Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-01-2022 by Guyana Chronicle

TUESDAY 11th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106601

‘Opposition internal wrangling’ or ‘emergency’? - confirmation of candidates for Procurement Commission delayed - Coalition-appointed Chairman cites ‘Opposition emergency’

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President Dr Irfaan Ali and several members of his cabinet on Monday met with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland QC and a delegation at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. President Ali was joined by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond (Office of the President)

Brazil’s President Minister Edghill: Majority of teachers Expansion Bolsonaro shun ‘Isolation Day’ of CJIA to to visit Guyana be completed this month by June Simona Broomes going through ‘spiritual upheaval’, leaves PNC/R SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Brazil’s President Bolsonaro to visit Guyana this month

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and team during the teleconference with Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro (Office of the President photo) President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has told the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro that Guyana wants to have a very strong strategic partnership with its Portuguesespeaking neighbours. The two leaders, who communicated via teleconferencing, also discussed the agenda for the proposed visit of President Bolsonaro to Georgetown later this month. “We have a number of important issues and opportunities for both Guyana and Brazil that I wanted to highlight, even before our meeting, so our technical teams can start some work,” President Ali said as he listed several areas that are critical for both countries to move their relationship forward, including energy and food security, telecommunication, infrastructure integration and trade.

He also pointed out that due to their geographical locations, the two nations must make strong statements in linking their territories. The Guyanese Head of State said that in addition to oil and gas, expanding opportunities in the other non-oil natural resources sectors such as bauxite will create an opportunity for a direct link to northern Brazil and further afield that can “create an excellent platform for us to develop an integrated project”. As it relates to trade, currently, there is an existing Partial Scope Agreement that aims to foster bilateral trade flows by the exchange of tariff preferences between the two countries, cooperation on trade matters, and increased participation of the private sector. This, President Ali said, is currently under negotiation to be expand-

ed, since Guyana wants to increase its quota, especially as it relates to rice being exported to Brazil. President Bolsonaro, via an interpreter, said that the agenda for discussion looks “very promising”, and that he will ensure that technical staff from the relevant ministries in Brazil accompany him for the State visit. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper were also at the teleconference at the Office of the President on Monday. (Office of the President)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

‘Opposition internal wrangling’ or ‘emergency’? - confirmation of candidates for Procurement Commission delayed - Coalition-appointed Chairman cites ‘Opposition emergency’

By Rehana Ahamad THE cancellation of Monday’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting has further delayed finalisation of the proposed candidates for the long overdue Public Procurement Commission (PPC). In an invited comment, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, said that everything was in place for the meeting to be hosted at 10:00hrs as is customary; however, the government members of the PAC were contacted by Parliament Office and informed of the cancellation, just half an hour before meeting time. Teixeira said that she was not officially contacted by the Opposition Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira, but learnt through the grapevine that “there was some emergency meeting for the Opposition.” When contacted, Figueira confirmed that he was forced to call for a cancellation, owing to an internal party emergency. “Members of the Opposition had an emergency,” the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament said. There have been claims that the “Opposition emergency” pertained to internal disagreements on the Opposition nominees for the Public Procurement Commission. Out of 25 names, the government and the par-

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira liamentary opposition had noted that while Harmon agreed on the five suitable is the constitutional office candidates to constitute the holder, Norton represents important commission. The the longstanding PNC, which government’s nominees were is the largest party in the Attorney-at-Law Pauline APNU+AFC Coalition. Chase, Financial Analyst Joel Asked to comment on Bhagwandin, and Rajnarine alleged disagreements, PAC Singh, while the Opposition Chairman Figueira said, “I green-lighted Economist don’t know where the inRawle Lucas, and Berkeley dividuals are getting their Wickham, former Chairman information from; they are of the National Procurement free to express their own and Tender Administration opinion.” Pressed further for Board (NPTAB). answers, Figueira responded, Reports are that Leader “I am saying that we had of the Opposition Joseph an emergency meeting and Harmon and Leader of the [next] Monday those revPeople’s National Congress/ elations concerning the PPC Reform, Aubrey Norton, are will be put.” not in agreement as to who DISAPPOINTMENT the Opposition nominees of Minister Teixeira has exthe procurement commis- pressed disappointment with sion should be. It should be the cancellation, given the

Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Jermaine Figueira importance of the commission, and the fact that the Opposition PAC members seemed quite passionate for its early functioning. The PAC even formed a subcommittee to expedite the process to finalise the members of the commission; this comprised Minister Teixeira, who acted on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali, and Chairman Figueira, who acted on behalf of the parliamentary Opposition. “We thought that having met on Wednesday at the sub-committee, and having what we thought was a conclusion with the two sides presenting their names, that today would have been a slam-dunk, but it appears as if they have other issues go-

ing on internally,” Teixeira said. She added, “I guess we’ll meet next Monday; I assume.” The current selection formula for the PPC is in keeping with the standard as set out in 2016, when the first PPC was sworn in by then President David Granger. DISTASTEFUL Previously, Teixeira said that even though the names were agreed by bought sides, it was “distasteful” for them to have seen them being prematurely released to the press by Figueira. Teixeira said that because of the sensitive nature of the role of the PPC, it was agreed that the names would remain confidential until they are officially presented

Expansion of CJIA to be completed by June - Minister Edghill says By Richard Bhainie

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill speaking at the ministry’s press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday

THE deadline for completion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project has been extended to June 20, 2022, to facilitate additional works which started last year after the government engaged the contracting firm, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). In December 2020, af-

ter four months of resisting the government’s request to have the CJIA expansion project completed in accordance with the initial contract, CHEC agreed to foot a US$9 million bill for additional work at the airport. And, based on the particulars of the agreement, there will be an extension of the airport’s boarding corridor to accommodate two more passenger boarding TURN TO PAGE 9

to the PAC. She indicated that because the approval of the PPC commissioners requires a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly, it was necessary for the matter to be treated with sensitivity, and in accordance with proper protocols. “This is a matter that requires two-thirds of the majority of votes in Parliament, not by those who are present, but twothirds of the elected Members of Parliament which is about 40-something people,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister explained. Teixeira said too that she was also displeased to see that even with the names being announced, Figueira was also quoted by the local press as saying that the candidates could change, depending on feedback from the PAC. “This is a new development he seems to be casting a shadow on,” Teixeira lamented previously. Guyana has been without a PPC since October 2019, when the previous commission expired. That Commission had served for a period of three years, with Carol Corbin serving as chairperson, while former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Labour Minister Dr Nanda K. Gopaul served as her deputy. The other commissioners were Civil Engineer Emily Dodson; Ivor Burnette English and Sukrishnalall Pasha, who is currently the Finance Secretary at the Ministry of Finance. Even though the previous PPC was sworn in in 2016, it was not functioning in 2017. At the time, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said that the non-functioning of the PPC was largely due to the lack of staff. The commission is a critical body which is constitutionally responsible for oversight of the public procurement of all goods and services, along with the monitoring of infrastructural works to ensure that they conform to the relevant laws and guidelines. As it is, stakeholders are eagerly waiting to see whether the names of the new PPC commissioners will be finalised come Monday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Man gets genetically-modified pig heart in world first transplant

A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig. David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say. The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Bennett’s life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are. “It was either die or do this transplant,” Bennett explained a day before the surgery. “I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice,” he said. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure,

Surgeon Bartley P. Griffith pictured with David Bennett earlier this month (BBC photo)

on the basis that Bennett would otherwise have died. He had been deemed ineligible for a human

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transplant, a decision that is often taken by doctors when the patient is in very poor health. For the medical team

who carried out the transplant, it marks the culmination of years of research and could change lives around the

world. Surgeon Bartley P. Griffith said the surgery would bring the world “one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis”, the University of Maryland School of Medicine said in a release. That crisis means that 17 people a day in the US die waiting for a transplant, with more than 100,000 reportedly on the waiting list. The possibility of using animal organs for so-called xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common. In October 2021, surgeons in New York announced that they had successfully transplanted a pig’s kidney into a person. At the time, the operation was the most advanced ex-

periment in the field so far. However, the recipient on that occasion was brain dead with no hope of recovery. Bennett, however, is hoping his transplant will allow him to continue with his life. He was bedridden for six weeks leading up to the surgery, and attached to a machine which kept him alive after he was diagnosed with terminal heart disease. “I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover,” he said last week. On Monday, Bennett was reported to be breathing on his own while being carefully monitored. But exactly what will happen next is unclear. The pig used in the transplant had been genetically modified to knock out several genes that would have led to the organ being rejected by Bennett’s body, the AFP news agency reports. Griffith said they were proceeding cautiously and carefully monitoring Bennett, while his son David Bennett Jr told the Associated Press that the family were “in the unknown at this point”. But he added: “He realises the magnitude of what was done and he really realises the importance of it.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

T&T: Police wrapping up investigation into OMICRON passenger

INVESTIGATORS are this week expected to complete their investigation of the woman who entered Trinidad and Tobago with the COVID-19 omicron variant. Newsday understands that this coming week, investigations are expected to be completed after which it will be determined if the woman is to be charged with any offence. The woman was interviewed by police last week and her statement recorded. Investigations are being led by ACP Williams. On December 13, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the first Omicron case in TT had been found in a woman who left New York on December 9 and entered the country through Panama. He said she was allowed to board the flight in New York despite having a positive test. She presented to local authorities a negative antigen test which she took in Panama. Deyalsingh said 14 passengers had to be quarantined as a result of her actions.

