestley 11:40 hrs Astro King 12:10 hrs Annadale

South Africa Racing Tips 08:25 hrs Boldly Go 09:05 hrs Rockin Ringo 09:45 hrs Green Light Gal 10:25 hrs Lilac Sensation 11:00 hrs Giacomo Puccini

Folden scores late winner as Irving scores 40 points as Brooklyn Nets beat New York Knicks Man City edge Dortmund 2-1

PHIL Foden’s last-gasp strike gave Manchester City a crucial slender advantage in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund at Etihad Stadium.

City’s hopes of reaching the semi-final looked to be in the balance when Marco Reus gave Dortmund what looked like a priceless away goal with a cool finish from Erling Haaland’s pass six minutes from time.

Kevin De Bruyne, who had given City the lead with a crisp finish after 19 minutes, played his part once more in the final minute of normal time when his fine cross was touched back by Ilkay Gundogan for Foden to stroke a finish past Marwin Hitz.

It was a bitter blow for an enterprising Dortmund side, who

will leave Manchester nursing a burning sense of injustice directed towards Romanian official Ovidiu Hategan after he controversially ruled out Jude Bellingham’s second-half goal with City leading 1-0.

Bellingham beat Ederson to a through ball but after it appeared City’s keeper kicked the teenager, the referee blew for a foul against Borussia with the England star racing towards an empty net - not even allowing the intervention of VAR which would have surely awarded a goal.

City, who had a firsthalf penalty award overturned by VAR, showed commendable strength of character and great determination to react to the blow of Reus’ goal to score the winner and are now in pole position before the return leg in Germany. (BBC Sport)

Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer in the final minute secured victory for Brooklyn Nets

K Y R I E I r v i n g s c o re d 40 points including a final-minute three-pointer to help Brooklyn Nets fight back to beat New York Knicks 114-112.

Brooklyn lost key player James Harden after only four minutes with a hamstring problem and trailed by 10

points at halftime.

However, Irving’s late three-pointer secured victory for Nets.

“A lot of guys stepped up, especially our bench. They came in and made a difference,” Irving said.

Harden was making his return on Monday after

missing two games with tightness in his right hamstring and appeared to suffer the same problem against Knicks.

The Nets are top of the Eastern Conference with 35 wins and 16 defeats.

Elsewhere, Dallas Mavericks extended their winning

streak to five matches with a 111-103 victory over Utah Jazz.

Devin Booker scored a game-high 36 points to help Phoenix Suns beat Houston Rockets 133-130, while Toronto Raptors claimed a 103-101 win over Washington Wizards.* (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, April 7, 2021

39

Could Stanton Rose’s men halt the Reggae dominance

By Charwayne Walker

GUYANA’S FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifier has just gotten tougher with the addition of Jamaica to Group E. The Land of the Majestic Kaieteur Falls have only defeated Reggae Boyz once in ten FIBA-sponsored Senior international matches.

The two countries first clashed at the Senior International level in August 1981.

The venue was the National Sports Hall in Georgetown, and the event was the inaugural 1981 CARICOM Basketball Championship.

The boys from Reggae country won that semi-final clash 81-68. Centre Wayne Sappleton had a game-high 26 points, John Bailey scored 20 points, for Guyana, the late Stanislaus Hadmon top-scored with 22 points, skipper Hewley Harry 14 points, James Brusche 12 points and Keith Alexander 9 points.

The next time the countries met at the senior inter-

national level was 1985 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Jamaica won that CARICOM clash 70-58.The boys from Kingston were victorious the following year August

1986, when the two teams clashed in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Jamaica winning 86-67.

The Reggae dominance continued at the 1988 CARICOM Championship host-

Stanton Rose Jr, MVP of the 2018 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championship

Squash Association sends heartfelt message as tributes continue for the late Samuel Colin Ming

THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) and the entire sporting community were thrown into mourning with the sudden, tragic and untimely death of Samuel Colin Ming.

Colin Ming

Colin, as everyone called him, was a former secretary of the GSA. He served our organisation with distinction for several years and was also president of the Caribbean Area Squash Association.

Colin was one of the key persons responsible for the re-drafting of the constitution for GSA, as well as the rules for the Junior Caribbean squash championships.

Ming, according to the release, was a true friend

to many and could always be called on to assist GSA in any way, whenever necessary. Anyone who really knew Colin would know that he loved sports with a passion and he was always seeking to discover that special athlete who could make him and Guyana proud.

“Over the years he has sponsored and provided assistance to countless athletes and given his time and energy to the development of sport in Guyana; be it motor racing, squash, golf or athletics, to name a few. Colin was not only a Sports Administrator, he also managed several squash teams which left these shores and he was also an excellent squash coach”.

