Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12-07-2021

MONDAY 12thJuly, 2021

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Vision is to achieve diverse, resilient economy No.106419

–– Dr Singh tells CDB President

SEE PAGE 03

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), President, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon with members of their teams at Arrow Point Nature Resort on Sunday. The government has identified tourism as one of the main sources of future expansion and job creation in the non-oil economy. The CDB is supporting the government’s efforts to develop the tourism sector through US$9.9 million funding for the construction of a modern Hospitality and Training Institute, which forms part of the Government of Guyana (GoG)-CDB portfolio of projects currently underway (Ministry of Finance photo)

Boy, 10, feared drowned at 07 Hope seawall PAGE

Teixeira: Motions seeking to remove Ministers Benn, 02 Anthony unmeritorious PAGE

Rigging allegations: Kuru Kuru 09 Co-operative Society elections postponed PAGE

$3.2B in schoolchildren grants not limited to 13 uniforms, school items PAGE

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Teixeira: Motions seeking to remove Ministers Benn, Anthony unmeritorious

By Richard Bhainie

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has affirmed that there is no precedent to warrant a resignation of any member of Cabinet from the House, regardless of a successful passage of a confidence motion.

Teixeira was pronouncing on whether a motion of confidence can be brought against a Cabinet member, also a MP, similar to how one can be brought against a government, as the country witnessed in December 2018 when Charrandass Persaud voted his party, the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change government, out of office.

She was at the time speaking on the no-confidence motion against Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, filed by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, which contends that the two ministers have persistently demonstrated inability to effectively undertake their duties in their sectors.

In July 2012, then Leader of the Opposition David Granger had moved a motion of no-confidence against then Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, which was passed successfully. She highlighted,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

current motion of no-confidence raised against the Health Minister of Guyana’s regional counterpart, Trinidad and Tobago Terrance Deyalsingh, based on accusations pertaining to his management of the COVID-19 pandemic in that country, and compared it to the “one-line” motion moved against Dr Anthony and Benn.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira however, that there was no “requirement” for Rohee to resign.

“In most Parliaments where you have no-confidence motions, even those that are first-past-the-post system, the ministers don’t have to resign because it is non-legally binding in that you have to bring a no-confidence against the entire government in that sense,” she said.

“There had been no-confidence motions against ministers, nine times out of 10 they never resigned; they stay with the system because generally those motions are defeated in the first place because the government group comes together in solidarity and defend their person,” she added.

The Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister referenced the

UNUSUAL “It’s usually very unusual for a motion against a minister to just be one line, when you bring down a government is one line ‘we longer have confidence in the government,’ but when is the minister you have to be accusing them of something,” she said.

She noted that in most cases the motions would be brought based on the performance of the minister, or if he/she has been involved in any misconduct, regardless of if it is in or out of the Parliament chamber, as they are dealt with as parliamentarians through the motions.

She opined that therefore the motions are not “proper” from a parliamentary perspective, as the motions do not even explicitly expound on the ministers deficiencies, which will enable them and their government a chance to defend their record.

She reflected that in rela-

el Trotman. However, it was with thorough rejection from the opposition’s side of the House.

“He was saying you can’t stop him from speaking, but he allowed total disorder in the House every time Rohee went to speak; so simple things like Rohee reading the first reading of a bill he couldn’t get up and do that,” she said.

Government MP and Attorney-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin tion to the motion pertaining to Rohee in 2012, he did not resign, as he was not constitutionally required to do so. She further disclosed that subsequent to a motion being successfully passed, the opposition attempted to prevent the MP a chance to speak in the chamber of the National Assembly.

“After which, Mr. Granger brought a second motion against Rohee, that was to silence him, he was going to sit but mustn’t speak, that didn’t go to the floor because it was sent to the Privilege Committee pending the case before the Chief Justice Ian Chang,” she explained, noting, the then chief justice had ruled that no MP must be silenced.

She explained that Rohee was allowed to speak for the first time in the House on February 22, 2013 by then Speaker, Rapha-

BRING TOGETHER Teixeira outlined that with the filing of such a motion, the opposition might have had a chance to “embarrass” the minister; however, she posited that generally these motions backfire in the sense that they reignite the cohesive flame between members of the government, bringing them together in solidarity.

“Government, many times, all over the world, uses this no-confidence motion against their ministers to go out and champion their cause and many times the opposition is made to look diminished in the eyes of people, because this is an opportunity for the government,” she said.

Against this backdrop, Teixeira reasoned that generally the most “responsible” Opposition leaders, not the “reckless” ones like the current Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, will

treat a motion of confidence against government ministers with “great caution.”

Touching on the government’s majority in the House, PPP/C MP, attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin opined that “obviously” the motion will come to a vote and therefore it should not be allowed, because the government has the majority and it’s simply “a waste of time.”

“The motion doesn’t say what it is it’s complaining about, which is just laziness. If you have a complaint about a minister, you should have the decency to say, this, this, this … pure laziness. You have no confidence in him, why? It is not an opinion-based thing,” Datadin said.

The attorney-at-law explained that the parliamentary structure is established in a manner to facilitate debate; he asked the question: “What are you going to debate?” as he posited that the MPs will have to sit and waste precious parliamentary time which can be used to debate matters of greater importance.

“The realities of it are this is a publicity stunt and a very poor one at that.

At some stage the opposition has got to start being an opposition … the opposition needs to do their job; a good government requires proper opposition,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Vision is to achieve diverse, resilient economy –– Dr Singh tells CDB President

SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says the government’s vision is to achieve a diverse and resilient economy.

The minister was speaking, on Saturday, at a review meeting for the projects being facilitated by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The meeting, which included newly elected CDB President, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon and his delegation, was hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

CDB President Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon “In fact, the world is replete with examples of countries that have discovered, produced and exported oil but are yet to

Despite the promise of prosperity, the minister said the government is under no illusion about the vulnerabilities faced

bank as an “outstanding partner”.

“I wish to say, Mr. President, that Guyana has always been a proud member, and we are even more so now, a proud member of the CDB, and a very proud member of CARICOM, and a proud and staunch defender and advocate of the regional integration movement,” he told the CDB delegation.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh The CDB President, of some projects the bank has facilitated, on the East along with his deleand West Bank of Demer- gation, wrapped up a ara. Ministers Edghill and two-day visit, which is Croal led those expedi- the first since he took up the post in May. Dr. tions.

Leon told the Depart-

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, escorts Caribbean Development Bank President, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon on an East Bank expedition to inspect ongoing housing and road works (DPI photo) “It goes without saying that the extraction, production and export of oil promised the opportunity of a very significant transformation in Guyana. But we recognize, with the abundance of examples around the world that becoming an oil and gas producer is by no means, on its own, an assurance of prosperity and long-term well-being for a country.

discover the prosperity that oil could beckon if it were, and if the broader economy were to be managed in the soundest possible manner,” Minister Singh said.

Dr. Singh said the government has constantly iterated the importance of a robust, widely diversified economy, and a particularly competitive non-oil economy.

by Guyana. He related the struggle the country has faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding.

The senior minister also noted the wider effects of climate-related disasters on the region.

Dr. Singh thanked the CDB for the contributions it has made to Guyana’s development and described the Caribbean

Road works funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (DPI photo) Oneidge Walrond were also part of the meeting.

During the afternoon, the CDB President was escorted to the locations

Dr. Leon was also shown some of the infrastructural projects the government is currently advancing.

ment of Public Information, (DPI) on Friday, that similar visits will be made to other CDB member countries. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Billionaire Branson rockets to the edge of space BILLIONAIRE Sir Richard Branson has successfully reached the edge of space on board his Virgin Galactic rocket plane.

The UK entrepreneur flew high above New Mexico in the US in the vehicle that his company has been developing for 17 years.

The trip was, he said, the “experience of a lifetime”.

He returned safely to Earth just over an hour after leaving the ground.

“I have dreamt of this moment since I was a kid, but honestly nothing can prepare you for the view of Earth from space,” he said in a press conference following the flight. “The whole thing was just magical.”

The trip also makes him

the first of the new space tourism pioneers to try out their own vehicles, beating Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and SpaceX’s Elon Musk.

The height reached by Sir Richard in the rocket plane, known as Unity, was 85km (282,000ft; 53 miles).

The businessman was accompanied on the mission by the vehicle’s two pilots, Dave Mackay and Michael Masucci, and three Galactic employees - Beth Moses, Colin Bennett and Sirisha Bandla.

The latter trio and Sir Richard were presented with commercial astronaut wings after the flight by former space station commander and Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield.

Monday July 12, 2021 –– 01:30hrs - 03:00hrs

Also on the flight: Two pilots and three crewmates from Virgin Galactic (BBC/ Virgin Galactic photo) Sir Richard billed the much better,” he said. “The who want to reach a height flight as a test of the space only way sometimes you can where they can see the sky tourism experience he ex- find these little things is to turn black and marvel at the pects to begin selling to cus- get in a spaceship and go to Earth’s horizon as it curves tomers from next year. space and experience it for away into the distance.

