Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-02-2021

Happy New Year

THURSDAY 11th February, 2021

' No.106269

COVID-19 vaccines here

–– first set of health workers to be vaccinated today

SEE PAGE 03

Reaffirm common values to address existing global challenges 02 PAGE

– President Ali tells World Sustainable Development Summit

Bodies of two ‘backtrack’ victims found

PAGE

04

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, collects the vaccines donated by Barbados to Guyana at the Ogle Airport, East Coast Demerara (Adrian Narine photo)

456 CSEC grades changed after reviewed See on page 14

Over at MARAD: More than $650M paid to repair vessels, no work done

PAGE

12

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Reaffirm common values to address existing global challenges – President Ali tells World Sustainable Development Summit

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has called for more collaborative and collective global efforts to help nations secure a better future for their people and the planet.

In his passionate address at the 20th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit on Thursday, the President pointed out that the world is ever evolving and that concerted actions should be taken to face the existing challenges.

“The time has come for us to redefine our common future, to reaffirm our common values, to address the extant global challenges we face, and to work together to create a better future for our people and planet,” he said.

The President expressed

gratitude to The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) for sustaining the forum and assured his audience that Guyana remains committed to its obligations under the Rio Conventions, and the Paris Agreement.

“Over the years, we have demonstrated this commitment in our efforts towards protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity, tackling climate change, and moving the country towards a sustainable development path.

Through our Low Carbon Development Strategy we have been able to protect and maintain forests in an effort to reduce global carbon emissions while deriving payments for forest climate services which

our forests provide to the world,” he said.

According to the Head of State, the revenues earned from these services have been invested to enhance growth and promote sustained livelihoods, along a low carbon trajectory.

“I believe that if we are to turn the tide in the fight against climate change, there must be a commitment to achieving the targets identified by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and to limit the rise in global temperature to well below 2?C,” he told the summit.

Dr. Ali added that all nations must accelerate change towards low-carbon development pathways. He said that

technology remains critical in achieving this objective.

The President pointed out that these recommendations are not new and that the last time Guyana addressed the summit, it was by then President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who had said that “the time has come for societies to utilise available technology and innovation to use less and achieve more, while at the same time pursuing incentives to align profit with sustainable practices”.

President Ali said that point is still very relevant today, especially since technological solutions that are necessary to increase efficiency and productivity and to reduce environmental See page 3

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines arrived –– first set of health workers to be vaccinated today

–– following Barbados’ donation of 3,000 Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines to Guyana

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA’s first set of health workers will receive their COVID-19 vaccines today, following the arrival of a donation of 3,000 Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine doses from Barbados on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Barbados received 100,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is manufactured by the Serum Institute in India, and is called ‘Covishield’ in that country. Just after receiving that first set of COVID-19 vaccines from India, Barbados sent 3,000 vaccines to Guyana which will allow 1,500 persons to benefit, since these vaccines are given in two doses.

The vaccines arrived at the Ogle airport on Wednesday and they were received

by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh. Subsequently, 100 members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat will be vaccinated from this set, while the remaining 2,800 doses will be given to 1,400 local frontline workers. “(On Thursday), we will have an exercise… We’ll get persons from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony (second right) and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh, collecting the vaccines donated by Barbados to Guyana at the Ogle Airport, on the East Coast of Demerara (Adrian Narine photo) (GPHC) and those in charge at the Ocean View Facility (the National Infectious Diseases Hospital). We’ll start with those persons because they are really the ones who interact more often with the patients,” Dr Anthony said while at the Ogle Airport.

Dr Anthony emphasised that the vaccines will be distributed to those health workers who are at a higher risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but noted that health workers do have

the option of refusing the vaccines if they do not want to take it.

“I wish to thank Prime Minister Mia Mottley and, by extension, the people of Barbados for sharing with us from their first batch of vaccines. This act of kindness is among many in recent months that Guyana and Barbados have shared,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said in a statement.

The President reminded that in the coming days

and weeks, Guyana will be receiving its own sets of vaccines that the government has been able to secure through various engagements with the global vaccines alliance known as the COVAX facility, countries developing vaccines, vaccine manufacturers and other groups.

TOP PRIORITY “I assure Guyanese that this issue is the top priority on our agenda and our

aim is to ensure that every Guyanese is vaccinated before the end of the year,” President Ali emphasised further.

Barbados and Dominica were the first countries in the region to receive vaccines from India as part of India’s vaccine diplomacy efforts.

And Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said this is the first batch of a potential 200,000 doses of the vaccine from India, as negotiations are still ongoing.

According to Dr Anthony, as of today, this Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine will receive emergency use authorisation from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This authorisation paves the way for Guyana to begin distributing it to its citizens.

The Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, reportedly, has an efficacy of 62 per cent. However, it is also reportedly 90 per cent efficacious with a lower dose than the required two doses. Importantly, the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines do not require cold or ultra-cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

They can be stored in a normal refrigerator, between two to eight degrees, which make them easier to distribute and more suitable for global south countries such as Guyana.

The storage of vaccines

in higher temperatures, as opposed to the cold or ultra-cold storage, makes it easier to transport the vaccine doses to rural and hinterland regions.

This would be particularly necessary in Guyana.

Altogether, thus far, Guyana has been able to secure 273,000 vaccine doses which could be used to immunise some 136,500 individuals, or approximately 18 per cent of the population. The government is in talks with India, Russia and China, in addition to a number of multilateral agencies and manufacturers of the vaccines, to secure more for the population, since vaccines are the means of exiting the pandemic.

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

There are about 22,000 healthcare workers who are all eligible to receive the vaccines, while the remainder will go to the other two groups.

Dr Anthony has also emphasised that widespread vaccination is the avenue through which Guyana, and all countries, would be able to exit the pandemic.

Reaffirm common values ...

From page 2 carbon footprint are already available.

“What is required is greater political will to share and to upscale the deployment and use of these technologies.”

In this regard, the President explained that it is critical for governments, the private sector and organisations such as TERI, to facilitate technology transfer and uptake.

The President said that the twin challenges of the global pandemic and natural disasters have reversed, in many ways, the gains

of the developing world in achieving the sustainable development goals.

He thanked India for being a beacon of hope and the country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for demonstrating good global leadership.

“For us to achieve the target of climate change we need strong leadership, commitment to multilateralism, and mobilisation of resources, championed by responsible leadership.

India has demonstrated that it is committed to such leadership and Guyana welcomes this commit-

ment.”

The President also thanked Prime Minister Modi and the People of India, on behalf of CARICOM, for sharing 500,000 vaccines with the region.

Guyana has been participating in the Summit since 2011 which has allowed the country to strengthen its relationship with TERI and the government and people of India.

The 2021 summit was held under the theme “Redefining our Common Future: Safe and Secure Environment for All”.

(Office of the President)

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and other senior officials at the summit (Office of the President photo)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Bodies of two ‘backtrack’ victims found

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur TWO families of the feared drowned “backtrack” trio had their worst fears confirmed as the bodies of Alwin Joseph and Baboni Harihar were found washed up on the foreshore early Wednesday morning even as the search continues for the third, Sherida Hussein.

The body of Joseph was discovered around 06: 25 hrs by his relatives who were part of a search party. The discovery was made on the #63 beach foreshore in the vicinity of Number 60 village, East Berbice, Corentyne. Joseph was found lying face down on the beach and was clad in a purple short pants and a camouflage vest.

Blood was seen in his ears, nose and mouth. None of his personal belongings were recovered, nor found in the area.

The news of his death has taken a toll on the family as they, like the other families, were hoping to find the trio alive.

“Me nah been expect that at all... after he call say he a left and then me brother call and seh he reach; me expect to see him but never

Recovered: Baboni Harihar called “Doris”

me expect wan news like this,” Narinee Shamsundar, a cousin whom Joseph was expected to stay with during his visit to Guyana, related.

Shamsundar said she only learnt late on Tuesday evening that Joseph made the special trip to visit her brother, whom they both grew up with. Her brother is very ill and hospitalised. The ill man is unaware his cousin died as relatives are fearful news of Joseph’s death may cause his condition to worsen.

VERY SICK “Me nah know he was coming to visit me brother, he very sick and his pressure is very high for the past three weeks; it nah go down and

Recovered: Alwin Joseph

Still missing: Sharida Hussein

The site where Harihar body was found

as them keep doing tests, is more complaints and sick them a find. So Alwin tell me seh he a come see he and now this morning he a ask where he cousin deh, that he come in Guyana Monday night but we nah tell him nothing because it go send he pressure more high, and we nah know what guh happen to he,” Shamsundar sobbed as she wiped the tears from her face.

Meanwhile, the body of

77-year-old Harihar, popularly called “Doris” was found by a fisherman some nine villages further up the Corentyne foreshore at #69 village as he was tending to his seine. According to police, the fisherman noticed a handbag nearby and upon further investigation, he saw the lifeless body of a female in a clump of mangroves and raised an alarm.

Harihar was discovered

facing upward. She was clad in a black and red dress and the skin on her hands and feet were peeled. A small pocket of blood was found next to her body. A black and white Adidas haversack was also found nearby. It contained some clothing and a Guyana Identification Card for one Sookranie Harry. A short distance away, a travelling bag with a black purse was also found. In that bag, Harihar’s identification card was found.

POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED The body was taken to the Anthony’s Funeral Parlour at Epson Village where her grand-daughter, Nadira Valdez, was able to positively identify the remains as that of her grandmother.

Sunita Sukra, the daughter of Harihar, disclosed to the media that her mother left Guyana in December following calls from relatives here for her to visit her grandchildren in Suriname.

She wanted to return home to see her great-grandchildren and was placed on board a boat owned by a relative and accompanied by another relative, along with two other passengers on Monday night.

Sukra continued that they were unaware that her mother had left to come to Guyana and it was until a relative called to enquire if she reached home that they went to the Number 63 foreshore

looking for her.

She disclosed that the relative on the boat told them that he left her along with the other two passengers on a sandbank and was unaware how far it was from shore.

“When me son-in-law ask me brother-in-law where really he drop off me mother, he said he drop them on a sea bank on the river over there and he didn’t realise that distance far away from the shore. He didn’t realise that the distance was suh far away and when he do check back, they were already gone,” the daughter related.

