Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-07-2021

FRIDAY 16th July, 2021

No. 106423

Police Force records 18.7 per cent decrease in serious crimes

President ‘talks up’

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Public/Private Partnerships ― says will create greater opportunities, build transparency

President Dr Irfaan Ali interacting with members of the private sector on Wednesday night (Office (Office of the President photo) photo)

Manickchand: Families, children important to us ― rejects McDonald’s description of education grants as ‘wasteful’

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MoU signed to ‘jump start’ $39.2M training programme for hinterland youths 8 SEE PAGE

$300M to construct 40 houses at 12 Amelia’s Ward SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Manickchand: Families, children important to us ― rejects McDonald’s description of education grants as ‘wasteful’

EDUCATION Minister, Priya Manickchand, has rebuked the Opposition’s efforts to discourage teachers from participating in the rolling out of the government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant which will see each child in the public school system benefiting from $19,000.

The programme is one initiated by the People’s Progressive Party Civic government even before it demitted office in 2015.

When the party returned to office in August 2020, it sought to not only to reinstate the programme, but increase its benefits from well beyond $10,000 as well.

With the increases, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant will now be valued at $15,000, which will be added to the School Uniform and Supplies Grant

of $4,000 As this year’s distribution commenced, it was heavily criticised by the members of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), including the party’s Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald.

It is alleged that McDonald, who is also the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, has launched an effort to derail the distribution of the monies to parents and guardians of more than 172,000 pupils and students.

According to the claims, McDonald has already solicited the support of teachers, seeking to prevent the rolling out of the initiative which has been seen as critical at this time, especially owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and other external shocks that

have resulted in the escalation of cost of living.

Minister Manickchand, in a recent post to her Facebook Page, said “It is bizarre to me that any person, or political party or any of their affiliates would object to Guyana’s families being assisted with $19,000 per child.”

In a video statement also posted only on Thursday night, the education minister reiterated her government’s intention to provide as much support as it can to the people of Guyana, especially those in need.

She indicated that the government’s move to distribute the cash grants stem from an understanding of the realities and needs of families in all parts of Guyana. “You see, the issue becomes not knowing what our families are going through, and if

you don’t know that, you can’t serve them,” minister Manickchand posited.

She added, “If you don’t know how hard it is for a grandmother bringing up her [grand] children because mother [and] father [are] gone; if you don’t know how hard it is even in nuclear families where you have both mother and father, then you can’t serve the people; you can’t bring programmes that will serve the people,” the education minister argued.

She stated categorically that unlike some personalities, neither she nor the government hold the view that any of the $3.2 billion is wasteful money.

“Could we do more with $3 billion? Of course!

But you are important to us; your children are important to us, and that will remain that way,” Manickchand emphasised.

Earlier in the week, while not referring specifically to the claims being made against McDonald, Minister Manickchand said that “The APNU+AFC just doesn’t do anything sensible, logical or lawful. Reject them, as they try to deny you this grant. We are here, and we will bring you this goodness; every public school child. Because we care!

See you when I come into your community.”

The Ministry of Education had said that the parents or guardians of children in the public school system from nursery to secondary level are to visit the respective schools on the scheduled date to uplift the grant. “If a parent or guardian fails to uplift the grant on the scheduled date, he/she will be allowed to do so at a later date at the Department of Education for that region or education district,” the statement assured.

This later date, according to the ministry, will be announced at the appropri-

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

ate time, but will be after the entire exercise has concluded. To this end, parents are encouraged to make every effort to uplift the cash on the scheduled dates.

Parents or guardians are asked to walk with a valid form of identification when going to uplift the grant. 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 Ministry of Education said that it aims to serve each child before September 2021, when the new school term begins.

“This initiative of the Government of Guyana is to provide assistance to families so that they can provide the necessary resources for their children, so that they cannot only remain in school, but to also excel in their stud-

ies,” the ministry said.

M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y, minister Manickchand has made it clear that the monies are not limited to just the purchase of school supplies and uniforms, but whatever is necessary for the wellbeing of children.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information, she gave an example of how families may need to expend the monies in different ways to enable the academic advancement of their children.

“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 minister posited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

President ‘talks up’ Public/Private Partnerships ― says will create greater opportunities, build transparency

President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressing the Private Sector Commission (PSC) business forum (Office of the President photo)

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening said that Public Private Partnerships are integral to the progression of Guyana, and should be the cornerstone of development going forward.

The Head of State pointed out that partnerships need not only be transactional or project ties, but should also become more established.

“We build policies together; we solve problems together, and we look at opportunities, and open those opportunities,” President Ali said. “The local private sector has shown us that they have the ability to take the risk, and they have the wherewithal to make the investments,” he added.

The president’s appeal was part of an address to a Private Sector Commission (PSC) business forum held under the theme, ‘The Private Sector in an emerging Guyana’, at the Pegasus Hotel.

Moving forward, regular engagements between the two bodies are extremely important, according to the President.

“It’s very important that we reach at a forum like this to bring all our thoughts together, and deal with the multifaceted nature of the challenges that we face,” he said.

ADVANCEMENT OF GUYANESE The audience was reminded that the government is pursuing a development agenda that caters for strong local private support, which will, in turn, benefit all citizens.

“There is no apology about this policy.

Any company that is operating here,” he said, “must understand that they’re operating here not only for their own profit, which is important, and which is fair, but also for the development and advancement of Guyana and Guyanese. That is critical.”

This structure, the President noted, is not

only for the oil-and-gas sector, but for all other sectors in the country.

“That is what we have to discuss today.

How do we ensure the new economy involves you? And how do you ensure you get involved in the new economy? It’s two sides of the same coin,” he said, adding: “I expect that when we sit here together, that you can bring ideas to the table; you can bring projects to the table, and we can work on making decisions together; that is important.”

According to the President, once decisions are made together, “There will be greater ownership of those decisions; there will be greater respect for those decisions, and it will create a more transparent and open environment. And that is what you want; a transparent and open environment.”

The Head of State also gave an update on the government’s robust infrastructure development plan. He said that these big projects, including the four-lane highway from Mandela Avenue to Diamond; a new four-lane highway in the West Demerara region; and six additional lanes along the East Coast Demerara, will open thousands of acres of land for development.

He said this would result in other major infrastructural development, including an industrial site on the East Coast Demerara, and an industrial zone for the oil- and-gas sector at Wales on the West Bank Demerara in the Wales Development Authority.

“What we’re hoping to achieve is, if not total, close to total local involvement, and local private sector involvement in this development,” President Ali said, adding: “And that is why understanding the scale of what Government is going to do is so important.”

PART OF THE EQUATION The President stressed that the local

private sector must always be part of the equation as we advance.

“So, any company coming in to invest,” he said, “must understand that they have to rap at the door of the local private sector here, too, and involve you in the process going forward. But do not expect the government to spoon-feed opportunities; we have to work and make the policy known, but you also have to be aggressive.”

The gathering was also reminded that the government is working to significantly increase the ease of doing business by way of a Single Window Approval System.

President Ali was accompanied by VicePresident Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The forum was attended by members of the Private Sector Commission, along with representatives from various Chambers of Commerce from across the country.

After his address, the President and Vice-President responded to questions, whereby participants were able to seek clarification on various matters, including access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses; capacity building to increase the technical capabilities of the workforce; the importance of regional development; the strengthening of local content; and the creation of public-private partnerships.

Other issues discussed were infrastructure development, improving competitiveness (locally and regionally), incentives, taxation, improving tourism, the forestry sector, financial services, and the labour market.

The PSC Business Forum’s aim was to sensitise the business community on plans and opportunities within the various sectors here in Guyana.

In introductory remarks, PSC Chairman, Paul Cheong noted that the private sector is committed to working with the government to advance development within Guyana. He underscored the importance of the private sector as a strategic partner in promoting economic growth and collaborative work within several sectors, including agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

The PSC Chairman endorsed and commended the work done by the government, and reaffirmed the PSC’s commitment to collaborate in building a brighter and more prosperous Guyana.

Also in attendance were members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Linden Chamber of Commerce, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Bartica Chamber of Commerce, Guyana Bankers’ Association, Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association, Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Shipping Association of Guyana, the Tourism and Hospitality Association, Institute of Private Enterprise Development, National Air Transport Association, Guyana Craft Producers Association, and Former Chairmen of the PSC, Capt. Gerry Gouveia, Nicholas Boyer, Desmond Sears, Edward Boyer, Ramesh Persaud, and Major Gen. Norman Mclean, and Corporate Coordinator of the PSC and Chairman of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Prashad, and other senior Executives and members of the Private Sector across Guyana. (Public Information and Press Services Unit)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Ballot Box Martyrs remembered

THE People’s National Congress (PNC) has not changed its proclivity for rigging elections, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said as it celebrated the 48 death anniversary of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand who were killed while protecting ballot boxes.

Following the horrific incident, they became known as the Ballot Box Martyrs.

The PPP, in a statement to mark the occasion, said the young men were shot and killed while part of a group of residents who had gathered to prevent the removal of ballot boxes from the place of

poll during that year’s general elections.

“This horrific incident occurred during the oppressive and authoritarian rule of the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime. Their deaths represent another dark day in our nation’s history and are demonstrative of yet

another act of rigging by the PNC to hold on to power illegally, with the most recent being their five-monthlong attempt to rig the March 2nd, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Having refused to abide by the constitutionally mandated processes following the successfully passed no-confidence motion on

December 21, 2018, and having violated the Constitution on numerous occasions during their tenure in office from 2015, it was clear that the PNC, under the guise of APNU+AFC, has not shed an iota of its proclivity to rig elections,” the PPP said.

The PPP said it recognises the selfless sacrifices of the two brave and young heroes and urged that Guyanese continue to remain vigilant in safeguarding the country’s Constitution and democratic tenets against all efforts by “those bent on suppressing our freedoms”.

Much-needed help for women entrepreneurs

By Naomi Parris IN an effort to promote entrepreneurship among Guyanese women, the Centre for Local Business Development launched its Accelerate-Her and Road to Growth programmes on Thursday.

During a virtual launch, the centre’s director, Natasha Gaskin-Peters, highlighted that the newly- launched

programmes will be targetting local women business owners, operators, and managers, to build the leadership and business skills of female entrepreneurs in Guyana to help them grow their companies across a wide variety of industries and sectors.