“If you knew Colin well, when he committed to doing something, regardless of what it was, he put his all into it to ensure that he was successful. He spent endless hours over the years at the Georgetown Club on the squash courts working on the physical as well as the mental skills of his students and on fine-tuning their

games. They all reaped the success of his exploits.”

He was meticulous and would always be willing to give advice and express an opinion. He will always be remembered for his expertise and advice given during the construction of squash court No.1 at the Georgetown Club.

Due to his input, the floor on the squash court is one of the best in the Caribbean. Other associations would always be contacting him to assist and advise them on the construction of their squash court floors.

Colin will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him for his exemplary contributions to the development of sport in Guyana, his contributions to the business community, and his contributions to the youth - especially those in need in the community close to where he worked. His was a life to be emulated.

The GSA wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the entire Ming family for their loss. May his soul rest in peace!

ed by Guyana at the National Sports Hall.

Jamaica won that fifth place clash 55-51.

The two teams met three years later at the 1991 CARICOM Championship in Kingston, Jamaica.

The hosts won that CARICOM clash 87-75. For Guyana, Auric Tappin top-scored with 27 points, skipper Leon Christian 17 points, Wayne Andries 14 points and Gregory Wyles 13 points.

Four years later, August 1995, the two teams met again, this time the venue was the Isaacs Kennedy Gymnasium, Nassau, Bahamas.

Jamaica won that CARICOM match-up 67-54.

The following year 1996, the two teams met twice at the CARICOM Championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica won in the preliminary round 106-98. For Guyana, skipper Lugard Mohan top-scored with 19 points, Steven Nurse 14 points and Lorenzo Withrite 14 points.

The teams met in the

semi-finals and again Jamaica won 100-97. Guyana centre Lorenzo Withrite top-scored with 27 points and had 9 rebounds, Wayne Bristol 23 points and skipper Lugard Mohan 20 points.

The two countries next met four years later, in June 2000, in Bridgetown, Barbados. Guyana played under the captaincy of Ravens icon, Lugard Mohan, ending the Reggae Boyz dominance with an empathic 70-63 points’ victory.

The venue was Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

Skipper Lugard Mohan led from the front with 24 points, centre Lancelot Loncke 18 points Deryck Boyd 9 points, Orin Mohan 9 points. For Jamaica, Julian Dunkley top-scored with 14 pts, Damian Leslie scored 12pts.

Jamaica won the 2011 clash in The Bahamas 75-43..

For Jamaica, Garfield Blair top-scored with 18 points, R. Reid scored 10 points.

For Guyana, Rodwell Fortune aced with 14 points anf

Dwayne Roberts 11 points..

The last Guyana team that defeated Jamaica in 2000.

Lugard Mohan - Captain, Ravens Orin Mohan - Ravens Lancelot Lonke - Globe Trotters Remington Ram - Globe Trotters Lorenzo Withrite - Colts Andrew Ifill - Deceased – Colts United Dexter Martin - D/C Jammers Sherwin Devonish - D/C Jammers Deryck Boyd - Deceased – D/C Jammers Darren Ainsworth - D/C Jammers Steven Nurse - D/C Jammers Wayne Bristol - D/C Jammers Steve Niels Jr - Kings Bernard Daniels - Coach Robert Cadogan - Assistant Coach Please note that Steve Niels Jr was not named in the original squad. He replaced Wayne Bristol.

MSC seeking to reach listed members dating back to 2018 for Sunday’s General Members Meeting THE Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), in an effort to clear up its membership concerns and ensure that all members are in keeping with its Constitution, has listed all members dating back to 2018 to be present, and those who are invited to a General Members Meeting on Sunday April 11, at 16:00hrs at the MSC pavilion.

Interestingly, the MSC has been identified by the Government of Guyana as one of three venues to be multipurpose facilities in Guyana, while next month, in May the Annual General Meeting and Biennial Elections are due..

However, one of the challenges facing the MSC Management Committee is that most of those members cannot be reached, since no contact number, email or postal address can be found for them.

In light of this, efforts are being made to contact those members so that information with regard to meetings and plans for the Club can be given to all members.