“I’ve had my notebook yourself.”

Such a flight should also with me and I’ve written Some 600 individuals afford them about five mindown 30 or 40 little things have already paid deposits utes of weightlessness during that will make the experi- for tickets that will cost them which they will be allowed to ence for the next person who up to $250,000 (£180,000). float around inside Unity’s goes to space with us that These are all people cabin.

It’s been a long road for Sir Richard to get to this point. He first announced his intention to make a space plane in 2004, with the belief he could start a commercial service by 2007.

But technical difficulties, including a fatal crash during a development flight in 2014, have made the space project one of the most challenging ventures of his career.

Space tourism is a sector being rekindled after a decade’s hiatus, and it’s about to get very competitive.

Throughout the 2000s, seven wealthy individuals paid to visit the International Space Station (ISS).

But this adventurism, organised under the patronage of the Russian space agency, ceased in 2009.

Now, new initiatives abound. As well as Sir Richard’s approach, there are projects coming from Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and the California tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The Russians, too, are reprising their commercial

flights to the ISS, and there are even those who want to launch private space stations for people to visit. Among these is Axiom, a company started by a former Nasa ISS programme manager.

Elon Musk travelled to New Mexico to support his friend, and following the flight Mr Bezos sent his congratulations.

There’s clearly something of an edge in the Branson-Bezos relationship, however.

On Friday, the retail billionaire’s Blue Origin space company had issued a tweet that took a pop at Virgin Galactic’s Unity vehicle.

The posting repeated a claim that anyone who flew on the rocket plane would forever have an asterisk by their name because they wouldn’t reach the “internationally recognised” altitude for where space begins - the so-called Kármán line of 100km.

The US government has always recognised the boundary of space to be at about 80km (50 miles) and it awards astronaut wings to anyone who exceeds this altitude. Before Sunday, only 580 people had ever been above this height.

Unity is a sub-orbital vehicle.

This means it can’t achieve the velocity and altitude necessary to keep it up in space to circle the globe.

The vehicle is designed to give its passengers stunning views at the top of its climb and allow them a few minutes to experience weightlessness.

Unity is first carried by a much bigger aeroplane to an altitude of about 15km (50,000ft), where it is released.

A rocket motor in the back of Unity then ignites to blast the ship skyward.

The maximum height achievable by Unity is roughly 90km (55 miles, or 295,000ft). Passengers are allowed to unbuckle to float to a window.

Unity folds its tailbooms on descent to stabilise its fall before then gliding home. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

US team to visit Haiti after President’s assassination A US delegation is due to visit Haiti to assess the security situation there following last week’s assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

The team will also meet three Haitian politicians, each of whom is claiming to be the country’s legitimate leader.

Moïse, 53, was killed at his Port-au-Prince residence on 7 July, by 28 foreign mercenaries including retired Colombian soldiers, Haitian police say.

His wife was injured in the attack, and then flown to the US for treatment.

Martine Moïse later described the moment assassins “riddled” her husband with bullets after bursting into their home in the middle of the night.

She said the attack happened so quickly, her husband Jovenel was unable to “say a single word”.

After the attack, Haiti’s authorities Haiti’s authorities asked the US

and the UN to send troops to the country to protect key infrastructure.

President Joe Biden’s administration initially rejected the request - but has now decided to have a closer look at the situation.

Among the members of the American delegation are senior security and justice officials, US media report.

Moïse had been president of Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, since 2017. His time in office was rocky as he faced accusations of corruption and there were widespread demonstrations in the capital and other cities earlier this year.

Parliamentary elections should have been held in October 2019 but disputes have delayed them, meaning Moïse had been ruling by decree. He had planned to hold a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes this September.

In February this year, on the day the opposi-

tion wanted him to leave office, Moïse said an attempt to kill him and overthrow the government had been foiled.

It is still unclear who organised Wednesday’s attack and with what motive. A number of questions remain unanswered, including how the alleged assassins were able to enter the property.

Moïse’s bodyguards are due to be questioned later this week.

One prominent opposition figure has openly expressed scepticism over the current version of events.

Former Haitian senator Steven Benoit told local station Magik9 radio on Friday it was “not Colombians who killed him”, but did not provide evidence to back up his claims.

Haitian police have said the majority of the mercenaries was Colombian, while two were joint US nationals.

Seventeen of the group were detained in the capital Port-au-Prince after a gun battle. Three suspects were killed by police, and eight others are still being sought.

Colombia’s government has pledged to assist Haiti with its inves-

Martine Moïse said her tears would “never dry” following her husband Jovenel’s assassination (pictured in 2017. EPA/BBC photo) tigation efforts.

Colombian police director, Gen Jorge Luis Vargas, said 17 former Colombian soldiers were thought to be involved.

The US state department, meanwhile, said it could not confirm if any of its citizens had been detained.

However, US and Canadian media are reporting that one of the dual citizens arrested, James Solages, 35, is from Florida and was a former bodyguard at the Canadian embassy in Haiti.

An investigating judge told local media that Solages and the other US

citizen, named as Joseph Vincent, had said they were there as translators for the mercenaries.

“The mission was to arrest President Jovenel Moïse... and not to kill him,” Judge Clément Noël told Le Nouvelliste.

The constitution says the National Assembly should choose another President.

But disputes meant that elections scheduled for October 2019 did not take place - and Moïse had been ruling by decree amid widespread protests.

Amendments to the constitution -- not accepted by everyone -- suggest

the prime minister should take over.

But Haiti has both an interim prime minister, Claude Joseph, and a new appointee, Ariel Henry, who has yet to be sworn in.

Both are claiming to be in charge.

On Friday, a group of political parties signed a resolution proclaiming a new President - Joseph Lambert - with Mr Henry acting as his PM. The situation is doing little to resolve the political and economic instability that has long plagued the nation.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Righting a Wrong THE PPP/C administration will soon commence disbursement of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant to parents and guardians of students attending public schools.

This is in keeping with a campaign promise by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to restore the cash grant, which was terminated by the previous APNU+AFC administration.

This year the grant has been increased to $15,000 which, along with the School Uniform and Supplies Grant of $4000, will amount to $19,000 payable for each child in the public education system. Approximately 172, 000 students will benefit from the programme, bringing the overall cost to $3.2 billion, which will go directly towards children and their parents across the country.

The implications of such payments cannot be underestimated. There are many parents, especially those in the lower-income

bracket, who are challenged financially to send their children to school, especially in cases where there are more than one children of school age. The initiative was implemented by the PPP/C administration with the aim of providing support to parents, thereby increasing their disposable incomes with a view to increasing school enrolment and attendance rates.

It would be recalled that the ‘Because We Care” programme was initiated by the previous PPP/C administration, but was discontinued by the David Granger administration after it took power in May 2015. As to why a government would want to bring such a programme to an end is puzzling, given the positive impact it had on attendance and enrolment rates. It does, however, speak to the degree of callousness and insensitivity by the previous APNU+AFC administration regarding the welfare and well-being of both students and parents.

Not only was the cash grant terminated by the previous administration, but it imposed the Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education institutions, which resulted in vigorous protest action from school administrators, parents and students.

Our parents and students need all the support they can get to ensure that their children benefit from the education opportunities offered by the government. Education is a key and critical factor, not only in terms of individual growth and development, but also in terms of national development. It is through education that the full potential of an individual can be developed and it is only through a sound and rounded education that young people can be fully integrated into society.

President Ali has repeatedly said that education is a top national priority as far as his administration is concerned and has pledged to remove all barriers to the access

of quality education at all levels, from nursery to university. The President has already put in place his on-line tertiary-level education programme and he is on record as saying that he intends to do away with tuition fees at the University of Guyana.

These are indeed commendable initiatives which will certainly pay dividends in terms of upgrading our human and social capital, so critical for national development.

President Ali and his PPP/C administration have demonstrated in a tangible way that when it comes to education it is prepared to make the necessary resources available to allow for the realisation of the full potential of our children and our young people.

As one former PPP Shadow Minister of Education, during a debate in Parliament remarked to the PNC side of the House, “If education is too expensive, try ignorance.”

Scientists weigh up evidence over COVID-19 origins

By Victoria Gill AMID the misery of a pandemic that has claimed at least four million lives, the scientific search for its origins has itself become toxic.

While it is now hideously ubiquitous, Sars-Cov-2 is still only an 18-month-old disease. And the search for its start was officially set in motion in 2020 by a World Health Organisation investigative team.

Questions over its conclusions have escalated into a heavily politicised feud. Some research scientists, who have tried to unpick the pandemic’s origins, have been accused of conspiracy and cover-up - based on no evidence.

Now, 21 researchers - all seeking to understand how a virus that originated in bats transferred into humans - aim to “set the record straight” by publishing their summary of the scientific evidence about the pandemic’s beginning.

