Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-07-2021

WEDNESDAY 7thJuly, 2021

' No.106414

Special COVID-19 vaccination site to be established for HIV patients

Ministers Anthony, Benn ‘amused’ by Harmon’s ‘absurd’ motions

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–– ready to defend health, security records in Parliament

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

–– happy for opportunity to remind nation of the Coalition’s monumental failures in gov’t

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn

First Lady, Arya Ali (third left); United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (second left); UN Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka (left) and Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Ganesh Singh (third right), along with other members of the CCOPD welcome the launch of a Guidance and Counselling programme for young persons with disabilities at State House on Tuesday [See story on Page 5]

Reduced travel taxes, Workers at St. Mary’s Region Two to create digital database for 19 restart of tourism possible Quarry lament 04 in ‘travel bubble’ 02 working conditions infrastructure projects PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Reduced travel taxes, restart of tourism possible in ‘travel bubble’ –– CARICOM Chairman says

LEADERS within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are expected to meet next week and consider short-term proposals for the reduction of intra-regional travel taxes which would result in cheaper airline tickets and the restart of tourism in a travel bubble, according to Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.

Browne told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday night that the resumption and intensification of regional tourism was a topical matter discussed during the two-day Heads of Government conference.

The tourism-dependent economies of the Caribbean, according to recent World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports, have been particularly hard-hit

by the restrictions imposed to control the spread and devastation of the novel coronavirus.

Last year, these Caribbean countries experienced negative economic growth as the travel and tourism sector came to a grinding halt. This year, some countries have started to permit travel but the tourism sector, which garners much of the region’s revenues, has not yet rebounded.

As such, the Prime Minister stated: “We recognise the need to reopen economies while balancing the health and economic livelihood of community nationals and agreed that new protocols for health, safety, visitor management and sanitation protocols were of utmost importance in encouraging the resuscitation of the tourism sector.”

Cognisant of this need, he related that the heads of gov-

ernment agreed to consider proposals for the reduction of taxes for intra-regional travel during a pilot period of six months. Additionally, the group agreed to consider proposals for the creation of a regional travel bubble, also for a pilot of six months.

He later clarified that the parameters for such considerations have not been fully established but it is expected that there will be another meeting sometime next week to iron out those details and make final determinations.

That meeting, he said, will benefit from “expert input” from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The reduction of travel taxes has long been a consideration of CARICOM in an attempt to decrease the exorbitant cost of plane tickets to travel from one Caribbean country to the next.

Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne And, Prime Minister Browne assured reporters that there is a commitment to consider these proposals in an attempt to spur regional travel. Previously, however, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have gone ahead with such efforts.

“As far as the travel bubble goes, I know for sure

there is a commitment to facilitate the movement of vaccinated individuals,” he related.

For unvaccinated individuals, he said that strict testing protocols would have to be instituted because the aim is to ensure that there is no scope for travel to contribute to increases in COVID-19 spread and infection.

Beyond helping to boost tourism and help regional economies recover, the Prime Minister emphasised that such a move would help to resuscitate the regional airlines that have been financially challenged during the pandemic.

HERD IMMUNITY Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also spoke of CARICOM’s ambitious goal of ensuring that the region manages to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19 by the end of this year.

Herd immunity will occur once about 80 per cent of the

population is immune to the disease. Vaccination is a way of ensuring immunisation.

Not only will achieving herd immunity allow businesses to return to some level of normalcy and help advance economic revival efforts, but Prime Minister Browne said that this immunity would also help protect citizens from the emerging, threatening variants of COVID-19.

Herd immunity is contingent upon the Caribbean region securing adequate supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, however, vaccine supplies are limited and Caribbean countries have been short-changed by the COVAX facility.

Still, with promised supplies from the United States, the African union and other bilateral platforms, the Prime Minister said that CARICOM is “confident” that it will be able to secure sufficient vaccines to achieve herd immunity by year end.

Ambulance crashes into utility pole on Lamaha Street

THE driver of an ambulance and a blood donor managed to escape with minor injuries after the vehicle careened off the road and crashed into a utility pole at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, on Tuesday.

According to a police report, 32-year-old Dellon Daniels of Plantain Walk, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank of Demerara, was proceeding east on the southern side of Lamaha Street, with the usual

siren and beacon lights while approaching the traffic light at Irvin Street, where he observed vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.

Upon noticing the vehicles, he reportedly pulled left (north) in an attempt to occupy the southern driving lane, and, in the process of doing so, he lost control of the said vehicle and collided into a lamp pole situated on the northern side of Lamaha Street.

As a result of the collision the lamp pole and the ambulance were damaged. At the time of the incident, a blood donor, whose name was provided as Candika Daniels, was travelling in the ambulance.

The police stated that Daniels received no serious injuries and was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and sent home. An investigation has since been launched.

The scene of the accident at Lamaha Street, on Tuesday (Adrian Narine photo)

Ministers Anthony, Benn ‘amused’

by Harmon’s ‘absurd’ motions

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

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–– ready to defend health, security records in Parliament

–– happy for opportunity to remind nation of the Coalition’s monumental failures in gov’t

By Richard Bhainie HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, will rigorously defend their performance when a no-confidence motion against them, filed by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, comes up for debate.

The motions were filed with Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, on Tuesday.

The motions contend that the two ministers have persistently demonstrated inability to effectively undertake their duties in their sectors.

“Mr. Harmon has given us a unique opportunity for us to debate this matter in the Parliament, and of course, we welcome this opportunity to remind Mr. Harmon and the APNU+AFC of the many shortcomings that they have had for the five years that they were in government,” Dr. Anthony said.

“I welcome the motion that they have put there because what we have done in last several months is far more than they have accomplished in the last five years that they were in government,” he added.

Dr Anthony expounded on a plethora of instances which he opined constituted the “damage and destruction” to the Public Health sector caused entirely by the decisions of the APNU+AFC Coalition during their tenure in government.

He touched on matters including but not limited to the Sussex Street drug bond scandal; massive drugs shortages during the 2015 – 2020 period; some $10bn worth of medicine that had expired at the Diamond Bond and addi-

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony tionally some $4bn of medication that had to be disposed of because they had expired as well.

In comparing the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government’s approach to managing the public health sector as opposed to the APNU+AFC, Dr Anthony highlighted a gamut of issues, including but not limited to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For those first few months when they were there we had difficulty having a PCR test done … throughout their tenure they would have done about 21 tests per day,” Dr Anthony said, pointing out that the National Public Health Reference Laboratory is now able to do more than 2,000 tests within a 24-hour period.

He also addressed the issue of the shortage of personal protective equipment; the shortage of ventilators; the lack of a plan for the treatment of the

COVID-19 virus; and the COVID-19 Hospital lacking the necessary facilities to function, all which occurred under the APNU+AFC administration which the PPP/C government had to correct.

“It’s going to be fun when this thing comes up for debate, because we can clearly contrast what they have been doing with what we are doing and how that differs,” Dr Anthony said.

The Health Minister explained that separate and apart from the tremendous comparison of the records of the two political parties during their time in Government, the PPP/C government is also correcting the deficiencies within the Health Sector caused by the APNU+AFC and is also ensuring better services are provided.

“We inherited shortages… and we are correcting them and we are committed to making sure that we fix it; we have spent billions of dollars already on fixing it and once we fix it and it is at 100 per cent delivery, we are going to maintain that,” he said.

“So yes, we have a lot of things to talk about and I am happy that Harmon has provided me with that opportunity so that the people of this country would have a fairer idea of where we are coming from, what we have done and what more there is to be done, because we are not done here yet,” he added.

The Home Affairs Minister shared similar sentiments as he labelled the motions a “ludicrous but amusing event”.

“It speaks to deeper issues relating to the desperation of the APNU+AFC in the light of them being continuous-

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn ly exposed in respect of their failings both in Government and also against the efforts which we are making in just 11 months, even with the COVID and severe flooding.”

Benn stated that, as compared to last year, serious crime has seen a 23 per cent reduction and he is engaging in discussions with the Joint Services to formulate methods conducive to further reducing the crime statistics of the country.

The minister also noted that his ministry is currently revitalising the security sector to combat crime and efforts include, but not limited to, adding a larger fleet of vehicles for the Joint Services, and training of security personnel.

Harmon, he contended is a failed and desperate leader, who is searching for relevance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Workers at St. Mary's Quarry lament working conditions –– Labour Minister says stand ready to engage company on concerns

By Naomi Parris

SEVERAL employees of the St. Mary Quarry in Bartica, Region Seven, on Tuesday, called on the Ministry of Labour to investigate the alleged severe and inhumane conditions they are forced to work under.

During an impromptu visit to the quarry, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, found that workers were being forced to work seven days a week and 12 hours a day without any compensation for additional hours of work.

Additionally, it was revealed that workers are allocated only two to three days of vacation leave, and these are said to be only

under the circumstances of an emergency.

It was also revealed that workers are not equipped with the necessary safety gear to perform their daily duties.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle in a separate interview, an employee of the quarry, who asked for his name to be withheld in fear of ‘backlash’, said that he has been employed with the company for five years and has been a diligent worker since his first day.

However, the working conditions have become unbearable, especially since he gets little to no time off for himself and receives no overtime pay when he works beyond his eighthour shift.

Wednesday July 7, 2021 – 13:30hrs - 15:00hrs

“Since I’m here, we always get an issue with the same labour situation, since I working here five years now… every month we always have a problem in standing down, they claim to say we working hours,” the man lamented, adding: “If we come forward and bring certain things to the management, they would always call the boss and the boss would send a message to us, like threaten if we don’t like it, we could find a next work.”

Addressing the health conditions of the work environment, the man revealed that workers do not have toilet facilities to relieve themselves, nor a lunch room for them to eat during their breaks.

Another worker, who also spoke under anonymity, told this publication that he has been employed at the company for three years, and has not been given a proper vacation leave.

He indicated that on the few occasions he was given a leave of absence

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, in discussion with the employees of the St. Mary Quarry, in Bartica, Region Seven from work it was under the circumstance of an emergency.

Meanwhile, when asked what stance the ministry will take in addressing the issues raised by the employees, Minister Hamilton said that the ministry will be reaching out to the

company to have an open dialogue on the issues that were raised by the workers.