The programmes, she added, will also see women being more on the forefront of the oil and gas sector.

Gaskin-Peters explained

Director of Centre for Local Business Development, Natasha Gaskin-Peters

that the “Accelerate-Her” programme is designed to enable the acceleration of small businesses through tailored workshops, access to one-on-one business advisory and mentors, pitch development, and fostering a strong and supportive peer-learning environment for women.

The programme, she pointed out will match a pool of professional mentors with participants based on their professional background and business focus.

In phase one of the Accelerate-Her, 35 participants will participate in a one-week bootcamp on generating a business model canvas, refining their value proposition, and customer and key channels to deliver value.

Participants can plan to engage 12-16 hours during the bootcamp week, including group sessions and takehome activities.

In phase two, a cohort of 15 select participants (from the bootcamp) will receive a tailored assessment to identify business strengths and gaps and will then be matched with lead mentors.

The nine-week programme culminates in a demo and pitch day to showcase participant businesses to potential partners and investors.

The cohort programme will meet weekly. Participants are expected to dedicate between 8-10 hours per week during the cohort programme, which includes in-person meeting time, mentorship meetings, and selfpaced activities.

The programme will run from September – December 2021 and will be delivered over a 10-week period.

Meanwhile, the second programme, which is led by the Cherie Blair Foundation, will run from September – November 2021 and training will be delivered over a seven-week period.

According to Gaskin-Peter, the ‘Women’s Road to Growth’ programme is for women entrepreneurs looking to take their existing businesses to the next level.

The programme, she explained, will be an online and face-to-face business management and investment readiness programme for women entrepreneurs, delivered by expert in-country partners carefully selected by the Foundation.

Over the seven-week period, participants will study the following topics: Knowing Your Market, Digital Marketing, Knowing Your Business, Understanding Financing, Managing Financial Relationships, Applying for Financing and Confidence building.

The programme, she explained, is most appropriate for women whose businesses are at the development and growth stage. It is not suitable for women running businesses at the start-up stage.

Road to Growth will support 25 women in Guyana to grow more successful and sustainable businesses.

Women entrepreneurs seeking to expand their company, access new markets or increase efficiencies and innovation should submit applications for the programmes.

For further information visit the https://centreguyana.com/wep/ website or 592-223-7781

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Serious crimes down 18.7%, but rape still a challenge ― ‘Top Cop’ reports

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a 18.7% decrease in serious crimes at the third quarter of the year 2021, as compared to the same period in 2020.

That’s according to Commissioner of Police, (ag), Nigel Hoppie, who made the announcement during the Force’s 182nd Anniversary awards and incentives presentation ceremony on Thursday.

Serious crimes cover a wide range of criminal activities, among them violent crimes, drug-related offences, and criminal charges involving death or serious bodily harm to the victim (especially those having to do with drunk-driving matters).

Commissioner Hoppie began by commending the work done by the ranks in their commitment to serving the people of Guyana, saying that a police officer is never “off duty”, but is continuously dedicated to ensuring that their roles as law enforcement agents are fulfilled.

“Notwithstanding the continuing challenges,” the

commissioner said, “through the meaningful and robust support of the government and law-abiding citizens, the utilisation of all our resources, and more specifically the many dedicated and committed members of the Force; the constant many who have placed their minds and shoulders to the wheel of law enforcement and assisted in keeping our country safe, Law Enforcement officers are, in reality, never ‘off duty’.

“We are dedicated and committed public servants, who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place that the peace is threatened.”

In terms of how the year has progressed so far where serious crimes are concerned, Hoppie reported that there has been a significant decline in robbery under arms, by as much as 36.3%.

Murder is also down, but just marginally, at 16.7%, from 78 around this time last year to 65.

And, surprisingly, of that number, just seven of the

victims were women, which is a significant improvement on the 20 that were killed at the end of June last year. On the downside, however, six of those seven women were killed during domestic-related incidents.

And while there have been measured improvements in other aspects of serious crimes between January to June this year, when compared to the same period last year, rape is up by as much as 70%, from 90 to a whopping 153.

Acknowledging that several ranks have been in breach of the Police Force’s Code of Conduct and Standing Orders, Commissioner Hoppie declared that he will not be so naïve as to bury his head in the proverbial sand, and proceeded to reveal that currently, there are 29 ranks before the courts on various charges, from allegations of rape, to robbery, manslaughter, assault and corruption.

Neglect of duty, on the other hand, were dealt with condignly, either via the courts or disciplinary action.

Some of the ranks that were recognised at the GPF’s 182nd Anniversary awards and incentives presentation ceremony on Thursday with Commissioner of Police (Ag) Mr. Nigel Hoppie, DSM; Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms. Mae Touissant Jr. Thomas; and National Security Adviser, Mr. Gerald Gouveia

RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION On a pleasanter note, the event saw some 3,258 ranks and 28 Community Policing Groups being presented with incentives and other prizes totaling $17,766,000.

Among those awardees were members of the Force who have been exemplary in the recovery of illegal firearms, interdiction of narcotics, and the arrest of wanted persons.

Since the commencement of the Awards Ceremony in 1990, the commissioner said that the Police Force has paid out a total of $448,865,000 in cash incentives to deserving police ranks, “and will be continuing along this morale-boosting path” in the foreseeable future.

In closing, Commissioner Hoppie said: “Permit me to reiterate my call, and urge members of the Force to be professional in their

behaviour and conduct, showing courtesy towards members of the public, and to avoid corrupt practices.

Let us build bridges with the public, and thereby improve on our public image in order that we can enhance public trust and confidence that are so essential. We in the Police Force cannot do it alone; we need the understanding and support of the public that we serve.”

Flooding kills dozens in Germany and Belgium

At least 70 people have died in Germany and Belgium after record rainfall caused rivers to burst their banks.

Most of the victims were in Germany, but at least 11 have died in Belgium, with more reported missing.

The German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia were worst hit, but the Netherlands is also badly affected.

More heavy rain is forecast across the region on Friday, while local officials have blamed climate change.

Armin Laschet, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, blamed the extreme weather on global warming during a visit to a hard-hit area.

“We will be faced with such events over and over, and that means we need to speed up climate protection measures... because climate change isn’t confined to one state,” he said.

Experts say that climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, but linking any single event to global warming is complicated.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in the US ahead of a meeting with President Joe Biden, called the flooding a “catastrophe” and

said she was “grieving those who have lost their lives”.

“My thoughts are with you, and you can trust that all forces of our government - federal, regional and community - collectively will do everything under the most difficult conditions to save lives, alleviate dangers and to relieve distress.”

In Germany, police helicopters and hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to affected areas to help stranded residents.

Dozens of people waited on rooftops to be rescued.

Schools have been closed around the west of Germany, while transport links have been severely disrupted.

About 25 houses are in danger of collapsing in the district of Schuld bei Adenau in the mountainous Eifel region, where a state of emergency has been declared, according to German broadcaster SWR. It said some houses had been completely cut-off and could no longer be reached by boat.

Residents in the region told AFP news agency they were stunned by the disaster.

“Nobody was expecting this - where did all this rain come from? It’s crazy,”

Annemarie Mueller, a 65-yearold resident of Mayen, said.

“It made such a loud noise and given how fast it came down we thought it would break the door down.”

Local teacher Ortrud Meyer, 36, said she had “never seen anything like this”.

“My father-in-law is almost 80, he’s from Mayen, and he says he’s never experienced anything like this,” she said.

In Belgium, dramatic footage of the floods showed cars being swept away along a street in the city of Verviers.

Residents of Liège, Belgium’s third-largest urban area

after Brussels and Antwerp, were ordered to evacuate.

Those unable to leave should move to the upper floors of their buildings, local officials said.

The Meuse River which flows through the city is expected to rise by another 1.5 metres, despite being on the verge of overflowing already.

Officials are also concerned that a dam bridge in the area may collapse and urged people to help each other.

“The crisis situation is exceptional and solidarity must prevail,” the local authority said in a statement.

Residents of the Belgian

town of Pepinster, which lies at the confluence of two rivers in Liège province, were evacuated in a large truck on Thursday, but conditions in the municipality of Trooz are so bad that evacuation efforts have been halted.

In the Netherlands, there have been no casualties reported but thousands of people in towns and villages along

the Meuse River have been urged to leave their houses quickly.

In the Dutch city of Maastricht, 10,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.

And flooding in Valkenburg, close to the Belgian and German borders, engulfed the town centre and forced the evacuation of several nursing homes. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Public Accounts

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommenced work following a brief hiatus.

The committee is now headed by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueria, after government members had expressed a loss of confidence in the former Chairman David Patterson and successfully moved a no-confidence motion against him at the full sitting of the National Assembly.

From all indications, the work of the committee is off to a good start. According to PAC member and Minister of Public Works, Juan Edgehill, some progress was made and a process of engagement has been established to deal with the Public Procurement Commission.

All of this is good news and augurs well for the accountability and stewardship of public finances by accounting officers of the several ministries and government agencies. Patterson was appointed Chairman of the PAC in December 2020, but was removed following a motion moved by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira calling for him to be removed on the grounds that he was unfit to head the PAC, which is responsible for scrutinising public spending.

The Public Accounts Committee is an important body in so far as the scrutiny of the spending of public funds is concerned and to that extent its image as a body is important. The new

PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueria has reportedly expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the committee has been doing its work so far in a non-confrontational manner and in keeping with the mandate of the PAC. He indicated that he is planning the convening of at least two weekly meetings of the PAC with the aim of clearing the backlog of work.

That position coincided fully with that of the ruling PPP/C members of the committee. The government is on record as saying that it has zero-tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices. This assurance came from President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali himself when he said that his administration is commit-

ted to the strengthening of institutional capacity to improve the system of governance and making government more open and transparent, and creating avenues for greater public involvement in the process.