“It’s not true that we don’t know where it came from -- we just don’t know how it got into humans,” says Glasgow University virologist Prof David Robertson.

It is widely accepted that an ancestor of the virus was originally a disease circulating harmlessly in wild bats. But it is vital to dis-

virus’s biological properties closely match viruses that have been found in nature - in bats.

This outbreak, he adds, looks very much like the emergence of the first Sars back in 2003.

In that case, the virus was isolated in a widely-traded animal called a palm civet.

Over the next few years researchers discovered very closely related viruses in bats, and in 2017, the ancestor of the Sars virus was found in a population of horseshoe bats in southern China.

The outbreak was essentially tracked and traced back to the wild animal it came from deadly mystery solved.

“The only difference [with COVID] is that we’ve not found the intermediate species this time,” Prof Robertson says.

“But the bat virus link and the strong association to markets selling live animals are both there.”

Similar to the Ebola outbreak, the coronavirus’s ‘ancestor’ is believed to have Crowded, unhygienic live animal marbeen a disease carried by wild bats (BBC photo) kets, many scientists agree, provide an ideal cover how, where and exactly when that first scientists who wrote this latest report want transmission hotspot for new diseases to “spill made its way into a person to prevent a similar to clarify the available evidence and what it over” from animals.

And in the 18 months up to the beginfuture outbreak. means.

There is no definitive piece of evidence They have published what is called a pre- ning of the pandemic, a study showed that - no COVID-positive bat or a confirmed first print, meaning it has not yet been reviewed nearly 50,000 animals - of 38 different s human case - to show conclusively how it and edited by other experts. And its key See page 7 started. That may never be known, but the conclusion, says Prof Robertson, is that this

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Boy 10 feared drowned at Hope seawall

WHAT was supposed to be a quiet Sunday afternoon, quickly turned into a nightmare for the family of 10-year-old Anand Mangru, after it was reported that he had presumably drowned.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the Hope, Lowland seawall, where the lad and two of his siblings were reportedly having an afternoon swim, several public-spirited persons were gathered to assist in a search for the missing child. His mother who was inconsolable, along with several of his relatives were also at the scene.

The woman, whose correct name this newspaper was unable to ascertain, was in and out of consciousness and was being comforted by residents and some of her relatives.

The lad’s aunt, Jenilee Jacobs told the Guyana Chronicle that around 17:00hrs her eldest nephew who is 13-years-old, alerted her that his younger sibling had gone missing under the water.

“Around four minutes to five, my big nephew come and I ask he what happen and he say ‘aunty call somebody’ and I say, ‘Who you want I call?’

He say call mommy and then he say he can’t find he little brother. I ask he what happen [and] he said he drowned,” the woman related.

Jacobs said she quickly ran out of her home and alerted neighbours.

Together, they began to search for her nephew.

“I told my girlfriend let we lock the door and go and one of my neighbours ask me what happen and

Persons gathered at the Hope seawall to look for the missing child I tell she how one of my nephew drown so everybody just run out.”

According to a resident, persons would often go to the seawall to “chill

and relax.” He said Anand and two of his siblings are regular swimmers.

The young man stated that the children would often be seen going far out

into the water when the tide is low. However, on Sunday afternoon the tide was high.

He noted that residents would often tell the chil-

dren not to go so far out but they would ignore their warnings.

Up to press time, residents were still searching for the missing boy.

Scientists weigh up evidence ...

From page 6

pecies - were sold at markets in Wuhan.

The researchers say that a natural spillover - probably linked to that animal trade - is by far the most likely COVID origin scenario.

The WHO team that visited Wuhan drew similar conclusions. But its apparent dismissal of the possibility the virus might have leaked accidentally from a laboratory stirred dissent among some scientists.

The laboratory under scrutiny is the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has studied coronaviruses in bats for more than a decade.

The authors of this new report point out that none of those were, or could have been, manipulated to become Sars-Cov-2. But some scientists do not entirely accept that conclusion, including Prof David Relman, of the US’s Stanford University.

“I see this [new report] as a deliberate effort to marshal all the possible information in support of what is a perfectly good hypothesis - natural spillover - but [it’s] not balanced and objective,” he told BBC News.

Prof Relman was one

of the authors of a letter to the high-profile scientific journal, Science, in which senior scientists questioned the WHO report’s conclusions and asked for a more thorough investigation into the so-called lab leak hypothesis.

Scientists often disagree with each other - that is part of the scientific process. And publishing evidence-based opinions in scientific journals is the platform for that evidence-based disagreement.

But the “lab leak v natural spillover” debate has moved beyond robust scientific disagreement.

In February 2020, Peter Daszak, who led the WHO investigation, was accused of silencing any debate over the possibility of a lab leak when he and 26 co-authors issued a statement in the Lancet medical journal stating: “We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin.”

More than a year later, US President Joe Biden ordered his own intelligence agency to “redouble” efforts to investigate Sars-Cov-2’s origins, including the theory that it came from a labora-

tory.

Around that time, some scientists who had publicly dismissed the lab leak scenario came under attack, particularly on social media.

One who has worked on Sars-Cov-2’s evolutionary origins since the pandemic’s early days says the evidence points to a natural spillover.

He said he considered leaving his field of research because the abuse had become so bad.

The researcher, who did not want to be identified because they feared further harassment, said: “I’ve had email hacks, emails that attempt to entrap me, and claims that I’ve faked data and am part of some sort of a systemic cover-up. And others have had it far, far worse.

“All of this takes a toll and makes you question your worth.”

While the arguments have escalated over the past year, there has been no new scientific evidence pointing to a laboratory leak. And significantly, scientists almost all agree that a robust search for evidence of Sars-Cov-2’s origins is the only positive way forward.

“What we don’t need right now is for scientists to insist on their favourite explanation in the absence of new, solid data,” says Prof Relman.

“Sars-Cov-2 has not been found in any natural animal host. Let’s just cool it and demand a proper investigation.”

Prof Stuart Neil, from King’s College London, a

co-author of the new report, points out that demands will not necessarily lead to the conclusion for which everyone is searching. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Global food prices fall for first time in 12 months GLOBAL food commodity prices fell in June for the first time in 12 months, according to a benchmark United Nations report.

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 124.6 points in June 2021, down 2.5 per cent from May, but still 33.9 per cent higher than its level in the same period last year.

The decline in June marked the first drop in the Index following twelve consecutive monthly increases.

The FAO Food Price Index tracks changes in international prices of the most globally traded food commodities. The drop in June reflected declines in the prices of vegetable oils, cereals and, though more moderately, dairy products,

which more than offset generally higher meat and sugar quotations.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index fell by 9.8 per cent in the month, marking a four-month low. The sizeable month-on-month drop mainly reflects lower international prices of palm, soy and sunflower oils.

The FAO Cereal Price Index fell by a more moderate 2.6 per cent from May, but remained 33.8 percent higher than its value in June 2020.

International maize prices dropped by 5.0 per cent, led by falling prices in Argentina due to increased supplies from recent harvests as a result of higher-than-earlier expected yields. International wheat prices declined slightly

by 0.8 per cent in June, with a favourable global outlook supported by improved production prospects in many key producers outweighing most of the upward pressure from dry conditions affecting crops in North America.

The FAO Dairy Price Index fell by one per cent to 119.9 points in June. International quotations for all dairy products represented in the index fell, with butter registering the highest drop, underpinned by a fast decline in global import demand and a slight increase in inventories, especially in Europe.

The FAO Sugar Price Index moved against the overall food price trend, rising by 0.9 per cent monthon-month, marking the third

The FAO Food Price Index fell in June for the first time in 12 months (FAO photo) consecutive monthly increase and reaching a new multiyear high. Uncertainties over the impact of unfavourable weather conditions on crop yields in Brazil, the world’s largest sugar exporter, exerted upward pressure on prices.

The FAO Meat Price Index also rose by 2.1 per cent over the month to June, continuing the increases for the ninth consecutive month and placing the index 15.6 per cent above its value in the corresponding month last year, but still 8.0 per cent below its peak reached in August 2014.

WORLD CEREAL INVENTORIES EXPECTED TO RISE FAO’s forecast for global cereal production in 2021 has been lowered marginally to 2 817 million tonnes, according to the latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief released today.

However, the figure remains 1.7 per cent, or 47.8 million tonnes, higher than in 2020, which would mark a new record high.

Forecasts for world coarse grains production have been cut back to 1 513 million tonnes, 3 million tonnes below last month’s expectation. A large cut to the Brazilian maize production forecast accounts for the bulk of the expected global decline, with prolonged periods of dry weather dragging down yield expectations.

World wheat output in 2021 has been lowered by 1 million tonnes to 784.7 million tonnes, still 1.2 per cent higher year-on-year, as the dry weather conditions in the Near East cut back yield prospects.