As such those known and listed members according to the records with the MSC are asked to make contact with either Mr Joseph Chapman, the General Secretary on 6211643, Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Mr Norris King on 699-0200 or Treasurer Ms Kelly Quow 672-6438 or at her office at Thom’s Building on

Republic Avenue, Mackenzie. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to be advised about their financial status with the MSC. Members, who are asked to make contact urgently with the above-named officials of the MSC, are:- Carlsdale Aaron, Deron Adams, dena Alberts, Kirk Allicock, Raheem Angus, Emmanuel Atkins, Kemuel Batson, Andrew Barnwell, Aswatt Barrett, Seon Barrett, Samantha Benjamin, James Bobbsemple, Jacqueline Bourne, Bonita Bowen, Annalisa Barclay, Chantoba Bright, Mars Bristol, Michael Cameron, Joseph Chapman, Damion Charles, Oswald Charles, Jaha Copeland, Stanley Humphrey Collins, Dellon Crandon, Tracy Edwards, Dawn Fiedtkou, Damien Forrester, Jarred Fox, Tyrrell Fraser, Shaquille Fraser, Bradley Fredericks, Keane Fredericks, Una Garner, Mark Giddings, Mortimer Giddings, Samantha Goodluck, Dominic Gonsalves, Mark Goring, Kevin Glenn, Johnny Gravesande, Carlos Grant, Dellon Gray, Devon Gray, Renardo Green, Russell Green, Daniella Hackette, Keon Hall, Abdulla Hamid, Tracy Hamilton, Susan Hamilton, Tevin Hercules, Grevan Hinds, Gregory Hinds, Dexter Harris, Cleon Haynes, Thierry Hunte, Cliffanna Hunter, Denisha Isaa-

cs, Carl James, Outar James, Hanna Joseph, Malissa Joseph, Derron John, Desmond Johnson, Kellon Josiah, Shellon Josiah, Monthiel Johnson, Norris King, Charles Lamaro, Robert Langevine, Lindley Langhorne, Simonette Layne, Franklyn Lewis, Lex Lewis, Tyrese Lewis, Joseph London, Aubrey Major, Shekiel Mars, Tyric McAllister, Nelson McKinnon, Floyd Martindale, Tevin Maynard, Troy Nelson, Ronnell Newton, Chochex Ngondo, Kendrick Nicholas, Kenrick Noel, Albert Parkinson, Lawayne Parkinson, Ashmalli Parris, Renardo Paul, Ricardo Paul, Marlon Pearson, Kaidon Persaud, Orel peters, Kenisha Prescott, Kelly Quow, Marion Ramsammy, Wanda Richmond, Sonia Rugby, Troy Roberts, Megan Rogers, Orlan Rogers, Sue Rogers, Audwin Rutherford, Keith Semple, Keanna Smith, Kevin Stephens, Mekhi Sullivan, Josiah Tappin, Shawnette Tappin, Lester Thom, Carlotta Thompson, Rawle Toney, Jeffrey Trotman, Avery Trim, John Trim, Abigail Waithe, Javante Waldron, Coretta Walton, Jamal Webster and Victory Wright.

The release noted that this list may be subject to change, based upon credible evidence that confirms otherwise to the current records of the Mackenzie Sports Club’s

West Indies matches to be streamed on FanCode

SEE PAGE 36

CWI landmark digital deal set to enhance global fan base Mel Jones elected to ICC P&P Insurance Brokers to sponsor Women’s Committee GSSF Shoot for sixth consecutive year … Event dubbed ‘Rust Off’ match SEE PAGE 36

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd’s Ms Urmila Shamsundar hands over sponsorship funds to GSSF treasurer Mr Ray Beharry

CRICKET Australia congratulates Mel Jones on being elected as a Full Member Representative of the International Cricket Council Women’s Committee.

Jones, who has been a member of CA’s board since 2019 and is an ambassador with the Victorian Government’s ‘Change Our Game’ programme, joins Catherine Campbell from New Zealand as new members of the ICC’s Women’s Committee.

“It is a tremendous honour and extremely humbling to be elected to the ICC Women’s Committee and I look forward to continuing the council’s excellent work in growing and supporting women’s cricket globally,” Jones said. “It is with great pride that I have witnessed the explosion in interest and participation in women’s cricket since my time as a player and I am excited by the huge opportunity before us to take the game even further.

“I would like to congratulate Catherine on her e l -

evation to the ICC Women’s Committee and thank fellow nominees Vikram Banerjee and Lt Col Manuja Kariapperuma.”

Earl Eddings, Chair of CA, said world cricket would benefit greatly from Jones’ influence and input on the ICC Women’s Committee.

“Mel is one of the most important and reasoned voices in cricket and has made an outstanding contribution to the CA board since she joined 17 months ago,” Eddings said. “As a player, commentator and administrator, Mel continues to be a driving force in the evolution of women’s cricket in Australia and, with this appointment, will now expand her purview even wider.

“On behalf of everyone at CA, and Australian Cricket generally, I am delighted with Mel’s elevation to the ICC Women’s Committee and look forward to the impact she will made on the women’s game globally.”

(Cricket Australia)

Mel Jones has been a member of CA board since 2019.

SEE PAGE 39

Could Stanton Rose’s men halt the Reggae dominance

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

|

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021