Up to press time, the relatives of Sherida Hussein were still combing the Corentyne foreshore hoping to find her.

On Monday evening, at around 19:00hrs, Hussain, Harihar and Joseph left Nickerie, Suriname, bound for Guyana in a speed boat.

They were dropped off on a sandbank by the captain and a relative of Harihar in the vicinity of #63 Beach. From all indication, they were swept away by high tide in their attempt to make it safely to shore.

The bodies of Joseph and Harihar are awaiting an autopsy at the Anthony’s Funeral Parlor while the search continues for Hussein.

Businessman dies during sex A FIFTY-year-old businessman died while he was

Thursday January 11, 2021 –– 03:30 HRS Friday January 12, 2021 –– 04:00 HRS Saturday January 13, 2021 –– 04:30 HRS

with his 30-year-old girlfriend in the room of a

guest house on West Coast Demerara on Wednesday.

The businessman, according to information seen by the Guyana Chronicle, was a resident of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

Reports indicate that the couple visited the hotel and around 13:30 hours. The management of the hotel was contacted and the police were later called in after the businessman appeared to have had a heart attack during a session with his girlfriend.

At the scene, police found “blue Kamagra pills” in the pants pocket of the businessman. According to the girlfriend, he suddenly started to breathe heavy and collapsed while they were together.

Police have found no marks of violence on the body, which was escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital before being taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it is awaiting autopsy.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

‘Budget should cater for persons with disabilities’ –– gov’t. must work on inclusivity, says NCD ALTHOUGH provisions for the growth and development of the country are expected to be unveiled in the soonto-be tabled 2021 budget, the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) says that the promises outlined in the PPP/C’s 2020 elections manifesto are not enough.

“The government and the country as a whole needs [sic] to cater for persons with disabilities… In Guyana, you find that persons really downplay persons with disabilities. There aren’t enough provisions for them, and when you travel, it really jumps out at you,” high-

lighted NCD’s Programme Officer Sondra Davidson-Low during an exclusive interview with the Chronicle on Wednesday.

She explained that the NCD was previously in discussion with Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, about providing public transportation for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). She said that the minister promised that provisions for this will be included in the upcoming budget.

“That is one thing we definitely want to see,” she emphasised, while simultaneously noting the difficulties PWDs

face when using regular public transportation.

“First of all, when people find that someone has a disability, they’re instantly turned off. Not only do they have difficulty getting transportation, but the transportation doesn’t have provisions for persons with disabilities, so that makes it hard for them to travel at all,” she pointed out.

Another issue raised pertained to the public assistance for this category of persons, which Corrica detailed was a meagre monthly figure of $9,500.

“There isn’t much they can

do with it. There isn’t a lot that people--much more persons with disabilities-- can do with that amount. It needs to be raised,” she stated.

The budget will see marginalised groups, such as PWDs, receiving new benefits, including education for those with special needs, employment opportunities, financial support and tax relief, among others. However, the NCD insists that more be done, especially in terms of finance and infrastructure.

“There needs to be provisions for PWD’s, especially in service buildings. Things like

wheelchair ramps, hand rails on the walls [and] corridors and doorways that are wide enough for people with wheelchairs to pass through. The ones we have right now don’t even facilitate that. A lot of these places don’t even have a disabled washroom,” stressed Avonel Corrica, Advocacy and Communications Officer at the NCD. She was also interviewed by this publication.

The NCD officials also suggested that streets be made wide enough for visually impaired persons to navigate their canes while walking, and for pavements to be installed on roads with slopes for persons using wheelchairs.

“We know it’s going to take a while, but we also want to know that these things are going to be put in place to make the lives of persons with disabilities easier. They don’t have special rights. They need special provisions, but they have the same rights as their non-disabled counterparts.

They’re people, just like me and you,” Corrica ended.

The NCD was launched on December 10, 1997, with the aim of disseminating information on disability in Guyana, and influencing policy changes and enforcement of laws that protect the rights of PWDs.

Drunk driving charge Woman electrocuted in yard against Best dismissed CITY Magistrate, Clive Nurse, on Wednesday, upheld a no-case submission by defence attorney, Nigel Hughes, and dismissed the charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) against former Army Chief, Rear Admiral (ret’d), Gary Best.

It was only two months ago that Best was freed of the charge of causing the death of national cyclist, Jude Bentley.

Hughes asked the court to dismiss the DUI charge on the ground that the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove key elements of the case.

Hughes also relied on the testimony of a police officer, who, during the trial, told the court that the results of the breathalyzer test are considered unreliable if the machine is not calibrated every six months.

In his ruling on Wednesday, Magistrate Nurse agreed that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the offence and noted that there was no evidence to prove that the breathalyzer test was approved for usage.

A TWENTY-ONE-year-old housewife of La Retraite in the Stanleytown village district, West Bank Demerara, was found dead in her yard on Wednesday.

The woman, identified as Yashoda Andrews called “Debbie”, is suspected to have been electrocuted.

Reports indicate that a villager had called the Wales Police Station to relate that they saw a woman lying motionless in her front yard.

When police visited the scene, they discovered the housewife dressed in a red

Former Army Chief, Rear Admiral (ret’d), Gary Best

nightgown lying face down, about three feet away from her house.

Police also discovered a black wire next to her body that appeared to be a telephone wire, which was extended across her bridge and was beneath the earth's surface.

Upon inspection, police found burn marks on both of the woman’s hands.

Residents said when they saw the young woman lying motionless, they called out to her and when they did not receive a response, they raised

an alarm.

Neighbours related that they saw Andrews holding a black telephone wire and they tugged it away from her body.

Andrews was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.

Her body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour where it is awaiting an autopsy.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Looking Ahead HOW Guyana cares for its most vulnerable citizens, such as seniors, the differently-abled, children, the poor and needy, and even the unemployed, furnishes the best benchmark for good governance, of which governments of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) over the nation's history proved over and over again to be stellar exemplars, with every one of its national budgets incorporating social safety net programmes, a sustainable development vision, and stronghold policies that maintain the private sector as the engine of economic growth. In the current environment of the global COVID pandemic, Budget 2021 would further provide relief, stimulus, and cushions for Guyanese facing hardships, with key social programmes incorporated.

Guyanese always look forward with eager anticipation to a PPP/C budget day, because citizens have come to expect key provisions of social safety nets. The national budget becomes a launching pad into a new future in the minds of citizens, rather than a heavy burden around

their necks, as they have had to endure for five years under the myopic Coalition regime.

One of the most exciting aspects of Budget 2021 is the roll-out of new initiatives and help for the most vulnerable Guyanese, to give people a hand up, allowing nobody who wants to succeed to fall through the cracks, the state providing a safety-net platform from which any person could self-develop, raise his/ her standard of living, and contribute to the nation's progress.

The 2021 budget stands out in its mandate to exponentially expand opportunities for education, with 5,000 scholarships already earmarked for this year for ordinary citizens, both at local and overseas education institutions, and 20,000 on the drawing board for the five-year mandate of the President Ali government.

Expanding the nation's skills base and average literacy level and pool of professionals is the single most important factor in Guyana achieving its potential, and the government recognises this important factor, even enshrining a role for the global diaspora community.

Much is packed within the 2021 budget, ranging from developing a national digital culture; entrenching higher education as a natural process of how citizens self-develop; harnessing a sound sustainability agenda that balances out the oil-andgas sector, and raising the standard of living through GDP growth, in housing development and fostering an investment climate for mega projects to sweep across the country.

Guyanese thus look forward to Friday's budget speech from Minister with responsibility for Finance within the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh, with excited expectation that the speech would set the tone for 2021 and in fact the next five years, that Guyanese would live to be fruitful, and see their days full of opportunities, with jobs available everywhere, across every town and village and the city.

With the world today in a state of transition into a new normal, as the global COVID-19 pandemic pushes fundamental systematic reforms of how society operates, the 2021 budget would stimulate Guyana's progres-

sive agenda.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has already started the state's engagement with the relevant United Nations institutions regarding Guyana's international mandate to fulfil its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which involves key legislative work. Other international alignments will become necessary as the new world order post-COVID unfolds, for example, aligning with the goals of the Paris Accord; achieving a net-zero emissions target for Georgetown and coming into partnership with the global agenda set out under the World Economic Forum's blueprint for the post-COVID global village, as outlined in the documents The Great Reset and The Davos Agenda.

All these complex issues the 2021 budget will pave the way for over the next five years, providing the framework and groundwork for the systematic and structural reforms and initiatives that Guyana would have to implement as the international order builds into a futuristic society for mankind, postCOVID. These are exciting times,

despite the pandemic's scare, but government has proven in the last six months in office that is it capable, efficient, and forward-thinking as it governs the Guyanese nation to ease into the new future that the country is facing.

Government is even starting to sound a note of careful optimism regarding Guyanese banking too much on the oiland-gas sector for its national wealth in the long-term, and is instead sensibly positioning the other key economic sectors to perform at optimal level, including agriculture, mining, sustainable forestry, manufacturing and agro-processing, and tourism. In a world that is rapidly becoming an open global digital playground, expanding the local marketplace for the creative and artistic industry online is also a big goal of government.

Budget 2021, then, is a futuristic, forward-thinking, wide-ranging blueprint for Guyana's development through 2021 and towards the next five years, incorporating local scenarios, but also the fast-evolving international situation as the pandemic causes a fundamental rethink of how the global village

functions.

Every country in the world today is focused on providing heavy relief stimulus packages to people suffering fallout from the pandemic, and Guyana is no exception, as the government ensures that healthcare, financial aid to the vulnerable, and tax incentives to businesses that most need help all come into play. Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said the state is planning to reduce electricity rates by a whopping 80 per cent with the gas-to-shore project that will transform the Wales and West Demerara communities with new industrial activity and new housing areas and newly opened lands for development.

These are challenging but exciting times. And Budget 2021 on Friday will roll out the blueprint for Guyana to move ahead with its vision, development, and positioning in the international arena, all while caring with profound heart and soul for its most vulnerable citizens.

Other ministers have not been paid parliamentary pensions Dear Editor, I HAVE seen recent correspondence in the media pointing out that former Minister, Balram Singh Rai, was denied his Parliamentary Pension as a serving minister.