By contrast, the forecast of global rice production in 2021 has undergone a slight upward adjustment since June, with a record of 519.5 million tonnes of rice now

expected to be harvested in 2021, up 1.0 per cent from 2020.

World cereal utilization in 2021/22 has been lowered by 15 million tonnes from the previous month to 2 810 million tonnes, nevertheless still 1.5 per cent higher than in 2020/21. The downward revision comes largely from lower-than-earlier-anticipated utilisation of maize in China for animal feed.

World cereal stocks by the close of seasons in 2021/22 are now forecast to rise above their opening levels for the first time since 2017/18, following a sharp upward revision to 836 million tonnes, up 2.4 per cent from last year’s relatively tight level. Higher maize stocks foreseen in China account for the bulk of this month’s upward revision to world cereal inventories.

FAO’s latest forecast for world trade in cereals in 2021/22 has been raised slightly since June and now stands at a record 472 million tonnes, driven primarily by likely large maize purchases from China taking global maize trade to record levels.

FOOD INSECURITY AND COVID-19 The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in terms of income losses, have exacerbated vulnerabilities and heightened existing levels of food insecurity according to the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report, which will also be released on Thursday.

FAO assesses that globally 45 countries, including 34 in Africa, 9 in Asia and 2 in Latin America and the Caribbean, are in need of external assistance for food, with conflicts and climate-related shocks continuing to underpin the high levels of severe

food insecurity.

The Crop Prospects and Food Situation report also provides the latest data on Low-Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs).

According the most recent assessments, total cereal production of the 47 LIFDCs is forecast to decline by 2.1 per cent in 2021, to 190 million tonnes. The drop mostly relates to expected production downturns in Near East Asian countries, notably in Afghanistan and the Syrian Arab Republic, where widespread and prolonged drought conditions cut yields and dampened this year’s production prospects.

Among the LIFDCs in Africa, scarce rainfall in Somalia is expected to result in a sizeable production decline, and small reductions are also likely in several West African countries, where conflicts continue to erode farming households’ productive capacities. In Southern African countries, production upturns are expected to boost households’ food availability and partly offset some negative effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 45 countries in need of external assistance for food are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (FAO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 12, 2021

Majority of patients who died in COVID-19 ICU had comorbidities

A MAJORITY of the severely ill patients who were receiving treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Georgetown were also battling with comorbidities, according to Head of Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Mahendra Carpen.

During a recent edition of the ‘Your Doctor and COVID’ television programme, Dr. Carpen provided information that indicated that there were a total of 201 COVID-19 deaths recorded in the ICU

during the first six months of this year.

Importantly, out of those 201 patients who were infected with the disease, COVID-19 and subsequently died while receiving treatment in the ICU, a total of 172 of them had comorbidities. Contextually, patients who receive treatment in the COVID-19 ICU are those who are experiencing the severe symptoms of the disease and may have difficulties breathing on their own.

Comorbidities, Dr. Carpen explained, are other underlying health conditions that an individual may have. What this

means is that in addition to grappling with COVID-19, the patients could have had other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis and asthma.

“I put this to you to highlight which group of persons are at highest risk,” Dr. Carpen said, emphasising that people with such comorbidities are more susceptible to the severe and possibly life-threatening effects of COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, last year, comorbidities has been a central concern, since

Rigging allegations: Kuru Kuru Co-operative Society elections postponed THE Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kuru Kuru Co-operative Society came to an abrupt end, on Sunday, after allegations of voter fraud, during the election of office bearers, led to an altercation.

That was according to Regional Councillor of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Four, Raghunandan Singh, who told the Guyana Chronicle that the long overdue elections saw rigging attempts by persons in a desperate bid to hold on to power.

Reports indicated that Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and Coalition members Van West Charles, Daniel Seeram and Edward Collins were present at the election.

“Thanks to the Chief Co-op Officer who was vigilant and realised what was taking place. The election was aborted because the process was not transparent and in keeping with the laws of the co-op.”

Singh stated.

According to him, several persons who were not members of the co-op were registered to vote and that resulted in legitimate members being denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.

It was reported that several of the persons who had turned up to cast their vote were not members of the co-op. Singh noted that it was under the watchful eye

of the members of the community, the Community Development Council and the Chief Co-Op Officer that the plan was thwarted.

“They had a lot of persons who are not members of the co-op registered to vote today [Sunday] and deny the rightful members of the co-op from voting,” said Singh.

He noted that one voter in particular who is a recognised member of the co-op, on Sunday made it known that his name was conveniently left off of the voters’ list.

Singh stated that the Chief Co-op Officer made the decision to have the elections postponed to a later date. A new date is yet to be identified for the hosting of credible and transparent elections.

According to Singh, it would have been the first elections at the Kuru Kuru Co-operative Society in 10 years. He noted that elections are expected to be held every three years.

Regional Chairman of the Region Four, Daniel Seeram, on Sunday, confirmed that Harmon was present at the meeting.

During the interview with this newspaper, he indicated that he was not in a position to speak about any of the allegations as he made an early exit which was prior to the commencement of the elections.

medical research found that patients with comorbidities were indeed at a higher risk. In fact, when Guyana had recorded its first six deaths by April 2020, the Guyana Chronicle reported that the people who died had comorbidities.

This has not changed and now, 16 months into the pandemic, Dr. Carpen has emphasised, “... this group of people (those with comorbidities) should be the first in line to get the vaccines.”

He added, “Even if you do get COVID, it will protect you and you won’t get the bad outcomes that you are particularly liable to

without the vaccines.”

On this same programme, Dr. Carpen provided statistics to show that in the months of April, May and June there were a total of 152 COVID-19 deaths recorded in the COVID-19 ICU but none of those patients were fully vaccinated and only six patients received their first COVID-19 ‘jab’.

As such, he urged all individuals to come forward and take their vaccines. On numerous occasions, the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has emphasised that no fully vaccinated individual has died after testing positive for COVID-19.

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Head of Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Mahendra Carpen During one of his daily COVID-19 updates in June, he explained that vaccinated individuals may become infected with the coronavirus but those individuals would not experience the more severe, or life-threatening symptoms since they are protected by the vaccines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 12, 2021

Toxic relationships and children

Names have been changed to protect identities RELATIONSHIPS should be healthy, whether they’re between adults and children, mothers and fathers, or people with whom they come into contact. Whoever you interact with, you need to feel comfortable and confident, and you need the person to also feel at ease. It doesn’t cost much to be courteous to workmates, children, relatives or strangers, having good relationships with people gives you peace of mind and less stress in your life.

Relationships built on

rocky foundations can be unhealthy. Traits such as manipulation or controlling behaviour, lack of trust and communication between parties and deceit causes dysfunction. When one party is forever putting down the other or when one seeks to dominate the other through passive-aggressive behaviour, these are also matters of concern. If the harmful elements are not recognised, discussed and rectified by the parties without delay, they usually lead to problems, arguments and even (domestic)

violence.

Anything unsettling in a relationship should be dealt with and nipped in the bud, rather than left to fester.

Love sometimes turns to hate when ‘little things’ and inner thoughts are not brought to the forefront and dealt with.

When they are glossed over day by day, adults lose focus of the problems and how they began; all they know is they can’t stand each other anymore. There is a saying in Guyana, ‘teeth and tongue must bite,’ which means that in every relationship, there

will be disagreements and arguments. But adults must know where to draw the line and when to admit that their relationship is not just bad but toxic.

After living with her partner for several years and giving birth to two children, Cynthia explained, ‘I would be eating my dinner in the kitchen, and as soon as I heard his key in the door, my stomach felt full, I didn’t want to eat anymore. We were at each other day and night quarrelling, shouting and angry about nothing in particular; we just couldn’t ‘take’ each other anymore.

Our relationship was over,

old daughter begged me not to quarrel with mummy today, it was the last straw; I had to leave. We were making each other miserable, and it was affecting our children.”

Reginald lived with his girlfriend and son for many years, but their household was not a happy one; he recalls, “While arguing one day I wanted to slap her, I really wanted to get physical. That is when I realised our relationship had hit rock bottom. I looked at myself and thought, how did I reach this stage? I know this is not how relationships should be.

I made up my mind that day

problematic behaviour.

Children can benefit from parents having a good relationship whether they live together or apart. But first, they have to care more about their child than their emotions, shortcomings, fears and doubts. Parents are the ones who set a moral compass for children, either collectively or individually, so adults must agree on how they will raise their children.

Witnessing negative adult behaviour can have a longterm effect on children’s physical, emotional and social health. It could lead to depression and substance dependency. Most parents

but we lived together because neither of us had anywhere else to go.’

Rather than live in a toxic environment, when parties know their relationship is irreconcilable, it is healthier for them to live part. Ronnie, a father of three, was in an equally destructive relationship, he said, “I wanted to give our marriage one last try to see if I could make it work. My mother was a single parent, and I didn’t want my children growing up without a father. But too much bitterness had passed between my wife and me; we could not work it out or reach common ground. She didn’t trust me, and I doubted her loyalty, these negative vibes were going on for years and tainted everything we aimed to achieve as a family.