“They will come for us to have a conversation and I will put these matters to them that I have observed and I was told and I will wait to hear their response …I would have a meeting with the owners of the St. Mary’s company but I will hold back my response at this time until I have an engagement with the owner of the company,” he related.

Making a call for both local and foreign companies to respect and uphold the country’s labour laws, the minister said: “Let me say this to companies, and

I will keep saying this to people, you have two options: either you obey the law and comply, or I call press conferences and let them see how this works out.”

He added that failure to comply will result in companies being called out publicly for breaching the labour laws.

“All companies you obey and comply. You refuse to do that I will assemble the media and attempt to publicly shame you.

That is the bottom line, whether you be a local company or overseas company,” Hamilton asserted.

Guidance, counselling programme launched for young persons with disabilities

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

THROUGH a partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Guyana, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), on Tuesday, launched, at State House, its guidance and counselling programme for young persons with disabilities.

Delivering the feature address and launching the programme, First Lady Arya Ali underscored the importance of mental health during the current pandemic, and its impact on persons with disabilities. She also reiterated the need for society to be more inclusive of persons with disabilities.

Providing an overview of the programme, GCOPD’s Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh said that the programme was in the works for over three years, but due to the lack of funding, the organisation was previously unable to start the programme. He thanked the First Lady for supporting the implementation

her department’s support for the implementation of the initiative across the various regions.

The GCOPD Guidance and Counselling programme for young persons with disabilities is being piloted with students from the SEN schools, young members of the Disable People Organisations (DPOs) and the orphanages that house young persons with disabilities in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Through the pro-

GCOPD Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh, addresses the gathering at State House, on Tuesday of the important initiative through the funding of two social workers for a one-year period.

Ministry of Education Special Education Needs (SEN) National Officer,

Savvie Hopkinson, highlighted the importance of such a programme to the overall empowerment of young persons with disabilities, and welcomed the programme, pledging

gramme, the beneficiaries will receive job coaching, psychosocial support, career guidance and capacity building, among other areas of support and empowerment. The programme will eventually be expanded to Regions Five, Six and Ten. The GCOPD has recognised the importance of providing guidance and support to young persons with disabilities as they transition into adulthood and enter into the world of work.

Further, the organisation said it is aware of

the limited exposure to guidance and counselling services, as well as empowerment activities that young persons with disabilities experience.

To this end, the organisation has ensured that the empowerment and development of young persons with disabilities was prioritised as one of its core programme areas.

The GCOPD is the umbrella body that represents the majority of DPOs from across Guyana, working in the areas of advocacy and capacity building.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Self-interest against national development

OFTEN, one is left to wonder how things would have turned out had the circumstances been different, whether intended or not.

In other words, what if the other person/party was elected, or a particular project was completed. While some would hold on to optimism regarding expected outcomes, even as the opposite would eventually obtain, in instances, the intended reality, had it been realised or not, was never in doubt.

One such case was the Amaila Falls project which was envisaged by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, and deliberately scuttled by the APNU+AFC coalition during their tenure in opposition from 2011-2015.

As Guyana is now poised on the cusp of transformative development, it is worth revisiting that scenario, and the impact it has had on the country’s development.

It is almost 10 years since that visionary and transformative project came to the fore, with the direct intent of providing cheap, reliable and clean electricity through hydropower. It could not have been put any simpler; household and

manufacturing costs would have been vastly reduced. In turn, the cost of goods and related services would have also gone down, and on a larger scale, there would have been more disposable income in the pockets of consumers.

That, in itself, would have redounded in growth to both the local and national economies, thus paving the way for further advancement of the lives of Guyanese, and prosperity of the nation. More importantly, the challenges of power outages would have been effectively mitigated, bringing confidence to both consumers and manufactures. Industries, especially smaller ones, would have mushroomed and grown, thereby creating more jobs.

In any country, especially a developing one, such projects are vital, since they create much potential to navigate out of poverty. Governments that are, therefore, concerned about improving the welfare of their citizens would endeavour for them to be realised. In other words, a caring government would explore such opportunities to bring relief to all of its people, and to ensure their welfare is not

compromised.

With regard to the Amaila Falls ‘Hydro’, it appears that APNU+AFC, in scuttling the project, could not mask the element of selfishness that may have overwhelmed them. Given the benefits of that mega transformative endeavour, it becomes extremely difficult to not conclude otherwise. The obvious and rhetorical question is: Why would any political party that claims it wants to improve the lives of people deliberately kill a project that is intended to do just that?

When all the analyses are completed, the seemingly logical conclusion is that the APNU+AFC was more concerned that such a project was envisaged, and about to be executed by the PPP/C. In the context of what transpired, what else could it have been? But that conclusion could also be contested, simply because the APNU+AFC came to government in 2015, and had the opportunity to do that project to its liking, or to embark on any other transformative project for that matter.

Given their robust campaign, persuasive rhetoric, and enticing promises,

many were of the belief that the APNU+AFC’s approach to development, and for the advancement of the lives of Guyanese would have surpassed the unprecedented achievements of the PPP/C. They woefully flattered to deceive, and in the process exposed their dearth of vision, leadership and care. What they exhibited was a penchant for self-interest and enrichment, at the expense of the ordinary citizens.

In the context of the question of why, the belief of selfishness becomes even more real, given their inability to deliver an iota of transformative development while in government, and the fact that they killed the Amaila Falls Hydroproject when in opposition. That makes the question of what if even more relevant.

Had the Amaila project not been scuttled, it would have been completed before now, and the benefits reaped by all.

That’s a reality that was never in doubt, and would have helped to augment efforts to mitigate the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Such projects are the hallmark of visionary leadership.

Fishing and summer recreation among Guyanese in Ft. Lauderdale Dear Editor, I VISITED Ft. Lauderdale in mid-June or early July after nearly two years. I usually visited South Florida every June for the last few decades to interact with Guyanese and other West Indians at religious and social events. Some years, I made two trips. But the COVID-19 pandemic restricted my travels to the ‘Sun State’.

With America opening

up and flying relatively safe, I undertook my Florida trip last month; it was most enjoyable, and very entertaining. I went fishing that was facilitated by Ram Ali, the Honorary Consul-General of Guyana. I visited a temple for Sunday morning service, and I went shopping, picking mangoes, coconuts, and other fruits at the yards of friends and strangers, visited homes of relatives and friends, watching cricket, and dining several evenings at

Tropics, a very popular Guyanese restaurant. There are also other Guyanese Indian restaurants (Naz) and ‘Trini’ restaurants like Lallo’s and Joyce’s. I rented hotel accommodation with a kitchen that allowed preparation of my own meals.

Fishing is a very popular pastime or relaxing or sporting activity in and around the Everglades National Park. Many Guyanese frequent the park for fishing. A sub-tropical wilderness, the

Everglades is a huge, sprawling park that stretches from South Florida all the way to Orlando, with an endless supply of wildlife habitats with plenty hassar. I visited the freshwater wetland section in greater Ft. Lauderdale, where many Guyanese and ‘Trinis’ go fishing regularly. There is thick vegetation on both sides of the canal that provides food for wildlife, and that drain in the canal providing food for the fish.

The canal is very rich

in freshwater sub-tropical fish. Guyanese and ‘Trinis’ go fishing for hassar (cascadou) in the canal that stretches for a couple hundred miles. Some use expensive rods and reels and boats for their catch. Almost every Guyanese or ‘Trini’ uses a castnet and a small boat to catch fish. And they get bountiful hassar. Some catch large quantities of hassar that are shipped up north to New York to sell on Liberty Avenue and elsewhere. Hassar

goes for about $5 a pound in NY; it sells for less in Florida. There are rules and regulations on fishing, as well as limits on catch; what type of fish and their size that can be taken out of the park. Fines are very steep for violations.

Each prohibited fish fetches a fine of $500. If a small fish of certain species is caught, it is dumped right back in the canal.

There are no limits on Continued on page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Harmon not in harmony with reality

Dear Editor,

JOSEPH Harmon, Opposition Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has to be chasing the Impossible Dream, or he has completely ‘lost it’.

The man, instead of seeking to help in the governance of Guyana, and offering some hope to his APNU+AFC supporters, has now “…filed two No Confidence Motions against two senior PPP ministers”. He did the norm by submitting “… the motions with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, against Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn.”

First, numerically, Harmon is heading down the losers’ path. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has 33 seats in the 65- seat National Assembly; the APNU+AFC coalition has 31; and the joinder parties, one seat.

On a wild assumption that APNU+AFC can ascend to 32, where will that take Joseph Harmon? Is he hoping for a cross-over?

If he is, then I think that he has to do some serious introspection. I remind him that the APNU+AFC base is dwindling rapidly, to the point that many have left on account that the leaders of APNU+AFC are corrupt and incompetent.

Fresh on the mind is the resignation of Attorney-at-law Thandi McAllister, who confirmed her

resignation from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), citing poor leadership of the party. McAllister was with the party for some 25 years, yet “After very careful and agonizing consideration”, she surmised that “…the present direction of the leadership is ill-suited to the fulfillment of the aspirations of young people in Guyana, the enhancement of the party’s supporters, and the advancement of the nation.” So I want to know what Harmon is up to?

I can add the defection of some others from APNU+AFC; Michael Leonard from The Alliance For Change (AFC), the second largest party in the main parliamentary opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for

Change (APNU+AFC); Lennox Gasper, former APNU+AFC Linden Town Councillor, from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), almost five years after joining the party; and Reynard Ward, former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, over its “broken, abusive and one-sided relationship”, Lennox Craig and Abel Seetaram from the AFC are some others.

The second thing is that the Harmon posse has been after Dr. Anthony, heavily criticising him for his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for what, according to Harmon, is “a vaccine procurement scandal” which was quickly debunked independently too. In fact, Guyana is the

33rd country in the world to approve Sputnik V. The vaccine was approved under the emergency use authorisation procedure. The vaccine is one of the world’s top three coronavirus vaccines in terms of the number of approvals issued by government regulators. And as regards procurement, “At no time did Guyana procure vaccines from any illegal entity or anyone in trouble with legal authorities anywhere,” and as Anthony said, “Guyana has not procured vaccines from any illegal source…” unlike what Mr. Harmon is claiming.

Concerning Minister Benn, Harmon is claiming that “… crime is reportedly spiraling out of control…”

This ‘song of Harmon’ has been debunked too, as the Guyana Police Force has

shown that from a statistical point of view, Harmon is in the wrong. Quoting the stats, Robeson Benn showed that “… there was a decrease in serious crimes in Guyana in 2020 by 6.9 per cent. And as for year-to-year figures for 2021, the decline in serious crimes is by 40.3 per cent, when compared with the same period last year.