To give effect to that declaration, the PPP/C established the Integrity Commission, to which senior public officials are required by law to submit their income and expenditure statements annually. In addition, it was under the previous PPP/C administration that the Office of the Auditor-General was strengthened and became independent from the Minister of Finance and is now answerable to Parliament. Under the previous PNC administration, the Auditor-Gen-

eral’s Office was downplayed and starved of resources to execute its work programme with the result that the Auditor General’s Report was delayed for several consecutive years. It was not until the ascension to office of the PPP/ in October 1992 that reports of the Auditor General were presented to the Speaker of the National Assembly on a regular basis, which then formed the basis for the work of the of the Public Accounts Committee.

If there is one area in which both the government and the political opposition could close ranks and work together as a team, it is that of the Public Accounts Committee. Accountability and transparency in the use of public funds tran-

scend party politics. In the final analysis, it is the taxpayers of Guyana and the society as a whole that is poorer for every act of corruption or misappropriation of public funds.

The government is fully committed to ensuring that the work of both the Office of the Auditor-General and the Public Accounts Committee is done in keeping with their respective mandates. And even though there is no corruption-free society in the world, it is the extent to which governments put in place the necessary measures and mechanisms to fight corruption that matters. In this regard, the current PPP/C administration has not been found wanting.

Choice at PNC Congress is between violence and non-violence

Dear Editor,

FREDDIE Kissoon in his daily KN column of 7-13-21, “argued that society should continue to engage African Guyanese about their political leadership. It is becoming overbearing in the cruel ways that the PNC and their surrogates in the trade

union movement, academia and civil society are deceiving African people in this country.”

Freddie is so right.

But it goes further.

The PNC continues to deceive all Guyanese.

When former President David Granger and Joseph Harmon visited the West Coast Berbice rioters and riled up

PNC supporters, it was one group of people who felt the brunt of the attack.

Not all PNC leaders follow the same approach. PNC C h a i r m a n Vo l d a Lawrence visited the same West Coast Berbice area and calmed the rioters. The choice between the two PNC factions is now between violence and

non-violence In the upcoming October Congress high drama is likely to take place. Granger as Leader of the List used his power to leave Lawrence out of Parliament.

Lawrence has proven that she is no pushover. She has been a tempestuous critic of Granger.

Wi t h G r a n g er announcing his

decision to run for PNC leader, does Lawrence have the support to challenge him and win? Harmon has also announced his decision to run for the chairmanship and no doubt he is no match for Lawrence for election to this position.

L a w r e n c e c o ntrols the critical Georgetown PNC

group from where she draws her strength.

Harmon has no constituency of his own.

With Freddie’s prediction so early that the Congress will be rigged against Lawrence, she has her work cut out to do.

Yours sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

COVID-19 has underscored the need to move online with alacrity

Dear Editor,

I WISH to congratulate a group of current and past members of the University of Guyana’s Cybersecurity Club on their recent participation in the OAS’s virtual International CyberEx 2021 Competition, which was held on June 30, 2021.

The International CyberEx is an annual OAS/ INCIBE initiative that seeks to strengthen technical abilities to respond to cyber incidents.

Guyana first participated remotely in an activity of this nature by invitation from OAS/CICTE in December 2014. “The Regional Cyber Games” was held virtually on the December 10, 2014 and was organised by the Colombian Cyber Emergency Response Team – colCERT. Guyana’s then very new National Computer Incident Response Team (I was the Head of Unit at that time), with Incident Handler Jason Plummer as captain, supported by Bhojnarine Hemchand and Aneal Giddings (then at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), jumped at the opportunity to develop exposure to Capture the Flag cyber training exercises. The activity is as much a learning exercise as an opportunity to showcase skills.

With the dynamic duo ‘Jason and Bhoj’ both out of Guyana pursuing further studies in Canada, I had the pleasure this year of seeing four young Guyanese challenge themselves at the International CyberEx 2021 competition, where Guyana came in 36th out of 82 countries.

What is interesting about this effort is that all four members of the team nurtured their interests in Cybersecurity at the University of Guyana’s Cybersecurity Club (UGCC). Team captain, Mr. Cloyd London, is a former President of the UGCC for the academic year (2018-2019). Teekae Jordan is a founding member of the UGCC, which was established in 2017 and served as a dedicated vice-president every year until he graduated. Jason

Jacobs is the current President of the UGCC and Wayne Force Jr. is the current vice-president of the club. This is the objective of the Department of Computer Science’s Clubs – to give opportunities to young, talented students to hone and sharpen skills and develop knowledge in special-interest areas.

Cloyd London, now a UG graduate, having learned that anyone can participate in the tournament from academia, public/private sector, National CSIRTS or NGOs, explained that he had difficulty finding colleagues who were willing to give the tournament a try. Team captain, Cloyd London. Cloyd is a long-standing Network Technician at GTT. Failing to find professionals who had the skills and interest in cybersecurity, he turned to his old college buddies and then he said he was able to form the ‘Dream Team’: Cloyd London as captain, Teekae Jordan, Wayne Forde Jr and Jason Jacobs as the penetration and forensics researchers.

On June 30, the OAS launched the tournament with 12 challenges, 10 of which were on digital forensics, one on exploitation and one on analysis. The tournament lasted for eight hours and several OAS countries participated.

Guyana went into the tournament with high enthusiasm but only to realise they were not prepared for the kind of questions or tasks that were expected of them to execute, this being their first attempt at CyberEx. However, as Captain London explained, they quickly adjusted and strategised. They told themselves that they had to face 12 challenges and that they must be able to answer at least one challenge that is high on points and try to attempt the other challenges partially. The penetration tester on the team was current UGCC President and UG final-year student, Jason Jacobs, who encouraged everyone to look at one of the difficult questions and put their best foot forward. They did and were able to gather 500 points and be within

the 44 countries that were able to answer a challenge successfully out of 82 countries and Guyana finished the tournament ranked 36th.

As academic adviser to the UGCC, I am proud of the efforts of these young men. They have over the years invested hours of their personal time and personal funds studying and developing their knowledge and skills in an area where Guyana (and the rest of the world) is desperately short of skills. I encouraged them to enter the tournament knowing quite well that they would come face to face with what they did not know, a valuable learning experience. Now, the team is energised to develop their knowledge in digital forensics.

As a nation we have a far way to go in terms of Cybersecurity Awareness Building and skills development and the individuals who participated in the CyberEx2021 are at the forefront of technical Cybersecurity knowledge and skills in Guyana today. While the same set of skills can be used to hack into networks for criminal purposes, UGCC members have their interests squarely in being ethical security practitioners, investing in themselves to protect and defend networks.

It is notable that the tournament was won by an academic CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) from Argentina, CERTUNLP, the academic CSIRT of the National University of La Plata. Cloyd London, during his year as President of UGCC, with my full support, tried valiantly to form an academic CSIRT at the University of Guyana. The institution, at that time, did not have the environment to support such innovative thinking.

We need to do much more as a nation, to support the development of local talent in Guyana, especially in the area of Information technology which, while changing at a rapid pace, is the core enabler of every aspect of society, from social networks to academic, private and public-sector operations. As we have all seen

with COVID-19 and the need to move online with alacrity, we are all dependent on information technology today. Along with the opportunities, ICTs also bring threats and responding to both opportunities and cyber threats demands agility in management and IT governance in all organisations today, including government agencies.

The only thing that is stopping the young people of Guyana from developing their cybersecurity skills is the quality of training that we provide to them, which is dependent upon the vision that we set for ourselves as a nation. I am thankful to the OAS/CICTE, an organisation that has over

the years provided much technical assistance to Guyanese to develop Cybersecurity skills. This is not the first time that the OAS has provided opportunity for UGCC to learn more about Cybersecurity. The club, under the leadership of Cloyd London, participated in the OAS Diplohack competition in Feb 2019, when they had the opportunity to visit the OAS HQ and engage with the best young minds in the Region working in cybersecurity governance. While the OAS is doing its part, our government’s efforts in National Cybersecurity Governance needs better leadership and that can only come from more political participation.

Guyana has already seen the passion that young University of Guyana students have shown for robotics and STEM in general. We really must be more strategic as a nation in our support to developing human resources for future development of the country. It is dreams that we must support. And dream teams. If we are out of touch with the heartbeat of the youth, we will continue to lose them.

Sincerely, Sandra Khan Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

MoU signed to ‘jump start’ $39.2M training programme for hinterland youths

By Naomi Parris

THE Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, on Thursday, officially inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jump start a $39.2M training programme for Community Support Officers and youths.

The training programme will be headed by the Board of Industrial Training and will see youths benefitting from a number of BIT courses.

Speaking at a simple ceremony held at the Hinterland Scholarship Dormitory at Liliendaal, Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, outlined the structure of the programme.

“The programme is specifically the Amerindian Affairs programme; the programme is funded by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs but the technical officers who will ensure that these programmes succeed they will be made available

via the Board of Industrial Training. That is the structure of the programme.”

Minister Hamilton highlighted that the training will give the CSOs a chance to become multi-talented and skilled in various areas that will promote community

development and self-improvement.

“You must have more than one talent and you must have more than one skill. The Board of Industrial Training by itself will continue to engage Amerindian communities through the length and

breadth of this country.”

The minister further urged CSOs who were gathered at the ceremony to take advantage of training to better themselves and communities on a whole.

Also urging CSOs to take advantage of the programme,

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton and Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, signing the Memorandum of Understanding to jump start the $39.2M training programme for hinterland youths and CSOs

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai said: “CSOs I believe this is your time, take the opportunity that you are now embarking on and focus on the training.”

She stressed that the CSOs will be given the opportunity to benefit from a series of soft and tangible trainings that will provide self-reformation and enable overall community development.

minister urged.

Meanwhile, Endra Williams, a CSO from Region One, told the Guyana chronicle that she intends to take full advantage of the training.

The young woman noted that she was eager for the op-

Endra Williams, a Community Support Officer from Region One

Marvia Williams, a Community Support Officer from Region Seven

“I want you to focus on all parts of the training. I understand that there is going to be some soft skill training and some tangible training and it doesn’t matter what you are taught or how much you are given to do, do it diligently and focus on completing successfully,” the

portunity to learn a new skill and to share whatever she learns with her fellow youths.

Marvia Williams from Region Seven, also shared similar sentiments. The young man noted that he was excited for training and hopes to share what he learns with others in his community as well.