“When my seven-year-

to leave. Today I have a better relationship with my ex and my son. I see him regularly and take him to football matches and any place he needs to go. We hang out as often as possible, and it works better this way. I’m glad I made a move.”

Many parents do not realise the spill-over effect their toxic relationships have on their children. They believe that children should weather the storm along with them.

But toxicity in relationships leads to displaced anger, aggression, stress, and anxiety in adults. How, then, can they be fair and level-headed in their parental duties, enough so for their offspring to emulate? Instead, they send out confusing and sometimes conflicting messages to children and become perplexed when their children portray

want to see their children grow up to be healthy inside and out and become valuable members of society. Parents can achieve this goal by providing the right environment for their children, not one filled with conflict, aggression, hostility, antagonism, or bitterness; these negative aspects can harm children, even if they seem to be striving and coping well. There is a better way to raise children and parents are the key.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, July 12, 2021

Extension services being reorganised to ensure efficiency

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_ Minister Mustapha tells residents $40M in budget to assist with land-clearing for agriculture _ gov’t to focus on producing more packaged sugar ON Saturday last, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, met with residents and farmers from Canje, Berbice and assured them that assessments are ongoing to determine the amount of losses they have suffered as a result of the recent flooding.

During a meeting at the Betsy Ground Primary School, in East Canje, Berbice, Minister Mustapha informed the residents that a team from his ministry has been in the region conducting an assessment. Some residents raised concerns about not being visited by any representative from the ministry so far.

After hearing these claims, Minister Mustapha asked the various heads of department for the list of farmers visited so far. It was later confirmed that farmers who made claims of being omitted from the exercise were not around when the officers visited their farms.

It was also discovered that the extension staff did indeed capture their losses but, in many cases, their relatives gave the officers ‘call names’ and not official names.

GOING HOUSE TO HOUSE “I’m sure you would’ve heard me say that an assessment must be done to verify the losses that people suffered during the flood. Those instructions were given across the country. We have teams in Region Six comprising of officers from NAREI, GLDA, GRDB, and the other agencies that are supposed to be going house to house to

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

do these assessments. If those officers are not doing this, they will be held accountable.

For too long people have been receiving salaries at the end of the month for substandard work. Farmers have been saying that they are making requests but those requests are not being fulfilled and, in turn, the government is being blamed. We have been making the necessary resources available, so there should be no excuse for not carrying out the work. This is why I’m in the process of re-organising the entire extension arm of the ministry,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also disclosed that $40 million has been allocated to carry out land clearing for agricultural development across the country.

“Usually, when I traverse the country, farmers make requests for land-clearing.

We asked the RDC to give us some areas. We have $40

million in our budget to do land-clearing for agriculture.

Those funds are under the NDIA work programme. If those requests don’t come to us, we cannot expend those funds. We’ve been working through all the local bodies,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also told residents that the Pepper Sluice, which is located in Canefield, Canje will be reactivated and that the NDIA will be making machines available to execute all of the works residents have requested. He also advised residents to work with their various regional officers to make requests for projects so that funds can be made available in the 2022 budget.

ROSE HALL ESTATE Minister Mustapha told residents that government was aggressively moving ahead with the planed reopening of the Rose Hall Estate.

“We are pushing for Rose Hall. Last week, we signed a number of contracts for equipment for the estate.

Equipment to do tillage and so on. We’ve had several meetings with the estate’s manager. Planting there has commenced and, hopefully, we can get the factory going by the end of next year. It will take a lot of resources to move Rose Hall. We have limited resources but we are working very hard. Our objective is to reduce the cost of production and, over the next few years, GuySuCo will be working to ensure more effort is put into packaged sugar rather than bulk sugar because packet sugar is more lucrative. So when

A section of those who attended the meeting

we open estates like the one at Rose Hall, that will be our focus. We are also looking to improve Guy-

SuCo’s packaging plants.

We have one at Enmore and one at Blairmont and we are looking to improve those

by making them larger so that we can produce more packaged sugar,” Minister Mustapha added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 12, 2021

New bridge to link Diamond-Mocha

A BRAND new steel and concrete composite bridge being built at the new Great Diamond – Herstelling, East Bank Demerara road will create a linkage between the Great Diamond – Herstelling Road and the Mocha-Arcadia Main Access Road.

During an inspection, on Friday, of the several sites along the East Bank of Demerara corridor where infrastructural works are ongoing, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, observed that the bridge has begun to take shape, as concrete piles have been driven and works are expected to progress over the coming weeks.

Upon completion, the multimillion-dollar bridge, the new linkage between the Great Diamond-Herstelling road and the Mocha-Arcadia main access road, will, in turn, provide an alternative access route to Providence and Eccles, significantly enhancing commute for hundreds of residents in the area.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and other officials from his Ministry and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), inspecting works along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Accompanied by Deputy Director of Projects at the Ministry, Intakab Indarjeet, the minister also visited a new housing development in Little Diamond, where land clearing, the construction of access roads, bridges and the development of drainage and irrigation systems is ongoing.

In addition, during their time on the on the ground, Minister Croal and Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Word-

sworth, engaged residents in the Mocha-Arcadia area.

The residents raised concerns relating to the drainage systems and their farmlands and the officials gave the residents all assurances that adequate drainage infrastructure will be implemented as part of the ministry’s development policies, a press release from the ministry noted.

It is expected that during this week, the Housing Minister will be engaging the contractors of these and other projects along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Works ongoing on the new bridge which will be situated at the new Great Diamond – Herstelling, East Bank Demerara road and create a linkage between the Great Diamond – Herstelling Road and the Mocha-Arcadia Main Access Road

$200M for road works at Big Biaboo, Moleson Creek

IN keeping with government’s overarching plan to develop and modernise infrastructure across the country, the Ministry of Public Works has set aside some $200 million for major road works in Big Biaboo in Region Five and Moleson Creek in Region Six. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in an invited comment on Sunday said that the scheduled road upgrades are part of the government’s roadmap for growth and advancement in the local economy.

He noted that for years,

residents of both communities have unavoidably traversed the deteriorated roads which have outlived their time.

Minister Edghill said the impending work will significantly improve the standard of living of those who reside in those communities. Upgrades to the road networks will also provide opportunities for improved commerce and innovation.

In Region Five, road construction will be done on the Big Biaboo road, De Hoop, to the tune of $50 million and in Region Six,

work on the roadway from Moleson Creek to El dorado will be done to the tune of $150 million.

Minister Edghill noted that in both communities, the roads are earthen. He said new concrete roads will be constructed as a way to modernise the infrastructure and provide a more accessible commute to and from those communities.

He further noted that the Moleson Creek to El dorado road will play a pivotal role as it will lead to the proposed site of the new Corentyne River bridge.

The Corentyne River bridge

is part of government’s plan to link Guyana and neighbouring Suriname.

According to the minister, the construction of these roads would largely influence housing in the area.

“You know the story, once a road is there and people can get access, people would try to develop the area for housing and eventually live. People will start moving in because there is a road and there is access.

So, even if there [isn’t] a planned housing scheme, people own lands in those areas so there is a likelihood of people moving in

this direction,” he told this publication.

He noted that presently he is unaware if there are any plans to develop housing schemes in the area but he expressed a strong belief that persons who own land there would take up the opportunity to develop those lands for home-building.

Minister Edghill further stated that several persons already reside in the area.

“Right now if you go down in that mud dam, which I did, there are houses in the area but very sporadic, so I guess once you have

a road that could increase. And there is also a school at the back there and that’s also a resource and a reason that I believe persons would be open to moving there. But the issue right now with the school is that the children have to be traversing in sometimes knee deep [in] mud during the rainy season and the only access was tractors and sometimes the tractors would stick, but this new road would alleviate that issue,” said Minister Edghill.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, July 12, 2021

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Operations at Ebini Research Station to be refocused

THE government has signalled its intention to resuscitate the agricultural sector. Since taking office, strides have been made towards improving the sector through investments in areas of improved research and technology.

These plans were further expressed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a visit to the ministry’s Research Station at Ebini, which is located in Region 10, along the Berbice River.

Although the station has established orchards, a germplasm coconut plantation, and demonstration farms for crops such as corn, over the years the station was unable to make an impact on the overall development of the sector.

Minister Mustapha said although some amount of research is being done at the station, it is not being done on the scale that is required.

“This station was not only established to research new things but also test existing varieties and genetic material for both crops and livestock species. Although the staff here have been doing some amount of research, it isn’t being done on a scale that

Barbados black-belly sheep at Ebini

could make an impact on the sector’s development. With Guyana now taking up the leading role in advancing the agri-food system in the Caribbean, I will be working to refocus the operations of this facility. Our agencies here have been operating without uniformity. Officers have not been working with a general work programme and that has to change. I intend to appoint an agriculture coordinator to manage the station. That way, our agencies can have some amount of synergy rather than continuing to work in isolation,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister also said his ministry is looking to establish and rehabilitate a number

of critical infrastructures in the station.