Harmon must know that he is just manufacturing one gimmick after another and he is seeking to give his dwindling support base false hope once again.

Just as he did in regards to the two elections petitions which were thrown out by the Chief Justice.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Slowe’s defiance is uncalled for Dear Editor, IS it funny or a plain case of being rebellious? Who knows? It could be ignorance.

But to read in the press that “Suspended Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Paul Slowe, on Monday defied his suspension by Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali and wrote acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, attempting to instruct him to act on

the police promotion list that the PSC had sent out,” means nothing is a surprise act these days.

All that one has to do is to go back and visit the No Confidence Motion of December 2018, upon which the A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) attempted to argue that the majority of 65 is not 33, but 32-and-a-half plus one, and so rounded off, it becomes 34. It was comi-

cal. Now another example of the ‘unbelievable’ has surfaced.

Slowe, suspended for alleged sexual and financial misdemeanours, is now trying to ‘bully’ his way into an area from which he has been legally ejected.

The ‘suspended’ Slowe, in a letter to the Police Commissioner, is urging him “… to prepare a Special Promotion Order that would inform the officers who are in line for promotion”.

So adamant, yet foolish is Slowe, that he “… reminded Hoppie that his office was sent the list of officers to be promoted on June 28, 2021, and moreover, his office acknowledged receiving the promotion list two days later.”

In other words, Slowe is attempting to tell Hoppie that he is acting in a manner that is considered ‘insubordinate’ as well as dilatory.

This character is not accepting reality. The bottom

line is that “President Ali issued an order suspending the PSC on June 16, using his powers under Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana.”

This closes the issue, and unless and until this is rescinded, revoked, setaside or reversed by the President himself, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, that is the end of the issue.

So far, Slowe is yet to challenge the President’s

order in court, yet in his letter, he is asking Hoppie to act at his behest.

The over-arching principle in this is that in Guyana, “The Rule of Law simply does not permit it,” so “No person, let alone, a constitutional commission will be allowed to become judge, jury and executioner in Guyana’s constitutional democracy.”

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Fishing and summer recreation ...

From page 6

hassar and porgies (looks like tilapia). People seem to catch a lot of bass, for which there are also limits on size and quantity.

I went fishing, hoping to catch hassar. The catch was good, and the experience was fantastic. It was fun, recalling my days as a youngster in Guyana going fishing in trenches, swamps, and canals, using hooks and seine and castnets. At the Everglades canal, it was my first trip; an adventure.

It was facilitated by a most generous and kind, and hospitable Guyanese host, Ram Ali (Honorary CG of Guyana), who supplied his own vehicle to get to the

canal, boat, n-ets, and gasoline. Almost everyone I met seemed to know Ram Ali; he patronises virtually every Guyanese event (religious, social, sports, Eid, Phagwah, Independence Day, marriages, birthdays, jhandis, etc.) to which he is invited. He is down-to-earth, humble, and accommodating. He assists Guyanese with all kinds of issues relating to Guyana.

It is incredible to learn of the kind of voluntary work this popular Guyanese does for Guyana and his country folks in Florida and south of the US. He is extremely well known and popular among Guyanese and other West Indians.

I can never forget the boat ride for many, many miles, with Ram Ali throwing the castnet, and I untangling the fish from the net.

We sighted several alligators along the way; they didn’t bother us.

Besides fishing, I went dining at Tropics, a hangout bar and restaurant that is patronised by mostly Guyanese and West Indians, although I also observed Whites and Hispanics eating there. The food is quite good, as is the music (traditional Bollywood, Guyanese, ‘Trinis’, and West Indian) and the company. People seem to have an enjoyable time.

When in Ft. Lauderdale,

visit it!

As in NY, in Florida, Guyanese are attracted to their places of worship; Muslims to the several Masjids for ‘Juma’ on Friday midday, and Hindus to the mandirs on Sunday mornings. I did not come across any Guyanese churches.

South Florida has a lot of tropical fruit trees. June is the harvest season for mango; it is the sweetest mango I’ve ever ate, and I had tasted mangoes from dozens of countries. Several other tropical fruits are also grown, like sapodilla, sugar apple, and cherries among others. Coconuts are plentiful.

On Saturdays and Sundays, cricket is the most popular form of sporting or recreational activity for the large West Indian population.

There are softball and hardball competitions in different leagues at different grounds. At the end of the games, the players engage in traditional entertainment (food and beverages) as they also do in NY. Some visited Tropics, which also does a lot of catering for cricket games and social functions.

It was a most memorable experience in South Florida, meeting Guyanese from various parts of Guyana, and some of whom I know from

New York who relocated to South Florida. I am most grateful to Honorary Consul-General Ram Ali for the fishing experience. Without him, I would never have experienced the canal and the Everglades, and or gone fishing by boat.

As I found in my conversations with Guyanese, COVID-19 has taken a serious toll among them (including their businesses) in Florida, as it has done in New York and other parts of America. (More will follow on this subject in a separate article).

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

November deadline for Regions Three, Four contractors to complete works

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, has said that contractors in Regions Three and Four are expected to complete all infrastructure work by the end of November.

The minister met with

the contractors on Tuesday, and noted that the move was part of the government’s efforts to ensure efficient service was delivered to Guyanese. He said projects could only roll over if permission was granted by the relevant authority.

“I can tell you without fear of anyone that if these things are happening, we will part ties with those who are in because we have a country to build.

We commit to the people of this region.

“We have a lot of challenges, and we expect

that things have to work the way we want them to work. They’re not supposed to work the way you want… because of the commitments we made to the people of Guyana, there will be no second chances,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall urged contractors to tender for work they can manage, as they will be charged liquidated fees if they are unable to fulfil their contractual obligations.

Works are currently being supervised by the regional engineers; however, the ministry is training other personnel to monitor the programmes.

“Unless there is credential evidence between the contractor and the region on the reason why there is a delay regarding the execution of works,

then the wrongful party will be held accountable,” Minister Dharamlall said.

He said since assuming office, the government has implemented a payment system which allows contractors to apply for mobilisation advanced payments, among other incentives, to conduct their works.

Minister Dharamlall related that this approach will boost the government’s performance as well as the country’s economy, while ensuring the efficient execution of all programmes.

Minister Dharamlall also encouraged contractors to employ residents within the respective areas.

“I need you, the contractors to show some interest in community

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall development as the Government intends to fulfil its commitment. I want you to not only use local products to conduct these works, but to be aware of your surroundings,” he said.

Additionally, Minister Dharamlall encouraged the contractors and their employees to get their COVID-19 vaccines to help in the fight to reduce the spread of the disease. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Child remains in ICU, two warded at Infectious Diseases Hospital –– officials monitoring increased COVID-19 cases in Regions Nine, Ten

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has said that a child remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Infectious Disease Hospital at Liliendaal, while two others are doing much better than they did last week.

Minister Anthony made this disclosure during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.

Last week the Minister revealed that over 1,500 children in the country had contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the year.

“We have seen a slight decrease in hospitalisation overall, so, as of today [Tuesday], we have 61

persons who are in the hospital with 14 of those in the ICU. Of those 61 that we have in the hospital, three are children, two are in the wards, so they are not in the ICU, they’re in the wards; their prognosis looks quite good. And we have one child right now who is in the ICU. “So, we continue to monitor these children to see how they’re progressing to make sure that they’re getting all the meds that are required and all the other measures that should be taken, are being taken. And we’re hoping that they’ll be able to get better and be out of the hospital

shortly,” Minister Anthony said.

The Health Minister, last week, urged parents to ensure that all COVID-19 measures are followed in order to prevent their children from contracting the deadly disease. At the time, Minister Anthony stated that children from as young as one month old had contracted COVID-19.

“Since March 2020, some 1,566 children were diagnosed with COVID-19; 287 children between the ages of one month to four years, 148 boys and 39 girls; 523 children between the ages of five to nine years, 273 boys and 251

girls; children between the ages 10 and 14 years represent the largest grouping, a total of 756 - 342 boys and 414 girls,” Dr. Anthony said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is also monitoring increased COVID-19

cases in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). In total, the region has 134 cases, with Lethem recording 53; Tapachinga, 50; St. Ignatius, 41; Sand Creek, 31 and Aishalton, 25.

Minister Anthony said

Sand Creek and Aishalton have both seen reduction in cases.

He also noted that, in the last week, there has been an increase in the number of vaccines administered in the region as well. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Rotary Club, Mohan Thani foundation donate 30 wheelchairs to GPHC

RECOGNISING the difficulties of persons living with disabilities in accessing appropriate mobility devices and rehabilitation services, the Rotary Club of Georgetown, in collaboration with the Mohan Thani Foundation, on Tuesday donated a total of 30 wheelchairs to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

In Guyana, there are numerous persons living with some form of physical disability. These disabilities can be as a result of various reasons

Rotary Club President, Ramona Singh presents a wheelchair to CEO of GPHC, Brigadier (ret’d) George A. Lewis, in the presence of other officials such as accidents, illness or disease, birth defects among others.

Considering this, President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Ramona

Singh said the club will continue this initiative, which seeks to improve the lives of persons with disabilities by enabling independent mobility and equal participation in community life.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Brigadier (ret’d) George A. Lewis, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Rotary Club and the Mohan Thani Foundation for their usual support and generous contributions towards the institution.

Singh later concluded by saying that the Rotary Club will continue to partner with the Mohan Thani Foundation and other like-minded organisations, as they execute life changing projects.

Duo charged with taxi driver’s murder for court today TWO men were, on Tuesday, charged for the murder of 53-year-old taxi driver, Kenrick Trim, whose lifeless body was found at Cul-deSac Street, Block One, Ogle, last month.

The murder charge was laid against Kenty Bacchus, called ‘Trini’ and Seyon James, called ‘Lil Alfey’, based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The men are expected to be arraigned before a magistrate, today.

On June 30, 2021, Trim was found lying motionless in the grass at the end of Cul-de-Sac Street. According to a police report, Trim’s body appeared to have DEAD Kenrick Trim been dumped from his silver-grey Toyota Premio motorcar, which was parked a short distance away from where the body was discovered.