The sample was retrieved on December 10, and the findings were presented on the evening of December 11. “The individual was flagged at the airport, and once the individual was flagged our protocols worked, and hats off to our Port health workers, and the person was sent immediately to a step-down facility. So, at no point in time was anybody in the general public, her family, village, community exposed to her,” he said. The penalty for falsifying information on a TTravelPass is six months in prison and a fine of $350,000 or six months’ imprisonment upon summary conviction. Newsday also understands investigations into the December 26 event on the Ocean Pelican were also ongoing and investigators are also expected to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice on whether any public health restrictions were breached. The Ocean Pelican is owned by businessman Adrian Scoon, son of Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon. He claimed he received

The Ocean Pelican docked at Chaguaramas (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday photo) permission to operate the vessel as a “floating restaurant”and had adhered to all safe-zone protocols. Two special licences were subsequently voided by the comptroller of the Customs and Excise Division after

questions were raised on who authorised them when Finance Minister Colm Imbert said he did not give his approval. The matter is expected to go to court soon. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Amerindian Development

THE PPP/C administration has been putting much emphasis on Amerindian development. Amerindians have historically been disadvantaged by both the colonial and PNC administrations, but they remain a proud and resilient people. Despite the economic hardships, Amerindians remain the largest growing segment of the population and now constitute roughly 10 per cent of the total population. Among the several measures taken by the PPP/C administration to enhance Amerindian development are skills training, especially for women and young people. Only recently, several sewing units were established by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs aimed at creating job opportunities for Amerindian women by way of the sewing of school uniforms provided for under the government’s school uniform programme. According to Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline

Sukhai, not only will the sewing machines be provided by the government free of cost, but the women will also receive training in garment construction so that they could speedily get into the business of having garments made for sale, especially in remote villages. In addition, several other interventions were made in support of economic activities through the provision of capital items. Last year, 112 tractors, along with ploughs and harrows were procured at a sum of $446 million to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, especially in light of the risks associated with climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 2,000 youths were trained last year as Community Service Officers (CSOs) which, in addition to contributing meaningfully to community development, also allowed for more money to be circulated in Amerindian vil-

lages. The programme, which was initiated by the PPP/C administration, was terminated by the APNU+AFC regime shortly after it took office in May 2015. In his message to mark Amerindian Heritage Month in October last year, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali pledged his wholehearted commitment and that of his administration to improving the lives of Amerindians. An updated Amerindian Act will be put in place, which will become the principal legal instrument for the protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights, including guarantees of entitlement to lands and rights over their lands. The updated Act will entrench provisions that will promote greater inclusion in decisionmaking and higher levels of integration in national development. The Act will provide for an enhanced role in the management of Amerindian communities by, and for Amerindians both in terms of

control over their resources, environmental protection and sustainable development. These are all forwardlooking initiatives by the PPP/C administration to institutionalise democracy and governance at the community level. The government has already implemented a host of measures to improve the standard of living in hinterland communities in the critical areas of education, health, housing and infrastructural development. Only recently, the Ministry of Education has identified two hinterland schools which will be upgraded to senior secondary schools and to be in a position to offer the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). The two schools identified are the St Ignatius Secondary School in Region Nine and the Port Kaituma Secondary School in Region One. This is indeed a bold step in terms of the democratisation of access to

advanced quality education to Amerindian children who for decades suffered from a sub-standard quality of education, prior to the ascension to office by the PPP/C administration on October 1992. It is worth mentioning that prior to 1992 there were no secondary schools in the hinterland regions that were offering the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) at the General proficiency level. The St Ignatius Secondary School was the lone secondary school that was offering a limited number of subjects, but only at the basic level, an indication of the level of indifference and neglect displayed by the then PNC administration towards Amerindian children. It was not until the PPP/C came to power in October 5, 1992 that new secondary schools were built and others upgraded with adequate living quarters for teachers and dormitory facilities for children, that the education

tide shifted in positive ways. Amerindian development is high on the PPP/C’s agenda. In 2021, over $300 million in presidential grants were paid out to boost village economies and enhance the lives of Amerindians through a variety of projects in areas such as agriculture, cattle and poultry rearing, cash-crop farming, tourism ventures and the upgrading of buildings and roads. Amerindians and hinterland communities are now an integral part of our national development process and even as the country is poised to benefit from higher levels of earnings, thanks to the emerging oil and gas sector, the government is committed to ensuring that such revenues are utilised to upgrade the physical and social infrastructure of communities in all the 10 regions of Guyana, including our hinterland and Amerindian communities.

Coalition politics and PNCR power struggle

Dear Editor, THE sudden resignation of Simona Broomes from the PNCR party because of what she claims to be the absence of “systems, and consultation” within the party, came at a testing time for the new PNCR leadership. This resignation would not help to alleviate the power struggle within the PNCR for control of the party’s apparatus. Mr Aubrey Norton was elected the new leader of the PNCR to replace former President Mr David Granger and he wants to replace Mr Joseph Harmon as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. But Mr Harmon, invoking constitutional principles, would not give up his position as Leader of the Opposition, and his recalcitrance is subtly supported by AFC Leader, Mr Khemraj Ram-

jattan. This is an untenable situation where a Leader of the Opposition is not a member of the PNCR’s Executive, and he would therefore not necessarily have access to executive decisions (unless Mr Harmon is co-opted to the executive), and this ugly situation could undermine the PNCR’s drive for responsive and responsible governance. Mr Norton has inherited a problem that he did not create. It is perplexing that a leader of a major political party, for example, has no real power over his party’s deliberations in Parliament. The PNCR has entangled itself in a web that they have spun. The existing leadership crisis is a victim of coalition politics! Mr Harmon says that he was elected by Opposition MPs to the position of Leader

of the Opposition for the duration of the 12th Parliament, and further states that he is satisfied with his stewardship as well as with the performance of Opposition MPs. There are rules and procedures in place to remove members of Parliament. For example, the Opposition MPs could, through a vote of no confidence, remove Mr Harmon from that leadership position. Alternatively, Mr Harmon could be recalled by the Representative of the List, Mr David Granger. As the Opposition Leader who was elected by APNU+AFC MPs, any attempt to remove Mr Harmon therefore must be made by the APNU+AFFC executive and not by the PNCR. The inter-relationships among the PNCR, AFC and smaller parties that constitute the APNU+AFC coalition are

governed by the protocols of the Cummingsburg Accord (with subsequent modifications). And the Leader of the APNU+AFC coalition is Mr David Granger, while the General-Secretary is Mr Joe Harmon. It is therefore the APNU+AFC executive that must determine if Mr Harmon should step down as Opposition Leader and not the PNCR executive. This situation is very tricky. There are indications that if Mr Norton becomes Opposition Leader as well as the Representative of the APNU+AFC List, that he may recall a few AFC MPs because he is not happy that Mr Granger allocated eight parliamentary seats to the AFC when their numerical voting strength at the 2020 polls plummeted to the equivalent of one seat. In making those AFC appointments

to Parliament, Mr Granger has simultaneously ignored several PNCR members, like Mr Aubrey Norton, Mr James Bond, Ms Volda Lawrence, Mr Basil Williams, Ms Simona Broomes, Mr Ronald Bulkan and others for that position. They all played significant roles in the 2020 elections. The AFC does not feel secure that Mr Norton would honour the arrangements (Cummingsburg Accord) made between the smaller parties and Mr Granger’s APNU. They fear that under pressure from the new PNCR executive, Mr Norton would try to remove a few AFC MPs. For this reason, the AFC Leader Mr Khemraj Ramjattan says that any decision cannot be unilateral as there are legal and constitutional constraints involved in any move to replace Mr

Harmon with Mr Norton. Mr Ramjattan states that he is not taking sides, but is just guided by the law and the Constitution in this matter. He insists that any approval to replace Mr Harmon must be given by the APNU+AFC body and not by the PNCR executive. If approval is given by the APNU+AFC, then certain conditions are likely to be set in motion. The AFC will ensure that their MPs are protected; that the Cummingsburg Accord arrangements are observed; and that Mr Harmon gets a face-saving path out. There are strong feelings among many coalition members and supporters that while Mr Harmon’s leadership as Minister in the Office of the Presidency has not been inspiring, he had nevertheless worked TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Diaspora supports Natural Resource Fund

Dear Editor, THE overwhelming majority of Guyanese in the diaspora ( the U.S., the UK, Canada and the Caribbean) with whom I conversed support the recently legislated law on the Natural Resources Fund Act (NRFA). The diaspora is of the view that an important legislation such as the NRF should have enjoyed cross-party and (near) unanimous support. Regrettably, debating of the bill turned into a controversial fight in Parliament. The findings of the sample of Guyanese with whom I spoke suggest that the diaspora is more united in their approach to the bill and the law and what is best for the nation than politicians in Guyana. The sampled views overwhelmingly condemn the disruptive behaviour of the opposition in Parliament during the debate and reading of the bill. Several opposition MPs degraded the sanctity of Parliament with their conduct. While not familiar with

details of the bill, most in the diaspora are more supportive of it than the one passed by the preceding APNU-led Coalition Government, saying it is legally passed as opposed to the Coalition’s bill. Almost everyone feels it is a better bill than the Coalition’s, and they say it is a very good start that can be subjected to amendments to address flaws. They point out that the Coalition’s bill was passed after the government fell following its defeat in the no-confidence motion. In addition, the then opposition did not turn up to Parliament to participate in the debate on the Coalition bill, pointing out that the recall of Parliament to conduct business was illegal. In contrast, the current bill (legislated and assented into law) was passed with opposition input. The ruling party included amendments in the bill suggested by the opposition. In fact, one respondent pointed out that the new NRF bill included several aspects of the Coalition’s. The diaspora notes that

Coalition politics... FROM PAGE 6 assiduously, particularly during the five-month postelection fiasco, to hold onto power tenaciously; not to mention his huge fund-raising efforts for the party. The party should not throw him to the kerb. Another amazing point relates to the Representative of the APNU+AFC List. Mr Granger, although he is not part of the PNCR executive, is the Representative of the APNU+AFC List and Mr Ramjattan is the Deputy. If Mr Granger steps aside, then it logically follows that Mr Ramjattan takes this position, unless he agrees to make way for Mr Norton. In that case, Mr Norton must get the blessings of the APNU+AFC coalition. But there is another constitutional issue. The Representative and Dep-

uty are designated before an election and whether a replacement could happen after an election is not clear from RoPA. There is no clear succession plan for Representative of the List, apart from clinging to convention that the Representative should be replaced by the Deputy. Also related is this: “who will be the opposition chief scrutineer to replace Amna Ally?” Under the present arrangement, that person should be nominated by the APNU+AFC executive, or by the Leader or Deputy Leader of the List, and not by the PNCR Leader. The ultimate challenge for the PNCR leadership is to provide Mr Joseph Harmon with a face-saving exit strategy. Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

not everyone will agree on a bill. Also, not every political party or members of civil society or the opposition agrees on a better version of the law. As one person commented, not everyone in Parliament or in the country would agree on everything about the bill or the law. There would be differences. There were different approaches, obstacles and arguments in favour of or opposition to one clause or another, over what conditions need to exist, how close to the previous law, or how perfect a bill the country should have. Some critics in the public and the opposition and some in the diaspora also wanted more time for discussions. But they did not put forth what they would like to discuss -what would they like to see in the bill, what proposals they have to be included in the bill. Suggestions can be made for amendments. The diaspora feels that instead of the two sides sparring with one another and the opposition engag-

ing in disruptive activities, the two sides should discuss disagreements and come to an understanding. The diaspora is of the view that since the Act has been already assented to, differences can be narrowed over time as efforts are made towards implementation and amendments legislated. Some say it is not a perfect law and that like all laws it may be improved. One will have to work with it until it can be improved on. In any case, the law must be put into force as a first step in a process of tapping into the money that is kept in an American bank as the government borrows funds for programmes. The diaspora notes that for the first time in its history, the country is poised to reduce or even eliminate poverty and advance the quality of life for all Guyanese. They would like to see the funds used for upgrading of infrastructure towards modernisation. They express hope that this and future governments will

provide good stewardship of the Natural Resource Fund. They also hope that the current and future governments will enforce the robust reporting system and punitive sanctions in the NRF Act. Some in the diaspora say they would like the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC), as part of its monitoring and evaluation function, to ensure that resources are properly expended and accounted for and spread across all sections and geographic regions of the

country. The diaspora urges the political parties to put petty partisan interests aside and act in the interest of the nation, rather than in the interest of the party or self-interest, which is so often the case with politicians in Guyana. Given that government in Guyana may change, the close and nationally beneficial cooperation of each party in implementation of the NRFA and accountability must be paramount. Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Public Works Ministry completes 85 per cent of capital projects for 2021