I should point out that he

was not alone. There are, in fact, a number of ministers, including myself, who served continuously beyond four years, in my case eight years, on or before October 1992, some today in their seventies, in my case, my eighties, who have been denied their right to this pension.

In fact, in 2018, I wrote the then Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, pointing this out, and I am aware that other ministers in similar positions had written former President, David Granger, on the matter.

It is public knowledge that a bill was introduced into the National Assembly to

redress exactly the same situation for former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green, to enable him to receive a monthly pension of just over $1M on the basis of the salary of the then current Prime Minister.

As far as I am concerned, this was well deserved but I continue to ask the question,

what about the rest of us who are similarly entitled?

It was my understanding that the bill should have, but did not, provide the same measure of relief for all those parliamentarians who are still alive, who retired on or before October 1992.

I wonder if our new

government will consider redressing this matter and whether it would receive the full support of the opposition now sitting in Parliament.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Commissioners disassociate themselves from ERC letter Dear Editor, WE the undersigned Commissioners wish to disassociate myself from a letter dated January 28, 2021, (see attached) emanating from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) as signed by the Chairman and addressed to the Honourable Catherine Hughes, Member of Parliament.

The letter followed the completion of an internal investigation into a Facebook post in which the comment, “this country needs a civil war”, was noted. The commission in a press release on December 16, 2020, captioned, “ERC INVESTIGATING DANGEROUS SOCIAL MEDIA POST ALLEGEDLY ATTRIBUTED TO CATHY HUGHES”, captured Ms. Hughes’ response and further stated that, “the commission will continue its investigation to first ascertain the authenticity of the post and then decide on any action that may be deemed necessary”.

In our respectful opinions, we have always argued in the commission that any action and/or utterances by anyone, especially public officials, which can lead to disharmony, is of concern to the body. A civil war is a war between citizens of the same country and can have dire consequences as history teaches. Therefore, in our view, calls for such, whether allegedly by Mrs. Hughes or anyone else, have the potential to bring direct harm and

disharmony to and among our people.

The letter to Mrs. Hughes alluded to, which did not address the authenticity of the post, did not benefit from our input as commissioners.

Indeed, we were only made aware after it was prepared and dispatched. Therefore, the missive does not reflect our views on the issue it speaks to.

The “raison d’etre” of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is to investigate comments that can lead to or likely to or shall excite racial and ethnic hostility between and among Guyanese.

Our view is that the position adapted by the commission in the said letter, constitutes an abysmal abdication of its very mandate. Further, while space may not permit, a number of statements of similar genus, which were the subject of investigation, commentary and condemnation by this commission in the past, can be cited.

Therefore, it remains befuddling that the commission takes the position that the comment made in the alleged post, is beyond its scope to pronounce upon, yet and in the very next sentence, it seemingly pronounces on the matter and then later on proceeds to issue an apology to Mrs. Hughes.

For ease of reference, paragraph three of the letter states, “As you are aware, the mandate of the commission is to receive and investigate complaints of racial, ethnic, religious or cultural discrimination brought to its atten-

tion. Hence, the complaint falls outside the scope of the commission. The team has concluded that the comment, ‘this country needs a civil war’, was intended to create nothing more than mischief in the Guyanese populace”.

By concluding in that paragraph, that the comment was intended to create nothing more than mischief, the mater, in our view, has been pronounced upon by the commission – a matter, by its own position, that has the potential for disharmony.

The situation is further compounded by the decision to recommend the said matter for investigation elsewhere thereby recognising that the matter is far from being completed. In doing so, the commission is claiming that it has no jurisdiction over the said matter.

We are also befuddled that, from the conclusion, such dastardly call as that for a civil war, whether through an alleged doctored post or one facilitated supposedly through a fake profile, seems not of concern to the commission.

We believe that with all due respect to Mrs. Hughes for whom we have nothing personally against, there wasn’t a need for the commission to apologise, especially since the commission did not accuse of an offence.

Given that the apology emanated from the commission, we believe it was necessary for our views be made public to avoid any misconception that the deci-

Police should ramp up patrols in certain sections of the city Dear Editor, PUBLIC safety is under threat in the City. The recent shooting and robbery of a citizen in broad daylight at the Bourda Market while she was shopping highlights the pinnacle of lawlessness in the City. Every single day the newspapers keep reporting on the daily robberies

around the City with some being fatal. There are also a lot of the said robberies that goes unreported. These acts of brazen violence and robberies are reaching crisis proportions. The Guyana Police Force needs to act now! City States were built from the start of recorded civilisation primarily so that public citizens can be safe

from attacks. It was the duty of the State to ensure that each and every resident was safe to live and conduct their daily business in peace. The police force needs to put preventative measures in place and not the post-mortem way it is presently operating.

TURN TO PAGE

08

sion was holistic.

Inexplicably, the commission, having issued a statement on January 19, 2021, captioned, “ERC TO INVESTIGATE INTERNAL BREACH OF PRIVATE MEETING”, and which was in response to

racial attacks against us and two other commissioners simply because we voted for eternal advertisement for vacancies at the level of the Heads of Department, to date, we are yet to be officially informed, verbally or written, on the said

investigation. That could be subjected to inferences.

Sincerely Neaz Subhan Haji Roshan Khan Commissioners Ethnic Relations Commission

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Criticisms of Minister Mustapha most unfair

Dear Editor,

PERMIT me a few lines to respond to a letter to the editor titled ‘Ad hoc activities in Agriculture can’t quite cut it’ that was published in the Monday, February 8, 2021 edition of the Kaieteur newspaper.

I’ve noticed that this was the second letter written by the writer, Mr. Haresh Singh Kumar, criticising the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha and the sector’s performance within the last 10 days. After reading both letters, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the progress made thus far in the sector.

Since the Honourable Minister took office in August 2020, the renewed interest seen in the sector has been quite evident. This is due to the minister’s timely response to dealing with the issues our farmers have been facing for several years.

Even these acts have been criticised, but Mr. Editor, were these interventions not warranted? Was the minister expected to jump in and impose policies without first dealing with the needs of the farmers? You cannot build a sector without a solid foundation. The fact of the matter remains that our farmers needed urgent help. If you speak with farmers from any of the communities that the minister visited since taking office, you will see the impact that these interventions have had on their daily operations.

The writer’s first letter stated that “there are a lot of public relations stunts but no real private investment in agriculture or any sector of the economy.” Mr. Editor, before any deals are signed for investments are made for the agriculture sector, due diligence has to be done.

As Minister of Agriculture, Minister Mustapha’s main

objective when it comes to investments in the sector is to ensure Guyanese benefit.

So forgive the Honourable Minister if deals are not being signed fast enough for the writer, but all investment deals presented to any minister of government have to be in accordance with the government’s ‘Promise for Prosperity’. It is not the government’s intention for Guyana to be known in the near and distant future as ‘a country so desperate for investment that it entered into several bad investment deals’. The Guyana Office for Investment and the American Chamber of Commerce were also engaged to assist with the investment process for the sector.

Furthermore, many international investors have signalled their interests in the sector. During a recent visit by an investment team from Dubai, one of the wealthiest cities in the world, a wide

range of opportunities, particularly those in the agricultural sector, were discussed. Minister Mustapha made several presentations on rice, sugar, dairy, and livestock and the two nations are now in talks to move forward with a number of projects in this regard.

The writer seems to be oblivious to many things happening in the sector. Minister Mustapha has been speaking about government’s plans for the rice, sugar, cash and non-traditional crops, and livestock sector.

Since taking office, Minister Mustapha has signalled his intention to double rice production by 2025. Last October, the Guyana Rice Development Board released the GRDB16. This new variety, with good management practices, can produce 55 to 60 bags of paddy per hectare, which is 20 bags more than other popular varieties. Only last week, Minister Mustapha conducted a field visit to the Burma Rice Research Station where the GRDB, in collaboration with the Inter American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture (IICA), has a demonstration plot under cultivation for bio-fortified rice, rich in Zinc and other essential vitamins and minerals.

The minister is also working aggressively on a comprehensive plan to develop the second phase of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA) Scheme.

Plans are also being crafted to develop the Aurora Land Development Project and other prime agricultural lands in Regions Three and Six. Once these lands come under cultivation rice production and agriculture production, in general, will increase tremendously. Livestock farmers will also benefit from the development of these lands through the establishment of pastures and regulated zoning

for the cultivation of rice and cattle rearing.

There has also been a push for the development of high-earning non-traditional crops. Budget 2020 had several incentives for the cultivation of corn and soya bean. NAREI has also intensified its efforts to promote the cultivation of a number of high income earning non-traditional crops like broccoli and cauliflower. The agency has conducted several sensitisation programmes to help farmers prepare or transition their land for the cultivation of these superfoods.

With the challenges faced in the aquaculture sector, His Excellency, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently announced that government will soon launch an aquaculture mater plan. Heads of Missions from countries with thriving aquaculture industries have been engaged and specialists from these countries have been invited to work with government to develop a plan best suited for Guyana.

As it relates to the sugar industry, since taking office, government has been working to ensure positive changes are made within the sector.

After taking office, government immediately put systems in place to get things up and running at GuySuCo. An initial investment of $3B was made by government to reopen the Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore estates. An additional $4B was later injected into the sector to recapitalise the estates at Blairmont, Albion, and Uitvlugt. Operational assessments were carried out at each of the estates and it was determined that the estates that were still allowed to operate, were operating at 60 per cent capacity. Government made it clear that the first step for GuySuCo was to get it to a place where it can break even in terms of its

production. A comprehensive plan for GuySuCo has since been developed and is currently at the level of Cabinet for review.

It would be remiss of me to omit the fact that GuySuCo has also rehired hundreds of workers, most of who were callously placed on the breadline when the estates were closed by the previous administration.

Shortly after taking office, Minister Mustapha immediately sought Cabinet’s approval for $29M to commence rehabilitation works to several access dams in Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six. These works were considered urgent as some 91,580 acres of rice fields were under threat due to inaccessible dams. Farmers would’ve suffered millions in losses if the minister did not put systems in place to carry out these works immediately.