Trim was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Special COVID-19 vaccination site to be established for HIV patients –– additional sites for Region Four, says Health Minister

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has said that by the week’s end, HIV patients will be able to comfortably and discretely get vaccinated against COVID-19.

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, the Health Minister said his ministry has been working along with the National Care and Treatment Centre to set up a COVID-19 vaccination site to accommodate HIV patients.

“One of the issues that we have heard is that persons who are HIV positive

did not feel comfortable coming to one of our regular vaccination sites. …

We have been working with the National Care and Treatment Centre, here in Georgetown, to make that also into a vaccination site, so they should start from this week.

“So, patients going there for their regular treatment, they will be counselled about taking the vaccine, and they can get the vaccine right there.

We are hoping to replicate this at all our treatment sites so that these patients

don’t have to feel uncomfortable,” Minister Anthony said.

The minister is hopeful that this added measure would encourage HIV patients to get their COVID-19 vaccines, as HIV is a co-morbidity which heightens a patient’s chances of being severely affected by the coronavirus.

“We’re hoping to see better uptake of the vaccine among this population…We will be monitoring other types of patients as well, and we are hoping

that we can introduce a similar service for patients with chronic non-communicable diseases and some of the more popular clinics that we have… we would use these opportunities to talk to people about getting the vaccines,” Dr. Anthony said.

Meanwhile, the minister related that more health centres in Region Four will now be used as vaccination sites. He said with

approximately 13 health centres being operated between the Ministry of Health and the municipality, this can provide greater accessibility.

Minister Anthony said training is being conducted with staff at the various health centres and the initiative should come on stream soon.

To date, 235,796 persons in Guyana have taken their first shot of

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony a COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 114,394 persons have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19; this accounts for 23.5 per cent of the adult population. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Magistrate discharges duo in Isaiah –– DPP requests court documents, Henry murder case contends evidence is sufficient TWO men were, on Tuesday, cleared of the brutal murder of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry, whose mutilated body was found in the Cotton Tree backlands, West Coast Berbice, last September.

Anil Sancharra, 33, called “Dan-Pole” and

“Rasta”, of D’Edward Village, WCB; and Vinod Gopaul, 34, called “Magga”, of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, were freed by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Hugh ruled in favour of a no-case sub-

mission made by the men’s attorney, Dexter Todd, following the closing of the state’s case in the preliminary inquiry (PI). The attorney had contended that the state failed to make out a case against the men.

The magistrate, on the grounds of insufficient evi-

DEAD: Isaiah and Joel Henry

Vinod Gopaul, called ‘Magga’

Anil Sancharra, called ‘Dan Pole’ and ‘Rasta’

Akash Singh, called ‘Monkey’

dence, discharged the men.

However, they remain on remand for the murder of Isaiah’s cousin, Joel Henry. The preliminary inquiry into that murder is scheduled to commence on August 10, 2021.

Following the ruling, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C., wrote to the magistrate requesting the documents from the PI so as to ascertain why the accused were discharged.

The DPP stated that there is sufficient evidence available to pursue the charges against the duo.

Sancharra’s step-brother Akash Singh, 20, called “Monkey”, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo is also on remand for the murder of the Henry boys.

However, Singh’s case is being heard separately before Magistrate Hugh.

The mutilated bodies of Isaiah, 16, and Joel, 18, were found on September 6, 2020 in the Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice. A post-mortem

found that the Henry boys died from haemorrhage and shock, due to multiple incised wounds. They both sustained severed spines, along with multiple chops about the body. The killers carved out a huge ‘X’ on Isaiah’s head, while they cut open Joel’s chest.

It is suspected that the boys had died some 36 hours prior to being found.

Three days later, Haresh Singh, 17, was found, in a bloodied state as well, in the Number Three Village backlands, hours after he left home on his motorcycle to transport water for his relatives who were working on their farm.

The post-mortem on Singh indicated that he died of brain haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

Last week, 27-yearold Gladston ‘Soldierman’ Henry, the brother of Isaiah and the cousin of Joel; 21-year-old Charles ‘Bucko’ Scott of 29 Jarvis

Street, Rosignol, Berbice; 27-year-old Joel ‘Bolo’ Gittins of Jangotown, East Coast Demerara; and 29-year-old Philip ‘Ratman’ Anderson of Number Three Village were charged for the murder of Singh. The charge was read to them virtually by Magistrate Peter Hugh, who was at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

They were remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Blairmont Magistrate Court where it will be called on July 12, 2021, for report.

The gruesome deaths sent shockwaves throughout the country, and resulted in widespread public outrage and mass protests.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Akash was arrested after an informant went to the police. Gopaul and Sancharra were later detained.

It is alleged that Akash confessed to the crime, while Gopaul and Sancharra remained silent

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Producers, civil society underpin value of sustainable livestock production

THE value of sustainable livestock production, from the perspective of both human nutrition, as well as rural economic and social development, was the topic of a seminar titled “The Importance of Animal Protein”.

The event included the participation of specialists from a number of different fields.

The debate was organised by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, an international organisation that seeks to engage stakeholders from the production and trade value chains and civil society of the different countries and regions committed to environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable beef production.

The event afforded the opportunity to define messages on the role of animal breeding in global food security ahead of the Food Systems Summit 2021, which was convened by Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The presentations revolved around the interaction and complementarity between livestock and agricultural production and the essential contribution of healthy pastures to food production.

“The issue of sustainable livestock is growing in importance on the global agenda. There are those who say we need less animals and can replace meat with plantbased foods, but that’s not true. Food is part of a system and, of course, it’s easier to talk about replacing one thing with another instead of working to improve the system as a whole, so that vegetables and animals can co-exist and complement each other to guarantee food security,” stated Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, a member of the Roundtable’s Executive Committee and representative of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association, explained that: “We want to set global criteria for sustainable meat production. As a producer, I know the importance of animal protein, because my family has been in the industry for 134 years.”

“One hundred and fifty years ago, the rural areas of North America were covered with bison and deer that managed our pasture lands naturally. Today, these wild

animals have disappeared and the cattle keep our soils healthy.

Those of us who work in meat production systems need to band together to spread comprehensible information about how we produce and the benefits.

Greenhouse gas emissions would not see a significant decrease on a global scale by simply stopping the consumption of meat,” she added.

QUITE THE OPPOSITE Diana Rodgers, a dietician, film director and producer, and member of the Global Alliance for Animal-Source Foods, referred to the arguments she hears about the supposedly negative impact of meat on human health: “No serious study has proven a relationship between beef and illness.

Nor are there studies that show that children grow or develop better without it; in fact, quite the opposite.

The countries that eat more meat are the best in terms of well-being.”

Rodgers explained that the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world are that of iron and vitamin B12, both of which are found in meat. Other benefits of meat include satiety, the fact that it is low in calories, provides the most nutrients for humans and is beneficial in combating obesity.

“In many parts of the world, people have little or no access to supplements or to the variety of vegetables required to replace the nutrients found in meat, so removing it will cause more harm than good,” she said.

From an environmental standpoint, Rodgers pointed out that it is scientifically determined that if all animal products were eliminated in the United States, greenhouse gas emissions—those responsible for climate change— would only drop by 2.6 per cent, while humans would consume more calories, more carbohydrates and suffer from malnutrition.

“Meat contains nutrients that are not available in vegetables and is essential for those living in developing countries, who have less access to a wide variety of plant-based foods and supplements,” she concluded.

In some countries, a large part of livestock production is based on pasture lands. In many cases, these lands are

inadequate for other products, making livestock essential for the survival of rural communities, according to Shirley Tarawali, Assistant Director-General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Around the world, cattle production is linked to nutrition. Animals that are healthy, cared for and productive contribute to sustainable, healthy and inclusive lifestyles. They are important in overcoming poverty and are essential for balanced nutrition. The vitamins and nutrients from milk, meat and eggs are essential for our children’s physical and cognitive development,” stated Tarawali.

In turn, Manuel Otero, Director-General of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), highlighted the role of the Americas and the Caribbean, which are responsible for 40 per cent of the global beef trade, primarily due to the production of the countries of the Mercosur trade bloc.

ENORMOUS SOCIAL IMPORTANCE “Livestock production in our hemisphere holds enormous social importance, as it is a large generator of employment and crucial in terms of smallscale producers, who produce over 60 per cent of all meat.

In Central America, 90 per cent of cattle exports are from small-scale farms with between four and 20 animals,” explained Otero.

In collaboration with the countries of the Americas, the institute has drafted unifying messages that the hemisphere will present to the rest of the world at the Food Systems Summit 2021, and that place special emphasis on agriculture and farmers as the guarantors of global food and nutritional security.

IICA has also prepared documents on sustainable livestock production, based on the perspective of its members, in which it seeks to ensure recognition of the positive and sustainable aspects of the region’s production systems and their potential, as well as its importance as a producer and exporter of animal protein.

“Meat and dairy farming have huge economic importance, producing almost 50 per cent of the agricul-

In Central America, 90 per cent of cattle exports are from small-scale farms with between four and 20 animals (IICA photo) tural GDP. The activity has grown by over 30 per cent in the last 10 years,” stated Otero, who also believes that “it is impossible to replace the contribution of meat to human nutrition and development, since you need half a kilo of black beans to equal the protein in 100 grammes of meat.”

Otero also emphasised

the fact that in the region, livestock farming is based on a pasture lands system, often located in marginal areas with no crop competition: “When livestock is properly managed, it does not cause deforestation nor does it put the countries’ biomes at risk.

While animals produce methane, pastures capture 12 times more carbon than the gases

produced. We’ve made important progress, and to continue growing our competitiveness, we need to be sustainable and to demonstrate it. We must of necessity combine research and communication.

At the summit, we will need to defend our producers and to show the world that we are sustainable.”

(IICA)

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Minister Bharrat calls for increased aggregate production

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

–– to meet local demand, boost economy MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat has called on miners to do more to boost the production of aggregate materials to meet local demand, and further strengthen the economy.

The minister made this charge on Tuesday, during a quarrying seminar sponsored by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), to encourage the effective management of quarriable resources.

“With our vision to modernise and to transform our economy, and to build new highways, and with oil and gas bringing to Guyana so much investments, we realise that the demand for building materials would increase tremendously,” the minister related.

Guyana’s demand last year was some 900,000 tonnes, Minister Bharrat said, adding that the demand could reach 1.5 million tonnes over the next two years, although the country is producing at 650,000 tonnes per year.