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill

THE Ministry of Public Works has ended the year 2021 on a high note, having been able to complete 85 per cent of its budgeted capital projects, according to subject minister, Bishop Juan Edghill. The minister, in making this disclosure at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) on Monday, stated that the completed projects had a budgeted cost of $38 billion. He noted that the incomplete projects are part of two foreignfunded initiatives: The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)’s $22.5 billion LindenMabura Hill Road Project, and the US$158 million Government of India funded retailored Ogle to Eccles Bypass Road Project. “So, while we are reporting 85 per cent, what we are basically saying to the nation is that everything we set out to do in 2021 we were able to do it, and we have lost some time particularly on the foreign-funded programmes as a result of engagements in the greater process with the

financial institutions or international agencies,” Minister Edghill said. He noted that both projects are currently in the final procurement stage, and he assured the public that contracts for both projects will be signed before the conclusion of the first quarter of 2022. Thereafter, the works will begin. He also noted that the ministry is in constant discussions with both the CDB and the Government of India to ensure that Guyanese benefit soon from these projects. “That is the Linden to Mabura Road, which is still at the procurement stage, engaging the CDB; and we hope to have that concluded within a matter of weeks, and the East Coast-East Bank Bypass Road/Ogle to Eccles, which is funded by the Government of India. That is also at its final procurement stages, in terms of its evaluation and preparation for award of contract,” Minister Edghill added. The Linden-Mabura Hill Road upgrade will cover 121 kilometers. Once completed, it will improve connectivity between Guyana’s hin-

terland and coastal communities. The project is the first phase of a wider plan to develop a transportation corridor from Georgetown, the capital city, to Lethem, on the southwest border. The Bank, in a release, has said that the road will connect the port in Georgetown with northern Brazil. “The upgrading of this portion of the largely unpaved road from Linden to Mabura Hill is more than an infrastructure project; it will include social safeguards that will ensure residents benefit from the road development, and environmental protections to preserve the ecosystem,” the CDB said. “The project will also include activities to mitigate risks associated with increased development, which will build social resilience in the communities along the corridor, and preserve the rights of vulnerable groups,” CDB’s acting Vice-President (Operations), Diana Wilson Patrick was quoted as saying when the project was announced in 2020. Similarly, the Ogle to Eccles four-kilometer road link, which was delayed for almost seven years, is expected to bring tremendous benefits when completed. It will ease traffic woes along the lower East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar had said that the new, four-lane project will extend from Ogle to Eccles, rather than to Diamond, a move that will save taxpayers approximately US$158 million. Meanwhile, Minister Edghill has noted that it was no easy feat to achieve this high percentage of project completion, as there were several hurdles along the way. He noted that in addition to the issues

faced in the supply chain, the countrywide flood significantly delayed several infrastructural projects. “The team of engineers and project man-

agers have done an incredible job of getting our implementation to where it is even under the difficult challenges of COVID-19, shipping challenges,

floods in several regions where works were being undertaken and responding to a number of emergencies that occurred during the year,” he added.

Works moving apace to renovate hard court at Linden

Regional Chairman Deron Adams inspects the work being done on the washroom facility at the Retrieve hard court (RDC photo) R E H A B I L I TAT I O N works on the Retrieve hard court are moving apace, and are on schedule to be completed by January month end. This is according to Region 10’s Regional Chairman, Deron Adams, who, on Monday provided the Guyana Chronicle with an update on the project. He explained that work is being done on the bleachers, walkway, fence and washroom facilities to the tune of $12 million. Adams noted that resources were marshalled through local and overseas donors, as well as from government sources. The aim is for the facility to be brought

back to a useful state, so that residents can benefit. Supplies for the wiring of the lights around the ground, basketball rims, nets and some balls, provided by Dezon Jones, were handed over to the members of the Retrieve Raiders basketball team who utilise the court. Adams stated that the rehabilitation works are part of a wider project to revive several pieces of historical infrastructure in the mining town. In addition to the works being done at the facility, Adams said that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be reaching out to the relevant government bodies for funding to further enhance the playfield that

is located next to the hard court. He stated that the playfield is adjacent to the Mackenzie High School, and will provide a venue for students to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities. “Mackenzie High School, which is right opposite that ground, is the premier school in Region 10, and kids there do not have a playfield to do physical education and sports. We thought that we should have a playfield to ensure that the students of Mackenzie High have a venue that they can play and have activities on and so on,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Majority of teachers shun ‘Isolation Day’

THE Ministry of Education has reported that 74 per cent of its teachers reported for work and delivered their lessons on Monday, despite calls from the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to stay away from classes by observing what it called ‘Isolation

Day’. “This figure represents 84 per cent of the schools for which the ministry has received data at this time. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that this generation of children and youth cannot afford any more dis-

ruptions to their education. The Ministry of Education believes the same, and has arranged for the return to face-to-face classes at all levels, although in different proportions as we have recognized, too, that school closures have harmed the education and development

of our pupils,” the ministry said in a release. The ministry also said that it is extremely grateful to those teachers who continue to support and facilitate this process, especially after school doors were closed for 18 months. “We understand the dif-

ficult time we are living in, and appreciate their continued and unwavering service. The Ministry of Education stands ready to provide any assistance schools may need to ensure they can remain open, and continue to function effectively for the benefit of the children

of Guyana,” the release said. With schools reopening on January 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education has been constantly monitoring the situation in schools to give the necessary support and guidance to teachers, parents and the school administration.

Learners and teachers at school on Monday

Expansion of CJIA to be completed... FROM PAGE 3 bridges, an extension of the terminal building to provide accommodation for additional commercial space, and a modern airport façade covering the full length of the airport’s departure terminal. In October 2021, CHEC had requested more time to complete the project, which had a December 2021 deadline, due to a delay in freight and other miscellaneous issues caused by global supply chain issues. Based on this request, the Ministry of Public Works had granted an extension. When the extension was initially requested, Project Manager of the CJIA Expan-

sion Project Carissa Gooding had said that only 20 per cent of the additional works have been completed, with works on the new arrival terminal building being 62 per cent completed, and works on the existing terminal building being 73.5 per cent completed. Speaking at a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill related that Gooding had told authorities that CHEC could complete “a high percentage” of the work, and should be able to complete at least 60 per cent by the December 31 deadline. Responding to a question

from the Guyana Chronicle on the progress of works at the airport, CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir said that the works being executed by CHEC are only 54 per cent completed to date. Critical works on the airport are also being executed by CALCO Guyana, and those include the construction of a new building attached to CJIA’s terminal building, which will house a conference room, offices for the airlines and the other support agencies, as well as storage bonds for the duty-free shops and concessionaires. Those works, according to Ghir, are six per cent completed.

The CJIA expansion project was subjected to criticism from the new government when it was elected to office in August 2020. President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials of the government have said that Guyana will not be tolerant of unsatisfactory work, and made it clear that the project will only be accepted if it is done in accordance with the “original contract” that was signed in 2011. “President Ali, when he came to office in August of 2020, led from the front on this matter of the CJIA. It’s no secret that the PPP/C, in opposition as well as in government, expressed its dissatisfaction with the con-

CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir (Adrian Narine photos) tract, and the performance of the contractor in getting this airport completed,” Edghill said on Monday. He added: “President Ali also led from the front

in ensuring that the airport is not left in a manner that the APNU+AFC agreed to by way of a signed contract with the contractor, but renegotiated.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Abattoir to beef up pork industry

THE establishment of a new swine abattoir is expected to positively impact Guyana’s swine industry, as it would finally make way for Guyana to be able to export pork and other byproducts of swine to external markets. During a meeting with members of the Guyana Swine Producers’ Association (GSPA), Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that an initial investment was made by the government in 2021 to get the ball rolling on the establishment of an abattoir for swine. “Last year we awarded a contract to commence internal works such as utilities, roads, and fencing for $30 million. We have an estimated amount for this year’s budget that was submitted to the Ministry of Finance. Once those funds are approved, we’ll be able to move forward with the project,” Minister Mustapha said. According to a release, while alluding to the fact that the abattoir will allow Guyanese swine producers the ability to access ad-

Minister Mustapha meeting with members of the Guyana Swine Producers’ Association ditional markets outside of Guyana, Minister Mustapha said that the government is exploring the possibility of having a Private Public Partnership (PPP) agreement in place to manage the facility. The ministry is currently carrying out preliminary works at Garden of Eden on the East Bank of Demerara, after which a modular facility of international standards will be set up. Additionally, the government will be look-

ing to have the facility ISO certified, thus clearing the way for export to other parts of the world. As it relates to issues concerning traceability, Minister Mustapha said that the Guyana Food Safety Authority will be tasked with ensuring such products are safe for human consumption, and that legislations are currently being drafted to further enhance those areas. “We’ve been working on

implementing traceability through the Guyana Food Safety Authority; this authority was formed but this is the first year that it will come into operation. One of the main functions of the Authority is to ensure the food we eat is considered safe for human consumption. We are now looking at areas like traceability for all the sectors, because it is important that such systems are put in place. We also have a num-

ber of legislations that are currently being drafted that seek to enhance food safety and traceability in our country,” Minister Mustapha said. Recently appointed Chairman of the GSPA Forest Smartt told the minister that one of their challenges is access to affordable feed from local rice mills. He said that in addition to varying costs of feed amongst suppliers, farmers are often under strain to feed their

animals, more so due to the impacts of the global pandemic, COVID-19. In this regard, Minister Mustapha said prior to Monday’s meeting that the ministry sought to engage the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA) on the issue. “I’ve asked the GLDA to get the approximate quota of the Association, so that we’ll be able to further engage the Guyana Rice Millers’ Association. I’ve already discussed this matter with them, and they are prepared to help. In the long-term, we are looking to be self-sufficient in producing proteins for our feed industry; we’ve started a project with the corn and soya bean. By the end of this year, we should be able to start cultivating between 7,000 to 10,000 acres. Next year, we hope to go straight on to 30,000 acres. As a government, we are also looking to address the concerns in the region, by being able to export and supply other Caribbean markets with these proteins,” Minister Mustapha said.