Ferguson for court today for alleged cyberbullying

A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson is scheduled to appear before a city magistrate today for allegedly committing what in the eyes of the law constitutes a cybercrime.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has reportedly received legal advice from the Police Legal Officer to institute a charge of using a computer system to humiliate a person, contrary to Section 19 (5) (a) of the Cybercrime Act, against Ferguson.

The former Minister of Government under the ousted APNU+AFC administration is expected to appear before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

On June 30, 2021, Ferguson was arrested following a report filed against her by a senior member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in relation to a Facebook post which falsely claimed that he has been earmarked to be in charge of “a killing squad”.

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

India’s CoWIN software to track vaccination data MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said Guyana will soon be able to better track vaccination data when it begins using the Indian COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) vaccination tracking software.

During Wednesday’s COVID-19 Update, Dr. Anthony said he recently attended a virtual conclave of health and technology experts from various countries where India shared how the system works.

“As you know in India, they have been doing mass vaccination and millions of people have already received the vaccine. However, to

track how many people that receive the vaccine on a daily basis they have developed a software to be able to aggregate all these numbers from the different vaccination sites; that software is called CoWIN and it has been working very good in India.

So, the Government of India has decided that they want to make the software available to countries who would like to use it. And they made such an offer to the Government of Guyana.

We are very much interested in it because we believe that it would help us to aggregate the numbers of, you know, from the different sites that

we have. Currently we have about 100 sites,” Minister

Anthony said.

The Health Minister said the software will be tailored for local use.

“We’ll be able to track almost on a minute-by-minute basis how the vaccination is going because that’s how the software is, [and] of course there will be customising it to suit our purposes here in Guyana.”

The Economic Times of India reported that over 50 countries, from central Asia, Latin America and Africa have shown interest in the CoWIN app. The report also stated that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to create an open-source version of

the platform and give it free of cost to any country that wants it.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony says Guyana’s vaccination record keeping has been quite comprehensive and additional information than what is already being collected would not be necessary for the CoWIN app to function effectively here.

“Not only do we have the name of the person, address and telephone numbers and so forth, but we have also been tracking the vaccine, type of vaccine, batch number, serial number and a whole host of other technical things that are required. So, we have very comprehensive

information but the information is not in a user-friendly manner and that’s what this software is going to change.

When we get the software, we will be able to input all this data that we have already collected, and of course, those persons who are now coming to the centres, we can do that directly.”

Minister Anthony said the software will allow the ministry to observe a lot of trends and patterns in the vaccination process, which will contribute positively to the current process, and would also be useful for future reference. (DPI)

be at the car park at Parika in Region Three on Sunday, July 18, 2021

from 10:00hrs to 16:00 hrs.

Additional outreach

locations and dates are expected to be announced later.

Senior Finance Minister launches NIS community outreach countywide

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, has announced that he will be embarking on a series of countrywide outreaches to meet with residents on the ground and listen to their concerns in relation to any issues they may wish to address with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

A team from the Ministry of Finance and the NIS will also be at hand during the outreaches to provide services, a release said. The first outreach meeting is slated to be held at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Georgetown between 10:00hrs and 20:00hrs on Saturday, July 17, 2021.

The matters to be dealt with at the outreaches include compliance certificates, contribution statements, registration and replacement of NIS cards, signing and submission of life

certificates, submission of claims and benefit and pension queries.

In December 2020 last, just one month after the commencement of his duties as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Singh met with the new NIS Board. At that meeting he outlined his expectations and charged the board to ensure they were met.

He had noted then that, “Over the last several years, we have seen the progressive decline of the scheme. The NIS faces a number of challenges at the macro level and has come under severe threat.

It is therefore going to take a lot of work to return the scheme to longterm financial viability.”

The minister had also emphasised the level of importance the President Irfaan-Ali led Government was placing on the scheme and had reminded

the board that pensioners and retirees usually look forward to their pension in a timely manner while current contributors expect to receive their benefits promptly.

Minister Singh had also cited the Government’s grave concern at the number of complaints received from contributors about delays in receiving their benefits and entitlements most often as a result of incomplete records of their contributions to the scheme.

At that meeting, he had tasked the board with addressing that problem immediately in order to ensure that public satisfaction with the level of service provided by the NIS improved urgently.

Since then the NIS has taken a number of steps to address several matters as flagged by the Senior Minister.

In December 2020, a new NIS board was appointed comprising Ramesh Persaud as Chairman and board members Holly Greaves (Ex-officio), Faizal Jaffarally, Yvonne Pearson, Maurice Solomon, Satanand Gopie, Kathleen Jason, Seepaul Narine and Jillian Burton-Persaud.

The first outreach will be held at the Giftland Mall on Saturday, July 17, while the second will

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Young innovators call for mindset shift to support innovation in the Caribbean

BE bold. Don’t fear failure.

Think differently about education. These were some of the key messages coming from the panel of young global and regional innovators and entrepreneurs at the final seminar of the Caribbean Development Bank’s recently ended 51st Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors.

According to a release, the seminar, ‘Listen, Learn, Live: Youth Insights on Innovation Imperatives and Investments’ was hosted by Barbadian Raphael Saul, and Jamaican, Dr. Terri-Karelle Reid. In addition to the panel discussion, the seminar featured Grenadian Brandon Brathwaite, winner of the CDB’s youth spoken-word contest, as well as a powerful recorded call to action from young leaders around the region, for public policy that promotes innovation, resilience and inclusive sustainable development.

During the course of the discussion, panellists homed in on the actions and thinking needed in the Caribbean to advance innovation, with a major point being how the education system can assist

in developing innovators.

Canadian entrepreneur, Greta Cutulenco, Chief E x e c u t i v e O ff i c e r a n d co-founder of the technology company, Acerta, highlighted the utility of embedding entrepreneurship lessons as part of a formal curriculum.

“Something I found was done well in some of my institutions was merging a typical curriculum with this focus on entrepreneurship: Getting folks familiar with what it means to start a business; getting that mindset of driving to do something innovative, and not being afraid of it, and also the mindset of failure,” she stated.

Barbados-born-andbred technology entrepreneur, Carlton Cummins stated that while he found that in the Caribbean “we punch above our weight when it comes to the education system, based on the actual amount of money we have to contribute,” more needs to be done to encourage critical thinking.

Cummins, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of United Kingdom-based battery storage

company, Aceleron Limited, pointed out that this ability was especially valuable, considering the fast pace of change in certain industries.

IMPROVE ON HOW TO THINK “We do a lot of education on how to learn; how t o

take information in; how to absorb it. One of the things I think we need to do improvement on is how to think,” Cummins said, adding: “The concept of how to figure out stuff on your own, especially in this market; the technology industry, it is

very hard to teach someone the skills that will be specifically adequate in the next 10 years. But the concepts by which these things work, if you understand the thinking and the logic behind it, you will always have a value.

That comes about from knowing how to think, n o t

knowing how to learn.”

To that end, Grenadian agropreneur, Bevon Chadel Charles, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Akata Farms, called for a rethink of the role of the education sector, saying: “For what purpose is

something being taught? Are we just trying to build people for the world of work?

I don’t think we’re building enough innovators. So then, we have to change our methodology of how we are going to approach learning.”

Creating an enabling environment for innovation also has to be underpinned with tangible actions and support from those in positions of power in government and business, stressed Trinidadian Kyle Maloney, founder of Tech Beach Retreat.

EXCITED TO TRY NEW THINGS “There is a generation that has grown up largely with technology, and they are bursting and excited to try new things, but there is a layer on the top that is the status quo, and, unfortunately, there is that disconnect which exists, where, in many cases, lip service is paid versus actual action,” Maloney said, adding: “On the rare occasion, you find that person on the top layer that is really a driver, and is trying to immerse themselves within the digital transformation space,

but, unfortunately, there is only so much someone can do. We’re not seeing that sort of catalytic effect happening yet, whereby we’re seeing investments going into amazing technology companies, or we’re seeing major things happening in the larger companies driving technology and innovation.

We’re seeing it very separate and dispersed.”

Expanding on the topic of actions to support innovation, Cummins called for a focus on “the less sexy stuff”, listing several practical challenges which entrepreneurs in the region face.

“The administrative processes need to be a lot more in tune with where the market is globally. It should be faster to set up bank accounts; it should be a lot easier to do imports and exports,” he said, adding: “Our logistics processes need to improve. These are not things that have anything to do with the entrepreneurs directly, but, indirectly, it has a significant impact on how you can actually engage and play on the global scale.”

BK Quarries commits to rectifying nonpayment for overtime ― following visit by Minister of Labour

ISSUES of nonpayment of overtime to workers and other welfare matters at BK Quarries Inc. were examined closely by Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, during his visit to the company’s worksite in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Wednesday.

Although being impressed by the occupational health and safety (OHS) measures implemented at the quarry, the minister observed that there were issues related to the payment of overtime and other pressing matters that warrant immediate attention and rectification.

Subsequent to his visit, Minister Hamilton convened a meeting at his Brickdam office, on the same day, with senior officials of the company.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Labour, the minister along with Senior Labour Officer, Prandatt Basdeo met with Director of BK Quarries Inc., Gail Tiwari; General Manager, Charles Kertzious;

Manager, Richard Inniss and Payroll Officer, Clive Muridall.

Representatives of the company acknowledged that

it was not in full compliance with the payment of overtime but committed to working to rectify its shortcomings. In light of this commitment, the

Labour Ministry was inclined to give the company three months to become compliant.

The ministry also committed to having its officers

work along with the company to oversee the process. Accordingly, labour officers will check during the three-month period to ensure the issue is

Minister of Labour (second from right), Joseph Hamilton, and other officials of the ministry engaging representatives of BK Quarries Inc

rectified.

Outside of the areas of noncompliance, officials of the company said that it provided free laundry services for its workers, three meals and a snack each day, as well as free accommodation for all workers on site.

Minister Hamilton, however, reminded the company of the importance of adhering to the laws, and the need for employees to receive compensation when working overtime hours.

The team from the Ministry of Labour had visited the quarry as part of a routine inspection, an exercise which will continue to occur throughout the country. The aim is to ensure that there is compliance across the board, as no specific company will be targetted.