He said the government has been importing over 200,000 tonnes of construction aggregate annually to address the shortfall.

“Importing stones or aggregates for the last five years represents a loss in opportunity for you. It represents a loss in opportunity for Guyanese business-

es; it represents a loss in revenue for our country; it represents a loss in employment and business opportunities for Guyanese, and Guyanese businesses,” Minister Bharrat said.

The minister said the government is working to reduce the importation of the material. He recalled that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office, quarry operators were encouraged to boost production to meet the existing demand.

He said the government recently granted some licences, and is expected to give more to meet the escalating demand.

“We have to grab the opportunity now, otherwise you will force the government to continue to import aggregates from other countries, because we have to meet the local demand, and that is not something that we want to do; that is not something as a government we would like to do, because it takes foreign currency out of our country,” he advised stakeholders.

The minister said local businesses must realise that partnerships are necessary to meet the growing demand.

He recommitted to working in the best interest of miners, and urged them to see the GGMC as their partner. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Securing food, protecting biodiversity –– feeding the planet is indissociable from conserving it, FAO Director-General says

THE Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, on Tuesday told a gathering of experts, diplomats and senior officials that the agricultural world and the environmental world needed to “listen to each other and collaborate.”

He was speaking at the Global Dialogue on the Role of Food and Agriculture in the Global Biodiversity Framework – an event jointly organized by FAO and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

“We must conserve biodiversity because we want to meet the increasing demand for agricultural products.

There is no healthy food without a healthy environment,” Qu added, while simultaneously extolling the role of technology and collective action in reconciling those pursuits.

He stressed that securing “food, fibre, feed and fuel” while protecting and restoring ecosystems was both possible and necessary. It is precisely through the conservation of precious resources, Qu suggested, that humanity can build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

There was wide agreement on the distance yet to be travelled. The Executive Secretary of the CBD, Elisabeth Maruma Mrema, called for decisive moves to promote not just the diversity of crops, but “all species in-between that inhabit our productive landscapes”.

It was the second time in as many months that Qu and Mrema had shared a platform to highlight joint approaches. In late May, they spoke as the United Nations launched its Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

That gathering heard urgent calls for the emergence of a

“global restoration culture,” amid evidence that more than three billion people are suffering from some form of ecosystems degradation; a third of all fish stocks are being exploited unsustainably; and every year, deforestation wipes out an area the size of the Republic of Korea.

As the Global Dialogue opened, Mrema noted that the role of indigenous people and local communities would be critical in “bending the curve of biodiversity loss”.

She pointed out that “the time for systemic change is now”.

Outlining FAO’s efforts to tackle the challenge, Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo referenced the Organization’s recent Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across the Agricultural Sectors, which aims to ensure that “biodiversity and the services it provides are factored into all relevant agriculture and food policies and practices”.

“Biodiversity,” Semedo said, “needs to be an integral part of all stages and levels of decision-making and actions.”

There were similar calls from Gerda Verburg, Coordinator of the Scale Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, who congratulated the organizers for “bringing the interests of people and planet together”. Verburg said the manifold rise in agricultural production in the last half-century, while it had helped feed the world, had come at a high cost.

“The current food system is bankrupting our health system, while exhausting biodiversity,” Verburg stressed as she urged a change in mindsets, away from generating calories and towards ensuring healthy nutritious food for all. “We need to produce smarter,” she added, calling for policies that include paying famers for ecosystem preservation services, and

for more determined moves towards gender equality in the food production system.

Thanawat Tiensin, Chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and co-chair of the Global Di-

alogue, joined Verburg in stressing the importance of protecting biodiversity as the world seeks to promote nutrition and food security.

His co-chair, Ambassador Marie-Therese Sarch of the

United Kingdom, concurred as she outlined the process whereby the conclusions of the Dialogue will inform the United Nations Food Systems Summit, scheduled in New York later this year (with a

pre-summit in Rome).

Also in late 2021, the Chinese city of Kunming will host the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. (FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Xi urges world political parties to shoulder responsibility for pursuit of people's well-being, progress of Mankind Source: Xinhua| 202107-06 23:43:05|Editor: huaxia BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, on Tuesday, urged political parties in the world to shoulder their responsibility for the pursuit of people's wellbeing and progress of mankind.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, called on political parties to strengthen co-operation to tackle global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality, terrorism, and climate change.

Addressing the CPC and World Political Parties Summit via video link in Beijing, Xi took swipes at practices of seeking technology blockade and decoupling, politicising the pandemic, "political manipulation for the purpose of sabotaging the development of other countries," and practices of "seeking hegemony by way of group politics."

The cloud summit, which gathered leaders of more than 500 political parties and organisations from over 160 countries, was

Xi said in the face of the pandemic, political parties should work together to close the "immunization gap," and must oppose the practice of politicizing the pandemic or attaching a geographical label to the virus.

Xi also called on political parties to shoulder the responsibility to improve governance by enhancing the capacity to ensure people's wellbeing.

"The judgement on whether a country is democratic or not should be made by their people, not by a handful of others," he said.

convened as human society has "once again found itself at a historical crossroads" that leads to either hostile confrontation or mutual respect, seclusiveness and decoupling or openness and co-operation, zero-sum game or win-win results.

"The choice is in our hands and the responsibility falls on our shoulders," Xi told party leaders.

RESPONSIBILITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES Political parties, as an important force behind human progress, need to set the right course forward and shoulder their historical responsibility to ensure the people's wellbeing and pursue the progress of mankind, Xi said.

Xi called on political parties to shoulder the responsibility to steer the course by shaping the shared future for mankind, and to build consensus by upholding and promoting the common values of humanity.

"With a strong sense of responsibility for the future of all mankind, we need to champion the common values of humanity, foster broad-minded tolerance toward the understanding

of values by different civilizations, and respect the explorations of different peoples," he said.

Political parties need to shoulder the responsibility to promote development by bringing greater benefits to all peoples in a fairer man-

ner, Xi said.

Noting that all countries and nations are equally entitled to development opportunities and rights, Xi said political parties should face squarely up to major problems such as wealth gap and development divide, with particular attention and care given to underdeveloped countries and regions and impoverished people.

He urged political parties to jointly oppose the practice of seeking technology blockade and divide as well as decoupling.

Calling for more co-operation in addressing global risks and challenges,

CPC CONTRIBUTIONS TO WORLD It is the unswerving goal of the CPC to run China's house well, ensure a happy life for more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, and promote peace and development of all mankind, Xi said.

Xi said the CPC will unite and lead the Chinese people in pressing ahead with the Chinese-style modernization to make new contributions to humanity's search for ways to modernize.

There doesn't exist a fixed model for the path to modernization, and the path that suits a country will serve it well, he said.

"Cutting one's feet to fit the shoes will lead nowhere," he added.

The CPC will unite and lead the Chinese people in taking comprehensive steps to deepen reform and opening up to make new contributions to shared de-

velopment and prosperity of all countries of the world, Xi noted.

Xi said the CPC will shoulder its responsibility as a major political party in a major country to make new contributions to improving the wellbeing of mankind.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, all the 98.99 million rural residents living below the current poverty line in China have been lifted out of poverty, enabling the country to meet the poverty reduction target set out in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

The CPC is willing to contribute more Chinese solutions and Chinese strength to the poverty reduction process worldwide, Xi said.

The country will spare no effort to support international cooperation against COVID-19 and to enhance the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries, and will contribute more to the global fight against climate change, he added.

Xi said the CPC will actively improve global governance to make new contributions to humanity's joint response to common challenges.

"We should stand opposed to the practice of unilateralism disguised as multilateralism and say no to hegemony and power politics," he said.

"China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence," he added.

Leave no country, nation behind in pursuit of human well-being: Xi Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-06 20:42:44|Editor: huaxia BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, on Tuesday said that on the road to the well-being of all man-

kind, no country or nation should be left behind.

All countries and nations are equally entitled to development opportunities and rights to development, Xi said.

Xi made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the CPC and World Political Parties Summit via video link in Beijing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Four persons die of COVID-19

THE Ministry of Health, on Tuesday, confirmed four more COVID-19 deaths for the month of July, 2021, taking the death toll for this month to six, and the overall toll to 482.

The latest fatalities are a 71-year-old man from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); two men, ages 81 and 82, from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); and a 75-year-old Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) woman. They all succumbed to COVID-19 while receiving care at a medical facility.

Further, the Ministry of Health has recorded 179 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,193 tests carried out for July 5, 2021.

Of these, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded two; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), seven; Region Four ( Demerara-Mahaica) 22; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 12; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 134, and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), two.

The newly infected persons were 99 males and 80 females. Presently, 14 persons occupy

the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 96 are institutionally isolated, 1,510 are isolated at home, and three are institutionally quarantined.

Of Guyana’s 20,568 confirmed cases since the disease was detected here, 1,623 are active, while 112 of Guyana’s 18,466 recoveries 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 importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help curb 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 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov. gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Family suspects foul play in death of rice farmer

By Indrawattie Natram

RELATIVES believe that foul play was involved in the death of a rice farmer whose lifeless body was found at the Reliance backdam, Region Two, early Tuesday morning.

Narendra Seecharran, 29, of Mainstay Village was found by relatives who had reported him missing on Monday afternoon. The last contact anyone had with him was when he was heading to Lima/Sparta to conduct

a routine check on his rice field.

His body was discovered miles away from where he was heading.

Relatives used his Google account to track his exact location.

Several grief-stricken relatives, who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle, were adamant that foul play was involved.

They are claiming that he was murdered by persons he had a recent incident with at Lima/Sparta. It is alleged that while the deceased was spraying his crop, some of the

vapour made its way into neighbouring rice fields and caused damage to those crops.

According to the relatives, Seecharran opted to settle the matter by compensating the affected rice farmers.

Guyana Chronicle was informed that one person is in police custody and five others were questioned by investigators.

Meanwhile, Subrina Seecharran recalled that her brother left home around 17:30 hrs on Monday to check on his field but never returned.

She said relatives tried calling him but when he did not answer their countless calls, they became worried.

“He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t sport. He goes to the backdam and he does come home early. When we noticed time passed, we knew something was amidst, he does always answer the phone,” the tearful woman said.

She related that they decided to track the location of his phone via his Google account and the location led them to the Reliance backdam.