Man remanded for Region One double murder BUSINESSMAN Kurtland Damon, called ‘Carto’ or ‘Bullet,’ who recently surrendered to police, was on Monday charged with the Christmas Eve double murder at Nassano Landing, North West District. The 50-year-old Friendship, East Bank Demerara resident, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to two counts of the indictable charge, which alleged that on December 24, 2021, he murdered Sherwin Goddett and Shawn France. The businessman was remanded to prison until February 15, 2022. On Sunday, January 9, 2022, Damon turned himself over to detectives at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters after a wanted bulletin was issued for hm. Thomas Kyte, called ‘Taco,’ who was also wanted, had surrendered to police several days earlier. However, he was released from custody on Sunday. According to reports, Goddett, a 29-year-old gold

miner of Dredge Creek in the Upper Pomeroon, and France, a 21-year-old gold miner from Akawini Creek, were relatives employed by Terrence Evans, a gold miner and dredge owner. On December 24, the deceased along with several others left their mining camp in the “backdam” and went to Indra’s Shop where they purchased several bottles of alcohol, which they later consumed. According to the statements received by the police, later that night around 22:30hrs, France had a heated argument with Marie Welcome, the bartender at the shop, over a bottle of champagne. France seemingly became annoyed and pelted the bottle to the ground. Thereafter, a scuffle ensued among persons at the shop. During the scuffle, France was reportedly armed with a pair of scissors which he used to attack several patrons including Alvon Claus, a 35-yearold gold miner and licensed firearm holder. The police said Claus, in self-defence, discharged a single round in the air

Kurtland Damon, called ‘Carto’ or ‘Bullet’ which brought an end to the fighting. During the scuffle, Devor Stohl, called ‘Jubbu,’ sustained a cut to his abdomen which caused his intestine to protrude. According to Daniel Beck who was at the bar at the time of the incident, Damon, who is Stohl’s father, along with Kyte, in retaliation attacked him and others as they were walking back to their camp. As a result, Hosea Sandy was stabbed about his back and left arm and Goddette and France were fatally stabbed. On Christmas Day, Stohl was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and a report of the incident was made at the Port Kaituma Police Station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Pandemic year marked by spike in world hunger

THE world is in a very different place to where it was six years ago when it committed to the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. At the time, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was optimistic that with transformative approaches, past progress could be accelerated, at scale, to put it on track to achieve that goal. Yet, the past four editions of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) revealed a humbling reality. The world has not been generally progressing either towards ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all people all year round (SDG Target 2.1), or to eradicating all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2). Conflict, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns are the major drivers slowing progress, particularly where inequality is high. The COVID-19

pandemic made the pathway towards SDG2 even steeper. So, if the world is at a critical juncture, where do we stand now? And what can be done to help us build forward better and put us on track to achieving Zero Hunger? The number of people in the world affected by hunger increased in 2020 under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. After remaining virtually unchanged from 2014 to 2019, the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) climbed to around 9.9 per cent in 2020, from 8.4 per cent a year earlier. In terms of population, taking into consideration the additional statistical uncertainty, it is estimated that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020. Considering the middle of the projected range (768 million), 118 million more people were facing hunger in 2020 than in 2019 – or as many as 161 million, considering the upper bound of the range. Around 660 million people may still face hunger in

2030, in part due to lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global food security – 30 million more people than in a scenario in which the pandemic had not occurred. To drive that number home, in 2030, the number of people facing hunger may be close to double the current population of the United States, or triple that of Brazil. BOLD ACTIONS REQUIRED Unless bold action is taken to accelerate progress, especially action to address major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition and the inequalities affecting the access of millions to food, hunger will not be eradicated by 2030. Compared with 2019, 46 million more people in Africa, almost 57 million more in Asia, and about 14 million more in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by hunger in 2020. While the global prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity has been slowly on the rise since 2014,

the estimated increase in 2020 was equal to that of the previous five years combined. Nearly one in three people in the world (2.37 billion) did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – that’s an increase of almost 320 million people in just one year. The high cost of healthy diets coupled with persistent high levels of income inequality put healthy diets out of reach for around three billion people, especially the poor, in every region of the world in 2019. This number is slightly less than in 2017 and will likely increase in most regions in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifting to healthy diets that include sustainability, considerations can contribute to reducing health and climate-change costs by 2030, because the hidden costs of these diets are lower, compared with those of current consumption patterns. Last year ’s SOFI report stressed that the COV-

ID-19 pandemic was having a devastating impact on the world’s economy, triggering an unprecedented recession not seen since the Second World War, and that the food security and nutrition status of millions of people, including children, would deteriorate if we did not take swift action. Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to expose weaknesses in our food systems, which threaten the food security and nutrition of millions of people around the world. DISRUPTIONS Also, efforts to eradicate malnutrition in all its forms have been challenged by disruptions in essential nutrition interventions and negative impacts on dietary patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly worrisome, since malnutrition early in life can have lasting effects on health and productivity. Urgent action is needed to ensure access to affordable, healthy diets for all. When transformed with greater resilience to major

drivers, including conflict, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns, food systems can provide affordable, healthy diets that are sustainable and inclusive, and become a powerful driving force towards ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms, for all. Depending on context, there are six pathways to follow towards food systems transformation: 2021 offers a unique opportunity for advancing food security and nutrition through transforming food systems with the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit, the Nutrition for Growth Summit and the COP26 on climate change. These events are an unprecedented opportunity to generate commitments to transform food systems to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms and deliver affordable, healthy diets for all, and to build forward better from the COVID-19 pandemic. (FAO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Simona Broomes going through ‘spiritual upheaval,’ leaves PNC/R zone as they proceeded to buy food. Nonetheless, as Broomes embarks on this chapter, she said that she knows exactly where she is headed, and that the future is bigger and better. “…it’s very independent, sober and responsible,” the former minister posited. She continued: “When I

Former government minister Simona Broomes ANOTHER member of the People’s Nationa l C o n g re s s / R e f o r m (PNC/R) has resigned. This time it is former Member of Parliament and former minister of government, Simona Broomes. It was only a few months ago that reports of Broomes’ resignation surfaced; however, she vehemently denied the online article. Similar news has resurfaced, but this time around Broomes has not come out in denial. Instead, she resorted to doing a live social media broadcast in which she said that she would be following the path that God has laid out for her. “I don’t care about what people say in the media; what I care about is what God thinks about me,” Broomes said in a Facebook video posted on Monday. While she did not admit pointedly to the resignation, the miner said that she will be spending a lot more time providing assistance to persons in need. “I’ll be out there in your community… we are going to be focusing on youth, women, women empowerment, the elderly,” the former Natural Resources Minister said. During the 2015-2020 tenure of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government, Broomes was tossed around from one government ministry to the next. Once a social rights activist, Broomes was first appointed in 2015 as Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection. There she served for sev-

eral months before being moved over to the Ministry of Natural Resources as a junior minister. After another few months, Broomes was given the title Minister with responsibility for Youth Affairs. It is unclear as to what her duties for the latter post entailed, since there was already a substantive Minister of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. This minister was Dr George Norton. Even after the government changed following the very dramatic 2020 General and Regional Elections, Broomes was overlooked as a potential parliamentarian. During her tenure in Parliament, Brooms delivered an ‘unprecedented unparliamentary presentation’ that went viral. It was called the “boom-out” video and astonishingly, it was produced in the chambers of the National Assembly. Broomes was also videoed in 2018 during a brawl at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence, East Bank Demerara, where she claimed abuse by two guards of the establishment. Broomes had even said that one of the guards pointed a gun at her, resulting in the young man being arrested for 16 hours. Fortunately, Josh Rambarran was exonerated, after surveillance videos of the area proved that the claim by the then Natural Resources Minister was false. On the contrary, the CCTV footage showed that it was Broomes and her driver/bodyguard who were “bullying” their way to park in a no-parking

go out there and I say something and do something, I am not coming to you in the name of this and in the name of that, or I have to be guided by any particular line or views of anybody. I am only guided by the word of the Lord. That is where I’m taking my cues from.” In her 40-minute long

video, Broomes also responded to what seem to be criticisms that she has received since news of her resignation surfaced. “People talk all kinds of wild things, but for me, I always drink soup just ‘cause God is my soup provider…so hey, don’t go down that road that Broomes is a

soup-drinker. Where you going with that? Rest ya self.” Prior to entering the world of politics, Broomes was an award-winning activist, working to combat Trafficking in Persons, particularly in and around the mining communities of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Gov’t to send 50 samples to be tested for Omicron variant this week

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony AS the country continues to see a drastic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony on Monday confirmed that 50 samples will be sent this week to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago for testing, to confirm the presence of the Omicron variant in Guyana. According to the minister, the recent trends are synonymous with the variant which is, reportedly, more transmissible. He disclosed that the country has recorded 425 new cases within the past 24 hours. Dr. Anthony stated the ministry anticipates that the results will be available within a three-week timeframe. “When we started seeing the spike; this vertical telltale sign of Omicron on

our graphs, we realised that Omicron is here. So, from those patients, we were able to select a few samples, and, right now, we have all the samples selected, but those arrangements for shipping the samples to the ‘lab’ we are now putting in place to make sure that they go to the lab,” Dr. Anthony said. Minister Anthony disclosed that, currently, there are 6,300 active cases across the country. Of this number, 3,972 are from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Guyana’s most populated region. Region one (BarimaWaini) currently has 45 active cases, while Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have some 145 and 694 cases, respectively. Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has 151; Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 567; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 12; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 278; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 271. Minister Anthony noted that while transmission of the virus remains high, hospitalisation remains relatively low. Just 92 of those who have tested positive are currently hospitalised, while 51, eight of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit ICU)

are patients at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, at Liliendaal, on the lower East Coast Demerara. VACCINATION According to the latest COVID-19 statistics, some 414,235 adults and 31,073 adolescents have received their first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Guyana. Those numbers, when broken down, mean that 80.3 per cent of the country’s adult population, and 42.6 per cent of its adolescent population have received their first COVID-19 “jab”. Regarding second doses, statistics show that 58.5 per cent of the adult population are fully vaccinated, representing some 303,181 persons, while 22,080 adolescents, or 30.3 per cent of that grouping, have received the second shot, and are now categorised as being fully vaccinated. With the exception of the Johnson and Johnson variety, two doses of AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Pfizer vaccines are required. Dr. Anthony disclosed that some 17,461 persons have gotten their booster shots, which, according to him, has mitigated the effects of the virus.

