Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-04-2021

THURSDAY 15th April, 2021

' No.106331

Guyanese in St Vincent form bond

–– says Honorary Consul, highlights only two Guyanese in shelters following volcanic eruptions See story on page 03

Guyana Shore Base US$16M berth construction set for October 2021 completion SEE PAGE 13

A member of the Guyana Shore Base Inc team points to the construction site for berths one and two at the Muneshwers Houston Port Complex (Adrian Narine photo)

PAHO: vaccines alone will not stop current COVID-19 surge 02 PAGE

Guyanese fashion ‘Grey Boy’ freed designer stabbed of Crum-Ewing murder 08 09 to death PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

PAHO: vaccines alone will not stop current COVID-19 surge –– countries report more than 1.3 million new cases in the Americas while nearly 36,000 die from the disease in one week

WARNING that COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the Americas have slowed, Pan American Health Organization Director, Carissa F. Etienne, urged countries to employ a “comprehensive strategy” of not only immunisation but also public health measures to curb the surging pandemic.

“I cannot stress this enough – for most countries, vaccines are not going to stop this wave of the pandemic," Dr. Etienne said during her weekly media briefing. "There are simply not enough of them available to protect everyone in the countries at greatest risk.”

“Therefore, we need to stop transmission by any

means possible with the tools we have at hand. This will require comprehensive strategies to both accelerate the rollout of vaccines and control the virus using proven public health measures,” she added, referring to wearing masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene.

Since March, PAHO’s Revolving Fund has helped deliver more than three million doses of COVAX-procured vaccines to 28 countries. The Revolving Fund negotiates, purchases, and arranges logistics for shipment of vaccines to the 36 countries that participate in COVAX. So far in the Americas, more than 247 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, in-

cluding through deals countries made individually with vaccine producers.

But in the past few weeks, said Dr. Etienne, constraints on producers of COVAX vaccines have slowed deliveries, and supplies are not expected to normalise for a few more weeks. “In the meantime, we cannot rely on vaccines to control transmission,” she said.

“PAHO is committed to working with Member States to secure more vaccine doses for our region as soon as they are available to complement what countries have already purchased via bilateral deals and through the COVAX Facility,” she said. “We will be here for

PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne

countries at every step of the way, providing technical support to troubleshoot roadblocks, increase surveillance and monitor the safety and impact of COVID vaccines.”

CONTINUED PANDEMIC SURGE Dr. Etienne cautioned that the pandemic continues to surge across the Americas. In the past week, more than 1.3 million people were infected with the virus and nearly 36,000 people died from the disease. “Since the pandemic began, 57 million cases have been reported in the Americas, with more than 1.3 million deaths,” she said.

“We are not acting like a region in the midst of a worsening outbreak,” Dr. Etienne warned. “Despite ongoing transmission in many places, restrictions have relaxed.

Crowds are back, and people are gathering indoors and taking public transportation, often without masks,” she continued.

She said new, highly transmissible variants are also fueling acceleration.

Describing South America as the continuing “epicentre,” Dr. Etienne reported that new COVID-19 cases are sharply increasing in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and some areas of Bolivia. Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile are experiencing continuing increases in infections. New variants in the Guyanas have driven a rise in cases in French Guiana and Guyana.

New infections are increasing in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and smaller Caribbean islands such as Curacao, Bermuda, and Aruba. Cases also continue to increase in Canada.

SAFE, EFFECTIVE COVID-19 VACCINES Dr. Etienne provided reassurance about the safety of the four vaccines authorised

by WHO – the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, two versions of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and the Janssen vaccine. All have proven to be safe and effective. Rare reports of blood clots are under review by regulatory agencies, which are expected to make recommendations soon, she said.

“In the meantime, it’s important to continue to administer AstraZeneca vaccines where they are available,” she said. “Almost 200 million people around the world have received AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, and the reports of adverse effects are very rare. These vaccines can save your life and the lives of your friends and family.”

Dr. Etienne also addressed the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, reporting that PAHO has deployed five public health experts to respond to the emergency in coordination with the Ministry of Health. PAHO/ WHO has also shipped 150,000 medical masks, other personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and test kits to the islands. (PAHO)

Body of missing father found in Supenaam Creek ONE day after he was reported missing, the lifeless body of a father of five was, on Tuesday night, found floating in the Supenaam Creek.

Dead is 41-year-old Mohan Khowshal, called “Tuss” of Supenaam Creek, Region Two. His body was fished out by relatives around 23:50 hours and escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead. Blood was observed oozing from his mouth. No marks of violence were seen on his body.

Khowshal’s wife, Faleena Nazir, related that her husband left home on Monday to visit a friend in Supemaam Creek but never returned home. Given her concern, a report was subsequently made at the Aurora Police Station.

The woman said the friend, Clayton Duncan has since claimed that after imbibing alcohol, he left around 22:00 hours that night.

Mohan Khowshal

She said that Khowshal would regularly consume alcohol.

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Guyanese in St Vincent form bond -- says Honorary Consul, highlights only two Guyanese in shelters following volcanic eruptions

By Vishani Ragobeer THERE are about 4,500 Guyanese living on the island of St. Vincent, which has been facing volcanic eruptions since Friday, and the Honorary Consul, Nigel Russell, highlighted that there has been an outpouring of support among the Guyanese population to get through the crisis.

On Tuesday, during an interview conducted via WhatsApp, Russell told the Guyana Chronicle that the team at the Honorary Consulate in St. Vincent has been engaging Guyanese on the island since December last, as the seismic activities on the island intensified, indicating volcanic activity.

Russell said that the Guyanese who were living in the “green” or “safe” zone were encouraged to accommodate the Guyanese who were living in the “red” or “danger” zone, who might have to evacuate. And such was the case, following the eruption on Friday.

“We’ve only discovered two Guyanese in shelters.

A majority of persons are in private homes,” Russell highlighted. Shelters have been set up by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, across the safer places on the island.

The Honorary Consul noted that ensuring that the Guyanese were safely evacuated and relocated from the danger zones was priority.

Having done that, he said

Residents of communities in northeast St Vincent, around the La Soufriere area, on trucks and at the side of the road waiting for rides to safer areas last Thursday evening (Search Light St. Vincent photo)

that the Consul is now focussed on taking care of the needs of the people.

“On the ground here, there will always be needs.

The biggest need is water and what I have asked Guyana, initially, is to get us some water and to get us some goggles to deal with the (volcanic) ash and face masks,” Russell related.

And though individuals have opened up their homes to accommodate others, he acknowledged that eventually, personal supplies will run low and people will require some assistance. As such, the Consul has been making a list to send to the local authorities so that relief can be provided.

On Monday evening, the Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a notice, advising all Guyanese affected by ongoing volcanic eruptions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

to make urgent contact with Nigel Russell, Honorary Consul of Guyana to St. Vincent and the Grenadines or Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rosalinda Rasul.

Russell can be contacted via 784-453-1222 (office) and 784-526-5159 (mobile/ WhatsApp), or via his email: nigelrussell612017@gmail. com and newguyanasvg@ gmail.com. Meanwhile, the Diaspora Unit, Protocol and Consular Affairs Department can be contacted on: 592226-1606; 592-226-1608, ext: 249, 342, 326, 279 or via WhatsApp on 592-6190734.

Once the affected Guyanese on the island make contact with the body in St. Vincent, Rasul said that a list will be made of all the supplies needed, and the local authorities will organise

those supplies and send to the group in a subsequent shipment.

Since then, Russell noted that about 70 additional Guyanese have come forward and registered with the Guyanese authorities in St. Vincent. Upon garnering an understanding of what the needs of the people are, the information will be communicated to the authorities in Guyana.

FREQUENT COMMUNICATION And in fact, the Honorary Consul noted that he has been in frequent communication with Rasul. He has been communicating the needs of the Guyanese to her and in turm, she has been making the necessary arrangements in Guyana.

Russell also highlighted that President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Dr.