On arrival at the location, his motorcycle was first discovered. They later noticed his boots and then his body. His entire body was covered in mud and the motorcycle was also muddy, Subrina said.

According to relatives, his belongings were found some distance from his body.

The deceased was the second son of his parents and was described as a loyal and loving person.

Relatives are uneasy and are calling for a thorough investigation into

Dead: Narendra Seecharran the matter as they believed that Seecharran was murdered. They were adamant that he was not a suicidal person.

The body is at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Region Two to create digital database for infrastructure projects

REGIONAL Engineer of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Kawan Suchit has said that the administration will be establishing a digital database, using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map out the infrastructure network in the region.

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Suchit said projects in the agriculture, education, health and public works sectors are progressing well.

“So, you can prioritise your work easily by making a click with the software; as long as all the information is inputted correctly, you can do analysis and so on. So, what we are doing is creating this database so that you will have the conditions, year constructed, when last maintained, those type of

Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Odit information that’s needed for budgeting purposes,” the engineer said.

He said the programme will also help with maintaining accountability for projects. This year, some $21,250,000 will be used for the rehabilitation of five bridges at the Lima Housing Scheme; the Jib Mandir Street at Affiance; and the Cheddi Jagan Play Park in Anna Regina, along with the David James Canal.

Another $80 million has been set aside for road works at Sand Line Road, Good Hope; Nursery School Road at Cullen; and the upgrades of Third Street, Affiance; Mandir Street, Cotton Field, and the access road to the Essequibo Technical Institute.

In the education sector, the regional engineer said the new Abram Zuil Secondary and Queenstown Nursery Schools will be constructed this year. The Mabel Sandy Nursery School in Wakapoa Creek, in the Lower Pomeroon, which will include a teachers’ quarters, will also be built.

Other works in the region include the construction of a landing at Korimero, Wakapoa; a teacher’s quarters at Mainstay; and a timber revetment at the Zorg Nursery School to reduce erosion there.

Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit Meanwhile, in the health sector, upgrades are ongoing at the Suddie Hospital.

“Rehabilitation of the PHS diagnostic centre at the front section of the building, mainly focusing on the accident and emergency area where the infrastructure works there had gotten to a stage where the roof was completely deteriorated and leaking, causing discomfort for the patients who were there,

because that’s the first area you enter into the hospital, and it wasn’t a nice sight,” Suchit said.

He explained that the entire hospital is being redesigned, with specific rehabilitation of the roof, and upgrades to the drainage network. A waiting shed and water filtration system were also constructed at the Oscar Joseph Hospital.

Regional Vice-Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two, Humace Odit also spoke of ongoing efforts to assist rice and other-crop farmers in the region. Those efforts include linking the Lima and Lima Sands access roads.

A similar access road will be linked to Dredge Creek, which will lead directly to the Dredge Creek School and to lands for farmers.

“Our intention is to link up all these rice- farming

and cash-crop farming areas so that farmers can have quick access to the farm, as well as to transport the produce to the market, and wherever we have the regular market, to persons who would be doing export,” the Vice-Chairman said.

Revetment works are also being done in several parts of the coast to help curb erosion in those areas, as this could be detrimental to farmers.

The region is also undertaking the construction of several structures that will help manage the water to grow their crops.

“That is a housing area where it can be a shorter way of residents, rice farmers also who can access the rice land very easily, and so we have been developing that road from Lima to Lima Sands with an access bridge over the canal,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Italy into Euro 2020 final with penalty... through to the final.

They were free-scoring and impressive in the group stages - while also solid at the back - taking their run to 11 wins in a row without conceding.

But they needed extra time to beat Austria in the last 16 and then dug in to beat Belgium 2-1 last time out.

Mancini took over a team that failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup and has now led them to the next major final.

Surprisingly, the fourtime world champions have only ever won one European Championship - all the way back in 1968.

They lost the 2000 and 2012 finals - but will hope to go one better this time at Wembley.

Emerson was a competent but unspectacular replacement for the injured Leonardo Spinazzola at left-

back and hit the bar from a tight angle with their only effort of the first half.

Their breakthrough came from a counter-attack that began with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and ended with Chiesa's perfect finish from near the edge of the box leaving Unai Simon rooted to the spot.

They had a couple of chances to wrap the game up, but Domenico Berardi shot straight at Simon both times before Morata equalised.

From that stage on it looked as if they were playing for penalties - and that was the way it turned out.

The Azzurri got off to the worst possible start when Manuel Locatelli's penalty was saved, but they converted the rest of their spot-kicks with Jorginho nonchalantly waiting for Spain keeper Simon to move before slotting the other way to send them through to the final.

SPAIN'S WASTEFULNESS CATCHES UP WITH THEM Spain have grown into the tournament and they go home as the top scorers to date with 13 goals. And yet it should have been much more.

Ten of those goals came in two games and otherwise they have struggled in front of goal.

They started with no recognised striker yesterday Morata was left on the bench - with Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo lively but wasteful in front of goal.

Luis Enrique's side ended with 16 shots to Italy's seven - but managed only one more effort on target than their opponents at Wembley.

Spain had won all five previous semi-final appearances in major tournaments - including their successes in

Thompson-Herah turns... (From back page) day, world champion Steven Gardiner beat American Michael Norman in a battle of the fastest two 400m sprinters in this Olympic cycle. Gardiner, who in a May race fell to the track and was carried into the infield, won in 44.47 seconds.

Norman, who won the Olympic Trials in 44.07, was third in 44.65 behind Bryce Deadmon.

South African Wayde van Niekerk, the Rio gold medallist and world-record holder, was a late scratch. van Niekerk is coming back from tearing an ACL and meniscus in his right leg playing celebrity tag rugby in 2017.

South African Akani Sim-

bine won the men’s 100m in an African record 9.84 seconds to become second-fastest in the world this year. Only U.S. Olympic Trials champion Trayvon Bromell has gone faster in 2021 (9.77). Bromell was not in the field in Hungary.

Going into yesterday, the fastest seven men in the world this year were Americans. Now, Simbine, fifth in Rio, has eyes on becoming the first person from an African nation to win an Olympic 100m medal since Namibian Frankie Fredericks‘ back-to-back silver medals in 1992 and 1996.

Jamaican Shericka Jackson won the women’s 200m in 21.96 seconds, distancing Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo (22.15). Miller-Uibo was defeated in a 200m that she finished for the first time since the 2017 World Championships.

Miller-Uibo, the Rio Olympic 400m champion, is preliminarily entered in both the 200m and the 400m for Tokyo but has said she will race only the 200m. Both events, however, changed drastically in recent weeks.

The fastest seven 400m women in the world since the start of 2019 are all not expected to race the event at the Olympics. The eighth-fastest woman since the start of 2019 - American Wadeline Jonathas - has a top time of 49.60 in that span, which is 1.23 seconds slower than Miller-Uibo’s best.

In the 200m, Ameri-

can Gabby Thomas ran the third-fastest time in history at the Olympic Trials, a 21.61 that is .13 better than Miller-Uibo’s personal best.

In the men’s 200m on Tuesday, Canadian Andre De Grasse won in 19.97, edging the second- and third-place finishers from the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Kenny Bednarek ran 19.99, and 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton crossed in 20.03, both slower than their Trials times.

Grant Holloway, who at U.S. Olympic Trials was .01 off the 110m hurdles world record, won in Hungary against a field of Olympic medal contenders.

Holloway, the world champion, prevailed in 13.08 seconds, well off the 12.80 world record but clearly ahead of Olympic silver medallist Orlando Ortega of Spain (13.15) and Sergey Shubenkov of Russia (13.19).

The field lacked Rio gold medaist Omar McLeod, who finished last at the Jamaican Olympic Trials and was not named to the team.

Shubenkov is the only man other than Holloway and McLeod to break 13 seconds in this Olympic cycle, with a best of 12.92 in that span.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico confirmed her Olympic favourite status by winning the 100m hurdles in 12.34. Camacho-Quinn is the only woman to break 12.4 seconds this year, and she’s done it three times. (NBC Sports)

2008, 2010 and 2012 when they dominated world football - but that 100% run has now come to an end.

They played some good football and deserved to level when Morata ran onto Ol-

(From back page)

mo's return pass to slot home.

But in the shootout Olmo blazed over before Morata's weak kick was saved.

The summer is not over for six of them, however, with Olmo, Simon, Oyar-

zabal, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia and Pedri - who all played yesterday - in Spain's Olympic football squad. The tournament in Tokyo starts in 17 days.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Cavendish nears Merckx's Tour stage win record VALENCE, France (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish edged closer to Eddy Merckx's all-time Tour de France stage wins record yesterday when he claimed his third victory in this year's race.

The Briton won a bunch sprint to take the 10th stage, a 190.7km ride from Albertville, to rack up his 33rd career win on the Tour, one fewer than Belgian great Merckx.

Cavendish, perfectly setup by his Deceuninck-Quick Step team mates, beat Belgians Wout van Aert and Jasper Philipsen.

"I didn't do anything today, my team did everything," said Cavendish, who

still refuses to discuss Merck's record.

"As always I'm just happy to be racing my bike and to wear my Deceuninck-Quick Step jersey on the Tour de France. I'm 36 and with these young guys it's the first time I race with them.

"In a while I'll be cheering for them. If I can provide joy and entertainment and be part the story (of the race) then that's what really matters for me."

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar retained the overall leader's yellow jersey as he stayed safe in the leading peloton in a nervy finale in the Rhone valley.

He leads Australian Ben O'Connor by two minutes

Mark Cavendish also won stages four and six of this year's race.

one second and Colombian Rigoberto Uran by 5:18.

Belgian Tosh van der Sande and Canadian Hugo

Houle were the two breakaway riders of the day but on the mostly pancake-flat terrain, their chances of beat-

ing the peloton were close to zero. van der Sande halted his effort with 38km left and Houle was reined in two kilometres further down the road while back in the peloton, Australian Richie Porte was again victim of a crash.

Michael Matthews' Bike Exchange team upped the pace on a short hill to try to get rid of some of the heavier sprinters, but Cavendish followed.

Italian champion Sonny Colbrelli suffered a mechanical 28km from the line and was forced to spend valuable energy to make his way back into the bunch.

Cavendish's team produced a brutal acceleration

to split the peloton as crosswinds blew on the road, leaving several riders trapped behind, although the main overall contenders were on the right end of the split.