A health official collecting a sample to be tested for COVID-19 “It is proven that once you took your booster doses, you are going to be protected, and, therefore, those persons who would have had both doses of the vaccines, we are urging that they come back and get their booster doses. All the studies have shown that people who take their boosters are better protected,” he emphasised. Minister Anthony highlighted that a pivotal part of the fight against COVID-19 is isolation, which helps to prevent the spread of the virus. He stated that in many cases, persons who have tested positive but have mild symptoms have made the unwise decision of continu-

ing to interact with others, thus causing the virus to spread. “Well, people got to be socially responsible; it is important that people take the measures. We have seen quite a few people complying, but there are also people who have total disregard for these measures. They don’t wear any masks; they don’t keep any distance, and they continue with this type of behaviour,” he added. He reminded persons to be mindful of their environment, and to take the necessary precautions, including wearing facemasks, sanitizing, and social dis-

tancing. The health minster explained that many persons let their guard down once they are in a familiar environment, which puts them at risk. “A lot of people believe that because they are with familiar people; their workmates and so forth, that they can take off their masks. But they cannot guarantee where those persons would have been, and how those persons would have behaved wherever they would have been, so unless you’re wearing your masks constantly, you’re going to get infected,” Minister Anthony said.

Pfizer now available as booster to Sputnik V

A citizen of Guyana getting vaccinated (DPI photo) THE Ministry of Health announced on Monday that the United States-made Pfizer vaccine is now available as a booster for persons who took the Russian

Sputnik V as a primary vaccine. When the ministry began its booster regimen late last year, persons who took two doses of the Sputnik

V were advised to take the Johnson and Johnson shot as a booster. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said a scientific assessment by a medical

committee found that the Pfizer vaccine could now be used as a booster. “Initially when we looked at it, we thought that the most compatible would have been the J&J vaccine which helps to achieve two things: one to give people their booster doses and secondly, to travel. “And therefore, when the committee would have done that scientific evaluation, they felt that Pfizer can also be offered and therefore, we have adjusted the schedule to allow our staff to be able to give that Pfizer dose as a booster,” the minister said. Dr Anthony is urging persons to visit any vaccination site across the country to receive their booster or third dose, as it has been proven effective in protecting persons against the disease. “It is proven that once you have your booster dose that you are going to be pro-

tected and therefore those persons who would have had both doses of their vaccines, we are urging them to make sure that they come back and get their booster dose.” He said further that persons who took the singledose J&J vaccine should revisit a vaccination site after two months for a second dose, as the vaccine is no longer being given as a single dose. Meanwhile, Guyana will this week receive another batch of 25,000 doses of the Janssen’s Johnson and Johnson vaccine, as the country continues the fight the deadly COVID-19. Dr Anthony said the ministry has been using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine both as a primary shot, as well as a booster to persons who are fully vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine. “In terms of the J&J,

while we have limited amounts right now, we are going to get some this week. We are expecting at least 25, 000 doses this week. So, when we get that again, those persons who would like to get their boosters with J&J would be able to do that,” he said. As of Monday, 414, 235 or 80.3 per cent of the adult population took the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 300, 181 or 58.5 percent are fully immunised. With regard to the 12 to 17 age cohort, 3, 173 or 42.6 per cent took the firstdose Pfizer vaccine while 2, 280 or 30.3 per cent took both doses. Minister Anthony said booster doses continue to increase, with 17, 461 persons now better protected against the deadly virus.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Get vaccinated, take the booster shot, promote safe school environment

- Health Minister urges teachers A NUMBER of teachers in the public school system have still not yet been immunised against COVID-19, and Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony is making a plea for them to take the shots. By taking both doses of the vaccine, as well as booster shots, teachers will help to keep the school environment safe, Dr Anthony noted. “I think there is [sic] still a number of teachers who are unvaccinated; so, if we want to have a very safe school environment, then I think we should encourage those teachers to get vaccinated because without being vaccinated, they are putting themselves obviously at risk for infection and not just in school, but generally in the community,” Dr Anthony said during his daily update on Monday. He said the Health Ministry has not asked that any school be closed, as it is the mandate of the Ministry of Education to ensure that children attending sessions are in a safe environment. Meanwhile, the ministry is still seeking to increase the vaccination rate among persons within the 1217 age category. Vaccination among adolescents currently stands at 42.6 per cent. “For these children we need them to get not just a first dose, but second dose and there is also that possibility of some of them also getting a booster dose, so there is a lot of work to be done with this age group to make sure

that they are fully vaccinated,” he noted. He said parents and teachers need to encourage children to get vaccinated. “We are willing as a ministry, if we have special requests from schools, to be able to go to that school and conduct such vaccination exercise and also if we are going to do that, the teachers and the school’s administration would have to help us to make sure that we get parental consent,” Dr. Anthony said. He said further that the Delta and Omicron variants of the COVID-19 disease are not the same. With the Delta variant, persons get a more severe form of the disease which may cause death or require hospitalisation due to the effects on the lungs and subsequent multiorgan dysfunction. The Omicron, he said, is different. “Generally, we see persons who are infected would have the disease more in the nose, in their throat, so it behaves more like an upper respiratory tract infection; however, there are some people who would have comorbidities, who certainly would become hospitalised because of its contagiousness; it is certainly, by our numbers affecting more people, and since more people are affected, you would have, relative to that, hospitalisation. “So far, our numbers are pretty ok, because when you look at, say almost 6,000 infections over the last couple of days, correspondingly of these

6,000 persons, very few of them required hospitalisation,” Dr Anthony said. The Health Minister noted that the COVID-19 facility at Ocean View has 51 persons, which is a low ratio compared to those infected. Meanwhile, health authorities are still trying to source the special vials manufactured by Pfizer for children 5-11 years. “The team here, we actually believe that we can dilute it appropriately but Pfizer has made a special vial with the same vaccine but in different proportions, so we are now trying to source that. That generally is only available in the United States and there is some difficulty trying to get it for other countries but, nevertheless, we are working to see if we can do that.” He said an arrangement is being pursued with CARICOM to see whether the vials could be acquired in bulk, so Guyana could easily benefit. The difficulty has arisen because of the demand by other countries. (DPI)

A classroom in session on Monday (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, January 11, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

GBA treats Terrence ‘Alli’ ‒ Ninvalle commits to supporting former Guyanese champion PRESIDENT of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, on Monday met with former Guyanese Welterweight Champion, Terrence Halley, popularly known as 'Terrence Alli', when he made a presentation of hampers, cellphone and cash. Ninvalle stated that the GBA took a decision to help the former prized fighter following reports of his needs. According to Ninvalle, the GBA is currently working on improving other areas of Halley’s life and will make a formal announcement when it materializes. Halley never won a world title, but for many, more so the ‘old school’ boxing fans, his name will forever be

etched in their memories as the fighter who carried the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ around the world, one ‘back flip’ after another. Alli started his professional career in 1979, and at the end in 1997, he finished with 52 wins (the most by any Guyanese fighter), 15 losses and two draws but will be forever remembered as one of the best fighters Guyana has ever produced – to never win a world title. His first shot at a world title was in 1985 against Harry Arroyo for the IBF World Lightweight Title but, he was knocked out by the American. Mexican great Jose Luis Ramirez and Alli fought in 1987 for the vacant WBC World Lightweight Title, his second title fight, but the Lindener lost the fight by Unanimous Decision. Ramirez would later surrender that title to Julio Cesar Chavez – Alli’s final opponent at a world title. Guyanese at home and abroad were glued to their television screens to witness the classic showdown,

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hoping that Alli could take down the man who at the time had defended his title against the likes of Hector Camacho, Angel Hernandez and Meldrick Taylor. However, Chavez was too good throughout the fight before putting the prized Guyanese fighter down 42 seconds into the sixth round of their 12-round encounter. The now 62-year-old is a former two-time United States Champion, two-time North American champion and rated number one in the world. The life and career of Terrence Alli embodies both the glory and the tragedy that often lurk not far from one another in the world of boxing. He was an exciting, eccentric and socially-conscious fighter who became the world’s top super lightweight contender. Perhaps sadder still, by all accounts, he feels he has been forsaken by the country that he always proudly represented with such patriotic vigour, even when he had to go abroad to advance his career.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

Kiwis dominate Bangladesh as Latham hits 252 and Boult bags 300th Test wicket NEW Zealand continued to dominate proceedings in Christchurch as Trent Boult bagged his ninth Test five-wicket haul to shoot down Bangladesh for just 126 and bag a handy 395run lead at stumps. The Hagley Oval also witnessed home boy Tom Latham strike his second-highest score in Tests - 252 - that helped New Zealand declare on 521 for 6. After posting 349 for 1 on the opening, Bangladesh had a huge task ahead of them and they did well to stage a small comeback. Devon Conway got his century on the opening delivery of the day after being left on 99 not out overnight but the visitors were good enough to dry the runs post the opening over. That led to desperation the Conway and he was eventually run out for 109. Ross Taylor walked out a standing ovation from the crowd - and a guard of honour from the Bangladesh team - but was able to make just 28 in what could well turn out to be his final Test innings given the state of the game. However, he was next to Latham in the 101st over when the stand-in captain got to his second Test double ton with a boundary to the cover fence. Taylor and Latham had made 48 for the fourth wicket but the dismissal led to a small slump for the hosts. Henry Nicholls fell for a duck while Daryl Mitchell managed just three as Bangladesh gave away just 74

Trent Boult is the second fastest New Zealander to 300 Test wickets, doing so in 75 Tests

in the opening session and bagged four wickets. In the second session, Latham and Tom Blundell had their share of fun during their 76-run stand before Mominul Haque managed to dismiss Latham. New Zealand declared soon after Blundell's half-century with the aim of batting just once in the game. In a way, the opening Test loss was an aberration for New Zealand. Several factors played a key role in Bangladesh managing a better performance and New Zealand eventually losing the contest. The second Test has turned out to be a fair reflection of both New Zealand and Bangladesh's ability in conditions aiding swing and movement off the track. With a mountain ahead of them, the pressure was always going to be on Bangladesh openers to give the side a

Yorkshire set... en's T20 competition. Tickets for the matches allocated to Headingley are not currently available on the ECB's website. Any decision to strip the fixtures from the Leeds venue would have serious financial implications for Yorkshire, who have already seen a host of sponsors cut ties with the club because of the racism scandal. Meanwhile, fixtures for the 2022 domestic season

(From page 20)

will be released after the final men's Ashes Test, either at the end of next week or in the following week. The schedule is normally published before Christmas, but the delay was not linked to Yorkshire, who will begin the season in County Championship Division One. Yorkshire invited applications for a number of positions, including a new head coach, in December. (BBC Sport)

good start. Shadman Islam fell to the eighth ball of the innings while Mohammad Naim bagged a duck on debut. Najmul Hossain Shanto too fell to Boult's swing and edged a delivery to second

Latham's score was the highest in Tests since Zak Crawley's 267 for England against Pakistan in August 2020

slip before Southee nipped out captain Mominul Haque for a duck. From being 12 for 4, Bangladesh somehow managed not to lose any more wickets and go to Tea at 27 for 4. Post the break, Liton Das

was dismissed by Boult to leave the visitors gasping at 27 for 5. Yasir Ali and Nurul Hasan led the resistance for a brief while - with a stand of 60 - before the latter succumbed to Southee's nip-backer.