Bharrat Jagdeo have both made contact with him and assured him that the needs of the Guyanese on the island will be taken care of. The local authorities, he related, have also committed to providing some assistance to all affected persons on the island.

On Saturday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo held an urgent meeting at State House with members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the private sector to coordinate an emergency response to help the sister CARICOM nation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Supplies for the people of St. Vincent left Guyana on Tuesday aboard the Miss Meena ship, after a massive show of support from the local authorities, the private

sector and members of the public.

The La Soufriere volcano erupted at 08:41hrs last Friday, after the government on Thursday night issued an evacuation notice for persons living in the Red Zone, which is in the northernmost part of the island where the volcano is located.

This evacuation order was issued following an increase in seismic activity, indicating that the volcano would erupt soon. News 784 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported that Geologist and Professor Richard Robertson said that more explosions are expected soon, and that the first one was not the biggest.

“If there is a much bigger explosion, the ash can spread further [sic] to the south.

This could continue for days or weeks and monitoring will continue,” News 784 quoted Robertson as saying.

There have been several eruptions since. Videos posted on social media by residents of St. Vincent showed ash spreading to communities, covering buildings and surfaces. On Saturday, Barbados Today reported that the ash had spread to Barbados.

Amid the unfolding natural disaster in St. Vincent, a number of other countries within CARICOM have also affirmed their assistance to the Vincentian Prime Minister and his people.

MoE celebrating Autism Awareness Month THE Ministry of Education (MoE), through its Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit, has been rolling out several activities to commemorate Autism Awareness Month and bring more awareness to the illness.

Activities, which began on April 1 and will run until April 30, involves a number of virtual awareness forums, sensitization outreaches, awareness walks, a virtual concert, several radio and television broadcasts, panel discussion and an inter-secondary school debating competition.

Autism, which is one of a number of neurodevelopmental conditions on the Autism

Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.

Though there are several cases in Guyana, not many persons are aware of the prevalence of the condition.

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated annually on April 2. It was created by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. Since 2008,

the whole of April has been celebrated as Autism Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national public health agency of the United States of America, ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioural challenges, with people communicating, interacting, behaving, and learning in ways that are different from others.

While some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives, others need less.

According to the CDC, people with ASD often have problems with social, emo-

tional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviours and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASD also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. Signs of ASD begin during early childhood and typically last throughout a person’s life.

While there is currently no cure for ASD, the CDC said research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups, but is about four times more common among boys than among girls.

All of the causes of ASD are not known, but the CDC said there may be many different factors that make

a child more likely to have an ASD, including environmental, biological and genetic factors.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

GPSCCU to pay out $285M in dividends for 2011 to 2020 –– low interest car loans, mortgages to be made available

Thursday April 15, 2021 04:0hrs

WITH the Annual General Meeting (AGM) out of the way, the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU), from Monday, is expected to pay out $285 million in dividends to members for the period, 2011 to 2020.

Members had previously been paid an interim dividend of three per cent for the period 2011 – 2013. However, the total dividend is now 10.75 per cent, which means members will now be paid their balance.

Additionally, members will soon have access to cheaper options for car loans and mortgages as the newly installed Committee of Management is hoping to begin giving out low interest loans as early as next month.

Borrowers would be able to get up to $5 million for car loans, and up to $15 million for mortgages at an interest as low as 1 to 3 per cent. Members will not require guarantors or a down payment.

These new developments were revealed by member of the GPSCCU Committee of Management, Trevor Benn, who said that improvements are part of promises made by his team in the lead up to credit union’s recently held

GPSCCU Committee of Management member, Trevor Benn

elections.

Benn heads the team which won all 12 spots on the Committee of Management.

He is tipped to be elected as the chairman when the committee holds its first meeting.

Benn had been Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) that has been running the credit union since May, 2018.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Benn said that his party made a number of promises during their campaigning for the elections, and now that they have won, they plan to see those things implemented.

“We are very serious of placing our members at the centre of every decision.

They are the reason we are where we are and they must be given top priority. We want to reach out a lot more to our members to get their views on how they want to see the credit union managed,” Benn stated.

He noted that opening up the credit union to offer large-scale loans was foremost in the team’s promises, and so they are looking forward to seeing it realized.

According to Benn, he is not sure why large-scale loans have never previously been issued by the union, but noted that at last Sunday’s AGM, a few rules of the credit union were changed to ensure the smooth proceeding of the new loan facilities.

“They always could have

done it, but they never did it for one reason or the other. I’m not sure why. We came in and we felt it was a need and we moved on it.

We made a few superficial amendments to the rules at this last AGM that took away any impediments whatsoever, but there was no major impediment stopping us in the past,” Benn said.

According to Benn, the loans will be open to any member; however, applicants will be assessed and qualified based on their income and ability to repay.

For the car loans, members will be able to access payment terms of up to four years.

He said the procedures governing the loans will be very similar to those that persons would encounter when taking a loan or mortgage from any commercial bank, with a few exceptions.

“Our lawyers will have to do the technical stuff that has to be done. It will be like anything that you had to do at the bank, except that with the loans, you don’t have to have a down payment. All you will need is your title.

Once you are a member of good standing, and you have a job that will allow you to make the repayments, you are good to go, you are eligible,” Benn said.

He informed that systems will be in place for cases where the members default on the loans, to ensure sustainability of the new facilities.

“We have to have a way of making sure if you fail to pay that we can get access to the item, so there will be steps in place to deal with people who are unable to make their payments,” he noted.

Benn shared that he is very elated to see the credit union moving forward with the loans, as these will be a great help to those members who have been having difficulties sourcing loans at other financial institutions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

GNNL awards tablet Another soldier receives in Easter Promotion house via credit union ONE lucky winner was, on Wednesday, awarded with a brand-new Amazon Fire 7 Tablet from the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), printers and publishers of the Guyana Chronicle, the Nation’s paper.

The awarding of the device was part of the Guyana Chronicle’s Easter Promotion which ran from January to March 2021, and attracted thousands of contestations from across the country.

As part of the promotion, a coupon was published daily in the newspaper and contestants were required to fill out their details in the coupon and submit it at the publication’s 10 – 12 Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown address.

With the promotion concluding on March 31, 2021, the drawing was subsequently held on Friday April 9, 2021, which saw Martina Johnson of Subryanville, Georgetown emerging as the winner.

SERGEANT (SGT) Duane Thomas, who serves in the Five Service Support Battalion of the Guyana Defence Force, was presented with the keys to his brand-new house on Tuesday.

The house is the third of four to have been built and the third to be presented; the other two were presented to ranks in 2019.

The house was handed over to SGT Thomas by Commanding Officer of the GDF Co-operative Credit Union (GDFCCU), Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Stanford.

Also on hand for the handing over were Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion and Member of the GDFCCU Committee of Management, Lieutenant Colonel, Matthew Chichester and other officials of the credit union.

The house built by members of the GDF Four Engineer Battalion, under the aegis of the GDFCCU, is located at Perseverance on the East Bank of Demerara.

The construction of the homes by the GDF Co-op Credit Union is being done under a developer’s agreement, in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Sergeant Thomas was among a list of soldiers who met the criteria for selection and his name was drawn at a raffle held by the credit union.

He also had to qualify for home ownership under the regulations of the CH&PA. The fourth house is to be presented as soon the relevant procedural matters have been completed.

Winner Martina Johnson (left) receiving her Amazon Fire 7 Tablet from Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) marketing clerk, Tamara Tucker During the simple presentation ceremony, Johnson expressed that she purchases the Guyana Chronicle on a daily basis, particularly for the ‘School News’ that is published as part of the paper, for her son, who will now enjoy the use of the tablet in preparing for his National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

GNNL advertising officer, Calvin Marks, thanked

Johnson for her continuous support, noting that the promotion goes beyond selling the paper; it is one of the company’s methods of giving back to its customers.

He explained that the promotion started some years ago, with the company awarding a small food basket and has evolved now into something much larger.

It is the first of yearlong promotions the company will be undertaking.