The 36-year-old Cavendish, back on the Tour for the first time since 2018, stayed on team mate Michael Morkov's wheel until 250 metres from the line and none of his rivals could match his burst of speed.

Cavendish also extended his lead in the points classification, which he won in 2011.

Today’s 11th is a 198.9-km mountain trek in Provence, featuring a double ascent of the awe-inspiring Mont Ventoux.

Kerber eases past Muchova into Wimbledon semi-finals LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber of Germany put in a strong show to beat an error-prone Karolina Muchova 6-2, 6-3 yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the grasscourt Grand Slam.

The 2018 champion, seeded 25th at the All England Club this year, arrived

for the contest having defeated Czech Muchova both times in their two meetings in two weeks in 2019 and never lost control of the match under the closed roof of Court One. Former No.1 Kerber, who also won the Australian Open and the U.S. Open in 2016, used her forehand immaculately against 19th seed

Muchova and also mixed her drop shots expertly to set up chances for winners.

Muchova, who had her left thigh strapped, did not help her cause by committing 27 unforced errors against the nine winners she managed during the 75-minute contest.

The 19th-seeded Czech was also guilty of failing to take her chances, managing

Germany's Angelique Kerber celebrates winning her quarter-final match against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova. (REUTERS/Paul Chil)

to convert only one of the eight break-point opportunities she had on the lefthander's serve.

The 33-year-old Kerber, who arrived at Wimbledon with a title from Bad Hom-

burg in the lead-up and is the only former champion left in the draw, broke Muchova twice in each set.

The German sealed the contest when Muchova sent a forehand long on her second

match point.

Kerber will meet the winner of the all-Australian clash between top-ranked Ash Barty and unseeded Ajla Tomljanovic for a place in Saturday's final.

Ian Chappell hails NZ’s... (From back page) play with the ball has made him the spearhead of the team’s fast-bowling line-up.

Adding to it he also opined that with a lot of experience under his sleeves, Tim

Southee has also led the team further.

Statistically, the leader of New Zealand’s group is undoubtedly Jamieson, with 28 wickets at the un-

covered-pitches-average of 12.07 in these five Tests.

However experience-wise, it’s swing bowler Southee who leads the way.” (CricTracker)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

ICC begins process to identify hosts for white-ball events post 2023 THE International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday said it has commenced the process to identify the hosts for the men’s whiteball events to be held post 2023, following the expansion to its event programme in the next cycle.

The hosting of the ICC World Test Championship Final, the ICC women’s and Under-19 events in the new cycle will be determined in a separate process that will get underway later this year.

Eight men’s ODI and T20 events, comprising two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophies, will be staged from 2024-2031 and ICC Members were invited to submit a preliminary technical proposal as a potential host. This included individual country submissions as well as joint proposals.

ICC said in a statement that, “Initial submissions

have been received from Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, UAE, USA and Zimbabwe.”

ICC acting chief executive Geoff Allardice said, “We are delighted with the response from our members to hosting ICC men’s whiteball events post 2023. This process gives us an opportunity to extend our range of hosts and grow interest in cricket worldwide reaching more fans whilst creating a long-term legacy for the sport.

“Cricket has more than a billion fans around the world and ICC events have a proven track record of bringing significant economic and social benefits for host counties. These events provide hosts with a wonderful opportunity to work closely with local communities to grow the

Haslim leads Everest/ACS to 10-wicket victory in Caribbean Fest 40-overs tournament FORMER Demerara cricketer Wasim Haslim continued his fine all-round performance to lead the Everest/ACS to another dominant win when they competed in their latest round of the New York National Cricket League

(NYNCL) Caribbean Fest 40-over Tournament (reduced to 30 overs) at Baisley Ground on Sunday.

The predominantly Guyanese side, Everest/ACSm won the toss and opted to bowl first. There was some resistance at the top with

ICC acting chief executive Geoff Allardice

game whilst supporting economic and social development public policy goals.

“We will now move forward to the second phase of the process where Members will provide a more detailed proposal before the ICC Board takes decisions on our future hosts later this year,” said Allardice. (ICC Media).

Wasim Haslim has been in impeccable form recently.

opener Mark Gomes hitting 31 (3x4, 1x6) and number three batsman Mahendra Persaud supporting with 38 (1x4, 3x6), but former national U-19 left-arm spinner Kheshram Seyhodan struck early, while Haslim who bowled later on took three quick wickets.

Support came from Rajiv Ivan and Yuvraj Dayal who picked up two wickets apiece, to help restrict Centurions to 141 all out in 29.3 overs.

Haslim, who has made some big scores in recent games, dominated the bowling.

He and fellow opener Freddy Pestano reached the required total in 9.1 overs.

Pestano went at a strike rate of 200, as he belted 46 runs from 23 balls (4x4, 3x6), but it was Haslim who was the dominant of the pair. His 84 runs came off of 35 balls and included six fours and seven sixes.

Centurions used eight bowlers in their attempt to stop the openers.

With the win, Everest/ ACS stay in second place in Group B of the league.

Pacquiao begins U.S. training for Spence RING legend Manny Pacquiao began his first U.S. training camp in nearly two years today and it seemed like he picked up right where he left off when he dethroned WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman on July 20, tagging the defending champion with his first loss, one day removed from arriving from the Philippines.

Manny began the day with a five-mile morning run and 1 000 sit-ups. Before heading to Wild Card Boxing Club, in Hollywood, for his afternoon training session with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, Manny was given a random drug test from VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) at his house. Once at Wild Card, Manny and Freddie began the nearly threehour gym session with nine

rounds on the mitts, with each punch exploding like a July 4th firecracker.

Manny and undefeated WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence will meet in a blockbuster championship showdown that headlines a FOX Sports payper-view on Saturday, August 21 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“If this is how Manny hits with jet lag, I may need to get new gloves with thicker padding for our next sessions,” said Freddie. “He was incredibly sharp Manny Pacquiao in action during training sessions for his first day. He hit hard with good I’m still amazed at the great comes to training camp. power. After all these years, condition he’s in when he “After travelling around

the world yesterday, he put in a full day here – mitts,

speed bag, shadow boxing – the works.

The best part was at the end when he lifted his shirt to show me his six-pack and said, Freddie, I’m still here.”

“Errol Spence is a very difficult fight for me; perhaps the most difficult of my career,” said Manny. “But I have been an underdog my whole life. I am used to that. It is why I work so hard.

But the love and the prayers of my fellow Philippine citizens and Filipinos around the world sustain and inspire me. I fight for the glory of our nation and for underdogs everywhere.” (Fightnews)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Greater transparency needed at the level of the ECB, says Stephney FORMER Essequibo senior Inter-County captain and CWI Level 11 coach, Elroy Stephney, is of the view that the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) lacks transparency and leadership.

Stephney, who was elected as a Trustee of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), is demanding that the authorities present audited financial statements given that the Board was heavily subsidised by the former regime.

“At the last OGM of the GCB recently, a request was made for these statements and shockingly the ECB has no record of its income and expenditure!

“I am aware that the GCB is in the process of conducting a forensic audit of the operations of the ECB and its finances for the last seven years and I am pleased that this will be done and made public.”

Stephney further disclosed that the GCB also requested the minutes of the ECB’s last Annual General Meeting (AGM) and none can be tabled.

“I am totally in disbelief that the ECB can be so callous in its approach and cannot produce very important and relevant documents to the GCB as requested.”

“This is unacceptable and I will advise that GCB not disburse any funding to the body unless it can produce its Audited Financial Statements and proof that there was an AGM and persons were duly elected.

“How can the secretary claim to be functioning when in fact his role seems to be more one of self-interest?” “This individual was installed as the ECB representative at both the junior and senior selection panels of the GCB, and he is also the secretary and adminis-

trator,” “Here you have one individual occupying four seats, yet the ECB is in a dysfunctional state and will not recover unless there are drastic changes of personnel.

“I have no confidence in the current administration including the acting president Alvin Johnson, who stood at the helm of the Cricket Development Committee (CDC) and has done nothing for the advancement of cricket in Essequibo”.

Stephney, a former elegant left-handed batsman disclosed that most of the stakeholders from the committees are unimpressed with the current performance of the Board and are eagerly awaiting the holding of elections to express their will and the need for changes.

“I will not support anyone who currently sits on the ECB because the results are pellucidly clear.

Forner Essequibo Inter-county captain Elroy Stephney

The scoresheet is barren, there has been no competition among the committees for the past five years, no coaching for the youths, no cricket development, the existence of a dilapidated hostel and generally none of the sub-committees of the ECB has actually benefitted from any programme con-

ducted by the ECB. Stephney also revealed that it is a gross dereliction of duty and total disrespect to those who would like to see cricket advance in the county including the elevation of its cricketers.

“I am holding the secretary accountable to preserve and produce all relevant documents that will ensure that the ECB is above board and the results after receiving millions of dollars in subvention from the previous administration.

“I was informed that there were financial injections from business enterprises to conduct coaching seminars, yet none was conceptualised. Hence I am convinced that there has been gross mismanagement of resources and in all of this the various committees were never consulted or informed or participated in any project that was undertaken or

should have been done.”.

According to the former all-rounder, the ECB is in a crisis of immense proportion to preserve its image and accountability.

“The current regime is lacking strong leadership, has persons with credibility issues and others with self-interests which have been publicly exposed, especially in the area of selection. How can the ECB explain one individual being on both junior and senior selection panels when he does not have any technical knowledge or does not provide or maintain records as in the case of the minutes of its AGM? “How can someone of such modus operandi serve in the best interest of our cricketers?” Stephney questioned.

The elections exercise of the ECB is set for December, 2021.

Batting finishers fire in Aussie intra-squad clash MITCH Marsh and Ashton Turner played match-winning hands after an impressive Dan Christian cameo, as a handful of potential 'finishers' for this year's World Cup shone in Australia's first hit-out of their limited-overs tour of the Caribbean.

In a competitive but unofficial 22-over intra-squad game at St Lucia's Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Marsh (56 off 28 balls, including four sixes) and Ashton Turner (45 off 28) lifted the not-so-creatively-named 'Australia I' to victory under

lights on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST) over Australia II. That came after Christian had blazed an impressive 47 from just 31 balls from No.5, with his hopes of a return to international cricket that had once seemed fanciful increasing further With his side chasing Australia II's 5-193, Marsh replied with a boundary-laden knock that singlehandedly kept Australia I in their run chase even when the required run-rate rose above 12.