The routine inspections are done to ensure workers’ rights are respected, and that all necessary protocols are observed and the country’s labour laws are adhered to.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

CXC expands partnership with UG

THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has formalised yet another aspect of its long-established relationship with the University of Guyana (UG) with the virtual signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday.

According to a release following the event, Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC, remarked that the signing of this MOU will “advance human capacity development with the highest level of education possible, ensuring that the competencies students acquire are the competencies that will help to advance the region”.

Under this MoU, the University of Guyana will formally recognise the CXC’s Associate Degree (CXC-AD) and its use for the purpose of matriculation by candidates.

“CXC will also facilitate the sharing of candidates’ examination results,

allowing for a smoother matriculation process for students seeking to access the high-quality, tertiary-level education available at the University of Guyana. The University of Guyana and CXC will also collaborate on Caribbean-wide pedagogical research, as well as research for the digital transformation of the education system,” the release said.

Additionally, the organisations will collaborate on teacher development to advance teaching, learning and assessment in the Caribbean.

As part of the MoU, the University of Guyana will provide CXC with access to its faculty to serve on Subject Panels, Review Committees, Examining Committees, CXC’s Research Advisory Group, and to function as moderators and other resource persons in the development of learning support resources.

Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, ViceChancellor XI of the Uni-

At Tuesday’s signing of the agreement between UG and CXC are, from left, Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC; and University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, and Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Academic Engagement

versity of Guyana, noted at the signing of the agreement, “This MoU, and the constellation of MoUs it finds itself part of, will not only support cross-matriculation of students from one university to the next, but the formal extension of credentials of CXC, and the degree-granting institutions which are its affiliates, thereby opening a world of possibilities in higher education, training, research, exchange, curriculum and human and social systems development in Guyana and the Caribbean.”

Youth engagement vital for future of food

― FAO Director-General tells UN High-Level Political Forum “THE future of food belongs to the young people of today,” said QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), at a side event of the 2021 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), highlighting the importance of active youth engagement for a more sustainable food future for all.

The HLPF side event on youth and agri-food systems transformation, which was held on Wednesday, provided young people with the opportunity to propose and showcase their ideas and ongoing actions for making agri-food systems more sustainable and building back from COVID-19 in a dialogue with governments, youth groups and other stakeholders.

The event was organised with the World Food Forum (WFF), a youthled movement and network of partners launched by the Youth Committee of FAO. The WFF aims to spark a youth movement to transform global agrifood systems and achieve the SDGs, especially SDG 2 (zero hunger) and others under review in the HLPF 2021, such as SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and SDG 13 (climate action).

“The complexity of our agri-food systems requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral and inter-generational approach,” the FAO Director-General noted in a video message recorded for the event. “We need to create an open and meaningful space for youth engagement, participation and leadership,” he said, adding that “today’s

side event is an important milestone on this path.”

HIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPANTS Other speakers at the event included Fabiana Dadone, Italy’s Minister for Youth Policies, who encouraged the building of dialogues with young people based on trust and the recognition of the value of their contributions, and Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, who highlighted the need to turn good strategy into action and put young people at the heart of it.

For her part, Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, said young people and the solutions they bring matter more than ever in the wake of TURN TO PAGE 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

$300M to construct 40 houses at Amelia’s Ward

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will soon begin the construction of the first 40 elevated houses in Amelia’s Ward Phase Two, Linden, Region 10.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said the land had already been cleared for work to begin on the houses, which will cost some $300 million.

The initiative will deliver on a promise made

by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali when

he visited the region in January and announced that some 1,000 houses will be constructed there.

Minister Croal recently visited the area earmarked for the construction of the houses which he said will be allocated to mostly young professionals in the mining town.

The minister was at the time attending the ‘Dream Realised’ housing initiative in Linden, which saw 400 persons receiving house lots in Amelia’s Ward Phase

Four, and 144 land titles and transports distributed.

“The model is a similar model that we are using for the construction programme in the other regions and the allottees will come from here… the timeline for construction of the houses is within four months,” Minister Croal said.

Minister Croal explained that the ministry applies a hybrid system during the selection process for the houses.

“When you apply you

indicate whether you have a preference for the land or housing programme.

Secondly, also assess your income because as part of your application process you have to provide your income and they can do a calculation.

it’s a hybrid system that we apply.”

Between 2021 and 2022, the Government will expend at least $2.9 billion for infrastructural development in the mining town.

Already, some $6

$100 million has been set aside for 6 kilometres of asphaltic concrete roads, reinforced concrete curbs and walkways.

Another $1. 6 billion has been proposed for 2022, for additional

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, and Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally, along with a team of engineers of the Projects Department, at the site earmarked for the houses in Amelia’s Ward Phase Two (DPI photo)

Sometimes we find when a person is applying and they are of a certain bracket then it’s easier for them to be prequalified for the banks so

million has been invested on the clearing and levelling of land for housing development in the Amelia’s Ward new housing area. Another

infrastructural works including reinforced concrete roads, drains and culverts and pipe network in Amelia’s Ward. (DPI)

Youth engagement vital ...

TURN FROM PAGE 11

the COVID-19 crisis, adding that it is time to invest in young people and place them in the centre of global systems.

A panel session brought together young people from across the world to discuss agri-food systems transformation.

Alberta Pelino, Chair of Y20 and President of the Young Ambassadors Society (Italy), explained why the topic is important for young people like her: “We believe that young people can and must make an important contribution, as protagonists of the future we are building today.

Their voices can represent a breaking point with the past for a more sustainable future.”

The discussions will

inform an initial set of recommendations and practical solutions from young people to global leaders alongside information gathered from the ECOSOC Youth Forum in April 2021 and the results of an in-depth global youth survey.

WORLD FOOD FORUM The WFF, officially launched in March 2021, currently provides an important platform for online consultations of global youth, in close cooperation with the UN Food Systems Summit.

It has been gathering ideas and actions for youth-led and youth-centred agri-food systems transformation through

events like the HLPF side event. The outcome of these consultations will be presented to the UN Food Systems Pre-summit in Rome at the end of July (26-28 July).

The flagship event of the WFF will be a week-long celebration of youth-driven, sustainable solutions and innovative approaches for a better food future, taking place from 1 to 6 October of this year.

Beyond 2021, the forum will continue to provide a platform to engage and empower youth to transform our agri-food systems and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG2 “zero hunger”.

(FAO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

GSA receives $15.2M 20-seater bus THE Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), on Wednesday, received a 20-seater bus valued some $15.2 million from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha MP said the Government has been signing a number of contracts and procuring equipment for various areas in the agricultural sector.

He said the vehicle will

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, handing over the keys to the bus to Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Brian Greenidge

transport staff and students of the institution, as the Government will be setting up sub locations of the institution across the country.

“Young Guyanese should not only come to Georgetown or come to Region Four to get an education through the Guyana School of Agriculture. We want to take it to them in the regions and this will be a new way that we will go to various regions across the country.”

Minister Mustapha said the project would be a good initiative as it would encourage persons to study and contribute to the development of their respective communities.

He noted that the institution will first be extended to the East Berbice-Corentyne Region.

Minister Mustapha said the bus will also help to increase the output of the services offered by GSA, noting that the Ministry will do what is necessary to ensure the institution is able to function effectively and students properly skilled to advance the sector.

Meanwhile, Brian Greenidge, Chief Executive Officer of GSA extended gratitude on behalf of the institu-

tion to the Ministry.

“I know it’s the aim of the administration to have access

to agriculture training in all regions, so it’s a step forward in moving in that direction and

we will work assiduously to see that happen”, he said.

Minister Mustapha said

there is a renewed interest by many persons in various areas in the agriculture sector.

He said with the global food crisis, there is greater need for personnel in this area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Grill, sip and chat at your own table!

-as ‘West Side’ sizzles with new BBQ joint

A new and riveting entertainment hotspot has now sprung up on the western side of the Demerara River, attracting patrons from all walks of life.

This enticing leisure location seems to cater to the whims and fancies of those who seek scrumptious food and drinks amid a safe outdoorsy space located at Lot 14 ‘A’

Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (obliquely opposite Tiyyo’s Furniture Store).

Upon hearing the sizzling rumours, The Buzz caught up with the establishment’s owners, George and Felecia Semple who spared no hesitation in dishing out for us, their success story, which was largely inspired by their

time overseas.

“We came back from St Maarten just recently and decided to introduce this new concept since customers are very fussy about how their meals should be cooked.

Some like their meats well done, while other prefers it half cooked etcetera, so to meet these many varying

demands, we decided to invent this form of cooking style, so that all can be satisfied,” a smiling Felecia Semple explained.

From the outside, Continued on page 17

George and Felicia Semple, proprietors of ‘George & Felecia’s Licious Grilled and Fried’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Grill, sip ...

From page 16 “George & Felecia’s Licious Grilled and Fried” looks like any other Bar-B-Que joint; that is until you enter the captivating milieu which paints the picture of comfort meets elegance.

What is particularly intriguing, is that Felicia and George have inserted mini grills in the middle of the tables, affording customers the opportunity to grill an exten-

With grills inserted in the middle of the tables, patrons get to cook their meat just the way they like it

sive variety of meats to their own likeness, while the touch of good music augments the intriguing conversations with family and friends.

To further spice things up, the Semples have employed themes to keep their patrons amused almost every night of the week. There are karaoke sessions on Thursdays and Sundays, while Mondays to Wednesdays cater specifically to those who wish to

17 indulge in some “After Work Siesta Lime”, executed in an electric atmosphere, decorated with television sets that feature some of our favourite sports channels!

On Fridays and Saturdays, patrons are treated to live entertainment from popular one-man bands, keenly selected from across Guyana; not to mention captivating acrobatic displays and standup comedy from some of the most notable names in the local industry.

All in all, Felicia and George have offered us and mouthful of options that we are sure to consider when we’re ready to buss a lime!

Guyana’s Talent Search finds a bold 11-year-old!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

By Dillon Goring

Ten extremely vibrant contestants are gearing up compete in what is expected to be an exciting final leg of the Guyana Talent Search Competition which is slated for this Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Among those preparing to unleash their ‘A’ game is 11-yearold Kaysheena Bindiya Singh, an aspiring dancer from Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam.