The house was handed over to Sergeant Thomas by Commanding Officer of the GDF Co-operative Credit Union (GDFCCU), Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Stanford

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Empowerment through agriculture THERE has been some talk in some quarters about youth unemployment and their involvement in crime in Guyana, and the need for robust actions by stakeholders to tackle these problems.

More than five years ago, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) estimated youth unemployment in Guyana to be around 40 per cent, but from then to now, there has been no updated report on this matter. There is a perception that youth unemployment rose during the past five years.

On any given day, a quick glance of the court cases in the newspapers will indicate that a vast majority of offenders are young people, and their crimes range from, among other things, possession of narcotics, burglary and break and entry.

Of course, there are other serious cases, but a large number of the cases processed through the magistrates’ courts are issues of petty crimes.

So youth unemployment and their involvement in crime are serious matters of concern, and regardless of who are the com-

plainants, their calls for these issues to be addressed must be treated with due attention.

Though the focus of attention has been placed on government to effect change, crime and youth employment are issues no government can address alone.

Ideally, they require a multi-stakeholder approach, as well as the perpetrators to commit to change. Very often, the reason proffered for youth unemployment and their involvement in crime has been the lack of opportunities in society.

But is this really so? Guyana is one of few counties in the Caribbean blessed with an abundance of arable land and fresh water, and has even offered some of these areas to sister CARICOM states willing to invest in large-scale agriculture.

It is refreshing to know that under the current government, particularly under the leadership of Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, agriculture is being given due attention, with strong focus on maintaining food security, value-added production and reducing poverty.

Through unemployment reduction and

propagation of a culture of hard work, excellence and honesty, crime and the many other social issues that bedevil Guyana will be gradually reduced.

But as it regards agriculture, government has quite some work to do, since farmers here are in the category of aging population, and young people generally have a negative perception of agriculture.

Here is where government has to come in, and at a very early level in the school system, promote agriculture as a reputable, attractive and lucrative profession.

Agriculture should not be seen merely as work in the field, but a profession that includes research and development, marketing and distribution, and an occupation that has the power to influence national decisions.

It should be sold as a profession with many sub-professions, ranging from soil conservationist, extension adviser and biomass engineer, to soil scientist, veterinarian and food microbiologist.

One gets the impression that not much has been done to change the traditional view of agriculture, which, in this day and age,

should be promoted as a modern trade with high-tech operations, and a simple solution to alleviating poverty.

If this is done, more young people would be gravitating towards a career in agriculture.

The task now, is to get them to understand the value of agriculture, both as a tool for self-empowerment, and enabling national food security.

In June of 2017, former Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) resident representative to Guyana, Reuben Robertson, speaking at the launch of a Self-Sufficient Agriculture Services Project in Region Five, made some interesting comments on Guyana’s potential in agriculture.

He had said: “We believe that there is absolutely no reason why Guyana, through good governance, effective public policies and smart partnerships cannot be the first country in the Caribbean to zero hunger and poverty.”

Not only would this approach eliminate hunger and poverty, but it will also reduce youth unemployment and their involvement in crime.

The holy observance of Chaitra Navaraatri AS we commence the holy observance of Chaitra Navaraatri, also called Vasant or Raama Navaraatri which will culminate with the observance of Raamnavami on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the Sabha takes delight in wishing everyone a thrilling and spiritually uplifting experience during the period.

We pray that not only do we ensure the festival is observed, but that genuine, sincere and prayerful efforts are made to enhance our individual spiritual gains and attainments.

We also take the time to implore that as we observe this holy period under the COVID-19 pandemic, let us do so with strick adherence to the protocols as set out by the health authorities, primarily mask wearing, constant sanitising and social distancing.

Unlike Sharad Navaraatri (September/October) which is exclusively dedicated to Mother worship, this Chaitra Navaraatri is focused on recapturing the events in a spirit of love and devotion leading up to Sri Raam Birthday or appearance. As the Ramayana points out, the events which unfolded as humanity had petitioned the Lord for His saving grace and mercy, today more than ever, the world needs to capture this ever incessant flow of grace of the Lord and seek the higher goals of life in as much as we take part in the beauties of the world.

Therefore, this Navaraatri is relevant and has much to offer to the world and we who have been so privileged to claim it, must make the best use of it all. We must recommit to the further growth of our faith and love for Lord and be ever

grateful for this gift of life.

Sri Raama represents in every way the values, traditions, culture and teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Taking his inspiration from Rishi Valmiki, Tulsidas portrays his Hero, Sri Rama, as the very epitome of Vedic characterisation.

The details of Rama’s birth, parentage, upbringing, schooling, relationship with brothers and friends, service to elders, marriage, and practice of ideals are all aimed at portraying Him to be a living representation of Vedic ethics. In Rama’s life, there is an application of the Vedic spiritual culture of Yajna and Sanskaaara - rituals and sacraments. This is the life Tulsidas wanted to see rejuvenated in the Hindu world.

So focused is Tulsidas in portraying Rama in Vedic terms that he says in

Uttarkanda 23.1, “He (Raama) was a defender of the Vedic Path and a champion of righteousness. He was above the influence of the three gunas, - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas…”

He further wrote in the Sundar kanda 38.2 that Raama is, “An ocean of compassion, he has assumed the human form for the good of all. He brings joy to righteous people, and breaks the ranks of evildoers; He is the Champion of the Vedas and of righteousness.”

This is the Raama, the blessed Lord whose appearance is the central reason and purpose for observing Vasant Navaraatri. May he bless us all.

Yours sincerely, Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region Three

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

OP-ED

The necessary transformation of the Caribbean agrifood system

By Julio Berdegué and Noëlle Salah WILL the world be able to feed 28 per cent more people by 2050? How do we ensure that we can all eat better and healthier without mortgaging the earth’s ability to produce food for our grandchildren?

These are very challenging questions especially for the Caribbean, a region that unlike others in Latin America, has an over-reliance on food imports even though there is a potential to produce healthy and nutritious food.

There are at least two powerful reasons that allow us to propose that there is an imperative need to transform the agrifood systems of the CARICOM, that is, the complex network of private and public actors, activities, customs and traditions, regulations, and, physical and economic conditions that determine what each person in the Caribbean eats every day.

First, the Caribbean needs to reduce its unhealthy and risky dependence on food imports. Most of the CARICOM countries are net food importers, and at least seven countries import more than 80 per cent of the food they consume. Worse, one third of the imported foods are energy dense, high in fat, sugar and sodium, which explains the exponential increase in ultra-processed food consumption.

This contributes to world-record rates of overweight and obesity. The incidence of adult obesity quadrupled from six per cent in 1975 to 28 per cent in 2021. Alarmingly, overweight and obesity in children aged fivenine years are two to three times higher than in the rest of the world. Unhealthy imported foods are cheap for the consumer, although their cost to society is very high. In the Caribbean, the cost of a healthy diet is 3.8 times higher than that of a diet that only meets the minimum caloric requirements. The future looks dismal if people in the Caribbean do not go back to eating healthy foods, and this will require a transformation from the farm to the table of consumers.

The second very powerful driver of

the necessary transformation of agrifood systems is climate change. Hurricanes and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, affecting the already limited Caribbean agricultural production. This sector absorbs 25 per cent of the total damage and losses caused by extreme climate events. It is simple: there is no future for Caribbean agrifood systems if they fail to adapt and become far more resilient to climate change.

These two necessary objectives cannot be achieved by each CARICOM country on its own. No single country can produce and provide healthy foods to all of its population, but more integrated Caribbean agrifood systems could surely advance greatly in that direction. Also, no country on its own will be able to ensure the resilience of its domestic agrifood system when the next category four hurricane strikes, but a more integrated Caribbean agrifood system could deliver the necessary food supplies while the affected countries recover their production.

Regional action is not just convenient; it is a must when it comes to building the agrifood systems of the future.

For this reason, we celebrate CARICOM’s COVID-19 Agri-food Action Plan and the OECS Regional Plan of Action for Agriculture, both regional efforts for action that are imperative in addressing Caribbean challenges in the agrifood sector, especially in the context of the pandemic and its ongoing effects.