He then made recommendations and Cabinet again approved the release of an additional $98 million to conduct urgent repairs on critical infrastructure in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agriculture Development Authority, which is the largest agriculture scheme in the country. This injection saw the clearing of over 252 drains and benefitted approximately 96,000 acres of rice land in the area and over 2300 farmers, families within the Abary-Berbice and the Mahaica-Mahaicony block.

Mr. Editor, 12 of the 32 manifesto promises for the agriculture sector have already been achieved. The rates for land rentals and drainage and irrigation charges have been reversed to what they were in 2014 and agriculture machinery and inputs no longer attract value added tax. The minister has also resumed the seed and acoushi ants bait distribution project.

TURN TO PAGE

Police should ramp up patrols ...

FROM PAGE

A high percentage of the robberies are executed in high density public places like the hospital, municipal markets and the main downtown shopping streets. All these areas should have cops on beat patrol fully armed and working in pairs during the day. It should be a routine day in - day out exercise and not sporadic. The modus operandi of the robbers involves two persons on a motorcycle

with one doing the riding and the pillion rider doing the robbery. Beat and mobile patrols need to specifically target these motorcycles and carry out the stop and search procedures. This campaign must be relentless, methodical and intensive. The City is in a grid system that can be divided into smaller blocks.

The police force needs to divide the City into these blocks and for each block

09

07

have a mobile rapid response unit in communication with the beat patrol to intercept the bandits. The use of undercover cops in these targeted areas is also a tried and trusted method. Mr. Commissioner, kindly reclaim our City and make it safe.

Yours Sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Man placed on $100,000 bail for gunpoint robbery A MAN, who had allegedly relieved a woman of her gold chain while she was shopping at the market, was, on Wednesday, placed on $100,000 bail by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus when he made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Akeem Hatton of Lodge Housing Scheme pleaded not guilty to the robbery under arms charge.

The charge alleged that he, on January 29, 2021, at Brickdam Access Road, Georgetown, while being in company of another and armed with a dangerous weapon, specifically a gun, robbed Maureen Ault of a gold chain valued, $260,000.

The court was told that on the day in question, Ault and her niece were at Stabroek Market purchasing vegetables. During their shopping, they stopped at a stand which was located in the vicinity of the Guyana Fire Station to purchase tomatoes. Shortly after, Hatton reportedly approached Ault’s niece and tried to take her bag.

Ault who observed the commotion intervened to stop Hatton.

A scuffle arose between Ault and Hatton during which he reportedly pulled out a black handgun and pointed it in her direction.

In fear, the woman retreated and Hatton relieved her of a gold chain before escaping on a black and white XR Motorcycle. The matter was reported at the Brickdam Police Station and Hatton was later arrested.

The gold chain was not recovered.

The matter was adjourned until February 24, 2021.

Large-scale solar farms for Linden, Essequibo

By Rabindra Rooplall MONEY earned during the last People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund with Norway will be used to install large-scale solar power farms in Linden and Essequibo.

This was disclosed by Vice-President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday.

“Essequibo currently is 6MW of power, that’s peak, so we have to decide a solar unit, maybe of 6 to 8MW in Essequibo. Linden uses about 12 MW now; we have to decide maybe between 12 to 15 MW. But those two systems are being designed now … a huge solar farm for Linden and a huge solar farm for Essequibo whilst we’re still looking at the other areas for improvement,” the Vice-President said.

Jagdeo noted that energy is crucial to Guyana’s development and there would be a major advancement in that area this year.

However, he said “solar is not baseload, because unless you have battery storage, which is very expensive then it becomes baseload, so we are trying to put in a small amount of storage so we don’t have to keep the spinning reserves and then using solar in an energy mix with gas and hydro as the key sources of generating power in the future.”

Even as work gets underway on those large projects, he noted

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo

there has been movement on smaller renewable energy projects to boost the country’s energy mix.

Dr. Jagdeo said many of them have already been tendered and are awaiting construction. These would be for areas not connected to the national power grid such as Bartica, Lethem and the Essequibo islands, Wakenaam and Leguan.

Those projects include several small solar farms. Additionally, a contract has already been approved for hydropower in Kumu Village in Region Nine.

Jagdeo said that the price paid

by Guyana for kilowatt per hour of electricity could be reduced by about 80 per cent when the proposed gas-to-energy project comes on stream.

Preliminary estimates, as outlined by the Vice-President show that Guyana could pay as low as six to seven cents per kilowatt of power depending on the structure of financing and the ownership of this project.

This project forms a major part of the new PPP/C Government’s

Criticisms of Minister Mustapha ...

In his first letter, the writer said “other than clearing some drains and quickly tending to flooding in several areas, nothing much has been happening in agriculture”.

What the writer should be made aware of is the fact that the government had made it clear that the 2020 budget was an emergency budget. In the agriculture sector, budget 2020 was designed to provide funds to carry out emergency works and prepare the sector for the transformative projects that will materialise once

Budget 2021 is passed and over the next five years.

Below is a list of 10 other meaningful interventions: 1. An initial sum of GY $2.6M was spent to assist Essequibo rice farmers with paddy bug infestation, 2. Paddy Bug Action Units were established in five Regions.

3. Panama was finally engaged with regards to the outstanding $1.9 B owed to Guyana for shipment of rice.

4. Noting the effects climate change is having on

cultivation, a ‘Smart Agriculture Initiative’ was launched so that farmers can procure shade-house materials at a cost price from NAREI. 5. A Vaisala Automatic Weather Station was installed at Saxacalli.

6. Assistance was given to several farmers’ groups like the Woodley Park Women’s Cash Crop Farmers’ Group, to help them with expanding their cultivation.

7. A $63M Fertiliser testing Lab commissioned.

8. Two new coconut

nurseries were established to decentralise access to quality planting materials.

9. Assistance in the form of fertilisers, chemicals, and other planting materials were given to flood affected farmers in the Pomeroon, and; 10. Three contracts totaling $174M were signed for the construction of a water conservancy in West Watooka, Region 10.

I encourage the writer to exercise patience and await the passage of Budget 2021.

plan to reduce the overall cost of energy by 50 per cent through an energy mix, which includes the conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity.

Contrary to the perception that oil and gas will be detrimental to the environment, the Government believes that gas-to-energy will go a long way in ensuring that there is clean energy, because there will be no more burning of diesel, or ‘Bonasika’ fuel, which is heavy.

The Government had signalled that it intends to complete the US$840 million Amaila Falls Hydropower Project it had initiated before 2015 but which the APNU+AFC had discontinued.

Another hydropower project, a $450M plant at Kato, Region Eight, was being reviewed in light of several contractor breaches.

The Government envisions that it will provide more than 400MW of newly-installed capacity for residential and commercial industrial users over the period 2020 to 2025.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips whose portfolio covers energy had noted that Government is committed to providing stable and reliable energy for both domestic and commercial purposes with the aim of reducing cost by at least 50 per cent over the next five years.

The Prime Minister had said that the Government will take urgent action to improve and upgrade the transmission and distribution of energy.

FROM PAGE

The proposed budget for the Ministry of Agriculture was developed to kick start the sector. Several transformative projects and developmental investments have been included and Guyanese can rest assured that Guyana’s agriculture sector will thrive.

In conclusion, I wish to extend an invitation to the writer to meet with the Honourable Minister if this letter lacks clarity in any way. He can also use the opportunity to present some facts on the claims made

08

about ‘demanding “taxes” on contractors’ as I am unaware of this and cannot make a pronouncement at this time because no names or concrete information was given.

Yours sincerely, Janell Cameron Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Agriculture

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

GNBS, GEA to stringently monitor petroleum industry

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) recently revised and fortified a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) in 2014 to monitor the petroleum industry.

The revised MoU was signed by Sharon Roopchand, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce on behalf of the GNBS and Dr. Mahender Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the GEA on February 05, 2021.

The MoU will allow the two agencies to collaboratively ensure that a stringent monitoring, measurement,

and licensing system is maintained within the petroleum industry.

In addition to all petrol meters, bulk meters and tanker wagons used at service stations and petrol terminals, the revised document will now facilitate measurement monitoring on marine fuel vessels.

According to GNBS, it will ensure that these vessels, petrol dispensers (petrol pumps and meters) and transportation carriers are verified/calibrated before the GEA issues licences to them.

The signed agreement also allows for efficient and effective information sharing on the agreed terms.

The Weights and Measures Act No. 15 of 1981 mandates the GNBS to verify all weighing and measuring devices used for the purpose of trade, in order to ensure accuracy in measurement, equity in trade and consumer satisfaction.

The GEA agrees to ensure that all measuring instruments under its ambit are verified or calibrated by the GNBS prior to the issuance of the requisite GEA licences.

The revised MoU covers five articles or components, which include the purpose of the agreement, scope, management, officers and the amendment.

Among the aspects specifically agreed to for the management of activities under the MoU is the sensitisation of fuel companies, proprietors of petrol filling stations, tanker wagon owners and other operators about the importance of calibration and verification of measuring instruments to ensure accuracy and equity in trade.

Additionally, tanker wagons used to transport fuel throughout Guyana will be calibrated or verified, once yearly.

Further, all non-conformities relating to use, calibration and verification of petrol meters, bulk meters and tanker wagons will be reported promptly by the GEA to the GNBS or the respective regional weights and measures offices, in order to facilitate prompt and effective corrective actions.

Regarding the responsibilities of officers, the parties agreed that the officers of the GNBS and the licensing officers of GEA shall be the executing persons to

A GNBS inspector verifies a fuel tanker wagon compartment

manage under the respective entities for the purpose of fulfilling the MoU. Under the newly-amended MoU, the Executive Director of GNBS

and Chief Executive Officer of the GEA must agree to any further action for change contemplated or decided.

Police Force receives COVID-19 Combat Kits from ‘EnGenDER’

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Wednesday, received several Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the Enabling Gender-Response, Disaster Recovery, Climate, and Environmental Resilience Project ‘EnGenDER’.

Commissioner (ag), Nigel Hoppie, during a simple ceremony at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Force and by extension the Government of Guyana to the British High Commissioner (ag), Ross Denny; Canadian High Commissioner, Mark Berman and UNDP representative, Navind Persaud, as well as their respective teams for the timely gesture and their continued support.