“In addition to changing the way our agencies operate in Ebini, we’ll be embarking on a number of rehabilitation projects. We’ll also be putting some critical infrastructure in place, like the research lab, the training room, the water system, and seed-storage bond,” Minister Mustapha said.

CATTLE AND SMALL RUMINANTS The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been able to have relatively good successes at Ebini. At present, the GLDA has a herd of over 1,000 heads of cattle for both dairy and beef production

there. Additionally, Ebini is home to over 500 heads of Barbados black-belly sheep, the largest single flock in the Caribbean.

“We have a number of breeding animals here. In terms of cattle, we have five different breeds at the research station here. We have to ensure we enhance our stock, especially now that we are looking to expand our livestock sector. A lot of work will have to be done here especially with the new abattoirs that we will be constructing. GLDA’s breeding programme will have to be ramped up to ensure farmers have greater access to quality breeding animals,” Minister Mustapha said.

CROPS As it relates to crop research, Minister Mustapha expressed his dissatisfaction with the facility’s production.

“The coconut germ-plasm also needs a lot of work. I was not satisfied with the condition of the trees. I was also informed that for the years that the plantation has been in existence, it has not been producing the way it should. I’ve since instructed the CEO of NAREI to look into it because if this plantation is supposed to be the model cultivation with the capacity to supply the entire country with stock, it should be in a position to produce. “ The minister also said investments will also be made to facilitate the large-scale production of crops such as corn and soya bean.

“We are also embarking on new projects like largescale production of crops like corn and soya-bean. There is a trial plot in Tacama that is being done by a group of private investors. The government will also be investing close to $500 million to construct an access road to go to that area, and in another two years, that cultivation will be tremendous. We are looking

to become self-sufficient in the production of proteins for the poultry sector and to export to the Caribbean.

Guyana has the potential to do great things in agriculture.

For years the sector lacked the leadership needed to advance the sector and now that we have resumed office, the PPP/C government will be providing that leadership to ensure Guyana’s agriculture sector.”

Minister Mustapha said he remains optimistic that with the importance being placed on agriculture in Guyana once again, research stations such as the one located in Ebini will be able to fulfil their intended purpose. The Ebini Research Station is one of the oldest continuous research entities in Guyana and was established in 1940. The station initially started as a livestock research station. The crop research station was established in the early-mid 1960s. Over the years the station has been responsible for the development of a number of crop and livestock farming systems applicable to the Intermediate Savannahs.

(DPI)

$3.2B in school children grants not limited to uniforms, school items – Education Minister

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, says parents/ guardians will not be limited to purchasing school items with the government’s $3.2B Because We Care and school items cash grants.

The minister told DPI, on Sunday, that the $19,000 per child grant could be used to purchase a variety of items – as long as the children benefit. She related an encounter with a parent during a public consultation on the government grants programme to make the point.

“A mother stood up and said that she is going to buy a black tank with her grant because with a black tank, her children can get water in the house, and they don’t have to come out at nights when they are studying to use water downstairs. They would no longer have to get up early

in the morning to fetch water upstairs. So, people use it for different sort of reasons, but it will be to the benefit of the children and to the family.”

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent nationwide flooding have inflicted economic hardships in Guyana.

To this end, the minister stated that it could be used to purchase foodstuff for the home.

“If you use it only for food in this pandemic, it’s for your children. If you use it for data, it’s for your children. I think you can see a wide variety that this can be used for, and I don’t think that we should limit people to saying that it must be used for uniforms.”

Approximately 172,000 public school pupils – from nursery to CAPE students – will benefit from the grants.

“This is not a grant per

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

household; it is a grant per child in the public school system. If you have two children, then you will get $38,000. If you have four children, then it will be

$76,000. If you have 10 children, and I know people who do, then you get $190, 000,” Minister Manickchand said.

The minister noted that

due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a decision was made to award the school uniform and supplies grant in cash rather than the voucher as was previously done. Dis-

tribution is set to kick off in five regions this week and is slated to last for the next three weeks.

Parents or guardians are asked to walk with a valid form of identification when uplifting the grants. The acceptable forms of identification are the National Identification Card, Driver’s Licence or passport. Persons who do not possess any of these documents can still uplift the grant, but their relationship with the child must be confirmed by a senior official in the community or the school’s headteacher.

The distribution schedule will be posted on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page, the ministry’s website, and in today’s and later editions of the daily newspapers.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to visit the respective schools on the scheduled date to uplift the grants. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 12, 2021

Dr Kanhai moves over to URP _ elected Chair, Dr Bandhu re-elected party leader

DR Vishnu Bandhu was unanimously re-elected leader of the United Republican Party (URP) when members of the United Republican Party (URP) held their general elections at the party’s head office, Liberty House, at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

According to a release, founder and former high-ranking executive member of The New Movement (TNM), one of the new political parties formed to contest the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai, was elected Chairman of the party.

Other persons elected to the URP executive are Eon Halls, Vice-President; Pastor Marcia Lewis, General Secretary; Movika Balkaran, Assistant General Secretary; Junia Brijraj, Treasurer; Jagranie Debi, Assistant Treasurer; Rawle Aaron, Public Relations Officer; Christopher Bianchini, Organizing Secretary; Gaitri Maraj, Assistant Organising Secretary; Sara Beria, Youth Leader; and Baanmatti Balkaran, Women’s Leader.

Elected as trustees were

Ganesh Rajkumar, Haresh Singh and Roop Kumar Persaud.

Dr. Bandhu in his feature address told party members who turned out in their numbers at the party’s headquarters, Liberty House, that the

FARMERS of Ithaca, Region Five, will soon see a boost in agricultural activity following the establishment of the village’s first Commu-

nity Development Council (CDC).

On Saturday, a brief inauguration ceremony was held at the Ithaca Primary School to

The United Republican Party executives following the general elections at the party’s head office, Liberty House, at Vreed-En-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday

URP intends to remain relevant in the political landscape of the country. He gave a synopsis of the party’s existence.

He said, “I promise that the United Republican Party will continue to fight for justice and equality for all in

Guyana.” The party leader emphasised that the party is happy to invite onboard “young blood” to take the ideas and concepts of the party to the masses.

He applauded young political activist Dr. Josh Kan-

hai for coming on board and charged him and the other elected members to give their best and to deliver to the people, a country that all can be happy to live in.

Dr. Bandhu was adamant that campaigning for 2025

elections must begin now if the URP is to make a significant impact on those elections.

Newly elected Chairman Dr. Josh Kanhai said: “I am elated to be a part of the URP and I am thankful for the confidence my fellow members have placed in me by electing me as Chairman. The URP as a third force is much needed, for we will strive to create the balance as well as continue to fight for equal justice and rights for all Guyanese. We will strive to secure a future for our children and grandchildren and we will do so in the spirit of teamwork; the organisation is nothing without a dedicated team. We will build each other and upon that we will stand firm and keep moving forward.”

The URP contested the 2020 National and Regional elections in all 10 administrative regions. During the period following the elections, the URP was very determined that justice be served, thus, the URP participated in the 2020 national recount process, helping to ensure that any attempt to derail the elections was not successful, the release concluded.

Council formed to boost agriculture in Ithaca officially activate the council.

Residents who attended the ceremony nominated and elected Michael Jacque as chairman; Utundy Grant as

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with members of Ithaca’s Community Development Council (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

vice-chairman; Jewel Sinclair as secretary and Adrian Douglas, treasurer. Jermain Benjamin, Nikita Sampson, and Akelia Benjamin were also elected to serve as members of the council.

Jacque in brief remarks during the ceremony assured residents that the council will be working with all categories of farmers in the village.

“This group will be open to all the residents of Ithaca.

It will not be restricted to a particular part or group of persons within the community.

I will try my best to give it my all so that we can have full development throughout the community. We are willing to work with the government,” Jacque said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who was also present, told the gathering that the government will be providing the necessary resources available to push agriculture in the community.

“We remain committed to working with you to ensure that your community fits into the government’s overall development drive. I visited Ithaca a few months ago and there was a call for a group to be formed to collaborate with the government, so that this community can once again become a thriving community in the country. I’m here to fulfil that commitment and this is only the beginning of good things to happen for this community,” the minister declared.

Minister Mustapha reiterated that the overall goal

of government is to ensure that Guyana becomes an agricultural power house in the Caribbean. He added that with the renewed interest in the agricultural sector, the government will be working to ensure that all of the agriculture groups have the necessary resources to boost production in the various communities.

Minister Mustapha said the various agencies under his ministry will be working with the newly formed council.

“Agencies like NAREI and the GLDA will be working with you to develop your production and livestock.