FAO is working in partnership with Caribbean countries and regional organisations like the CARICOM and the OECS, to support the transformation of agrifood systems. We have four ambitions in our work: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better lives for all. How do we get there?

First, by encouraging technological innovation and digitalisation, value-adding, and intraregional trade, which, together, will drive productivity, reduce the cost of healthy foods, and create thousands of good jobs for youth. Second, making healthy diets for everyone a core objective of national and

regional policy, as it is the foundation of the health of the population. This will require a multi-pronged strategy, including by mainstreaming nutrition in agricultural policies and by fostering change in the food environments with a wide range of tools, from taxing unhealthy foods, to including nutrition education in school curricula. Third, invest in climate resilient agrifood systems, for example by strengthening early warnings and response systems. Finally, underpinning all,

greater intra-regional policy coordination, involving not only governments but also private sector, civil society, and scientists.

In September 2021, Heads of State and of governments will come together in New York at the United Nations Food System Summit.

The Caribbean can be present with a clear and forceful blueprint to reset its agrifood systems so that they are fit for a better future for all of its peoples.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

‘Grey Boy’ freed of Crum-Ewing murder

REGAN Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy’ was freed of the murder charge against him pertaining to the execution of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, after High Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon, on Wednesday, upheld a no-case submission by Rodrigues’ attorney.

The judge directed the jury that the State had failed to establish a prima facie case against Rodrigues for the offence of murder, noting that separate and apart from failing to establish the elements of the offence of murder, the evidence adduced by the State is “deficient” and “tenuous”.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New

Scheme, East Bank Demerara, on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police, in a statement, had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. The murder weapon was then , allegedly, found at the home of Rodrigues.

In 2016, Rodrigues was freed of a murder charge in relation to the same matter by Magistrate Judy Latchman, on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence against him.

Man found dead on bridge in Meten-Meer-Zorg Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 62-year-old man who was found dead on a bridge at MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Tuesday.

Uniram (only name given), lived alone at Area G, Meten-MeerZorg.

Police said he was seen about 11:00hrs walking and staggering, heading towards his home.

At about 12:00hrs, he was seen standing on the bridge to the entrance of his home.

Then at about 15:00hrs, he was discovered lying motionless on the bridge.

A report was made to the police, ranks then responded and escorted the body to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where the man was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body was examined and no marks of violence were seen.

It was then taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home at Best Village, West Coast Demerara, awaiting a post-mortem.

Regan Rodrigues, called “Grey Boy”

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had then decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues.

In 2017, for a second time, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the charge of murder against Rodrigues at the end of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI). In her ruling, the magistrate said that while she was satisfied that the gun, which

was used to shoot Crum-Ewing, was found at the home of the accused, the evidence offered by the prosecution did not implicate Rodrigues in the actual murder.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) instructed Magistrate Latchman, via a letter, to commit Rodrigues to stand trial in the High Court, but despite the objection raised by the DPP, Rodrigues had the murder charge discharged against him again, for lack of evidence.

The magistrate subsequently lost an appeal for a stay of execution (a delay in carrying out a court order) and was directed by Appeal Judge, Dawn Gregory, to comply with the directions of the DPP.

“God don’t sleep, I’ll get victory in the long run” were the words uttered by ‘Grey Boy’ on February 12, 2018, as he was committed to stand trial at the High Court for the murder of Crum-Ewing.

On Monday last, Rodrigues appeared before Justice Kissoon and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on March 10, 2015, he murdered Crum-Ewing at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Rodrigues was represented by attorney-at-law, Adrian Thompson, while the State was represented by prosecutors, Tyra Bakker and Lisa Cave.

Soldier killed in Homestretch Avenue crash

The scene of the accident along Homestretch Avenue (NCN photo)

BRIAN Mitchell, 36, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, in the Band Corps, was killed in a two-vehicle collision along Homestretch Avenue on Tuesday night.

Mitchell, who lived at Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was driving motorcar, PNN 5516, which also had a seven-year-old boy inside.

Reports indicate that the other vehicle involved in the fatal accident was motorcar,

PVV3684, which was being driven by Taishan Shanks and had a female passenger.

Police said motor car, PVV 3684, was proceeding east along Homestretch Avenue while motor car, PNN 5516, was proceeding west.

Shankar claimed that while in the vicinity of Help and Shelter on Homestretch Avenue, he saw Mitchell overtake another vehicle and ended up in his path.

As a result, both cars collided head on. Mitchell and

GPSCCU to pay out $285M in...

“Credit union has always been the place that people turn to when they can’t get loans at other places; so our members are really looking forward to this and we just want to ensure we get it done.

A lot of arrangement has

gone into this so far. We’re ready to roll it out and we believe it’s a big deal for our members. We are looking forward to making it easier for them, as we’ve always done,” Benn said.

“Obviously, we don’t

the seven-year-old occupant were picked up in an unconscious state by Emergency Medical Technicians and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Mitchell died and the seven-year-old is being treated for a broken leg.

Meanwhile, Shankar and the female occupant were treated for lacerations about the body and later discharged as investigations continue.

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have money to lend every single member but we have set aside sufficient funds to make sure we can do as many as possible this year,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

NAREI receives 15 pesticide storage cabinets

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–– for effective storage of monocrotophos THE National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), on Tuesday, received 15 pesticide storage cabinets valued at $700,000 from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB).

During a simple handing-over ceremony at the PTCCB’s Mon Repos Office, Registrar of the PTCCB, Treica David, said that the PTCCB will be working with NAREI to ensure farmers and extension officers have a clear understanding of the requirements by which the chemicals should be used and stored.

“Today, we’ve collaborated with our sister agency, NAREI, to allow them to have access to pesticides storage Cabinets which will be sent to the various regions where these chemicals will be stored. We’ve also worked with NAREI to ensure there is an understanding of the requirements by which these chemicals are to be used. Monocrotophos is restricted in Guyana for use in the coconut industry.

One of the things we’ve worked with NAREI on is to ensure that extension agents understand that these pesticides need to be stored in accordance with the law and given to farmers for the treatment of pests only in coconuts with relevant records kept, both by the farmer and NAREI, and back to storage once they’ve been used,” David said.

The 15 storage cabinets will be distributed across the coconut-producing regions for the safe storage of monocrotophos, a chemical primarily used for the treatment of pests in the coconut

industry.

Also present to do the official handing over of the cabinets to NAREI on behalf of the PTCCB was Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha. While delivering brief remarks, Minister Mustapha said that with a large number of requests by farmers for monocrotophos, NAREI and PTCCB had collaborated to ensure the chemical was made available to the farmers in a safe and manageable way.

“During my outreaches to areas like Wakenaam and other parts of the country primarily known as largescale coconut producing regions, farmers made requests for this particular chemical. Much consideration was given to these requests given the toxicity of this chemical and our efforts as a government to tackle pesticide suicide. The registrar was made aware of these requests and insisted that special emphasis be placed on how these chemicals were going to be stored.

With that in mind, the PTCCB committed to making these cabinets available and today they are making good on that commitment. These are the kinds of efforts that we are putting in place to develop the sector in a safe and sustainable way,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject minister also said that stakeholders can rest assured knowing that government will continue to make the necessary investments in the sector to ensure farmers and their families are safe and that emerging industries like the coconut industry have the necessary support to reach their full potential.

Minister Mustapha handing over one of the pesticide storage cabinets to NAREI Chief Executive Officer, Jagnarine Singh as others look on

Some of the cabinets that were donated

The PTCCB will continue to execute its man-

date through the holistic and comprehensive man-

agement of pesticides and toxic chemicals in Guyana

with key support at the national level.

Guyanese fashion designer knifed to death A Guyanese fashion designer and member of the LGBTAQIA community in Trinidad and Tobago, was found knifed to death at an apartment in El Dorado on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Trinidad Express newspaper.