The commissioner further alluded that the PPE and other medical supplies will certainly aid ranks in the execution of their duties during these “COVID-19 Times”.

The objective of project EnGenDER is to “further integrate gender equality and human-rights based approaches into disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, environmental management

A sample of the items inside the combat kits donated to the Guyana Police Force

frameworks and interventions, identifying and addressing some of the gaps to ensure equal access to disaster risk education, climate change and environment solutions for men, women, boys, and girls.”

The GPF is among many State entities, earmarked to benefit from the provisions of the initiative. The Force received 2,500 3ply medical/ surgical masks, 300 full face shields, 500 coveralls, 300 goggles, 18 boxes of gloves, 25 non-contact infrared forehead thermometers, 50 bottles of alcohol-based sanitisers, 50

anti-bacterial cakes of soap and 20 spray bottles.

Present at the ceremony were Police Public Relations and Press Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus; Deputy Commissioner Law Enforcement (ag), Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum; and Head of Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

GMC’s Parika cold-storage facility to be revived –– Minister Mustapha says it suffered years of neglect OPERATIONS at the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s cold-storage facility at Mora-Parika will soon be resumed, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said on Tuesday The minister made this disclosure during a visit to the facility where he also disclosed that efforts are being made to restore the corporation’s plantain chip factory.

He explained that the facility which was established under the People’s Progres-

sive Party/Civic (PPP/C) prior to 2015 has been dormant for some time.

“This facility was built when we were in government prior to 2015. It was very active where farmers had lots of benefits from this facility, and I don’t know what took place over the last five years,” he said.

The minister noted that the building has not been utilised to its full potential over the years and many of the equipment today are not

functioning as they should.

However, he has instructed the GMC’s Board of Directors and General Manager Teshawna Lall to formulate a strategy to restore the facility.

“It’s a beautiful building, but it is underutilized, so I have asked her to come up with some plans on how we can utilise this private-public partnership. We will put out an advertisement for expressions of interest and also we will be meeting with farmers

Minister Benn receives juvenile justice booklets HOME AFFAIRS Minister, Robeson Benn, on Tuesday, received two booklets with simplified tenets of the Juvenile Justice Act 2018 from the Chairman of the Rights of the Child Commission, Aleema Nasir.

The booklets entitled “A Guide to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2018, and “Key Points for Social Workers” were developed for the ministry, through support from UNICEF, to aid national stakeholders’ understanding of the key processes of, and methodologies for, the Juvenile Justice Act, and for training purposes.

These booklets will also be used as part of the general public awareness toolkit for the ministry’s Juvenile Justice Department.

Minister Benn expressed thanks to the commission and reiterated the

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, receives the Juvenile Justice booklets from Chairman of the Rights of the Child Commission, Aleema Nasir ministry’s recognition of the need to work continuously to improve the condition of children who may come in contact or conflict

with the law, and of bettering the rehabilitation efforts, towards improving the Juvenile Justice System in Guyana.

GTT offers super special on mobile devices

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Wednesday announced that it will be offering customers a one-day super special on select mobile devices as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.

According to a release, the super special offer is set for February 12, 2021 at all GTT retail stores. Customers will also benefit from double top up when they top up with $1,000 or more on the same day.

“We are super excited to celebrate 30 years of providing telecommunication services in Guyana. As we continue to advance with technology, we want our customers to celebrate with us,” said Product Marketing Manager at GTT,

Ubrina Khan.

“This is a super deal for customers as they will be saving 30 per cent on select handsets,” she said.

Among the handsets that will be on sale are BLU G70- Green and the Samsung Galaxy A10 in various colours.

It was noted that GTT will continue its 30th anniversary celebration throughout February with other special offers for customers.

to sensitise and [encourage] them to start using back this facility so we can provide services,” he added.

Additionally, he questioned underutilisation of the facility despite the presence of necessary equipment.

“There are some very good equipment in there, equipment where you can do for example plantain value-added product and that business is a very lucrative business and I don’t know why it failed, but I am here and I want to assure members of the public and farmers that we will ensure that this facility is utilised to its full potential,” he said.

He added that the ministry will be reaching out to potential investors to restore and potentially expand the plantain chip factory at the

Parika facility for the farmers in the region.

“Also, with the plantain chip factory we will see if we can have an investor to invest there and we will provide the necessary framework,” he said The minister stated that he is hoping to see some results as it relates to the facility before the first quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, Lall stated that she and her team will commence work on the facility as soon as the 2021 budget is passed.

She noted that emphasis will also be placed on plantain production at the facility to provide additionally income for farmers and women in the community.

“The plantain chip factory had commenced [oper-

GMC’s General Manager Teshawna Lall ations] in February of last year and it stopped in August and 80% of the production was bad.

They were skipping a couple of steps in the manufacturing process and basically it become rancid after two months and we had to pull them off of the shelves,” she explained.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Over $650M paid to repair vessels, no work done –– major overhaul coming for MARAD

AS the Ministry of Public Works awaits word on a recently requested forensic audit of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the subject ministers are moving ahead to execute a major overhaul of the agency. This was confirmed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who said that the findings of a recent internal audit hinges on fraud, as opposed to mere mismanagement of public monies.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, minister Indar referred specifically to the four vessels at the dock yard: the Seamang, the ML Allan Young, the MB Baramani and the MV David P, which all amounted to $657 million in rehabilitative works that were not done.

“The contracts were all awarded and the monies were paid, and paid in full, but no works were done on any of

these vessels,” minister Indar said.

Site visits conducted by the ministry’s internal auditor showed that little to no works were conducted on the vessels which remain in dry dock, overrun by bushes.

He explained that as the ministry awaits a response from the Audit Office, efforts have been made towards instituting policy changes that will eliminate possibilities of misconduct in relation to public works being undertaken by the government.

“There are also operational changes and there will also be structural changes at the level of the board, and there will be procedural changes in respect to issuance of payments and verification of works; the whole thing,” Indar asserted.

Apart from the new structures being implemented by MARAD’s Board of Directors, minister Indar said that he will personally be work-

ing closely with the agency to “deal with systems and controls…putting a regime of systems and controls, stores regulations and so on to make sure that these things do not reoccur”.

Minister Indar added: “We have to institute proceedings to recover taxpayers’ monies; we have to institute proceedings for the people culpable to answer to these things.”

Asked whether sanctions would be dependent on the findings of the forensic audit being requested, Minister Indar responded in the negative.

He said that the current internal report provides adequate information for the ministry to embark on some amount of action against those found to be liable.

GOOD ENOUGH “The report is good enough; if the police have to be called in, the police will be called in,” Indar asserted.

This pie chart shows the distribution of contracts, with Courtney Benn Contracting Services benefiting from most of those awarded by the previous administration

The recently concluded internal audit of MARAD revealed a number of troubling occurrences relating to contract awards and spending made towards vessel repairs and acquisition of spares.

The findings, which were released to the media on Tuesday, found that between 2015 and 2020, MARAD spent a total of $3.84 billion for the procurement of spares and equipment and docking and rehabilitation of vessels. The audit found that 92 per cent of these funds were expended on contracts awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services and Brenco Shipping Company (a subsidiary of Courtney Benn).

The report highlighted that while payment to other contractors had all relevant documents affixed, Courtney Benn and Brenco Shipping contracts and payments did not have relevant supporting documents attached. The audit, conducted by Dexter Smith, specified that despite several requests to have Bill of Quantities (BoQs) submitted, none were provided for Courtney Benn and Brenco Shipping contracts. As such, documents not being submitted for audit scrutiny affected the verification process.

“None of Courtney

Benn’s or Brenco Shipping contracts had Bill of Quantities (BOQ) affixed; hence, no breakdown was seen for the $3.551 Billion spent for works and spares,” the report noted.

Mobilisation advances were also flagged as cause for concern. While the National Tender and Procurement Administration Board (NPTAB) permits mobilisation advances up to 30 per cent, advances as high as 95 per cent were paid

by MARAD. “A contract (NPTAB: 397/2019/32 Add) valued at $400,204,530 for spares and equipment was awarded to Brenco Shipping and stated 80 per cent mobilisation advance; however, the entire amount was paid upon signing the contract. No bond was provided for scrutiny,” the executive summary of the report stated.

NO ACCOUNTABILITY There was also no accountability for hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of spares and equipment in the stores and no comprehensive physical verification of the items in the stores was ever conducted by MARAD. The internal auditor opined that there was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the audit. He noted that BoQs

form part of the submission for National Tender & Procurement Administration Board and Cabinet’s deliberation and approval and was at a loss on how they could have conveniently gone missing.

He recommended that “there is a need for an immediate and total review of the general system of operations, policies and procedures at MARAD; with an aim of documenting and regularising same.”

“Persons found culpable through dereliction of duties or willful acts to the detriment of the agency, should be sanctioned with penalties that match the nature of the infractions,” the recommendations further stated.

MARAD is the second agency under the Ministry of Public Works, formerly the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, to be mired in controversies relating to mishandling of public monies.

Only recently, a massive investigation was launched into a multi-million dollar gift-giving scandal involving the former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, along with former Public Infrastructure Ministers, now Opposition Members of Parliament, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

466 youths complete job readiness training Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, on Wednesday, presented certificates to over 100 young Guyanese, who have completed Job Readiness Training under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

According to a release, the training was conducted virtually by “Specialist in Sustained Youth Development and Research Incorporated” (SSYDR), and has equipped youths from vulnerable communities, with the knowledge and skills essential, for job acquisition and job retention.

Training was also provided in areas of resume building and employability, communication and problem-solving, and good work habits and ethics.

Minister Benn in his brief remarks, told the certificate recipients to be the champions of change in perceptions of the Guyanese reality that they would like to see.

He challenged them to understand that for Guyana to develop, they must be open-minded, show empathy and respect for each other.

The minister further stated that the objective of the CSSP is to bring hope, options and opportunities to young people in vulnerable communities, in an effort to reduce crime and violence.

The programme further seeks to improve behaviours to achieve non-violent conflict resolution in target communities, increase Guyana Police Force (GPF) effectiveness in crime prevention and crime investigation nationally, and improve the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) effectiveness in reducing offenders’ recidivism at the national level.