Although one of the youngest in the competition, the young lady is no stranger to the stage. As a matter of fact, it was only the pandemic that managed to keep her away from fulfilling her passion of not just dancing, but dancing for an audience.

“I have taken part in a lot of competitions but because of the pandemic, I am home and there is no school, so I d i d n ’t r e a l ly have nothing much to do otherwise than school work,” the young lady told The Buzz.

L u c k i l y, a n advertisement about the competition grabbed her attention and rekindled her joys of performing. “I saw it a day and I told my mom I want to take part,” Singh said.

The dance enthusiast has done a fantastic job throughout the competition, and far more than being a little nervous, she is excited to go head-tohead with her competitors.

Un-

sure about what the future holds, the Essequibian has her sights set on becoming a dance teacher, and fulfilling the many dreams that she managed to weave, having been inspired by her older sister, as well as the dance teachers who taught her techniques and style.

Singh told us that she has been dancing for many y e a r s now, but over the past two years, her competitive dancing has intensified.

11-year-old Kaysheena Bindiya Singh is hoping to outshine her competitors for Sunday’s competition

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

An artist impression of the intended layout of the ‘secret’ venue

Yo n n i c k D a v i d and the team that brought us the Guyana Rum Festival have something else up their sleeves; this time, i t ’s a b r u n c h !

But not just any brunch; apparently, it is one that is to be hosted at a secret garden, and safe to say, we’re definitely intrigued.

According to bits of information being released, the organisers are currently coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure that the event, slated for September 19, 2020, is executed in accordance with the nationally established COVID-19 protocols.

David in a Facebook Post said that efforts to host an event in the context of a global pandemic has been “a huge learning curve.”

Relating the tediousness of even attempting to successfully pursue the event, David dished that it is important for organisers to engage the authorities and ensure honest dialogue. “It is the best thing an event coordinator can do,” he said.

With the team surpassing some hurdles, some compromises were made, and the event seems to have been given the go-ahead.

Bookings for tables will be done in groups of four, eight and 12, while all group tables will be set up at least six feet apart. For a larger table special arrangements will be made.

In accordance with the national guidelines, masks remain mandatory for certain zones of the venue, including the entrance/exit, buffet station when picking up food and for making purchases at the bar. A sanitisation station will also have to be mounted.

Even more impressive, is that the team has committed to ensuring effective data collection for the purpose of contact tracing, should any unfortunate s i t u a t i o n o c c u r.

“Names and contact information will be recorded at the gate,” the team related. Brunch is expected to be served from 11am to 2pm, with complementary bottles of drinks for all tables. Ladies have been advised that the anticipated event will be on lawns, so flats or wedge heels are strongly suggested. Packages and location are slated to be announced soon, and we’re all eyes and ears.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Risk of COVID spread is ‘zero’, IOC chief says, amid rising cases

(REUTERS) - International Olympic Committee IOC) president Thomas Bach said yesterday there was “zero” risk of games participants infecting Japanese residents with COVID-19, as cases hit a six-month high in the host city.

“Risk for the other residents of Olympic village and risk for the Japanese people is zero,” Bach said, adding that Olympics athletes and delegations have undergone more than 8 000 coronavirus tests, resulting in three positive cases.

Those cases have been placed in isolation and their close contacts are also under quarantine protocols, Bach said at the beginning of talks with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto.

Just over a week before the July 23 opening ceremony, Tokyo reported 1 308 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, its highest daily tally since late January.

Postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summer Olympics have

little public support in Japan amid widespread fears about a further spread of the coronavirus.

Critics of the plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics - which were postponed by a year due to the pandemic - submitted a petition yesterday that has garnered more than 450 000 signatures this month, Japanese media reported.

Organisers have imposed Olympics ‘bubbles’ to prevent further transmissions of COVID-19, but medical experts are worried that they might not be sufficiently tight.

A number of infections have emerged among several visiting athletes and people involved with the games.

An Olympic athlete under a 14-day quarantine period has tested positive in Tokyo, the organising committees’ website reported yesterday, without disclosing any details about the athlete.

Eight members of the Kenyan women’s rugby team, who were set to hold a training camp in Kurume, were classified as close contacts of a passenger on their

flight to Tokyo who tested positive for coronavirus, a city official said.

The eight athletes had all tested negative on arrival at the airport, the official added, and will be staying at an accommodation facility in Tokyo until the games.

Tokyo entered its fourth state of emergency earlier this week amid a rebound in COVID-19 cases that pushed games organisers to ban spectators from nearly all venues.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters Japan would take thorough steps to strengthen border controls against the coronavirus.

Given the state of emergency in the host city, the Tokyo 2020 organising committee said it would bar public access to the capital’s waterfront area and asked the public to refrain from visiting the Olympic flame platform.

The waterfront area, dubbed Tokyo Waterfront City, was supposed to feature “cool spots, rest areas and dining spaces” and be open to spectators and non-ticket holders, according to organisers.

in discussion mode on the posture Guyana would take on the matter.

“These are discussions which we have started with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and we have not concluded those discussions as yet, so as soon as we finish those discussions, Minister Charles Ramson Jr. will be able to update the

public pertaining to what the outcomes are.”

As of July 15, 2021, 125 464 persons have been administered with both doses of their vaccine while 241 010 have gotten their first dose.

In May, Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, had told another section of the press that the government would consider the possibility of allowing only vaccinated persons to attend sport events.

India player has tested positive for coronavirus. Now, the latest developments suggest that the player is none other than Pant. “He (Pant) is in quarantine at an acquaintance’s place and won’t travel with the team to Durham on Thursday,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by India TV. The report further claims that Pant is most probably affected by the Delta variant which has led to the rising number of coronavirus cases in England. In fact, it has been over a week since the 23-yearold had contracted the virus and he even has been recovering well.

“Yes, one player has tested positive but he has been

in isolation for the last eight days. He was not staying in any hotel with the team, so no other player has been affected.

But I can’t divulge the name of the player,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla was quoted as saying.

With the England vs India series getting underway on August 4 and Pant recovering well, he should be available for the opening game in Nottingham.

Meanwhile, the rest of the squad are likely to resume their training soon for the series. India have been doing well in red-ball cricket lately and would like to thrash the Three Lions as well. (CricTracker)

No definitive ...

From page 28

trons were allowed entry into matches, and Guyanese, who are fully vaccinated, raised the question of whether they would be afforded that opportunity for the three matches.

Speaking on his daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony explained that they are still

Pant tests positive...

From page 28

jeopardy.

For the unversed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had allowed players to go out of the bio-secure bubble for a while after the conclusion of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

Moreover, Pant, a few weeks earlier, was spotted with a friend at a packed Wembley Stadium enjoying the Euro 2020 match between England and Germany. He wasn’t sporting masks in some viral pictures and fans even slammed him for the same.

For the unversed, it was earlier learned that a Team

Some of the sponsor booths may be operated on a restricted-access basis during the games, a com-

mittee spokesperson told reporters.

A decision of whether to allow public access to the

area during the Paralympic Games will be taken after the Olympics have ended, the spokesperson said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Pogacar holds on to yellow jersey after stage 18 win SLOVENIA’S Tadej Pogacar claimed back-to-back Tour de France stage wins to underline his dominance in the leader’s yellow jersey.

Pogacar accelerated clear on the summit finish on stage 18 at Luz Ardiden to extend his overall lead to five minutes 45 seconds.

Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz finished second and third.

Pogacar is expected to win the time trial on the penultimate stage tomorrow to seal his Tour defence.

Tadej Pogacar now holds the white, yellow and polka dot jerseys after winning at Luz Ardiden.

The 22-year-old’s victory

also sees him move to the top

of the king of the mountains classification and he is now likely to arrive in Paris on Sunday’s processional final stage as the owner of three of the four race jerseys - the yellow, the polka dot and white jersey - for the second consecutive year.

Britain’s Mark Cavendish, who wears the green jersey as the leader of the points classification, rolled over the finish line more than 32 minutes after Pogacar, but well inside the cut-off time for the day.

DOMINANT POGACAR Ineos Grenadiers had tried to use the final climb to set up Carapaz for a late attack.

But it was Pogacar, aided by UAE Team Emirates colleague Rafał Majka, who made the first significant move, and then rode clear after chasing down Movistar’s Spanish GC hopeful Enric Mas. “It’s unbelievable,” said Pogacar. “After yesterday, I felt really good and I’m really happy with the win. It’s crazy.

There are still three days to

go so you never know, but it looks good.

“It was super hard. Already on the (Col du) Tourmalet the pace was such that you just sit in the wheel and forget about everything and then on the last climb, that was the maximum.”

When asked if he would be worried about the time trial still to come, Pogacar added, “Why should I be worried? You can lose six minutes in a time trial. It’s happened before, but I’m pretty confident. (BBC Sport)

Middleton’s 40 points helps Bucks level series with Phoenix Suns KHRIS Middleton 14 rebounds for scored 40 points Bucks, along with as Milwaukee eight assists.

Bucks beat PhoeH o w e v e r, i t nix Suns 109-103 was the 26-yearto level the bestold forward’s senof-seven NBA Fisational block on nals series at two Ayton that proved games apiece. the 2020 DefenMiddleton sive Player-of-thescored 10 consecYear’s most telling utive points in the contribution.

Khris Middleton nets 40 as Bucks even series. final quarter as “Just a hustle Bucks rallied from play,” said Antetokmake reads. Thankfully, I hit a nine-point deficit. ounmpo. “Going Giannis Antetokounmpo some shots.” down the stretch - do whatever Suns shooting guard it takes to win the game. scored 26 points and made a Devin Booker scored 42 crucial block on Suns centre “I saw the play coming. I Deandre Ayton to keep Bucks points, including 18 in the was there in time, was able to ahead with one minute 15 third quarter, but it was not get a good block and go down enough to stop Bucks from and get two points.” seconds left.

The teams meet in the sealing a crucial win.

The result effectively Antetokounmpo, who leaves the series as a best-offifth game of the series on played down comparison to three shootout for the chamSunday.

“Late in the fourth quar- Michael Jordan after becom- pionship. ter, we just ran sets that en- ing only the sixth player in Bucks won their only title abled me to get to my spots,” NBA Finals history to score 40 in 1971, while the Suns have points, in consecutive games, yet to win a title since joining said Middleton.