Police were called to the home at 18.30 hrs and met a

witness who said that half an hour earlier, he arrived home from work and walked into the apartment he shared with Marcus Anthony Singh and another man.

In the bedroom, he found Singh, 27, face down on the floor, clad in underwear and bra top.

Singh had been stabbed in the back multiple times.

The man said he turned Singh body and found no sign of life. He called paramedics and the police.

Singh was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dead: Marcus Anthony Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Mingo et al cases important for 'good governance' –– to deter public officers from misbehaving, says Attorney-General

By Richard Bhainie The legal proceedings currently before courts against various former public officials are imperative to set a precedent which will deter current and future holders of public office from committing misconduct during their tenure.

These cases will inevitably lead to “good governance” and strengthen Guyana’s democracy, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., explained during a television programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday.

“They are important for our democracy and they are important for the general legal system of our country in the sense that persons who may want to do these things in the future must know that the state has a capacity to protect itself and its public system from such conduct,” Nandlall said.

He added: “… and when public officers who are put in charge of the State’s machinery misbehave in this way, then the State is not going to sit idly by and the rule of law will take over and run its course.”

Nandlall made the comment while giving a general update of the matters before the courts which involves public officials. He added that while the public is anxious of the outcome of the cases, patience is required to ensure thorough investigations.

“These are investigations that are being properly done without any political direction or interference by the relevant law enforcement agencies

A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change’s (APNU+AFC) activist Carol Joseph; Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Volda Lawrence and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

taking their time and doing proper work so when they present a case, they present a proper case,” he said.

THOROUGHNESS NEEDED The Attorney-General noted that the thoroughness needed to prepare the cases is what accounts for the time that is being expended, as it is not a swift process by its very nature.

He explained that the cases against Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Volda Lawrence, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and A Partnership For National Unity Plus Alliance For Change’s (APNU+AFC) activist Carol Joseph, were delayed due to a procedural issue being adjudicated upon.

The trio are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the country’s largest voting district, to give the APNU+AFC Coalition a major-

ity win at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional polls.

Lawrence was slapped with two charges of conspiracy to commit fraud while Joseph is charged jointly with Mingo for forgery.

Nandlall explained that these offences are triable either way, meaning they can be tried both summarily in the Magistrates’ Court before a magistrate or in the High Court before a judge and jury, and that is what was being determined.

Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes, representing the trio, had argued for the charges against his clients to remain indictable, which would have seen the court conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for them to stand trial in the High Court.

However, on Monday last, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan ruled that the matters will be tried summarily. The trio all pleaded not guilty to the charges, were placed on bail and the proceedings

were adjourned until June 11, 2021, for full disclosure of statements.

Nandlall explained that if the trial was set before a judge and jury a significant amount of time would elapse before the matters are concluded, and a jury trial does not guarantee an outcome based on law and evidence but by instincts.

“These are political matters and political people are going to be on the jury, you can’t stop that, and persons will come to conclusions that are tainted with politics and in that case the state will not get a fair trial,” he said.

CONCLUDED QUICKER “And that is why the State wants the case to be done in the Magistrate’s court … the case will be concluded quicker and you can have a tribunal who can understand the law, not a jury, you have a magistrate not a jury who will be hearing and determining these cases,” he added.

In February, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly ruled that

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

a Preliminary Inquiry will be conducted into the two counts of misconduct in public office against Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.

This was after she upheld submissions by Hughes for the charges to remain indictable.

Myers has been placed on $300,000 bail in relation to both charges. The prosecution has since indicated its intent to file an appeal against the Magistrate’s decision.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is also facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office; he is currently on $300,000 bail as well.

This week, Former Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, who served under the APNU + AFC administration, was also slapped with a misconduct in public charge by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force pertaining to his conduct in the rental of the Sussex Street Bond.

The offence of misconduct in public office acts as a safeguard against corruption and dereliction of public duty, and to promote and ensure transparency and accountability by officials who hold public office.

In December 2020, the Law Commission of England and Wales published its final Misconduct in Public Office Report (Law Com no 397), which outlined several areas of deficiency and suggested necessary reforms to the offence, specifically enshrining it in statute.

The Guyana Chronicle recently interviewed prominent attorneys-at-law, President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Teni Housty, and Chairman of the GBA Criminal Bar Committee, Glenn Hanoman, who related similar sentiments as the Law Commission outlined in its report.

PM lauds private sector’s contribution to relief effort for St Vincent PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said that he was proud of the effort made by the private sector to fill a vessel with several hundred tonnes of emergency items for the volcano-affected islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Prior to the departure of the first shipment, the Prime Minister, who has been coordinating the relief efforts, visited the Muneshwer’s Wharf to oversee final arrangements.

“As Prime Minister, I am proud of our private sector and I’m proud of this effort, I know the people in

St Vincent are resilient and their government has shown a lot of leadership throughout this disaster… we are happy that as a sister CARICOM country, we are in a position to offer support in the shortest possible time”.

Over 300 tonnes of relief supplies have been loaded onto a private vessel (Ms Meena) and will set sail this evening for St Vincent. The items, which should arrive within three days, include 100 tonnes of rice, over 20 tonnes of water, a large quantity of sugar and several non-perishable food items.

On Saturday, less than

24 hours after the first eruption, President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Phillips and Vice-President, Dr Bharat Jagdeo met with members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to brainstorm the fastest way to get the items transported after air travel was suspended. The private sector officials also informed the President of the pledges made by the business community. They then coordinated with the CDC to acquire the needed items.

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Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips with workers during his visit to the Muneshwer’s Wharf (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Banks DIH supports relief efforts to St. Vincent BANKS DIH Limited has joined in the relief effort to St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano which has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents on the Caribbean Island over the weekend.

According to a release, the company has made a contribution of 10,000 lbs. of Triskits crackers and 2,400 cases of Tropical Mist and Rain Forest Waters in response to pleas by the country’s Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and regional governments for assistance to residents affected by the natural disaster.

Carlton Joao, Sales and Marketing Executive, said that some of the items were shipped to St. Vincent earlier this week while a second shipment is being prepared to be sent to the Island.

Banks DIH Limited has been working closely with the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other government agencies in mobilising much needed aid for the Caribbean Island.

Supplies being loaded for St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

The ministers of Agriculture and Tourism, Industry and Commerce and other officials from GLDA and GNBS during the certification exercise

GLDA’s Veterinary Services Lab receives GNBS certification THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), on Tuesday, received its official certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), bringing it one step closer to offering quality testing and results for the livestock industry.

During a simple ceremony at GLDA’s Mon Repos facility, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the services offered by the GLDA remain paramount to Guyana’s development as it relates to the livestock sector.

“We are here to mark a

significant achievement of the GLDA and the Ministry of Agriculture. This agency is a very important agency to Guyana’s livestock sector and government is positioning it to be what it was meant to be when it was formed.

Over the years, we’ve seen a number of important steps taken by the GLDA to get it to where it is today. Now that our country is on the verge of taking off and experiencing rapid development, the services of the GLDA remain paramount in the country’s development as it relates to the livestock sector. This

laboratory started at the ministry's head office as a sample processing unit and later transitioned into an auxiliary unit of the GLDA, through the acquisition of an IDB loan. This enabled GLDA to construct a new laboratory equipped to improve the quality of services offered to the livestock industry. Today, we are witnessing another milestone in its evolution. government is keen on making the necessary investments to ensure Guyana remains food secure and agencies like the GLDA will have to play a very important role. This is

why facilities like the Veterinary Services Laboratory are critical for us to advance the sector. Now that we are receiving this certification, the laboratory will be recognised in the country and, hopefully, in the near future, across the Caribbean,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject minister also disclosed that, for GLDA’s 2021 Capital Programme, almost $66 million will be expended to expand the sector.

He added that facilities of this nature will be developed and enhanced over time, in keeping with government’s overall development agenda which involves promoting food security in the Caribbean.