As at January 2021, 466 youths have benefitted from the Job Readiness Training and have accessed livelihood opportunities such as: job placement, further educational opportunities, or business ownership.

Man who allegedly shot and robbed taxi driver granted $150,000 bail CURTIS Vasconcellos, who allegedly shot a man before robbing him of his cellular phone and cash, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, and was placed on $150,000 bail by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs - Marcus Vasconcellos of First Street, Agricola, denied that he, on February 2, 2021, at Houston Public Road, Georgetown, while being armed with a dangerous weapon, specifically a gun, robbed Sew Ramaman of $26,000 cash and a Samsung Galaxy S10 cellular phone valued, $110,000.

It is alleged that, on the day in question, about 19:30 hours, Ramaman went to a location opposite the old Gafoors building to deliver ice and puri.

Ramaman, a taxi driver and owner of motorcar, HC 3058, parked his vehicle on the Houston Public Road, in front of the person’s home. When Ramaman was about to open the gate to enter the premises, he received a phone call.

He felt someone behind him and when he turned around, he reportedly saw Vasconcellos and observed that he was holding a black handgun in his right hand. The accused then reportedly shot Ramaman in his left knee which caused him to fall to the ground.

Vasconcellos reportedly relieved Ramaman of his cellular phone and proceeded to his vehicle which was opened. Vasconcellos took possession of the cash which was being stored in a compartment in the vehicle before escaping on a black motorcycle, on which he was the pillion rider.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched.

Acting on information received, police were able to arrest Vasconcellos on February 5 and placed him on an identification parade the following day.

As a result of a positive identification he was charged.

The matter was adjourned until February 24, 2021.

One of the recipients receiving her certificate from Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn

82-year-old woman succumbs to COVID-19

AN 82-year-old woman who died at her Region 10 home on Tuesday is the most recent COVID-19 fatality.

The diagnosis was made after the woman’s body arrived at a medical facility, whereupon it was tested via swab.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths now stands at 182.

While hers is the only death recorded within the past 24 hours, the Ministry has confirmed 51 new cases of COVID-19 out of 407 tests conducted during that time.

A regional breakdown of the new cases will show that two of these cases were recorded in Region Three, 38 in Region Four, three in Region Seven, one in Region Eight, two in Region Nine, and five in Region 10.

Regions One, Two, Five and Six have not recorded any new cases in last 24 hours.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

456 CSEC grades changed after reviewed

By Tamica Garnett

OVER 450 of the subject review requested by Guyana, for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) saw new grades being issued to the students by the examining

body, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

This was disclosed by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. During the press conference, the minister also informed that the ministry

has taken the decision to await the outstanding review requests from CXC before announcing a “top student” for CSEC or the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

“A check of the pending reviews showed a number of candidates could receive review changes that may likely affect the list of candidates with the highest number of Grade Ones,” Manickchand said, as she explained the MoE’s rationale for awaiting the pending results.

However, it is unsure at this time as to when the remaining reviews will be completed, as CXC had originally projected completing the exercise by January 31, but has since missed the deadline. Exacerbating the situation is a lockdown that has been announced in Barbados due to COVID-19 in that country. The CXC is located in Barbados, and the lockdown has since curtailed the Council from carrying out its work.

“We are just as frustrated as the students are,” Manickchand said, as she implored patience from the students and stakeholders being affected by the situation.

She added: “CXC had said to us that by the 31st January, they would have finished the review process.

Then in February, Barbados went into full lockdown.

I am assured by [CXC

Registrar] Dr. [Wayne] Wesley that what they can do they are doing, but they are affected by the lockdown, and it’s not something that we can be unsympathetic about given the pandemic.”

STILL OUTSTANDING Of the 1258 subject reviews, affecting 500 students, and submitted by Guyana to CXC, a total of 128 reviews are still pending.

“Grade changes were awarded to 456 grade reviews while 674 grades remain the same,” she informed.

For CAPE, the ministry still has 33 review requests outstanding. Administered by the CXC to several nations across the Caribbean, CSEC and CAPE are annual exams written by secondary school students when exiting secondary school. The results are used by the students to obtain jobs or to further their education at the tertiary level.

Customarily, the MoE would announce the names of students who got the most Grade Ones at CSEC and CAPE after the preliminary

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand results would have been released by CXC. However, while the preliminary results for the 2020 exams were released since September 2020, CXC faced massive backlash over what many students and other stakeholders deemed as unjustifiably lower-than-expected grades.

There were also an unusually high number of ungraded results. The issue persisted in countries across the Caribbean where the exams were written.

The CXC received an unprecedented influx of over 21,000 review requests and over 3,100 queries. As such, the MoE took the decision to withhold announcing the top student, pending the out-

come of the reviews. Minister Manickchand, however, assured that there is an end in sight.

“We do say to all our students and parents and teachers, there is going to be an end. In two months’ time I hope, this will not be something we are still addressing. Unfortunately, we can’t give a firm date for that. Don’t want them to lose hope but also can’t offer more certainty right now. Persons are being affected mentally.

We get letters demanding we release the results.

We have a duty to explain to people to say we simply can’t. It could be worst if we go announcing a top student,” Manickchand reasoned.

‘Yankee’ badly chopped during attack THE police are currently investigating the unlawful wounding committed on Junior Lewis, called “Yankee,” who was attacked by two men while walking along the Bamia Trail at Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Lewis, 35, of Bamia Trail is currently at the Linden Hospital Complex where he is said to be in a serious condition.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that during the night of Feb-

ruary 9, Lewis was walking along the Bamia Trail on his way home when he was attacked by two men who dealt him chops to his left hand. They left him lying on the ground and made good their escape.

On February 10 around 09:00hrs, a farmer traversing the area saw Lewis and summoned the police. On arrival ranks observed that the victim had two gaping wounds on his left hand.

The police are investigating.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Brothers remanded for murder of Belle West youth THREE brothers were remanded to prison on Tuesday for the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Emanuel Solomon at his Lot 317 Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home last Friday.

Kayle Roberts, 26 and Kurlsen Roberts, 23, were charged jointly, while their 17-year-old brother was charged separately, since he is a juvenile.

The trio appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ali-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison until March 4.

Reports indicate that their mother handed them over to police after cops had enquired about their whereabouts, since they were identified as perpetrators of the stabbing.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Solomon and the suspects are known to each other, since they had a misunderstanding over a football game about eight months ago.

According to reports on February 5, around 18:30hrs, Solomon was sitting in front of his residence when the suspects confronted him.

According to his mother, the suspects approached her son and rushed towards him, stabbing him about his body before he fell to the ground.

The perpetrators then made good their escape on foot.

After the incident, the mother and public-spirited persons picked up Solomon and took him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor, who

Emanuel Solomon pronounced him dead.

The police subsequently arrested all three brothers.

Under questioning, one of the brothers allegedly admitted to stabbing Solomon because of a previous confrontation in which he had suffered injuries to the face and hand.

‘Cheebu’ found guilty of manslaughter; sentencing scheduled for March 9 ALVIN Calder, called “Cheebu” or “CD,” was on Tuesday found guilty of unlawfully killing a man during a brawl at White Water Landing, Mahdia, in 2007.

Calder, formerly of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, was on trial at the Essequibo High Court before Justice Gino Persaud.

On Tuesday, the jury after deliberating for almost two hours returned a guilty verdict for manslaughter.

Calder will remain on remand until March 9 when he is expected to be sentenced.

Last month, Calder

Alvin Calder called ‘Cheebu’ or ‘CD’ was indicted for manslaughter and his trial commenced before a 12-member jury.

He had denied that, on April 12, 2007, at

White Water Landing, Mahdia, he killed Joseph Willie.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Calder told police that Willie owed him money and was refusing to honour his debt. On the day in question, the men were involved in an argument over the outstanding money.

It was alleged that Willie, who was armed with a cutlass, confronted Calder.

However, Calder ran away and fired a shot in Willie’s direction. Willie was hit and later succumbed to his injuries. Calder was subsequently arrested in Georgetown.

Businessman pleads guilty to drug-trafficking charge A 23-year-old Linden businessman on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a drug-trafficking charge and was remanded to prison pending a probation report.

Thereafter, Brendal Halley of Canvas City, Linden, will be sentenced by Magis-

trate Crystal Lambert.

Halley appeared before Magistrate Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court and admitted that on February 9 at Surinamo Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, he had 1024 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, on the day in question, Halley was disembarking a jet boat at Surinamo Landing when he was intercepted by the police and searched.

The cannabis was found in a white salt bag which Halley had in his possession.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

GCB U-19 Inter-County cricket …

Essequibo routed for 86 against Demerara

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE lack of competitive cricket, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was evident at least on Essequibo’s part in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 One-Day Inter-County tournament yesterday, at the LBI ground.

The team from the Cinderella County was beaten by 86 runs in a game which was shortened by 12 overs a side.

Demerara played well, but were helped by a dismal Essequibo batting performance, as one dismissal followed another in a run chase of 163.

Demerara’s total of 1628 was built around opener Mathew Nandu, who struck a patient 53 and shared in two crucial partnerships.

Earlier electing to bat first, the hosts lost opener Sachin Singh inside the first over before Nandu and Ushardeva Balgobin calmed the proceedings.

Singh, who had represented West Indies at the Under-15 level, went, off the bowling of pacer Jason Holder (2-28), but having combined at the fall of Singh’s wicket, Nandu and Balgobin showed great determination to not let Essequibo bowlers make further inroads.

Balgobin was the more aggressive of the two, not sparing any loose delivery while Nandu played a perfect foil to his partner.

However, after putting together 79 in 20.4 overs, Balgobin was dismissed off Nicko Vincent (1-34) for a 59-ball 45, decorated with four fours and two sixes.

Nandu then shared another vital stand of 51 with Mavendra Dindyal, who made 27 off 37 balls. But the fall of those two batsmen, the hosts lost four quick wickets towards the backend of the innings.

Nandu innings lasted for 97 balls in 147 minutes at the

wicket, with four boundaries.

Wasim Mohamed (2-26) and Lance Roberts (1-18) were the other successful bowlers.

Essequibo batsmen produced a combination of poor strokes and the lack of determination as they folded for 86 in 27.2 overs. Only Sheldon Charles (25), and Vincent (12), reached double figures.