Yasir got his maiden Test fifty but couldn't find a partner to make the hosts sweat. Boult bagged four and also got the 300-Test wickets landmark to cap off a clinical day for the hosts. (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings

Bangladesh 1st innings

Tom Latham c Yasir Ali b Mominul Haque 252 Will Young c Mohammad Naim b Shoriful Islam 54 Devon Conway Run Out Mehidy Hasan 109 Ross Taylor c Shoriful Islam b Ebadot Hossain 28 Henry Nicholls c Nurul Hasan b Ebadot Hossain 0 Daryl Mitchell c Nurul Hasan b Shoriful Islam 3 Tom Blundell Not Out 57 Kyle Jamieson Not Out 4 Extras: 0b 8lb 1nb open 5w 14 Total: (128.5 overs) 521 decl

Shadman Islam c Tom Latham b Trent Boult 7 Mohammad Naim b Tim Southee 0 Najmul Hossain Shanto c Tom Latham b Trent Boult 4 Mominul Haque b Tim Southee 0 Liton Das c Tom Blundell b Trent Boult 8 Yasir Ali c Daryl Mitchell b Kyle Jamieson 55 Nurul Hasan lbw Tim Southee 41 Mehidy Hasan b Trent Boult 5 Taskin Ahmed c Will Young b Kyle Jamieson 2 Shoriful Islam b Trent Boult 2 Ebadot Hossain Not Out 0 Extras: 0b 0lb 1nb 0pen 1w 2 Total: (41.2 overs) 126 all out

Fall of Wickets: 1-148 Young, 2-363 Conway, 3-411 Taylor, 4-414 Nicholls, 5-423 Mitchell, 6-499 Latham Did Not Bat: Southee, Wagner, Boult Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 32.5 - 5 - 117 - 0 (4w 1nb), Shoriful Islam 28 - 9 - 79 - 2 ( 1w), Ebadot Hossain 30 - 3 - 143 - 2, Mehidy Hasan 31 - 2 - 125 - 0, Najmul Hossain Shanto 4 - 0 - 15 - 0, Mominul Haque 3 - 0 - 34 - 1.

Fall of Wickets: 1-7 Anik, 2-11 Sheikh, 3-11 Shanto, 4-11 Haque, 5-27 Das, 6-87 Hasan, 7-109 Miraz, 8-118 Ahmed, 9-126 Chowdhury, 10-126 Islam Bowling: Tim Southee 12 - 4 - 28 - 3, Trent Boult 13.2 - 3 - 43 - 5, Kyle Jamieson 9 - 3 - 32 - 2, Neil Wagner 7 - 1 - 23 -0 (1w 1nb)

Mane injury time penalty... (From page 20) chance before Keita Balde also failed to hit the target. At the other end, Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona let fly from 20 yards only to see his fine strike whistle past the post as his side, looking to reach the knock-out stages for the first time, went close. Shortly after half-time,

Pape Cisse spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock but could only steer his free header from a corner powerfully past the post with Mhari stranded. Ultimately, Senegal Africa's top-ranked side for the last three years - failed to impress against a well-organised Zimbabwe side who

showed no ill effect from the uncertainty surrounding their participation at the finals. In the run-up to the tournament, the threat of a ban by football's world governing body had loomed after a government-mandated body had taken control of the local FA, which goes against Fifa

regulations. They were seconds away from keeping their first clean sheet at the Nations Cup, at the 13th attempt, only to be undone when referee Mario Escobar pointed to the spot, with the video assistant referee backing his on-field decision. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

Essequibo Businessman is new ECB president Popular Businessman of Charity, Essequibo, Deleep Singh has been unanimously elected as president of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB). The elections took place on Sunday at the Imam Bacchus Learning Resource Centre, Affiance, Essequibo Coast, where a new executive body was formed. Those elected to serve on the board are vice-president Elroy Stephney; Secretary Trevis Simon; Assistant Secretary Mustapha Zaman; Treasurer Shazim Nasrudeen; Assistant Treasurer Adjhodia Lall; Public Relations Officer Wazeeda Bacchus; Marketing Manager Sherman Austin, and Chairman -- Competitions committee. Trustees are Khemraj Surujpaul and Ernesto De

Mattos. Auditors will be Excellent Business consultants. Immediately after the elections, newly elected president, Mr Singh, gave his commitment towards the board and pledged his support towards moving cricket forward. Singh said he is looking forward to working with all the members in ensuring that Essequibo produces good sportsmen and women. He, therefore, used the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected members and thanked everyone for having confidence in his leadership of the ECB as he promised to live up to their expectations. Singh has been in the cricketing arena for over 40 years and believes he has vast knowledge and skills to move the game forward.

The newly elected executive members of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB president, Deleep Singh is at centre)

Singh plans to eradicate all the indifferences with area committees and forge unity with all stakeholders in the game. He plans to have cricket played at all the levels regularly with guidance from coaches. Meanwhile, President of

the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bissoondyal Singh, and other members of the GCB were present during the elections. Mr Singh also congratulated the new executive members of the ECB. “With immediate effect, I am going to deliver a grant

of $2.5M to the ECB and I will give every area committee a bag of gears,” the GCB president said. He also mentioned that he would like to revamp the cricketing facilities in Region Two. He also desires for female crick-

et to be boosted in the Region. He also made a commitment to launch an investigation into the management of the ECB Hostel with the intention of having it rehabilitated. The members will serve on the board for two years.

Yorkshire set deadline by ECB Mane injury time penalty gives over 2022 internationals Senegal opening win

Headingley is due to host an Ashes Test in the summer of 2023

YORKSHIRE have been set a deadline by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to regain their international status for this summer. Headingley was stripped of the right to host major matches in November in response to its handling of racism allegations made by Azeem Rafiq. \The ECB has asked Yorkshire to meet certain conditions by early spring. Headingley was due to host England's Test against New Zealand and one-dayer with South Africa in July. At the time of removing the matches from Yorkshire, the ECB said the county's major-match status would remain suspended until it

"clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected". Former chairman Roger Hutton and chief executive Mark Arthur have since resigned, while 16 members of staff, including director of cricket Martyn Moxon and first-team coach Andrew Gale, have been sacked. Lord Patel has taken over as chairman, with ex-Yorkshire and England pace bowler Darren Gough coming in as director of cricket. An ECB investigation into allegations made by Rafiq and others, and Yorkshire's handling of the case, is ongoing. However, a decision on this summer's major matches will be made before the investigation is concluded in

order to aid logistics and give clarity to ticket holders. The third Test against world champions New Zealand begins on 23 June. Old Trafford is staging concerts in the same week so unless Lord's, Trent Bridge or Edgbaston - grounds that are already hosting Tests around that time - take on another match, it could be that The Oval and Southampton are the only alternatives. The ODI against South Africa is on 24 July. Although more grounds are capable of staging international whiteball matches, it comes at a time when The Hundred is due to begin and Edgbaston will be playing host to the Commonwealth Games wom(Turn to page 19)

Sadio Mane saw a first-half effort saved, but made no mistake from the penalty spot late on

A Sadio Mane penalty seven minutes into added time enabled lacklustre Senegal to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener. Defeat was harsh on Zimbabwe, who made one of the tournament favourites look distinctly ordinary in Bafoussam. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Kelvin Madzongwe was adjudged to have handled as he turned his back on a strike from Pape Gueye. Liverpool forward Mane rifled home to give Senegal

the perfect start. Featuring a side shorn of several players, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, because of Covid, the Senegalese had earlier missed a host of chances. The best fell to midfielder Gana Gueye shortly before half-time but the Paris St-Germain star could not control an easy pass from Mane with the goal beckoning. Mane himself had been denied earlier in the half when shooting straight at impressive Zimbabwe goal-

keeper Petros Mhari after wriggling into space in the box. DEPLETED SENEGAL FAIL TO IMPRESS Senegal came into this tournament seeking a first Nations Cup crown after losing the 2019 final to Algeria, but were far from their best after only being able to name 17 players, out of a squad of 28, through a mix of Covid cases and injuries. Bayern Munich defender Bouna Sarr struck a low shot inches wide for the first (Turn to page 19)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

Dads enjoy ‘son-day’ at U-19 warm-up match

Arjune Nandu (left), Marcus Nandu (centre) and Wayne Auguste at the Guyana National Stadium. (Photo ICC)

A PAIR of proud fathers were among the first fans watching action in the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium. Albeit a warm-up match, Wayne Auguste and Arjune Nandu were riveted to the activity in the middle as their sons – Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu respectively – were in the thick of battle for the West Indies versus India at the Providence venue. Both fathers have been following their son’s progress for years and are hoping this campaign on home turf will be successful. For Saint Lucia’s Auguste it would be particularly pleasing if the Rising Stars could win the tournament. “My son is the captain of West Indies Under 19s. I’m happy and proud that he is learning and growing in the sport. He started a very long time ago and just to see him progress makes me feel good,” said Auguste. “I always travel whenever he plays. I follow him around. Ackeem has been playing cricket since he was about two-and-a-half years old – so we’ve been at it a long time. He definitely wants to go all the way in

cricket, and we give him all the support possible.” Meanwhile, Nandu – who played First-Class cricket for Guyana (1988– 1992) and two Youth Tests for West Indies Under-19 (1990) – left the talking to his other son, Marcus Nandu, also a talented cricketer who was in Canada’s squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2018. “It’s a nice feeling to see him playing for the West Indies. Normally we play together, so to see him out there is cool,” said 21-yearold Marcus of his 18-yearold brother who scored a half-century in a losing cause. Regarding the family’s plan for the tournament, which starts on Friday with the West Indies opposing Australia at the same venue, Marcus revealed he and his dad will “watch the matches in Guyana and then we may go to St. Kitts”. Auguste – whose son suffered a first-ball duck – is hoping his travels will take him all the way to Antigua and Barbuda – to watch the West Indies in the business end of the event. Joycelyn Dias was also among the smattering of fans absorbing Sunday’s duel, and she was playing teacher.