The Veterinary Services Laboratory is now a certified laboratory to the GYS 170:2009 Standard. Since its commissioning back in August 2014, the laboratory has also improved and expanded its services to cater to the needs of the livestock industry, wildlife trade, public health, and universities, both locally and overseas.

While offering brief remarks, GLDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Grayson Halley, said that the laboratory will aid with gearing farmers and producers for the export of livestock and livestock commodities.

"This laboratory is a necessity. We can derive greatly from this laboratory in terms of gearing our farmers and producers for the export of livestock and livestock commodities. I've seen many requests for the importation of livestock commodities.

When questioned as to why it is that we cannot produce these things in Guyana, it is mainly due to the monitoring, surveillance, phytosanitary

The plaque presented to GLDA by the GNBS

measures, and facilities. This laboratory is one such tool that will enable us to structure the livestock sector and gear it towards fulfilling the requirements and criteria of the international bodies and buyers of our products,” Dr. Halley said.

The CEO also said that local large-scale livestock farms have already made requests to carry out sampling at the facility and that GLDA is now working to put systems in place to have those tests carried out immediately.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Waldron, while offering brief remarks, said that the certification of the laboratory demonstrates the continued commitment under her ministry’s commerce portfolio to develop Guyana's competi-

tiveness. She also stated that, with the emerging oil and gas sector, it is important for Guyana's products to remain competitive so as to remain attractive and stand out on the international market.

GLDA is now actively working to have the facility accredited, thus putting it on par with other laboratories of its kind, around the world.

With Guyana battling the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, GLDA's laboratory has also demonstrated its capability to support national development programmes that are considered external to its mandate. The laboratory was able to make its Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine available to assist with testing for the Coronavirus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Guyana Shore Base US$16M berth constructionset for October 2021 completion THE Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) is constructing two new berths at a cost of US$16 M to boost its capacity to accommodate Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) at the Muneshwer’s Houston Port Complex.

The berths-- berth three and berth four-- which are set for an October 2021 completion date, will allow PSVs space to anchor, similar to that of a wharf. The berths are being constructed using the Open Cell Sheet Pile (OCSP) system, a first-of-itskind technology to be used in Guyana, which was patented

by American engineering consultant company, PND Engineers, Inc. Currently, GYSBI has two berths-- berth one and berth two-- which facilitate transport on the southern half of its Plantation “A”, Houston, Greater Georgetown location.

These berths were constructed in 2015 and, currently, can only accommodate a 70-tonne crane. The soonto-be-completed berths will be able to accommodate a 300-tonne crane given the innovative OCSP system.

The OCSP system consists of vertically arranged driven flat sheet piles that act as membranes to retain soil and is particularly ideal for civil and structural applications.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, during a visit to the site on Wednesday, noted that the OCSP system is an innovative system that would facilitate heavier cranes and would allow Guyana access to heavier lifts for the transportation of goods, tools, and equipment to and from offshore oil platforms and other offshore structures instead of those lifts going to another country.

“I am pleased with the development that I am seeing here. I understand by the end of October that that project will finish which will allow Guyana to do the heavy lifts. As you know, right now heavy lifts are being done in Chaguaramas or Galeota in Trinidad and all of the services associated with those heavy lifts, whether [it] is transportation, crane services, logistics brokerage, all that is done in Trinidad, and then put on vessels and then it goes straight offshore.

With this development now, it will happen in Guyana, to go into Guyanese waters, and we could pride ourselves on that,” said the minister.

He lauded the company’s innovativeness as well as its commitment to the utilisation of Guyanese in its entire pro-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, speaking to the media at the construction site (Adrian Narine Photo) A section of the berth construction showing the application of the Open Cell Sheet Pile (OCSP) system (Adrian Narine Photo)

The construction site for berths one and two at the Muneshwers Houston Port Complex (Adrian Narine Photo)

cess, noting that local transsorters, contractors and even sand providers were partnered with on the project to ensure a boost in the economy.

Meanwhile, Richard Kansinally, GYSBI’s Project Manager, stated that the new open cell systems eliminate the need for heavy tieback and extra-long sheet piles to get the required strength to facilitate weight on the berths.

Berth three, according to Kansinally, will measure approximately 90. 8 meters while berth four is 94.2 meters. Collectively, the new berths would measure 185 meters. He noted that PSVs are specially designed to supply offshore oil and gas platforms with sizes ranging from 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 ft) in length. He noted that these berths would allow for two ships to simultaneously offload or onload at GYSBI. “What will happen now is that we can use a 300-tonne crane any part of the berth to take 200-tonne load; we’re not restricted because it’s only piled here or piled there. Anywhere that we build, we could put a crane of 300-tonnes,” he explained.

In his remarks, Robin Muneshwer, Director of

Muneshwers’ Limited, a partner of GYSBI, disclosed that the organisation intends to shortly begin construction of a fifth berth on the southern section of the waterfront, with the intention of facilitating commercial vessels. This will be an extension of some 1500 feet.

According to Muneshwer, once docked at the berth, the commercial vessel would occupy about 200 meters which would take up just under two berths at any one time. This, he said, would negatively impact opportunities for PSVs to dock at the Muneshwers Houston Port Complex.

Muneshwer indicated that currently the GSYBI provides jobs for 350 Guyanese and another 140 will be added to that number following the construction of the two berths.

“Shore base represents 350 jobs right now that would have been lost if we didn’t exist. What we’re doing now is an even further extension of that activity and that further cements our position as the premier shore-base in Guyana,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Man charged with firearm-related offences remanded

JEREMIAH Frank, of West Ruimveldt, on Wednesday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on firearm-related charges and was remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Frank denied that he, on March 28, 2021, at Pike Street, North Sophia, Georgetown, had in his possession a Glock 9mm pistol

without being the holder of a firearm licence. He also denied that on the same day and at the same location, he had eight live 9mm ammunition in his possession.

According to the prose-

cution, on the day in question, at about 01:30 hours, ranks of the Brickdam Police Station were on duty at North Sophia when they heard two explosions. The ranks reportedly saw Frank

PM lauds private sector’s...

According to the Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, the shipment is only the

first batch of assistance. He said that two other shipments should leave before the end of the week.

“What we have here is the first shipment, and in the storage facility, we have additional items that will be transported

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with a gun. Upon seeing the ranks, he reportedly discharged two rounds in their direction. The police ranks then took evasive action and returned fire. Frank, it is alleged, dropped the firearm

and escaped on foot. He was

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, said that in spite of financial challenges local businesses face at this time, they found it most fitting to contribute to the relief efforts.

“Businesses, although

they are a little cash strapped currently, saw the images of what was transpiring in St Vincent, felt moved by those images and the call for help by their Caribbean brothers and sisters and stepped up to donate”. (DPI)

subsequently arrested and charged.

The matter was adjourned until May 12, 2021.

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on two additional vessels: one that should be leaving on Thursday and the other, either on Friday or Saturday.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Guyana to face Nicaragua tonight in FIBA World Cup qualifiers … Hercules optimistic of team advancing

By Rawle Toney GUYANA will begin their journey to the FIBA 2023 World Cup this evening,

when they take-on Nicaragua in El Salvador from 21:00hrs, at the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium.

It will mark the start of the FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers for Guyana, where they will also face hosts El Salvador, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

The team arrived in the Latin American country on Tuesday, and head coach Junior Hercules said they have since settled in and are eager to see some action.

“We’ve had our first practice on Tuesday and I’ll say that we’re a bit anxious but composed. So for the most part, we’re getting ourselves settled-in. With regard to our focus of playing, we have a single objective,” Hercules said in an interview that first appeared on NCN Sports.

Guyana will be one player short in El Salvador, after forward Timothy Thompson

tested positive for COVID-19 just before the team’s departure.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) was not allowed a replacement, which meant that coach Hercules will have to make-do with eleven players at the Qualifiers.

Thompson was the second player to receive a positive return on his COVID-19 test, with GABF being forced to replace point guard Yonnick Tappin with forward Akeem Crandon last week.