NAREI will be working to ensure you develop your crops and grow new and more high- value crops.”

DDL receives GMP, HACCP certification

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, July 12, 2021

LOCAL manufacturing giants, Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) recently received their recertification for both the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and

ny has also seen the need for many other inspections, training & analytical services that the group provides globally. With this in mind, a branch office for SGS was registered in Guyana in late

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with SGS since it became the first local company to implement ISO 9001 quality management system with SGS in 1995. The company is due for recertification of this standard later this year.

From left to right: Deputy Branch Manager, SGS Guyana – Davie Sukdeo; Regional Managing-Director, SGS Central America and the Caribbean Region – Cedric Catheline; Managing-Director, DDL – Ramesh Persaud; Director – Technical Services, DDL – Sharon Sue-Hang Baksh; Snr Quality Assurance Chemist, DDL – Keisha Hercules-Fraser

Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems from SGS. In a simple ceremony at the Demerara Distillers Limited head office at Diamond last week, both certificates were handed over by the Regional Managing-Director for SGS Central America and the Caribbean, Cedric Catheline, and were received by the Managing-Director of DDL, Ramesh Persaud, in the presence of other SGS and DDL officials.

The GMP certification was first issued to DDL in 2018, whilst the HACCP was done in 2015. Both certifications were issued by SGS. Managing-Director for SGS Central America & the Caribbean region, Cedric Catheline, was delighted to meet with the team at DDL and commented that SGS has not only seen an increase in the need for these internationally recognised standards in Guyana, but the compa-

2019.

Director – Technical Services at DDL, Sharon Sue-Hang, expressed her satisfaction at the service provided by SGS through the years and has said that DDL has always strived to implement a high level of quality standards at their manufacturing plants. The GMP is a system that ensures that manufacturing products such as food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are consistently produced and controlled according to set quality standards. The HACCP, on the other hand, is an international approval system that recognises that a food business has developed, documented and implemented systems and procedures to identify and control food-safety hazards and critical control points that may occur within the food business DDL is also a pioneer for ISO certification in Guyana

DDL is among eight other Guyanese companies that are presently certified by SGS with the ISO 9001 standard.

Today, with the emerging oil and gas industry, many other local companies have recognised the importance of quality-management certification and are in the process of obtaining this certification among others relating to industrial hygiene, safety or the environment.

Deputy Branch Manager of SGS Guyana, Davie Sukdeo, stressed that, like many other global companies, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the full phase one plan of SGS’ operations in Guyana. Despite this setback, the company is forging ahead with engagements both at a governmental level and with the private sector companies in Guyana to raise the bar on international standards.

The SGS Guyana branch is registered with the Centre for Local Business Develop-

ment and has already been working with several other Guyanese companies that have expressed interest in the ISO 9001 certification.

SGS is headquartered

in Switzerland and is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

The company is recognised as the global benchmark

for quality and integrity.

With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

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Football’s coming home to Rome!

Italy win penalty shootout

(BBC) - Italy inflicted heartbreak on England to win the Euro 2020 final after a penalty shoot-out at London’s Wembley Stadium on Sunday, with pundits and ex-players paying tribute afterwards to both teams.

Luke Shaw gave England an early lead and Leonardo Bonucci equalised in the second half to send the game into extra time, but neither

was able to add to their tally and Gianluigi Donnarumma made the crucial shoot-out save from Bukayo Saka to win the title for Italy.

“Football is a cruel, cruel game at times. Those boys have performed heroically for a month, such a shame that it has to come down to a situation like this,” former England striker Alan Shearer said on the BBC. Former Italy fullback,

Gianluca Zambrotta, was gleeful.

“An unforgettable night for our Azzurri! What a fantastic achievement for Roberto Mancini and his team.

They deserved to win this second Euro title, and their performance from the opening game in Rome one month ago has been perfect!” he said.

“You have added more history to our national team

and you all should be very proud! Congrats Champions, now it’s time to celebrate all together!”

Rio Ferdinand, who played 81 times for England and scored three times, thanked Gareth Southgate’s side for their efforts.

“Obviously, huge disappointment. But as you can see, the fans clapping the players. They have brought us a joy, that definitely my

generation and below have never felt watching an England team,” he said.

“They lifted the country up when we needed it. It’s a harsh, harsh game when it gets to this stage. It’s a painful way to lose it ... Italy will enjoy it and credit to them.”

Former England midfielder Frank Lampard praised both sides.

“We’ve seen individuals and the (England) team

grow. We’ve seen the nation grow behind the team. Italy controlled the elements of the game. We must give them credit. They deserve their victory,” he said.

“The effort this England team put in, we felt it so dear to our hearts and we wanted them to get over the line. Finals are won by moments. It can go any way. Penalties are so tough.

It’s the nature of the game.”

Messi’s Argentina finally lifts COPA trophy (BBC) - Lionel Messi ended his wait for a first major international title as Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America final in Rio’s Maracana stadium.

Messi, 34, dropped to the ground in joy at the fulltime whistle and was swiftly mobbed by his teammates, before being hurled in the air in celebration, as he finally claimed top-level honours with his country in his 10th major tournament.

He also helped end Argentina’s 28-year spell since they last won the competition, and was named player of the tournament after his four goals in the competition.

Angel di Maria proved the match-winner with his superb lob, after taking down Rodrigo de Paul’s lofted pass.

Messi had a chance to sign off the win but slipped with the goal at his mercy, in what would have been the perfect finale for the Argentine captain.

“The happiness is immense,” said Messi after the game as he also praised the attitude of the Argentina squad. “Many times I dreamed of this.

“I had a lot of confidence in this group that became very strong since the last Copa America. It is a

The Argentine national team cheers behind the Copa America trophy after the victory. Photo: Andre Borges/dpa (Photo by Andre Borges/picture alliance via Getty Images)

group of very good people, who always push forward, who never complain about anything.”

Defending champions, Brazil, were disappointing, with their only chances of note coming when Richarlison and Gabriel Barbosa forced saves from Emi Martinez.

In a contrast of emotions, Messi’s opposite

number 10 and former Barcelona team-mate, Neymar, sank to his knees in tears at the final whistle, as his own personal pursuit of international success continues, having missed Brazil’s 2019 Copa win through injury.

The pair, who played together at the Nou Camp between 2013 and 2017 before the Brazilian’s move

to Paris St-Germain, embraced in a long-lasting hug while they waited for the trophy ceremony.

“If you knew the way that he [Messi] played in the Copa America, you’d love him even more,” said Argentina boss, Lionel Scaloni.

“You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like

in this game and the previous one.”

The game was watched by a small crowd of 7,000 invited guests, because of Covid-19 restrictions, but was the first of the tournament to have spectators in attendance.

The sparse home supporters made their voices heard, though, particularly every time Messi touched

the ball, booing and jeering the forward.

The tournament, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved from initial cohosts Colombia and Argentina, was switched to Brazil in a last-minute decision which received criticism in light of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

Messi finally shines on international stage It was clear from the ecstatic Argentina celebrations at full-time, with Messi the focal point, that this squad’s drive to triumph against their old rival was as much for their legendary forward as it was the nation.

It has been 15 years since Messi first represented Argentina at a major tournament and after four World Cups and six Copa America appearances, taking in 53 matches, he finally has the major international title he, and his country, has craved.

Despite being one of the most decorated and brilliant players of the modern era - and arguably all time - with 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and six Ballons d’Or, questions over his lack of impact on the international stage have hung over his legacy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday July 12, 2021

Chance for improving West Indies to seal series IT might be just two matches but West Indies are clicking in most departments – their batting is producing as a collective while the bowling and fielding continues to excel.

They are now on the cusp of a second Twenty20 International series win for the year when they battle a stuttering Australia in the third T20I today in St. Lucia from 19:30hrs.

West Indies has handsomely won in both matches, after two batting meltdowns by the Australians, who are missing

several of their first-choice players for this tour and the next to Bangladesh due to ‘bubble’ fatigue.

After a comprehensive 2-1 success over Sri Lanka early in the year, West Indies struggled to be consistent against South Africa and lost 2-3. But the flaws of the South Africa series, especially in the batting department, are slowly being rectified.

West Indies put up scores of 145-6 and 196-4 in the first two matches but there has been a considerable effort to

reduce the alarming amount of dot balls.

In the first match, it was 59 dot balls (one short of ten scoreless overs by the West Indies) and in the second there was 40 (much below the average amount during the South African series).

However, the shining light continues to be the bowling since they have two batting collapses by the Aussies. They have been bowled out for 127 and 140 despite the success of Mitchell Marsh who made back-to-back half-centuries.

Novak retains Wimbledon but unsure about Tokyo (BBC) - Novak Djokovic’s bid for a ‘Golden Slam’ is in doubt after the Wimbledon champion said he was “5050” about whether to go to the Tokyo Olympics.