“I’m a cricket fanatic. That’s why I’m here. There’s hardly anybody but it doesn't matter – I’m here and I have my friend. I’m introducing her to cricket properly!” she declared, accompanied by her gal pal, Ayanna Greene. “There ain’t a Guyanese who will tell you that they don’t know anything about cricket. She’s not a fanatic but, if she didn’t like cricket, she wouldn’t be here with me. My company is not that good.” Both women – clearly good friends – dissolved into laughter. Asked if she intends to attend the tournament, Dias replied emphatically. “Absolutely – all the matches! I have my season ticket already!” Other spectators, including some club players, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon assessing the young men on the field, applauding shots and wickets alike. Most plan to heed the tournament tagline for the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and ‘Be There’ for matches at GNS and Everest Cricket Club (ECC). Before that though, warm-up fixtures continue in Guyana and St Kitts. (ICC Media)

Adrian Hetmyer slams maiden century as Rose Hall Canje surge to mammoth U-15 victory

Adrian Hetmyer scored his maiden ton

Romario Ramdihol (left) and Jaden Edwards (right) supported with half centuries

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Adrian Hetmyer slammed his maiden century to lift the Rose Hall Canje Arborsmart to a whopping 295-run victory in their inaugural match of the Berbice Cricket Board /Tenelec U-15, 50-over competition on Sunday. Playing at home, Rose Hall Canje won the toss and decided to bat against Edinburgh Warriors. Heymyer, the nephew of West Indies cricketer Shimron Hetmyer and the son of former Guyana U-19 cricketer Seon Hetmyer, opened the batting with skipper Romario Ramdihol and the two added 161 before the latter was caught in the 28th over. Ramdihol struck five fours off of 94 balls for his 63.

Hetmyer, who had 43 at the fall of the wicket, turned on the heat with quick singles and doubles. He and Jaden Edwards were able to bat their side to a current tournament-high of 353-1. Hetmyer scored his 121 off 138 balls. In his innings, he struck three fours and two sixes. Edwards also ran well between the wickets; his 58 from 73 balls included a single boundary. The Warriors used eight bowlers, but only Dimitri Williams, 1-34 from 10 overs, was successful. In their turn in the middle, the Warriors were routed for 58-9 (only 10 batted) in 13.2 overs. Left-arm seamer, Nicholas Hall, who did the damage up front, finished with

2-21 from four overs, while leg spinner Abdulla Azad finished off the innings with 2-3 from 2.2 overs. Both bowlers also orchestrated a run-out each. Johnathan Outar, Lakeram Singh and Enrique Mickle supported with a wicket apiece. Despite the solid bowling attack, the eventual winners could have routed the visiting side for single digits since there were 50 extras (41 of which were wides). Michael Cort top scored with four from 26 balls; four other batsmen managed to score a single. Not only are the winners’ total the highest to date, but Hetmyer’s century is the first to date in the competition.

Boufal goal hands Morocco narrow win over Ghana SOFIANE Boufal's 82nd-minute strike handed Morocco a narrow win over Group C rivals Ghana in their Africa Cup of Nations opener. The former Southampton winger pounced on to a loose ball before hammer- Sofiane Boufal's winner was just his ing his effort into the second goal for Morocco in 23 appearances far corner. It was a rare moment of quality in an came into the game having otherwise uneventful game won all six of their World in Yaounde as four-time win- Cup qualifiers last year, but ners Ghana frustrated their the 1976 winners were made opponents. to work for their three points. Morocco were untroubled Wolverhampton Wanderin the closing stages, canter- ers defender Romain Saiss ing to their win. had gone close for the Atlas Morocco find a way in Lions, heading narrowly off tense encounter target in a tight first half. The North African side For all of Morocco's pos-

session Vahid Halilhodzic's side were nearly behind in the 73rd minute as Joseph Paintsil's curler was superbly stopped by keeper Yassine Bounou. Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew also went close with a looping volley only for Angers' Boufal to net the winner at the other end minutes later. And, after taking the lead, Morocco nearly doubled their advantage in the closing stages with Samy Mmaee heading a set-piece just wide. Morocco face debutants Comoros on Friday (16:00 GMT) before Ghana play Gabon (19:00 GMT). (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

ICC Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup GROUP B PREVIEW NO country has won more ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cups than India, and their quest for a fifth title will begin in Group B. Beaten finalists two years ago, India are looking to go one better this time around and replicate the achievements of the class of 2018, who swept all before them in New Zealand, led by current internationals, Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill. Coming up against them in the group stage are 2014 champions, South Africa, competition regulars Ireland, and a Uganda side making its first appearance at this tournament for 16 years. Group B begins in Guyana before moving to Trinidad & Tobago, where one match will take place at Queen’s Park Oval and three at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. INDIA (14TH APPEARANCE) India have only once failed to make it past the group stage at an ICC Under

19 Men’s Cricket World Cup – at the opening edition in 1988 – and enter among the favourites to go all the way. Lifting the 2021 Asia Cup served as perfect preparation, with spinners Vicky Ostwal and Kaushal Tambe shining as India defeated Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the final on New Year’s Eve. The spin twins, therefore, head to the Caribbean full of confidence, as do the Asia Cup’s leading run scorers, Harnoor Singh and Shaik Rasheed, and India’s strength with bat and ball will again make them formidable opponents. Yash Dhull captains the side and will hope to join an illustrious list of names – including Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli and Shaw – to have led India to victory in this competition. IRELAND (9TH APPEARANCE) Ireland qualified for their ninth ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in style, skittling Scotland for 66 in a one-sided final of the Europe qualifier last September.

following in their footsteps.

India’s Yash Dhull

Ireland’s Tim Tector

Matthew Humphreys was the star in La Manga, taking 5-25, and the slow left-arm spinner from Lisburn will be eager to take that form into the big occasion. Ireland warmed up by taking on Zimbabwe in Barbados over the New Year and though they went down 3-1 in the series, a 117-run win in the final match showed what the side, captained by Tim Tector, is capable of on their day. Tenth place in 2010 is Ireland’s best performance in their eight outings to date but they won three of their six matches last time they

qualified in 2018, including a memorable four-run victory over Afghanistan. SOUTH AFRICA (13TH APPEARANCE) South Africa’s chances of success on home soil were ended at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Bangladesh two years ago but a talented squad will hope to challenge for honours in the Caribbean. All-rounder Dewald Brevis impressed for the Proteas youngsters in the CSA Provincial T20 Knockout competition in October – his batting style drawing com-

South Africa’s Dewald Brevis

parisons with AB de Villiers – while his leg-spin caused West Indies plenty of problems in a recent warm-up series against the home nation. Left-arm spinner Asakhe Tsaka and captain George van Heerden will also hope to make names for themselves in the coming weeks as South Africa look for a second ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy. Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada were the stars of a memorable triumph eight years ago and the current crop will be confident of

UGANDA (3RD APPEARANCE) Having narrowly missed out on appearing in 2016 and 2018, Uganda came out on the right side of a nail-biting qualification group to book a place at their third ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Uganda needed a big netrun rate swing in their favour going into the final matches in the Africa qualifier and they duly achieved it, dismissing Tanzania for 51 and losing just two wickets in reply to advance at Namibia’s expense. In Cyrus Kakuru and Joseph Baguma, Uganda possess the leading run-scorer and joint leading wicket-taker of the Africa qualifier while captain Pascal Murungi claimed 4-9 in the decisive win over Tanzania. The Baby Cricket Cranes have won one match on each of their previous outings at this competition, in 2004 and 2006, and will be eager to show what they can do on their return to the global stage.

Match officials named for ICC Under-19 World Cup

Afghanistan suffer visa glitches ahead of Under-19 World Cup

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced the umpire and match referee appointments for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022, which will be staged in the West Indies from January 14 to February 5. Experienced English umpire David Millns will stand alongside Nepal’s Buddhi Pradhan for the opening match of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after the officials were confirmed for the West Indies. Millns, who has been a first-class umpire for nearly 14 years, and Pradhan will oversee hosts West Indies against Australia at National Stadium in Guyana on January 14. Millns’ compatriot Martin Saggers will be the TV Umpire for the first of 48 games, with a 22-strong team of match officials confirmed by the International Cricket Council. Among those taking charge will be Pakistan’s Rashid Riaz who reprises his role from the 2020 tournament and takes charge of

…Their warm-up fixtures have been cancelled but discussions to resolve the issue are ongoing

Umpire Jacquline Williams

England’s opening fixture against Bangladesh with Ireland’s Roland Black, who also officiated two years ago. Asif Yaqoob will be the TV umpire for the same fixture which sees the defending U19 champions Bangladesh kickstart the defence of their title. Yaqoob is the third umpire who stood in South Africa last time out to again be selected. The Pakistani official is set to be in the middle for the West Indies against Scotland, England against Canada and

Bangladesh against the UAE. In all, 19 umpires from 14 different countries will be on the field with five also performing the role of TV umpire throughout the first stage of the tournament. They will be joined by three referees for the duration of the tournament, with former Sri Lanka international Graeme Labrooy officiating alongside home official Denavon Hayles and England’s Phil Whitticase. Fixtures will take place across four nations, including Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago. Ten venues will be used as the Caribbean welcomes the young stars of the future to its shores for the first time in the tournament’s 14-edition history. ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith said: “The U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is a very important event in our calendar as it brings together the world’s most promising young players in a major ICC tournament, giving them the experience of competing on

the global stage. “We are committed to appointing the finest officials available and I have every confidence in the team travelling to West Indies for the U19 Cricket World Cup they will do a fine job. I wish them all the best.” Umpire and match referee appointments for the knockout stages will be announced after the teams have been confirmed. The appointments for the Plate and Super League final will be finalised after the semi-finals. The officials for the tournament are: Umpires: Asif Yaqoob, Allan Haggo, Arnold Maddela, Buddhi Pradhan, David McLean, David Millns, Emmerson Carington, Heath Kearns, Jacquline Williams, Mark Jameson, Martin Saggers, Nitin Bathi, Rahul Asher, Rashid Riaz, Rizwan Akram, Roland Black, Sameer Bandekar, Sarika Prasad, Vijay Prakash Mallela Match Referees: Graeme Labrooy, Denavon Hayles, Phil Whitticase. (CricTracker)