Dwain Dick (3-15), player-of-the-match Nandu (221), Balgobin (2-10) and Zachory Johad (1-5), were the destroyers for the winners.

Round two is billed for

tomorrow and will bring together Essequibo and Berbice while round three on Sunday will see a clash between Demerara and Berbice.

The team with the most points shall be deemed winner of the tournament.

However, in the event of teams finishing on equal points, the highest-placed team will be given to the team with the most wins, or when teams have both equal wins or equal points, the team which was the winner of the match between them shall be deemed the winner, or if still equal, the team with the highest net run rate.

Government of Guyana willing to assist athletes with business aspirations – President Ali

By Rawle Toney HEAD-OF-STATE, Dr Irfaan Ali, says the Government of Guyana is keen on partnering with the country’s athletes who have business aspirations.

This, according to President Ali, is to help them charter a course for life after calling time in their respective sport or even during their playing career.

The President told Chronicle Sport, at a cocktail reception hosted by former West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan at his newly-established RS53 RestoBar & Lounge at Providence, it is important for athletes to think of a future beyond sports.

Dr Ali was adamant that associations and federations have an important role to play in helping to guide their athletes down the right path and helping them to have a balanced life.

“I would like to see sports personalities come together, with joint projects. The Government is willing to work with them; help them to put their plans together plans and programmes, giving them advice. That is the role of Government to help in the facilitation,” President Ali said.

The Command-

er-in-Chief believes that it’s “important for sports personality these days to have a focus on the future. There’s a lot of stardom that’s associated with sports today, especially in cricket; there’s the T20 cricket and you can easily be carried away. And I think you need the management of the various sports disciplines to be intact and play a leadership role, because you need counselling services and help direct the young sports personalities in directions that will see their enhancement.”

President Ali’s sentiments were echoed by Sarwan, who ventured into business long before his last outing for the West Indies in 2013.

Sarwan pointed out that there are a lot of inspirations from athletes who would have made the successful transition from sports to business, while also expressing an interest in lending a helping hand to anyone who might need some advice on how to follow in his footsteps.

According to Sarwan who made his Test debut for the West Indies against Pakistan in 2000, the establishment of his new business venture, should “give people a vision, especially sports people or people who would’ve played sports as not just the

end when you’re finished playing.”

Sarwan listed the likes of Lennox Cush and Travis Dowlin as successful businessmen who would’ve enjoyed a fruitful career in the ‘Gentleman’s game’.

“I think the important thing is to plan before, even before you retire.

You don’t want to wait to do something after you’re already retired. So I hope it will have an impact on the young guys coming up,” Sarwan said.

Sarwan’s RS53 RestoBar & Lounge offers a sporty feeling, blended with an ambiance of elegance, while catering for the everyday man-in-thestreet.

President Ali lauded the

40-year-old former West Indies star batsman for his bold step in investing in the direction of the country’s economy.

Sarwan explained that he was buoyed by the projection of Guyana as a global player in the oil industry, while also wanting to create something of interest that could benefit all on the East Bank Demerara corridor.

He added that in a couple of weeks, his Amazonia Mall should be opening its doors, which will bring more life to the already buzzing area, which also houses a Massy Supermarket, a state-of-the-art gym and New Thriving Restaurant.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday February 11, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Ramnaresh Sarwan-119 (Dhaka, 2002-03) (2) 11 times

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many players have now captained the WI in Tests?

(2) Who is the first player to captain BANG in a Test match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Brathwaite warns of Windies complacency ahead of final Test … lauds team’s batting, bowling units

By Clifton Ross KRAIGG Brathwaite, the West Indies skipper, doesn’t want his guys to become complacent ahead of the all-important battle, which bowls off today. He is urging them to replicate the fight they displayed during the historic win in the first match.

Brathwaite seemed in tune on Wednesday

during his virtual conference, when describing the Windies possible tactics heading into the second and final Test at Dhaka.

“We got a nice win but we have to start over fresh. We have to buckle down and can’t be complacent. We have to fight hard again. We, as a team, don’t want to get too far ahead. We have five days of Test cricket to play.

We are very happy to

have won the first Test.” said the opener.

It was a thrilling end to the first Test when West Indies made history by chasing 395 in what was the largest successful run-chase in the continent of Asian.

Speaking on the momentum gained from that emphatic win, the Barbadian said the energy was high; but wanted his players to

Selmen, Connell join GC Super50 commentary teams CURRENT West Indies Women players, Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell, have joined the CG Insurance Super50 Cup television and radio commentary teams for the first time as part of a high quality group of analysts.

Selman is part of the LIVE television broadcast for 13 matches at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The other analysts are: legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose; former West Indies opening batsman and Trinidad & Tobago captain, Daren Ganga; and 2012 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup winner Samuel Badree.

There will also be special guest appearances by legend Courtney Walsh, new head coach of West Indies Women and CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams, the former West Indies captain.

Connell will feature within the LIVE radio commentary broadcast to ten Caribbean radio stations and worldwide on the WindiesCricket YouTube channel.

CWI president Ricky Skerritt said, “It is now a policy of CWI to provide as much opportunity for West Indians to grow their careers into the wider cricket industry, including the broadcast media. We are especially pleased that

Shakera Selman (CWI Media photo) two of our senior West Indies Women players are getting this exciting opportunity to develop their commentary skills and experience.”

“Under the same policy, CWI has been actively developing hundreds of local coaches across our region, including dozens of women, and this is the first opportunity we have had to build broadcast experience for our Women’s team players.

“With our new TV production presentation, CWI is delivering a modern, vibrant and diverse mix of experienced and insightful presenters and analysts to deliver a more appealing and engaging viewing experience.”

2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner Selman, who late last year played a key role in the Women’s IPL Challenge

tournament in the United Arab Emirates, said: “It means a lot to be working alongside these amazing past cricketers, especially a legend of the game such as Sir Curtly Ambrose.

I’m just hoping to continue to inspire young girls across the Caribbean to play the game and also to do well in the commentary role.”

Connell, who was also a 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to be part of the commentary team and I’m really looking forward to it. Cricket is my passion and I enjoy everything about the game. I’m happy to share my thoughts and ideas with the listeners and fans.”

The third match of the tournament starts at 13:30hrs today (12:30hrs Jamaica time) as the Leeward Islands Hurricanes take on the Barbados Pride in a day/night contest broadcast LIVE on ESPN Caribbean and around the world.

The CG Insurance Super50 Cup is being played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The tournament started on Sunday, February 7 and will climax with the grand final on Saturday, February 27.

remain in attack mode.

“We want to buckle down. Victory has meant a lot for us. The guys are very proud of winning the first Test but we look forward to the next five days. The biggest thing is not to get carried away.

We are happy with the win but we know we start from zero. It’s one of the things that the coach has stressed in the practice sessions,” Brathwaite pointed out.

Most of the heavy lifting was done by Kyle Mayers who slammed 210, being the 5th person in history to score a double ton on Test debut. Another debutant, Jamaican Nkrumah Bon-

ner, scored 86 as the pair shared a 200-plus 4th run partnership which saw their team home by 3 wickets.

Regarding their actual game plan, Brathwaite believes that his unit was on the right path but still needed to tighten up, come today.

“The guys are working hard, for me to them is to stay disciplined and stick to your plans, both as a bowling and a batting unit. It is obviously challenging but I enjoy leading from a young age. We have a good group here and they are disciplined which always makes it easier,” preached the young captain.

Also, for those who were in fear of the Windies inexperienced side faltering terribly, especially after their fullstrength teams struggled in England and New Zealand, Brathwaite fully backed his boys and their capabilities despite their obvious freshness to international cricket.

“I want to say this is not a depleted squad. I firmly believe everyone here is capable of doing the job at the international level.”

He continued, “There’s no added pressure on me. My role as an opening batsman is to build the foundation for the team.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

Matarkai Sports Council members meet ministers about possible projects THE proactive Matarkai Sports Council from Region One made courtesy visits to several government ministries over the last two days, to interact with ministers and other officials and highlight the plans for the overall development of the sub-region.

On Tuesday, they met with Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who is also the Patron of the Council; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr; Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud. On Wednesday the group also met with Minister

of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai.

Chairman of the council, Micquel Perez, and Public Relations Officer Sherlon Rodrigues were present at all the meetings.

According to Rodrigues, the meetings were well received and the councillors were given favourable responses.

“We were seeking ways of collaboration. Our aim was to get support for not only sport, but also education, health, social and welfare.”’

Rodrigues said that they got positive feedbacks from all the government ministers and are now tasked with creating proposals for specific

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport visit: From left, Linden Green, Lair Frazer, Minister Charles Ramson Jr, chairman Micquel Perez and Sherlon Rodrigues. projects.

The group spoke to Min-

ister Ramson Jr about the possibility of fixing some of

the grounds in the area and he indicated his interest in

visiting after the approval of the 2021 Budget.

“We have to meet as an executive committee and start planning for some of the proposals we made,” Rodrigues noted.

The Sports Council also petitioned Minister Walrond to help make a few benabs at one of their grounds.

They also asked Dr Persaud to support with the development of the cottage industry in the communities to get residents earning.

A cottage industry is a small-scale, decentralised manufacturing business often operated out of a home rather than a purpose-built facility.

Khan closer to chess title after Meusa beat Corlette GLENFORD Corlette’s title-run in the 2020 National Closed Chess Championship final came to an end on Tuesday afternoon when he was defeated by Candidate Master and former champion Wendell Meusa in their long-awaited First-Round

battle.

With the loss, only Meusa has a chance at upstaging Taffin Khan for the title, but that is slim chance since he would have to rely on 2020 Rapid and Blitz Champion Davion Mars to win his game against Khan—a monumental task—

Mahaica softball cup scheduled for March THE Strathavon All Stars Sports Club of Mahaica has teamed up with WeCare Community Services to hold the first ‘Mahaica Softball Cricket Cup’ for teams in the Mahaica area and the wider regions.

The knockout competition is set for Sunday, March 7 2020 at the Strathavon Sports Club ground from 09:00hrs.

The aim of the competition is to have local cricketers and young people returning to sports after almost a year, due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the organisers, the event will see more development being done at the club and youths will get more involved in positive things and be a part of a healthy lifestyle.