Needing 10 off the last

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 7, 2021)

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

over, Turner hit a six off the first ball from Andrew Tye as he and Adam Zampa got their side home with two balls to spare.

The Matthew Wade-captained Australia II got off to a fast start as their skipper took the attack to Mitchell Starc and Riley Meredith before the left-hander was given out lbw to Ashton Agar for a quick-fire 21 off 12 balls.

His opening partner Alex Carey (30 off 22) got the better of both Agar brothers, with a six over cover into the wind off paceman Wes, arguably the shot of the evening.

Ben McDermott batted twice; after being dismissed attempting a scoop, he impressed with 25 off 11 in his second chance, popping a couple over the rope at the death including a strong flick over mid-wicket off Starc into a stiff Atlantic breeze The informal nature of the match was highlighted by coach Justin Langer, watching on from the grandstand above the team’s dressing room, telling Moises Henriques (36 off 27) he had overruled an lbw

Dan Christian was in fine form, hitting a quick-fire 47. (cricket.com.au)

decision given by helmeted assistant coach Andre Borovec, acting as the on-field umpire, despite Henriques having gotten all the way off the ground.

But it was Christian who stood out, belting Adam Zampa for six over long-off's head before nearly putting Nathan Ellis into the grandstand on the long side of the

ground with a sizzling smear over cover.

Ashton Agar was comfortably Australia I's best with the ball, exploiting the low surface cleverly in returning 1-25 from his four overs, while he made six opening the batting with Finch before Josh Hazlewood clean-bowled him.

The Australia I speed-

sters found the going difficult, with Starc (0-39 off four), Meredith (2-39 off four) and Wes Agar (1-24 off two) all proving expensive.

Finch struck some meaty blows in reply in a positive sign on his first international tour since undergoing eye surgery earlier this year, taking a particular liking to Tye in his first over before the Western Australian extracted revenge when he had him caught on the on-side.

Marsh, elevated to bat at first drop, put on 42 with Josh Philippe in a brutal display of clean hitting. A smart catch by Alex Carey, playing as a specialist batter, looked to have dashed the hopes of his side.

But Turner, with some help from Starc (14 off 7), kept his cool to complete the win only minutes before a torrential downpour lashed the ground.

The result: Australia II 193-5 (Christian 47, Henriques 36, Meredith 2-39) lost to Australia I 195-6 (Marsh 56, Turner 45n.o, Tye 2-35) by four wickets with two balls to spare.

(Cricket.com.au)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 7, 2021

PAKISTAN ODIS:

England name nine uncapped players in new squad after COVID-19 outbreak ENGLAND have named an inexperienced 18-man replacement squad for their ODI series with Pakistan after three players and four staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

The team were due to begin the series with an ODI in Cardiff tomorrow.

But tests administered on Monday returned seven positive results and the rest of England's party will be required to self-isolate as a result.

The new squad features nine uncapped players.

Ben Stokes returns to captain the squad having been absent after sustaining a broken finger when playing in the IPL earlier this year.

The uncapped contingent comprises Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Lewis Gregory, Will Jacks, Tom Helm, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Phil Salt and John Simpson, although Crawley, Gregory and Lawrence have represented England in other formats.

There is no recall for Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales, who has not played for England since being removed

from the World Cup squad for an "off-field incident" in May 2019.

Chris Silverwood will also return to coach the new squad. He had been sitting out the Pakistan games to take a break before next month's Test series against India.

An ECB statement said those impacted by the positive tests "will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government's protocol on quarantine.

"The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate."

ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison added: "We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio-secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak.

"We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the

Ben Stokes has been absent from England duty after sustaining a broken finger in April.

Fortunately from England's point of view this is not the highest-profile series they are in. The Twenty20 series is important and there are not many games left for that team to get organised for the World Cup. The 50-overs stuff that starts is not so important but there will be a real disappointment amongst the England camp if these players then do miss the Twenty20 series.

last 14 months living in very restricted conditions.

"Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to captain."

The 10-day isolation period the squad will face will \span all three ODIs against Pakistan.

Tomorrow's fixture at Sophia Gardens is followed by games at Lord's on July 10 and Edgbaston three days later.

England then face three

Twenty20 fixtures against Pakistan on July 16, 18 and 20.

'A CHAOTIC SITUATION' BBC Sport cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew Ben Stokes has only just come back to cricket himself.

He has played a few games for Durham and is inching himself back.

Clearly it's a pretty chaotic situation.

It will be a great chance for some and England had a big squad anyway for cover, including coronavirus.

'AN EXCITING GROUP OF PLAYERS' Ashley Giles, managing director of England men's cricket, said the enforced changes gave the new players an opportunity to prove their mettle at the highest level.

"It's an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at domestic level over a long period of time," said Giles.

"We're in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I'm very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get

Brazil reach Copa America final

for the ninth time.

Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a fine double save from point-blank range to deny Neymar and Richarlison early on.

Neymar's trickery and ability to find Paqueta with a finely placed pass when surrounded by Peruvian defenders on the left proved decisive in the 34th minute.

LUCAS Paqueta sent defending champions Brazil into the Copa America final with a first-half winner against Peru at the Nilton Santos Stadium.

Neymar beat three defenders on the left before crossing for Paqueta to guide home the semi-final's only goal.

Brazil, who have won the Copa America every time

they hosted the tournament, face either Argentina or Colombia in Saturday's final at the Maracana.

"I want Argentina, I am cheering them on," Neymar said.

"I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win."

Paris St-Germain forward Neymar was a bright spark for Brazil as they again edged

Lucas Paqueta’s 35th minute goal off a Neymar feed has put Brazil within one win of winning the 2021 Copa America.

Peru, the side they beat in the 2019 final to lift the trophy

it done - both those within the ECB and from the county game.

"Ben hasn't captained our ODI side before so it's a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it's a role I'm sure he'll thrive in.

"I'd like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time."

England ODI squad for Pakistan series: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Danny Briggs (Warwickshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben D u c k e t t ( N o t t i n g h a mshire), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Tom Helm (Middlesex), Will Jacks (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), David Payne (Gloucestershire), Phil Salt (Sussex), John Simpson (Middlesex), James Vince (Hampshire).

(BBC Sport) Peru pressed for a second-half equaliser, with Gianluca Lapadula testing Ederson with a fierce effort, but they failed to upstage the hosts. (BBC Sport)

Italy's midfielder Jorginho (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring in a penalty shootout and winning the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-final football match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Italy into Euro 2020 final with penalty shootout over Spain ITALY beat Spain on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final after an enthralling semi-final at a noisy Wembley.

After Alvaro Morata's penalty was saved, Jorginho strolled up to score and set up a final with either England or Denmark in London on Sunday.

Federico Chiesa looked as if he had sent Italy - who are unbeaten in 33 games - to the final in normal time with a delightful curled finish to cap off a quick counter.

But Morata stepped off the bench to slot an equaliser with 10 minutes to go after a one-two with Dani Olmo.

However, the Juventus forward's penalty miss in the shootout proved costly as Spain lost a semi-final for the first time in their history.

Fears about an empty stadium or quiet crowd proved unfounded despite tickets still being on sale during the day, and with fans unable to fly from either country without

Ian Chappell hails NZ’s pace quartet …says it’s better than Windies’ lethal 80’s attack THE strength of New Zealand’s pace attack burst out to the scene when their bowlers nipped out wickets in quick successions in the World Test Championship.

With the likes of Kyle Jamieson who has been extremely impressive in the WTC cycle, the bowling lineup of New Zealand looked even lethal. Scalping the big wickets of the speedster strengthened the team to victory.

The left-right combination of Trent Boult and Tim Southee further proves pivotal for the team. Considering their lethal display with the ball, Ian Chappell drew parallels amongst the Kiwi’s pacers to that of the fearsome bowling attack of the then strong West Indies team . “To my mind, the best combination from those fearsome quartets was Andy

Kyle Jamieson

Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner.

“If it’s the pace you’re talking about, the West Indies quartet wins hands down. However, if you look purely at results, the New Zealand four take the prize — five matches together for a 100% winning record. That

West Indies combination only played together in six matches and while never beaten, they were held to three draws,” Chappell wrote in ESPN Cricinfo’s column.

Pointing out the strengths of the Kiwi’s bowling line-up the former Australian captain also said that their pacers fancied their chances into the finals of the WTC. “New Zealand’s well-deserved win in the World Test Championship final highlighted an accepted adage in cricket: fast bowling rules,” Chappell said. “New Zealand’s pace quartet — Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson — made possible their presence in the final. Then in the prolonged battle with India for supremacy, the quick bowlers led the last-day victory charge.”

Chappell also went effusive in praise of the tall and lanky Kyle Jamieson and stated that his dominant disTURN TO PAGE 24 ►

having to quarantine for too long to watch the game.

Roberto Mancini's Italy side have been arguably the best team in the tournament and had won their previous 13 games - and deserve their place in the final.

However, this was the toughest they have had to work, and they only managed one shot between Morata's equaliser and the shootout.

It is an especially sad end to the tournament for Morata. He has wasted numerous

chances during the tournament - with his family having to endure threats from fans and his equaliser looked set to change the narrative before he failed from the spot.

MANCINI'S MACHINE KEEPS ON GOING Italy's style of play has changed as the tournament has gone on, with the Azzurri reverting to their old defensive ways, and it has taken them TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Thompson-Herah turns tables on Fraser-Pryce with win in Hungary

Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrates her win in Hungary.

ELAINE Thompson-Herah upset Tokyo favourite Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in a meeting of the last two women to win the Olympic 100m at the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary yesterday.

It was the highlight race of a meet that clouded the Olympic medal forecast in most of the flat sprints.

Thompson-Herah clocked 10.71 seconds, .01 off her personal best. Fraser-Pryce was

second in 10.82, one month after running 10.63 to become the second-fastest woman in history.

The Olympic favourites are Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce and Brit Dina Asher Smith (not in yesterday’s race), following American Sha’Carri Richardson‘s suspension.

Richardson clocked 10.72 in April.

The track and field season continues with a Diamond League meet in Monaco on Friday.

Also yester- TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Greater transparency needed at 26 the level of the ECB, says Stephney

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021