“It’s never a good thing for a team to be short of a player. Nevertheless, we know some of the consequences of COVID-19 and we would have been prepared for such, in a minimum sense, of the eventuality if possible,” Hercules said.

Asked about his team’s game-plan, the 2018 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC)-winning coach said

he will be hoping that his players can manage their turnovers, adding that their ultimate challenge is to exercise a level of trust in their strategy.

“I think if we’re able to achieve that going into our first game, being healthy and having clearance as it relates to the COVID-19 protocols, Guyana have a very good chance,” Hercules affirmed.

Stanton Rose Jr, the 2018 CBC Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP), will once again take up the reins as team captain.

Anthony Moe, Travis Belgrave and Harold Adams are the players returning from the 2018 CBC Championship-winning team, while Akeem Crandon, Terron Welsh, Israel Yaw and Nicholai Smith are making a return to coach Junior Hercules squad.

Meanwhile, FIBA Champions League (2018) and FIBA Intercontinental

Cup (2019) winner, Delroy James, will have his first taste of International Basketball The 33-year-old, who was a standout for Rhode Island University and has had considerable success on the European League circuit, most notably with AEK Athens, returned to Guyana for the first time since he migrated as a six-year-old.

Delroy’s brother, Gordon James, and Moe & Berkeley College point guard Deylon Anthony are the overseas-based players on the roster.

Following their encounter with Nicaragua tonight, Guyana will face Jamaica (April 16 at 18:00hrs), El Salvador (April 17 at 21:00hrs) and Costa Rica on April 18 at 21:00hrs.

According to GABF, all the team’s matches will be aired on local Cable provider, E-Networks’ E1 channel.

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Keeneland Racc2 1 Averly Jane Race 2 Searing Chase Race 3 Bode By You Race 4 Saintsation Race 5 Argentello Race 6 Sometimes Always

Race 7 Boldor Race 8 Mischiefful

row Race 6 Bank Sting Race 7 Capital Structure

11:00 hrs Society Red 11:35 hrs Emperor Spirit 12:10 hrs Lead Story 12:40 hrs Afandem

AQUEDUCT Race 1 Crypto Cash Race 2 Sheriff Bianco Race 3 Brattle House Race 4 Summer In The City Race 5 Love Me Tomor-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday April 15, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Royal Challengers Bangalore & Kolkatta Knight Riders (2008) (2) Brendon McCullum (RCB)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the inaugural IPL champuions?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newmarket 08:15 hrs Qurtajana 08:50 hrs Creative Force 09:25 hrs Valiant Prince 10:00 hrs Oxted 10:35 hrs La Barrosa 11:10 hrs Al Waqidi 11:45 hrs Bullace CHELTENHAM 08:30 hrs The Glancing Queen 09:05 hrs Fiveandtwenty 09:40 hrs Sexy Lot 10:15 hrs Jubilympics 10:50 hrs Liberty Bella 11:25 hrs Miss Amelia 12:00 hrs Wind From The West RIPON 09:15 hrs Khunan 09:50 hrs Highland Rocker 10:25 hrs Mid Winster

IRISH RACING TIPS Limerick 08:55 hrs Buzz Light 09:30 hrs The Cathal Don 10:05 hrs Cotteemcavennigoal 10:40 hrs Rock On Seamie 11::15 hrs Low Lie The Fields 11:50 hrs Clonbury Bridge 12:20 hrs Shean Glory 12:50 hrs Faith Du Val SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:20 hrs Ralph The Rascal 09:00 hrs Euphoric 09:35 hrs Saviour 10:10 hrs Someone Exciting 10:45 hrs Shampompo Shampizi

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

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Shahbaz grabs victory for RCB with three-wicket over

(CRICINFO) - They did it again at Chepauk. Only the cast changed. The drama remained the same. The team batting first got a below-par total, in the region of 150.

The team batting second were cruising in their chase, and looked like they would walk it. Cue collapse, mayhem and a thrilling win pulled from the jaws of defeat. If Mumbai Indians (MI) did it to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, it was the turn of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to pull a rabbit out of the hat against Sunrisers Hyderabad yesterday.

The hero of a five-run win was the previously unheralded Shahbaz Ahmed, who might not even have been sure of making the XI given that Devdutt Padikkal was returning and the RCB had plenty of bowling options already.

But Ahmed, with his left-arm darts, turned a game Sunrisers had in their grasp on its head with a triple-wicket over in the 17th, as the RCB surged back into the contest.

When Ahmed came on to bowl only his second over, Sunrisers were 115 for 2, with 35 needed off 24. Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey, both coming off half-centuries, were at the crease, but Ahmed would go on to get both in the over, and add the wicket of the big-hitting Abdul Samad too.

ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats told the story of the match turning in that over, as Sunrisers went from a win probability of 80.83 at the start of the over to 37.49 at the end.

It capped a fantastic day for Ahmed, who was pushed up to No.3 in the batting order and made a useful 14 off 10 too. He didn’t bowl more than those two overs, but ended with figures of 3 for 7.

He was not the only great positive for the RCB, with Glenn Maxwell notching a fine half-century earlier to drag them to 149 for 8, giving the bowlers something to defend.

That something turned out to be just enough at the end, as Sunrisers unravelled to fall short by six runs. With victory, RCB also moved to the top of the IPL 2021 table with two wins in two games.

THE RASHID KHAN EFFECT The RCB didn’t have too hot a start, which is critical to do against Sunrisers because the middle overs are manned

by Rashid Khan.

His four overs were always going to be crucial, and RCB needed their big three of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell, to take Rashid on and deny him his usual breakthroughs.

Rashid bowled 18 balls to the three combined, gave up only 15 runs and took the wicket of the most dangerous of them all in de Villiers. It was a masterclass in T20 bowling, never offering a hit-me ball and still being threatening enough

that batsmen of that quality had to protect their wickets. He ended with 4-0-18-2 across two spells, having conceded only a solitary four.

The last time Maxwell had scored a fifty in the IPL was before Rashid Khan was even part of the IPL, way back in 2016, when he made 68 off 42 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

A new franchise, the surety that he’ll be batting at four and a team management that clearly believes in him, have started Maxwell off better in this IPL than he has in years. He wasn’t fluent to start with, having come in the over before Rashid started bowling, and took a while to get used to the pace of the Chepauk pitch.

He was on 9 off 16 at the halfway mark, when he got stuck into Shahbaz Nadeem, looting two sixes and a four in a 22-run over, and kept ticking to tide over the loss of Kohli and de Villiers, before crunching boundaries at the death, with 24 runs biffed off his final 11 balls. He brought up his half-century in the last over, off 38 balls, end ended with 59 off 41.

That the RCB got something to bowl at despite Kohli never taking off in making 33 off 29 and de Villiers out for just 1 off 5, was down to Maxwell.

WARNER TAKES OFF After a failure in their opening game loss, David Warner was at his blistering best.

He didn’t get much of the strike initially, but that didn’t hamper his rhythm, with the boundaries flowing. In perhaps a tactical error by the RCB, Warner faced only two balls from Washington Sundar, who was brought on in the powerplay alright, but only in the fifth over.

Manish Pandey struggled to pierce the gaps during a second-wicket stand of 83, during which Sunrisers were still cruising thanks to Warner’s hitting at the other end. He looked in prime touch, until he swatted a slower bouncer from Kyle Jamieson down long-on’s throat.

AHMED TURNS IT AROUND Warner’s dismissal still left Sunrisers needing 54 off 40 with eight wickets in hand, a fairly straightforward task in most T20 chases.

However, the RCB bowled a succession of tight overs that inched the required rate forward, until Kohli brought on Ahmed for the 17th over.

Both Pandey and Bairstow thought that was an over they could target to ease up the chase, but Ahmed’s variations in angles and awkward height meant none of the batsmen could quite get a hold of him, and each one ended up skying the ball for easy catches.