According to the organisers, over $200 000 in cash and trophies will be up for grabs and interested teams can contact the competition coordinators Mr Gobindram Hemraj (Randy) on 643-3319 or Mr Jermaine Persaud on 644-8172 for registration.

According to the organisers a limited number of teams will be accepted to take part in this the first Mahaica Softball Cup and the competition.

Already on board with sponsorship for the event are Viscom and Shiwnauth General Store while several other local businesses within the area have indicated their support in making this softball cup a success.

The competition will be played under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

in order to force a playoff.

Candidate Master Khan, who is favourite to win the championship, which was held over from last year, just has to draw with Mars to ensure an overall victory.

Although he has never been defeated by the Blitz champion, Khan will not take him for granted and might play safe in their final round clash on Saturday.

Meusa is heavy favourite in his final round battle against lower ranked Rai Sharma. Mr Sharma, known for his fast playing style, has held his own in the competition, but is severely outmatched against Meusa.

Former champion Meusa

(Flashback) Wendell Meusa (left) and Taffin Khan (right) are the only players with a chance at the title. has only himself to blame in his title run, since he lost an entire point due to a walkover defeat by defending champion Drayton in the earlier rounds.

Corlette, who can still

finish in the top three in the eight-player battle, will have to face Loris Nathoo in his final round, while Drayton will play Errol Tiwari.

With six rounds completed, Khan leads all scores

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Kemptom 08:35 hrs Earth Company 09:05 hrs Ballybough Mary 09:35 hrs Chalgrove 10:05 hrs Leylak 10:40 hrs Loughan 11:10 hrs Elusive Belle 11:40 hrs Top Notch 12:15 hrs Lust For Glory 12:45 hrs Calva D’Auge

15:30 hrs Bobby Joe Leg

Newcastle 12:30 hrs Sharp Suited 13:00 hrs Skulk 13:30 hrs Dutch Decoy 14:00 hrs Outrage 14:30 hrs Nick Veddar 15:00 hrs Gigi’s Beach

American Racing Tips Gulfstream Race 1 Exact Race 2 Obstinate Race 3 Free To Fly Race 4 Philly Special

Irish Racing Tips Thurles 09:45 hrs Whatsnotoknow 10:15 hrs Carnet De Stage 10:50 hrs Risk Factor 11:20 hrs Capodanno 11:50 hrs Dunboyne 12:25 hrs Queen Of Fame 12:55 hrs Minella Choice

with 5 ½ points, Meusa has 4 ½ points, Corlette 4 points, Drayton 3 points, Mars and Nathoo are tied on 2 points, while Mr Sharma and Errol Tiwari are tied on 1 point each.

Race 5 Seven Gems Race 6 Rirst Investor Race 7 Serenade A Kitten Race 8 Lauda Speed Race 9 Shamrocket Race10 Lease Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan 10:30 hrs Rb Kinetic 11:05 hrs Star Safari 11:40 hrs Protector 12:15 hrs Dubai Warrior 12:50 hrs Dream Castle 13:25 hrs Story Of Light South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:05 hrs Sparkling Water 08:40 hrs Illuminate 09:15 hrs Against The Grain 09:50 hrs Rise As One 10:25 hrs Spring Break 11:00 hrs Oyster King

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 11, 2021

AAG’s revised meet marked for Sunday … Olympic Qualification chance looms

TRACK and Field will be back in action over the weekend as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) hosts its first competitive meet of the year which includes a restricted amount of field events and races.

According to the president of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, the event, stricken by the pandemic, is billed to commence at 10:00hrs at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on Sunday, February 14, and is expected to conclude around 16:30hrs.

After hosting three marathon events during the pe-

riod between November and December of 2020, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) was possibly satisfied with the association’s ability to conduct events under the pandemic guidelines.

The AAG was once again successful in receiving permission from the NCTF to host the scheduled meet that has been on its calendar for some time. However, the event initially planned was a Developmental Meet, but will now be merged with some interesting events.

Since the 2020 Summer Olympics is still forging ahead and CARIFTA is be-

Ramdhani pays courtesy call on Minister Ramson CURRENT Guyana National senior women’s number one-ranked badminton ace, Priyanna Ramdhani, recently met with Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, following her recent visit home.

The International badminton star paid a brief courtesy call on Minister Ramson at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport in Georgetown where she brought the minister up to date with her progress.

ing rescheduled to July, the AAG-sanctioned event on Sunday will see the juniors competing in Developmental Meet events while the seniors will have their first chance to attempt Olympic Qualification with regular events. The president stated that he expects some keen matchups in the 100m event.

Hutson also disclosed that only throw event they will be attempting is the javelin while for the jumps, only the long and triple jumps are on the cards for Sunday. He added that AAG has planned to stage the other events not done on Sunday, in another few weeks during another meet.

Meanwhile, preparations for Sunday are coming along swimmingly in numerous aspects the president revealed.

Since no spectators are allowed in the venue which security will be verifying at the entrance, AAG has decided to have a Facebook Live Stream of the meet on the Association’s page to

Akeem Stewart (winner) will be looking to hit those Olympic 100m and 200m qualifying standards of 10.05s and 20.24s, respectively, before June 29, 2021. keep the athletes and fans, safe and satisfied.

In the athletes’ attendance aspect, the president revealed that the majority of the clubs have been training while some have remained dormant for reasons only known to them. But while those who chose to stay completely inactive have complained about preparation time, others have made the sacrifice to keep their gears well-oiled.

“One of the things I’ve grown to learn about this sport

is that it’s not a team sport, but an individual sport and your future in this sport will depend largely on your personal approach. So, we have to look out for those who want to move forward. We just can’t hold the whole system back because a few athletes chose not to train,” the AAG boss said.

Olympic Qualification Period The qualifying period for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics was originally from May 1 to June 29, 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pan-

GMR&SC announces February 28 drag race meet THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has announced its first Drag Racing event of the year, set for February 28.

Making the announcement, president Rameez Mohamed contended that

the club is looking at a new way of bringing the sport to spectators.

“This year, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we are looking to have the event live-streamed. That way we can still maintain the audience that we

have.”

“In addition to that, we are also saying to the drivers, bring only who you need. While this is an event, we want to keep the crowd as minimal as possible.”

The GMR&SC boss

Women’s National badminton champion Priyanna Ramdhani and Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr during her recent visit

Ramdhani was on vacation for the Christmas/New Year’s holidays from her Student/Athlete Badminton Scholarship programme at the Olds College in Alberta Canada.

The Guyanese is currently pursuing her studies in Business Management & Sports Management, after excelling at both academics and athletics and gaining many awards during. 2019-20.

demic, the period was suspended from April 6 to November 30, 2020, with the end date extended to June 29, 2021.

Athletes who had met the qualifying standard during that time were still qualified, but those using world rankings would not be able to count performances during that time.

The qualifying time standards could be obtained in various meets during the given period that have the approval of the IAAF.

Drag racing action returns on February 28.

indicated that sponsors are also rallying behind the idea of limited spectators, adding too that a lot of companies will be coming on board in the future.

Competitors are asked to register early via the club at 231-5457.

GCB U-19 Inter-County cricket …

Essequibo routed for 86 against Demerara See story on page 20

From left, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, former West Indies star Rammneresh Sarwan and President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening of the RS53 RestoBar & Lounge at Providence. (Rawle Toney photo)

Government of Guyana willing to assist athletes with business aspirations – President Ali COVID-19 restriction, FIFA rules cast shadow over Golden Jaguars/Soca Warriors clash See story on page 20

THE Golden Jaguars Qatar World Cup qualifier clash with Soca Warriors in Port of Spain is now hanging in the balance, following the latest COVID-19 restrictions in the Twin Island Republic.

Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago are scheduled to collide on March 25 in the first game of their FIFA 2022 World Cup campaign, but according to leading online sports news outlet on the

Brathwaite warns of Windies complacency ahead of final Test

… lauds team’s batting, bowling units See story on page 21

West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite

island, wired868.com, a new FIFA ruling, plus the current non-commitment to providing quarantine exemptions for travelling teams, means the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) might be forced to concede home advantage.

At present, TTFA is being run by a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee headed by businessman Robert Hadad.

Normal FIFA rules require clubs to release players to represent their countries on an international match day.

However, as governments have enacted travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine periods to prevent the spread of the virus, FIFA created an exemption that allows clubs to deny their players leave to represent their home teams.

The new rules state that clubs must release players, except where “there is a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five (5) days upon arrival,” either in the location of the club or the match venue. Clubs can also refuse to release players if there are travel restrictions to or from those locations.

That means if players don’t receive exemptions from travel restrictions and quarantine or self-isolation requirements, their clubs are

Player-of-the-match Mathew Nandu collects his trophy from Colin Stuart.

Trinidad and Tobago defender Mekeil Williams is held back by Guyana midfielder Callum Harriott during Gold Cup action on June 26 2019. (Copyright AP photo) under no obligation to let them play for their country teams.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the borders are closed to all but nationals, who still must apply for an exemption to enter the country.

A returning national then faces mandatory seven-day quarantine in a state facility, followed by another seven days of self-isolation.

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

T h e Wa r r i o r s o n l y emerged from quarantine yesterday at the Home of Football in Couva since their international against the United States in Orlando on January 31, which they lost 7-0.

As a host country, the FIFA rules require TTFA to get exemptions for its players, the visiting team, and match officials to enter the country and skip any

quarantine or self-isolation of or more.

With the match against Guyana scheduled for March 25; that leaves TTFA until March 11 to inform FIFA whether the Trinidad government will grant the necessary exemptions.

The UK government, for instance, grants exemptions to certain ‘elite athletes’ to travel and play without quarantine.

The Warriors, who are also scheduled to play away to Puerto Rico on March 28, could be forced to play their opening ‘home game’ at a neutral venue if the Dr Keith Rowley-led government does not play along.

Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said “The CMO (chief medical officer) Dr Roshan Parasram is in contact and in discussions with the football fraternity to deal with that issue.

“We are very concerned about people coming into the country and not quarantining properly and possibly bringing in the new variants…

So, the decision would be made in the best interest of protecting the safety of our population,” Deyalsingh said.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021