VISA glitches have delayed Afghanistan's arrival into the Caribbean for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup. This has had a knock-on effect to a bit of the pre-tournament scheduling, with their warmup games cancelled, and those of England and UAE rescheduled. Discussions attempting to resolve the issues are ongoing. "We have been working together with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and relevant stakeholders to try and find a resolution to the problem and allow the team to travel," ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley was quoted as saying in an official release. "In the meantime, we have rescheduled the warm-up fixtures to ensure the teams in the region are able to continue their preparation ahead of the start of the tournament on 14 January." Afghanistan were scheduled to play England and UAE over two warm-up games on January 10 and 12 at St Kitts & Nevis and St Paul's respectively. England will now

play UAE in a warm-up at the Conaree Cricket Centre on January 11. The teams at the Under-19 World Cup are split into four groups of four teams, with Scotland the latest to join the competition, replacing New Zealand who withdrew in November over Covid-related quarantine restrictions. Afghanistan are placed in Group C alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. The top two teams from the pool qualify for the quarter-finals, while the bottom two from each pool will compete in a playoff round. As things stand, Afghanistan are set to open their tournament on January 16 against Zimbabwe in Diego Martin. This will be their seventh appearance in the Under-19 World Cup. Since first qualifying in 2010, they're made every single subsequent edition. Their best finish came in 2018 in New Zealand where they made the semi-finals. (Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday January 11, 2022

Cricket fraternity bids farewell to late Sherlock 'Zegga' Atwell By Clifton Ross IT was a bittersweet moment on Monday as the cricketing fraternity, along with Minister of Sports and Director of Sport, flanked by a star-studded list of guests, paid tribute and said their final goodbyes to the late coach, teacher, player and father-figure Sherlock "Zegga" Atwell. The memorial was held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground, arguably Atwell's second home, as he lived next to the venue where he spent most of his time working with a number of current players. Among those present were current acting Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, former West Indies selector and national spinner Clyde Butts, ex-Guyana all-rounder/entrepreneur Lennox Cush, National youth coach Garvin Nedd, former Windies chief selector Roger Harper, who delivered the feature address, and brother, Mark Harper. Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle, ex-GCB president Cheteram Singh, cricket executive and long-time stakeholder, Bish Panday, also headlined the memorial. 'Zegga' as Atwell was more popularly and commonly called, played huge a role in the careers of a

Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr. alongside NSC's Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle

number of local players both past and present, according to those who spoke highly of a man that guided a number of young men into champions in their own right today. DCC and Guyana all-rounder Christopher Barnwell, along with Trevon Griffith, Travis Dowlin, Dennis Squires, and William 'Bill' White were accompanied by other players of the club who all came to pay their respects. During his speech, Nedd, a former Guyana spinner and national youth coach and father of current young West Indies spinner Ashmead Nedd, lauded "Zegga" for his contribution to cricket in Guyana as well as being the catalyst behind the careers of a number of past Guyana/Windies

cricketers. 'Tibsy' as the senior Nedd is commonly called around the fraternity, said the former coach was a father-figure to him during his younger days as a youth coming up. Nedd highlighted that his relationship with Zegga started when he (Nedd) was just eight years old, fondly remembering the first time ‘coach’ threw him the ball. One of Guyana’s premier off-spinners during his run as a youth player before transitioning to National youth coach, Nedd spoke on not having his biological father around all the time and having coach Atwell filling those shoes in ensuring that the he was always fed, attended school, and had a place to stay, among

From left: Former national off-spinner and youth coach Garvin Nedd, ex-Windies selector/spinner Clyde Butts and Acting Deputy Mayor and former DCC president Alfred Mentore during the memorial at the DCC ground

other aspects of nurturing a young man. Purchasing bicycles, purchasing of drinks or food during recreational times all tied into the personality of the man dubbed the "Father of the club" by most, Nedd added, saying his career and life was basically a result of the dedication and love shown to him by Atwell. Legendary West Indies and Guyana batsman turned coach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, as well as Keith Semple, Dowlin, Nedd and a few others are just some of the Senior names to come from "under the hand" of Atwell, according to the ex-National youth coach. Long-time member of

DCC, Deputy Mayor Mentore, a former DCC club president and ex-national Under-19 batsman, spoke highly of the late coach whom he knew for more than four decades. Atwell was blood and water to DCC and was very impactful, a confidante, caring, compassionate, adding that he played significant roles in cricket both on and off the field, said Mentore. He too credited Atwell for impacting him in a positive manner during his youth days. Minister Ramson, a known cricketer himself during his younger days, reflected on his past battles against DCC on the field,

recalling a line from Yushi, Atwell’s son, who would say, “Only those who know how to win, can win.” Former Cricket West Indies chief selector and current DCC president Roger Harper said Atwell made “indelible” contributions to the club up until his last days. Harper also hailed ‘Zegga’ for his invaluable role as a cricket ‘ambassador’. Meanwhile, Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) president, Neil Barry, highlighted that Atwell was the back of the GCA in his 15 years of service as president, and was responsible for many developmental campaigns.

Nandu shines but Windies crumble in warm-up OPENER Matthew Nandu’s half-century was not enough as West Indies Under-19s suffered a 108-run crushing at the hands of India Under-19s in their first warm-up match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. India piled up 278 for six off their 50 overs at the Guyana National Stadium here Sunday behind half-centuries from Nishant Sindhu (78

not out) and captain Yash Dhull (52) but only Nandu with 52 off 101 deliveries provided any resistance as the hosts folded for a meagre 170 off 43 overs. Nandu, who counted five fours, put on 30 for the first wicket with Shaqkere Parris (8) and another 30 for the third wicket with Jordan Johnson (10) before West Indies Under-19s collapsed

West Indies U-19 opener opener Matthew Nandu

from 65 for two in the 18th over – losing their next seven wickets for 74 runs in a dramatic slide. Number 10 Johann Layne, better known for his fast bowler, then counter-attacked, however, smashing three fours and two sixes in 33 off 25 balls, which inspired a 31-run last wicket stand with Mckenny Clarke (five not out).

Off-spinners Manav Parakh (3-34) and Kaushal Tambe (3-30) both snatched three wickets apiece while fast bowler Garv Anil Sangwan (2-18) and left-arm spinner Aneeshwar Gautam (2-37) ended with two wickets each. India had earlier recovered from a poor start when they slumped to 18 for two in the seventh over, to re-

build through Dhull, who punched half-dozen fours and two sixes from 67 balls and Nishant, who faced 76 deliveries and hit seven fours and three sixes.Aradhya Yadav produced a cameo at number five, smashing a four and five sixes off 40 balls. West Indies Under-19s face South Africa Under-19s in their final warm-up tomorrow.

Skipper Balbirnie among positive cases as CWI, CI scrap second ODI

Former boxer Terrence Halley (L) and GBA president Steve Ninvalle

GBA treats Terrence ‘Alli’

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‒ Ninvalle commits to supporting former Guyanese champion

No player has won more Australian Open men's titles than Novak Djokovic, who lifted the trophy for a ninth time in 2021

NOVAK Djokovic says he is focused on playing in the Australian Open next week after winning a court battle that overturned his visa cancellation. The 34-year-old Serb said he practised on court in Melbourne within hours of leaving an immigration detention hotel. But Australia's immigration minister still has powers to re-cancel the visa and deport the unvaccinated player. "Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete in the

Djokovic focused on Australian Open after winning court ruling Australian Open," Djokovic tweeted. The statement continued: "I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans." Djokovic also posted a photo of himself and his team - including coach Goran Ivanisevic - on court at the Rod Laver Arena, where he has won a record nine men's singles titles. The Australian Open begins on 17 January and if Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful men's player in history.

The world number one is tied with Switzerland's Roger Federer and Spain's Rafael Nadal on 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic posted his message on Twitter at the same time his family parents Srdjan and Dijana, along with younger brother Djordje - were holding a news conference in Serbian capital Belgrade. Dijana Djokovic said overturning the decision to revoke his visa was the "biggest victory" of her son's career. (BBC Sport)

Cricket fraternity bids farewell to late Sherlock 'Zegga' Atwell 23 PAGE

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Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie top-scored with 71 in Saturday’s ODI opener

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – West Indies’ series against Ireland was thrown into doubt Monday after two additional players, including captain Andy Balbirnie, tested positive for COVID-19, forcing organisers to postpone today’s second One-Day International at Sabina Park. Balbirnie and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker, both of whom featured in Saturday’s opening 24-run defeat, returned positive tests, along with interim head coach David Ripley, leaving five active cases among the visitors’ camp. The pair of Simi Singh and Ben White were ruled out of the first ODI also with positive tests last weekend and with Andy McBrine still recovering from a mild concussion suffered in the first game and seamer Mark Adair struggling with a foot injury, it means Ireland have a severely depleted squad. In a joint statement, Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Cricket Ireland (CI) said the five positive cases remained isolated and “under the care and supervision of the medical teams”, and discussions would now take place over the match schedule in order to “explore all possibilities for the series to be completed.” “Cricket West Indies and Cricket Ireland have met throughout the day and have made a determination based on the safety and security of all the players and support staff, to postpone the second CG Insurance One-Day International,” CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave said. “Unfortunately, with five members of the Ireland squad now returning a positive COVID-19 infection, two members of their squad being injured and two recently arriving in Jamaica following being positive for COVID-19 in Florida when they were playing the USA national side, Ireland have almost nine players of their squad unavailable for selection. “We will continue our discussions with Cricket Ireland.” Balbirnie top-scored with 71 at the top of the order while Tucker made nine at number six, as Ireland failed to chase down 269 in the opening ODI on Saturday. Their positive results, along with Ripley’s, were the only ones recorded following the encounter, however. “All the West Indies players, support staff, match officials and TV crew have been tested regularly throughout their time in Jamaica, and there are no other positive cases reported outside of the five within the Cricket Ireland camp,” Grave stressed. “And we hope very much that we’ll be able to complete the series in the coming week.” Veteran Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate, both of whom returned positive tests before leaving Florida last month, have both now recovered and are expected to return to the squad. The pair were part of a cluster in the Ireland camp which forced the cancellation of the one-day series against the United States in Fort Lauderdale last month. West Indies suffered a similar fate also last month when an outbreak in their touring party forced the threematch ODI series against Pakistan in Karachi to be hastily scrapped. Positive cases emerged before and during the preceding Twenty20 International series but the three games went ahead, with West Indies suffering a series whitewash. With England arriving shortly for a five-match T20 series in Barbados, the Ireland tour could now be in jeopardy, with the third ODI originally scheduled for Friday and the one-off T20 International set for next Sunday. The England series is set to bowl off on January 22 at Kensington Oval. TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022