“After that I’ve just got to notched 26 points including the league in 1968. (BBC Sport)

English Racing Tips Haydock 08:15 hrs Autumn War 08:50 hrs Great Havana 09:25 hrs Dream Together 10:00 hrs Seneca Chief 10:25 hrs Lucky Shake 11:40 hrs Nine Tales 12:25 hrs IRV Newbury 08:35 hrs Reach For The Moon 09:10 hrs Banshee 09:45 hrs Golden Bugle 10:20 hrs Orazio 10:55 hrs Sky Cutter 11:30 hrs Saguili

12:05 hrs Deputy Newmarket 13:10 hrs Kawida 14:20 hrs Hydros 14:50 hrs Clarendon House 15:20 hrs Miss Jingles 15:50 hrs Velvet Vista Irish Racing Tips Killarney 08:40 hrs Lecan Scail Lady 09:15 hrs Feathered Gold 09:50 hrs Jack Holiday 10:25 hrs Fest Deiz 11:00 hrs Raya Time 11:35 hrs Shawshank 12:10 hrs Sempo 12:45 hrs Never Feel Blue

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Gun It Race 2 Quick Return Race 3 Light In The Sky Race 4 Angelou Race 5 Violent Trick Race 6 Let Her Inspire Race 7 Revendell Race 8 Patty H South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:10 hrs Tenacity 08:45 hrs La Bastide 09:20 hrs Sovereign Secret 09:55 hrs Oscar Wilde 10:30 hrs Alaskan Fate

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Daily tests, cardboard beds: 24 hours at Tokyo’s Olympic Village TOKYO, Japan (AFP) For athletes competing at the Tokyo Games, the Olympic Village will be almost all they see, with strict coronavirus rules preventing them from leaving the compound except to train and compete.

Their stay in the village will also be shorter than usual: competitors can only arrive five days before their event, and must leave within 48 hours of winning or losing.

Here’s what a typical day might look like at Tokyo 2020’s waterside mini-city: 06:30hrs The village is built to sleep up to 18 000 Olympians, coaches and officials.

They should wake up refreshed, despite Tokyo’s 04:40hrs sunrise, thanks to thick black-out curtains.

As in many Japanese homes, space is limited, however - single rooms measure just nine square metres (100 square feet) and doubles 12 square metres.

The beds and partition walls are made from sturdy recyclable cardboard, to be cleared away after the Games when the 21 towers are turned into luxury homes.

Perhaps not so good if your neighbour snores, 07:00hrs Time for a daily coronavirus test - a requirement for everyone staying in the village. They will administer the saliva antigen tests themselves and then submit them for processing.

A positive result and a

This file photo taken on June 20 shows recyclable cardboard beds and mattresses for athletes during a media tour at the Olympic and Paralympic Village. (Photo: AFP)

second positive on a more accurate PCR test means a trip to the fever clinic, a small prefab building in the centre of the village.

At the clinic, a third test determines if you are out of the Games and need to isolate or go to hospital.

07:30hrs Forgetting to wear a mask can be easy, especially early in the morning - but they are mandatory in the village, except when sleeping and eating.

On the way to get breakfast, athletes can check an app that shows how crowded communal areas are, including the two floors of the vast 3,000-seat canteen.

08:00hrs Village residents are asked to eat alone to avoid spreading potentially contagious droplets. Each seat is screened off with plexiglass.

There’s an immense selection of food, with tra-

ditional Japanese cuisine highlighted. Just about every dietary preference is catered to - vegetarian, halaal, gluten-free 0 with nutritional values clearly indicated.

09:00hrs The world’s top sportsmen and women can train at a huge gym with 600 cardio and weight-training machines.

Masks are mandatory even when getting sweaty, and even though the gym machines are cleaned frequently, users are recommended to disinfect them before they start.

11:00hrs Public transport and walks outside the village are forbidden, so athletes must take designated buses from the site - built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay - to competition venues or training centres.

17:00hrs On their return to the vil-

ue, Panama thrice came from a goal behind to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw with guest nation Qatar, and secure a crucial point .

Following a goalless first half, the floodgates opened in the second when Akram Afif put the Asian Cup champions ahead in the 48th.

However, Rolando Blackburn equalised in the 51st with the first of his two goals in eight minutes, the second coming in the 58th after Al Moez Ali had restored Qatar’s lead in the 53rd.

Qatar thought they had gotten the winning goal in the 63rd minute through Hassan Al Haydos until Éric Davis levelled for Panama 11 minutes from the end.

Seeking their first-ever Gold Cup victory following their chastening last appearance 10 years ago, Grenada came close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute when Canadian-born, United States-based forward Shavon John-Brown put through Jamal Charles only for the resulting strike to skim narrowly wide of the far post.

The tiny Caribbean nation continued to apply pressure, Omar Beckles watching as his close range strike from a corner was cleared off the line by defender Diego Rodriguez in the 25th minute and his header from the recycled ball saved by goalkeeper Luis Lopez.

Moments later, Honduras

lage, Olympic teams can stop off at the ‘Village Plaza’, a wooden annex incorporating traditional Japanese construction techniques.

Inside are ATMs, cleaning services, a hairdresser and a café, among other conveniences - giving athletes the chance to buy a souvenir, even though sightseeing is off the cards.

19:00hrs It’s getting dark already.

Back at the village, tired athletes can take one of the 17 self-driving shuttles, which circulate the site 24 hours a day, back to their block.

Each one can seat 19 passengers and there’s a human operator on board just in case.

20:00hrs After dinner, athletes aren’t obliged to stay cooped up in their rooms. The village recreation centre beckons with Nintendo consoles and spaces to relax, or they can wander around the waterside park.

Having a post-dinner beer al fresco isn’t an option, though, as alcohol is forbidden in groups and in public areas.

Violations of any rules will be punished, organisers have said - with disqualification from the Games a possibility.

22:00hrs Competitors aren’t allowed to bring family members with them to the Games. But before bed, they can chat with loved ones back home using free Wi-Fi.

Italy considers bid to host Euro 2028 or World Cup 2030

(REUTERS) - Italy is considering making a bid to host the 2028 European Championship or the 2030 World Cup but must improve its stadiums if it is to succeed, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said yesterday.

Italy beat England on Sunday to win their second European Championship.

The two countries could also be rivals to host the World Cup, which is held every four years, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed plans for a bid by the United Kingdom and Ireland for the 2030 finals.

“We will evaluate an Italy candidacy for the 2028 European Championship and the World Cup of 2030, in which the centenary of the world championship is celebrated,” FIGC president Gabriele Gravina told a news conference.

“Let’s try for the Euros first then we’ll think about the other one.”

Some Italian stadiums have not been updated since the 1990 World Cup, the last major soccer tournament hosted by Italy alone.

“We must improve the conditions of the stadiums because if we do not start an investment path in infrastructure we will never be able to aspire to organise such a great event,” Gravina said.

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina speaks to the media after a board meeting to discuss among other issues, measures to punish supporters taunting players with racist chants.

“We must do things quickly. For me, we cannot go into a bid thinking that ‘we have the stadiums, but if you give me the event, I will then improve them’. That’s not how it works.”

Other countries that have expressed an interest in hosting the 2030 World Cup include Spain and Portugal.

Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay have announced they will make a four-way bid, and Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Romania have said they are planning a joint bid.

The bidding process formally starts in 2022 with world soccer governing body FIFA to choose the hosts in 2024.

Grenada taste defeat in opener, Panama rebound to earn point HOUSTON, Texas (CMC) – Unlucky Grenada endured a rocky start to their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign when they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Honduras at the BBVA Stadium here Tuesday night.

The Spice Boys were still in the contest at 1-0 down at halftime through Jerry Bengtson 28th minute strike, but conceded three goals in the second half – including two in the last five minutes – as Edwin Solano (52nd), Johnny Leverón (86th) and Romell Quioto (88th) all scored to leave Honduras convincing winners.

In the other Group D encounter earlier at the same ven-

took the lead courtesy of a howler from UK-born Grenada goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook, who plays in the National League South – the sixth tier of the English football.

He dozed on a back pass and was robbed by Bengtson who easily poked the ball into the back of the nets.

A brilliant through ball then resulted in Solano being put clean through on goal to beat Charles-Cook after the break and Leverón added the third by finishing off a clinical buildup from eight yards.

The game was already over as a contest by the time Quioto produced a carbon copy goal, just moments later.

Grenada players protest a refereeing decision against Honduras.

26

There will be more rotation in England team during Pakistan T20 series - Morgan ENGLAND limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan on Thursday said that there will be more rotation in the playing XI in the upcoming T20Is against Pakistan. The first of the three T20Is will be played at Nottingham from July 16 onwards, the next match will be played at Leeds on July 18 and the last T20I will be played on July 20 in Manchester.

The Three Lions defeated Pakistan 3-0 in the three-match ODI series, even though the management had to pick a second-string side as three members of the first-choice squad tested positive for COVID-19.

Ben Stokes led a squad that contained 9 uncapped players when it was announced but crushed Babar Azam’s team in all three matches.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have named a full-strength side for the T20I series against Pakistan under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan who returns from isolation.

Talking about the upcoming series, he confirmed that there will be more rotation in playing XI as the priority will be to give opportunities to everyone.

“Not knowing what is

ahead of ourselves, we need to look more into a little bit more into strength in depth. You will see us giving opportunities and going through various little options in the next three games for possible injury replacements for certain players within the group,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Morgan as saying.

“100 percent [there will be more rotation]. The priority throughout the series will be to give guys opportunities and treating it as though it is our last chance to look at guys in

various positions. I still think the roles will be the same, but there will be rotation throughout the squad,” he added.

There were also questions on whether Saqib Mahmood and James Vince will get a chance to play against Pakistan in T20Is, after impressive outings against the Men in Green in the ODI series. Vince scored his maiden ODI century in the 3rd match, guiding England to a comfortable win while chasing 332 runs.

Mahmood, on the other hand, picked up nine wickets in three matches including the best of 4/42 in the first ODI in Cardiff which routed Pakistan for 141 runs.

“They have done themselves the world of good, to be honest. The one thing you look at when guys come in and out is a marked improvement from the time they [first] get the opportunity to the time the next opportunity arrives.