The world number one beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-4 6-3 on Sunday to retain his Wimbledon crown and win a third Grand Slam for the year.

If he was to win Olympic gold and then the US Open title, he would become the first man to complete a ‘Golden Slam’.

“I’ll have to think about it,” said the Serbian, Djokovic, of his Olympic plans.

Germany’s Steffi Graf is the only player to complete a ‘Golden Slam’, which she achieved in 1988.

Djokovic had always planned to go to Tokyo but the fact it was announced last week that fans would not be allowed to attend because of a spike in coronavirus infections has affected his thinking.

“That was really disappointing to hear,” he said. “I also hear that there’s going to be a lot of restrictions within the [athletes’] village. Possibly, you would not be able to see other athletes perform live.

“I can’t even have my stringer that is very important part of my team. I’m limited with the amount of people I can take in my team as well.

“Right now, I’m a little bit divided. It’s kind of 50-50 because of what I heard in the last couple days.”

With his latest Wimbledon victory -- his sixth at the All England Club -- Djokovic equalled Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record of 20 men’s Grand Slam titles.

Further discussions among fans, pundits and the media will inevitably follow about which of these three players will end up their careers with the most major titles, whether any of them will overtake Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24

Grand Slam singles titles, and who deserves the title of the greatest of all time.

Djokovic has his own views.

“I consider myself best and I believe that I am the best, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking confidently about winning Slams and making history,” he said.

“But whether I’m the greatest of all time or not, I leave that debate to other people. I said before that it’s very difficult to compare the eras of tennis. We have different racquets, technology, balls, courts.

“It’s just completely different conditions that we’re playing in, so it’s very hard to compare tennis, say, from 50 years ago to today. But I am extremely honoured to definitely be part of the conversation.

“I feel like I’m probably the most complete that I’ve been as a player right now in my entire career.”

The Aussies have now lost their last five encounters with the West Indies in the format, and despite being ranked fifth as opposed to the World T20 defending champions at eighth, they will be scratching for a better batting performance to stay alive in the series.

On the other, West Indies will want to close out the series and possibly look to experiment further in the two ‘dead rubbers’ as they look to find the best XI ahead of the five-match series against Pa-

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kistan later this month and the World T20 in October-November to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

West Indies may want to reconsider Chris Gayle at number three since he has the best score of 32* in nine matches and averages 12.75, and he may have to make way if Kieron Pollard is fully fit to play.

West Indies squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice-Captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards,

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Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, and Hayden Walsh Jr. Australia squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Wes Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Dan Christian, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Riley Meredith, Ben McDermott, Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday July 12, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Courtney Walsh-51 wickets (10 Tests) (2) Shaun Pollock-70 wickets (16 Tests)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) What are the best innings figures by a WI in a Test versus SA to date?

(2) What are the best innings figures by a SA in a Test against the WI to date?

Novak Djokovic won his sixth Wimbledon singles title with a four-set victory over Matteo Berrettini

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday, July 12, 2021

23

Foo lifts New York XI to emphatic 10-wicket victory against dominant RHL

NATIONAL cricketer, Jonathan Foo, spun his way to six wickets, which lifted New York XI to an emphatic 10-wicket victory against the equally dominant Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club when action in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) 30-over Saturday Tournament continued over the weekend.

With the victory, New York XI are now level on points with fellow predominantly Guyanese side, Liberty CC in Group A. Both teams currently have 16 points from eight wins in nine matches.

Richmond Hill Liberty won the toss and opted

to bat at the Baisley Pond ground. Hard-hitting opener Dino Choo-wee-nam, who has proven to be one of the most destructive batsmen in the league, smashed a single four before he lost his wicket in the second over caught by Foo off the bowling of Salim Satar.

The run rate slowed as fellow opener, Naresh Rambharos, took 19 balls for his nine runs. Liberty then began rebuilding, with former Guyana U-19 cricketer, Azeemuddin Khan and former Berbice all-rounder, Terrence Madramootoo, putting together 45 for the fourth wicket, but Foo, who was the

sixth bowler used, came into the attack and made quick work of the middle and lower order. He took just 3.5 overs to dismantle one of the most formidable batting attacks in the tournament. He bowled Khan for 30 (43 balls 1X6), caught Troy Mars (5) off the bowling of Skipper Karan Ganesh, before he got the wickets of Randy Seewchand Budhu caught and bowled for 10, Vedesh Singh for nine, Madramootoo, who kept playing his shots, for 41 (24 balls 3X4s, 3X6s) and Keron Sewnarine (2).

To close the innings, the 30-year-old also got the wicket of T. McKenzie for

a first-ball duck to finished with 6-14.

New York XI needed to score 126 for victory after Liberty succumbed for 125 from 21.5 overs.

Openers, Mushin Perkhan and Randall Wilson, were flawless in their execution as they raced to the target in 25 overs.

Former senior Berbice cricketer, Perkhan, struck four fours and two sixes in a score of 59 (50 balls), while Guyana-born Wilson, former U-19 US cricketer, struck five fours and three sixes in his score of 62 (50 balls).

Liberty used six bowlers in the innings.

Jonathan Foo, who joined the league late last month, was almost unplayable.

‘One of my best, if not the best’: Hetmyer on match-defining 61

Shimron Hetmyer registered his highest Twenty20 International score, on Saturday evening, via a match-defining 61 from 36 balls which set up a comprehensive victory for West Indies over Australia in the second match in St Lucia.

Hetmyer cut loose in the latter part of the innings -turning 14 off 13 balls into 61 off 36; he brought up his second T20I half-century with a cheeky six from 29 balls.

Speaking to Cricket West Indies media on Saturday evening, Hetmyer expressed his satisfaction for an innings he also described as well paced.

“One of the best, if not the best. I think I paced it quite well, ran well between the wickets with myself and [Dwayne] Bravo, and try to run as much as I could in terms of not trying to think of hitting too many boundaries.

Just hit the ball in the gaps and when the bad ball comes, put it away, it is something I have worked on, and I am happy it worked out”, the Guyanese expressed.

In the first match, the pugnacious left-hander made 20 from 25 balls, and it was that grafting innings that held the batting group together. West Indies won by 18 runs.

Former WI captain Sammy accepts invitation to visit Berbice FORMER West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, has accepted an invitation from the president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, to visit Berbice.

The news was disclosed by the BCB public relations officer, Simon Naidu, over the weekend. According to the BCB, Sammy, who was recently appointed as an independent director of Cricket West Indies (CWI), responded positively a few hours after the invitation was sent.

“Mr Sammy had indicated to us that he would be informing us shortly on a suitable date, when his busy schedule allows him to make the visit.”

The statement added that the main reason for the visit would be for the two-time winning T20 World Cup captain to impart his knowledge to players and clubs in the ancient county.

Sammy’s visit would not be a stand-alone, according to Naidu, since “several other visits by international players are also being worked out, as we seek to develop our younger players”.

Hetmyer indicated he is making an effort to rotate the strike and bat longer since it is a role designated to him by the team.

He added, “It was basically playing like how the team really wanted me to play. At practice, I was told I am the person that needs to hold the team together straight down to the end, in terms of just being there, and accumulating and scoring as well. It is one I would play again, to be honest.”

According to Hetmyer, he is now more conscious of spending more time at the crease and playing according

to the situation.

“There is always more time than you actually think just to take it deep as possibly can and wait for the bad balls because that was one of the things I did well. I waited on balls that I thought I could have put away and I did, and even when I am not hitting boundaries, I get a single or two, and just get off the strike.”

The Berbician, who lives under the microscope regarding his performances or lack thereof at times, along with fitness issues, has hailed captain, Kieron Pollard, as a calming and motivating

influence.

At the pre-series media briefing, Pollard had asked for Hetmyer to be left out of the media and Hetmyer indicated, “I love that interview actually because for some reason I am always in the media whether good or bad, so it was really nice for him to say something like that.”

“He [Pollard] is someone I have vast respect for, he is a straight-up person and he just comes to me about how he wants me to go about my innings and picking a time when to come and speak and when not to in terms of letting you be yourself, and when he

sees your kind of like drifting , he comes and says we want you to do this and that.

Sometimes it feels pressured but it really helps me to calm myself down.”

Hetmyer and Dwayne Bravo added 103 in 10.1 overs for the fourth wicket which helped significantly in West Indies reaching 1964. Hetmyer felt that partnerships are critical for the team going forward whether setting totals or chasing.

West Indies and Australia clash in the third match of the five-match series today from 19:30h. West Indies lead the series 2-0.

Football’s coming Home to Rome See page 21

Players of Italy celebrate their side’s victory after the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England.

(Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Chance for improving West Indies to seal series See page 22

West Indies are one win away from winning the five-match Twenty20 International series against Australia

‘One of my best, if not the best’: Hetmyer on match-defining 61 See page 23

Shimron Hetmyer ramps one away during 61 from 36 balls on Saturday ©AFP

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