That one over completely turned things around and Sunrisers’ brittle middle order cracked under the pressure, as batsmen kept falling even as the required rate kept rising.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Devon Ramnauth’s Pomeroon XI vs Essequibo Coast XI billed for this weekend THE DEVON Ramnauth Region Two Youth Development Cricket League clash between a Pomeroon XI and an Essequibo Coast XI could be played this weekend if weather permits.

Up to press time, organisers were trying to set a new date for the internal

Babetto Holder will captain Jacklow Youth Warriors.

Pomeroon match, which will see Jacklow Youth Warriors from Upper

Pomeroon and Pomeroon Strike Force from Lower Pomeroon battle in a 40over clash.

That game was originally scheduled for last Sunday at the Jacklow ground but rain caused its postponement. It will either be played today, Friday or Saturday.

After that clash, the combined Pomeroon team is hoping to host the Essequibo Coast XI. Ramnauth, a former national youth cricketer, said that the idea is to give the youths in Essequibo playing time.

Meanwhile, the teams for the Pomeroon internal clash were also released.

The home team will be captained by Babetto Holder and will include Bryan Narine (vc), Harold Demattos, Zidane Edwards, Ryan Ramdeen, Haroon Mohammed, Rovaldo Edwards, Mevon Marks, Ron Marks, Dwayne Marks, Alex Benn, Anthony Benn and Anthin Narine.

Pomeroon Strike Force will be captained by 15-year-old Andrew

Fifteen-year-old Andrew DeSantos will lead the visiting Pomeroon Strike Force.

DeSantos with Renaldo Baharally as vice-captain.

The team would also include Danzel Roberts, Devon Roberts, Zemas Boyal, Ronaldino Rajcoomar, Roberto Khanai, Rovaldo Williams, Sean Benjamin, Floyd Thornhill, Rovello Rodrigues, Leland Benjamin and Arlon Allen.

The game is being organised by siblings Ernesto and Kim Demattos.

GuyBiz supports Guyana’s cricket with generous donation of COVID-19 supplies THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) yesterday received a generous supply of masks and sanitisers from manager of GuyBiz, Ishwar Singh.

GuyBiz is a reputable procurement company located in Berbice, but targets customers across the length and breadth of Guyana.

Ishwar Singh is a former senior Inter-county player and is the brother of Gajanand Singh, a former national cricketer.

In brief remarks, the businessman explained that his company was very interested in the safety and welfare of the players, and, given the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, he thought it worthwhile to make this contribution.

Secretary of the GCB, Ronald Williams, expressed gratitude to GuyBiz for the donation of the COVID-19 supplies and noted, that this timely initiative would be of great assistance towards the safety and welfare of the players.

The secretary was particularly high in

praise to Ishwar Singh for this gesture in giving back to the game.

He pointed out that the COVID-19 safety measures are now an integral part of GCB’s planning process and in this regard the contribution by GuyBiz is most welcome.

Assistant secretary of GCB, Davteerth Anandjit also expressed his appreciation to Ishwar Singh and his company.

He indicated that such a contribution speaks volumes of the efforts being taken by those in the private sector to assist sporting organisations in carrying out their responsibility of ensuring that sporting activities are conducted within the established COVID-19 guidelines as laid out by the National Task Force.

Anandjit remarked that with the recent rise in recorded COVID-19 cases, such a gesture from GuyBiz is praiseworthy, as this will help the GCB to reinforce the importance of the COVID-19 guidelines in the various cricket-related activities.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 15, 2021

Lewis expects Guyanese TT players to be better settled in today’s second knockout round COACH of the national table tennis team in Argentina Idi Lewis is expecting better results from Guyana’s senior table tennis players

when they compete in their second knockout round of the Latin American Singles and Mixed Doubles Qualification tournament today.

The side went down on Tuesday in the opening knockout round of the singles division. Former Caribbean U21 female cham-

Despite apology, Sir Clive Lloyd proceeding with libel suit against Guyana Chronicle (SPORTSMAX.TV) - Former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd is taking the Guyana Chronicle to court, his lawyer Ralph Thorne confirmed Tuesday night.

Lloyd claims that the newspaper attributed to him, disparaging comments made about all-rounder Jason Holder, himself now a former West Indies captain.

However, the man who is also known as the ‘Big Cat’ insists that he did not speak to the reporter employed by the Guyanese media house.

The offending story published on March 13, was headlined ‘Holder has outlived his usefulness in the position, says

that the attorney had requested a settlement. He was unable to say whether an agreement was reached on any settlement.

He directed Sportsmax.TV to General Manager Moshamie Ramotar, who was said to be in a meeting when a call was made to her office.

Meanwhile, Mr Mahabir, who said he was disappointed and appalled by the headline and the story saying that had he seen it before, it would not have been published.

The editor, who described Lloyd as an icon, also said that the newspaper has also engaged the reporting staff in libel training.

On Tuesday night, Thorne said regional

Clive Lloyd (left) and his attorney Ralph Thorne Lloyd’ over the byline of Rajiv Bisnauth, who has subsequently been suspended. The newspaper has also apologised for their publication of the story.

However, Thorne revealed on the Mason & Guest talk show in Barbados last night that they were proceeding with legal action against the newspaper.

“I am representing Sir Clive Lloyd in association with Guyanese counsel and if the Chronicle or anybody at the Chronicle is hearing let them understand that we are pressing ahead with the case on behalf of one of the great West Indians of the last 100 years,” Ralph Thorne.

In response to Astaphan’s declaration, Editor at the Guyana Chronicle Tajeram Mahabir told Sportsmax.TV that since the story was published online, they had taken several actions that included reaching out to Sir Clive Lloyd with an apology as well as publishing a retraction and apology on the front page of their online publication.

Mr Mahabir also revealed that the newspaper had also reached out to Lloyd’s attorney with an apology, also indicating

newspapers needed to be more responsible with their reporting.

“This region is what it is because we have some people called cricketers. This region derives much of its identity and much of its respect in the international community because of cricket, and therefore because of our cricketers you are not going to meet a more distinguished West Indian than Sir Clive Lloyd,” he said.

“And therefore, newspapers must be very careful how they portray our heroes.

Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero, an authentic West Indian hero and when a reporter is going to say to the world in an online edition that Sir Clive Lloyd spoke to him and he quoted Sir Clive Lloyd as having said that he disavowed Jason Holder.

That is unkind, not only because Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero speaking about a West Indian captain but Sir Clive Lloyd never said that. These men must not be defamed by newspapers simply because they have the power of the pen.”

Coach Idi Lewis (left) with Shemar Britton, Nathalie Cummings and Joel Alleyne (right) last evening at the venue. pion and Lourosa Portugal semiprofessional player Chelsea Edghill had the best chance of winning, but she lost a heart-breaker 4-3 to Mexican Monica Munoz.

Another former Caribbean U21 champion, Shemar Britton also put up a fight, but went down to Paraguay's Alejandro Toranzos 2-4.

Guyana’s other two representatives in Rosario, Joel Alleyne and Nathalie

Cummings lost outright.

Despite falling short, Lewis applauded the players’ effort.

“I think they did very well under the circumstances facing the level of players they faced, especially Chelsea and Shemar and I’m expecting them to do much better tomorrow (today).”

The coach added that the overall experience has been great so far.

“No complaints, great ac-

commodation and world class tournament facility.

We’ve settled in a lot better and I expect them (the players) to be more comfortable, which will yield better results.”

A draw was expected to be held last evening to determine today’s singles games.

The Latin American tournament is being used as a qualifying event for the Tokyo Olympics.

Team Guyana putting final touches in ahead of their clash with Nicaragua tonight in El Salvador.

(Photo compliments: GABF)

Guyana to face Nicaragua tonight in FIBA World Cup qualifiers … Hercules optimistic of team advancing See story on page 20

GuyBiz supports Guyana’s Shahbaz grabs See story cricket with generous on page 22 victory for RCB with donation of COVID-19 supplies three-wicket over See story on page 21

GuyBiz Ishwar Singh and GCB executives during their recent donation ceremony Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Shahbaz Ahmed celebrates a wicket with Virat Kohli, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2021, Chennai, yesterday.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021