The two guys mentioned and [James Vince] were outstanding,” Morgan said.

Furthermore, Morgan confirmed that all-rounder Ben Stokes’ finger injury has not yet healed 100 per cent.

(Yahoo Sports)

AFTER the clearance from the Sri Lankan government, the limited-overs series between Sri Lanka and India will commence on July 18.

The series was in doubt, due to two members from the Sri Lankan team testing positive due to COVID-19. Due to precautionary measures, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had also kept two separate

teams in different cities to minimize the threat of the deadly virus.

Now, with everything clear, the white-ball series will kick-off with the first ODI being played on Sunday, July 18, albeit with a small tweak in the timing. Instead of 3:00 pm, the ODI matches will now begin at 2:30 pm. After the completion of the ODIs, the

T20Is will soon be followed and the matches will begin at 7:00 pm, instead of 8:00 pm.

Now with things falling under place, the SLC board is all set to host team India, who are captained by Shikhar Dhawan. All the live matches will be streamed on the Sony network and the matches will be aired in five different languages as well. All the matches

Saqib Mahmood picked up nine wickets in three matches

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

CPL FIXTURES Hero CPL 2021 Fixtures (all times Eastern Caribbean Time)

Thursday 26 August Thursday 26 August Friday 27 August Friday 27 August Saturday 28 August Saturday 28 August Sunday 29 August Sunday 29 August Tuesday 31 August Tuesday 31 August Wednesday 1 September Wednesday 1 September Thursday 2 September Thursday 2 September Saturday 4 September Saturday 4 September Sunday 5 September Sunday 5 September Tuesday 7 September Tuesday 7 September Wednesday 8 September Wednesday 8 September Thursday 9 September Thursday 9 September Saturday 11 September Saturday 11 September Saturday 11 September Sunday 12 September Sunday 12 September Sunday 12 September Tuesday 14 September Tuesday 14 September Wednesday 15 September

10am 7pm 10am 7pm 10am 2:30pm 10am 2:30pm 10am 7pm 10am 7pm 10am 7pm 10am 2:30pm 10am 2:30pm 10am 7pm 10am 7pm 10am 7pm 10am 2:30pm 7pm 10am 2:30pm 7pm Semi-final 1 Semi-final 2 Final

Guyana Amazon Warriors v Trinbago Knight Riders Barbados Tridents v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Jamaica Tallawahs v St Lucia Zouks Trinbago Knight Riders v Barbados Tridents Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Jamaica Tallawahs v Barbados Tridents St Lucia Zouks v Trinbago Knight Riders St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Guyana Amazon Warriors Trinbago Knight Riders v St Lucia Zouks Barbados Tridents v Jamacia Tallawahs Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors Jamaica Tallawahs v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots St Lucia Zouks v Guyana Amazon Warriors St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Tridents St Lucia Zouks v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Tridents St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v St Lucia Zouks Trinbago Knight Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Jamaica Tallawahs Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Lucia Zouks Barbados Tridents v Trinbago Knight Riders St Lucia Zouks v Jamaica Tallawahs St Lucia Zouks v Barbados Tridents Jamaica Tallawahs v Guyana Amazon Warriors Trinbago Knight Riders v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Barbados Tridents v St Lucia Zouks Guyana Amazon Warriors v Jamaica Tallawahs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trinbago Knight Riders

Sri Lanka announce revised timings for limited-overs matches against India

India will be captained by Shikhar Dhawan

will be played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

The Indian team is sweating it out by playing intra-squad games and training hard under the watchful eyes of head coach Rahul Dravid.

With the countdown to the series nearing, the experts VVS Laxman and Irfan Pathan have given their verdict on the playing XI for India during the ODI matches.

Laxman has included Manish Pandey at number six and has also included both Hardik and Krunal in his playing XI. “Well, it’s a very detailed squad, a 20-man squad. But I will go with Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, the No.3 batsman would be Suryakumar Yadav. At No.4 will be Sanju Samson in ODIs, No.5 will be Manish Pandey, at No.6 I will go with Hardik Pandya, No.7 Krunal Pandya.

I will have two fast bowlers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar and two spinners will be Kuldeep and

Chahal. This is my ODI XI.” On the other hand, Pathan made few modifications and included Nitesh Rana instead of Krunal and added two fast bowlers and two spinners in his playing XI. “Only one change I would like, Hardik Pandya

is bowling, so I will have him as an all-rounder, one more batsman I will add – Nitish Rana in place of Krunal.

Apart from that same, because I will like to see Hardik Pandya bowl quite a few number of overs,” Pathan asserted. (CricTracker).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 16, 2021)

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Fury v Wilder III: Defeat puts T&T on the brink of Rescheduled elimination from CONCACAF Gold Cup fight confirmed

FRISCO, Texas (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago were eyeing an early exit from the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after crashing to a 2-0 defeat to El Salvador on Wednesday night, to remain winless after two games.

Goals from Jairo Henriquez in the 30th minute and Walmer Martínez in the first minute of injury time at the end of the second half at Toyota Stadium here, were enough to ensure the demise of the Trinidadians while booking the Central American side’s passage to the next round.

T&T lie third on a point from their opening draw last weekend against Mexico, who rebounded with a 3-0 defeat of Guatemala also on Wednesday.

“We’re disappointed in the result obviously but I think there is a lot of encouragement in the performance of the team, against one of the teams who would’ve qualified proper for the Gold Cup and probably they were a bit fresher than we,” said T&T head coach, Antgus Eve. “In the first half it showed. I thought it was a much improved performance in the second half and probably we deserved to get a little

Trinidad and Tobago’s Kevin Molino chases Narciso Orellana during Wednesday’s contest against El Salvador.

bit more out of the game, but it augurs well for the work that we have been doing in a short space of time.”

The warning signs were there from as early as the fifth minute when an unmarked Joaquín Rivas shot wide from the edge of the box, and Narciso Orellana also sent a speculative long range effort wide in the ninth minute.

And T&T were even closer to conceding in the 26th minute when Joshua Pérez raced down the right and squared for Rivas who forced a diving save out of goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup, low to his right.

However, Frenderup, replacing veteran Marvin Phillip who was outstanding against Mexico, was pow-

erless four minutes later as Henriquez opened the scoring.

Full back Bryan Tamacas was allowed a free run down the right and picked out Henriquez just outside the 18-yard box, the forward spinning swiftly off his marker Jelani Peters and firing a right-footed volley out of Frenderup’s reach low at the far post.

Henriquez then forced yet another save out of Frenderup in injury time with Perez failing to net the rebound, as T&T went to the break 1-0 down.

There was increased enterprise from the Trinidadians on the resumption - Reco Moore denied from close range by a lunging tackle

from centre back Eriq Zavaleta in the 63rd before Ryan Telfer and Aubrey David combined to bungle a chance at the near post moments later off a corner.

Marcus Joseph, a halftime substitute, perhaps enjoyed the best opportunity in the 66th minute when he raced down the middle, split the two centre backs but then stabbed the left-sided cross onto the crossbar.

The India-based Joseph threatened again in the 70th with a left-footed effort from 22 yards, which called on goalkeeper Mario González to make an acrobatic save.

Luck followed the Trinidadians in the 85th when a sprawling Mekeil Williams denied substitute Juan Portillo in the box and Frenderup then pulled off the follow up save, before Noah Powder cleared the danger.

However, T&T’s quest for the equaliser cost them in the dying moments of the game, Frenderup saving Amando Moreno’s long range drive and Marvin Márquez and Portillo both comically failing to convert the rebound, before Martínez tapped in.

T&T face bottom-placed Guatemala in their final game of Group A here on Sunday.

for October 9

TYSON Fury’s third world heavyweight title fight against Deontay Wilder has been rescheduled for October 9.

The bout, which had been due to take place in Las Vegas on July 24, was postponed after the British heavyweight tested positive for coronavirus.

Fury, 32, beat American Wilder, 35, to become WBC champion in February 2020 - 14 months after the pair shared a thrilling draw in Los Angeles.

Neither man has fought since Fury’s victory in Las Vegas.

“I want nothing more than to smash the ‘Big Dosser’ on July 24, but I

Tyson Fury (left) beat Deontay Wilder in February 2020 after the pair drew in December 2018. guess the beating will have to wait,” said Manchester-born Fury, 32.

“Make no mistake I will be back and better than ever. We will fight October 9 and I will knock his spark out.”

After a third fight fell through several times because of complications around the COVID-19 pandemic, Fury sought to move on and face fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, who holds the other three significant titles at heavyweight.

But an arbitration hearing ruled Wilder had contractual grounds for a third contest.

“This is what we went to arbitration for. He just wanted what was owed to him. He remains ready to reclaim his world title,” said Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel.

Tyson Fury is unbeaten in his 31 fights, while Wilder has just one defeat in 44 outings. (BBC Sport)

VAR scores Euro win with clinical, fast decision-making - research (REUTERS) - The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) upsets many soccer fans worldwide, but its role at the European Championship was far less controversial than during the 2020-21 English Premier League season, William Hill said in a report yesterday.

The bookmaker generated a controversy rating for each of the 18 decisions overturned by VAR during the Euros with reactionary metrics such as tweet volume, text sentiment analysis and articles generated on the incidents.

The pan-European tournament produced an average

controversy rating of 4.40, making it 14.39% less controversial than the Premier League.

Five of those 18 overturned decisions led to goals, six led to the awarding of penalties, three goals were allowed while six were disallowed for offside.

There was also one goal ruled out for handball and two red cards as a result of the use of VAR. Mario Gavranovic’s potential winner in a 1-1 groupstage draw with Wales was rated as the most controversial call of the tournament, with Swiss forward correctly adjudged to have been marginally offside.

Karim Benzema’s strike chalked off in France’s 1-0 win over Germany and Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt’s card upgrade to red for a deliberate handball in their last-16 defeat by the Czech Republic also sparked outrage on social media.

But all the major decisions in the tournament were proven to be technically correct.

The report also said the VAR team based at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon for the Euros were not only efficient with their decision-making process but also avoided lengthy interruptions during the four-week tournament.

Euro 2020 Final, Italy v England at Wembley.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 16, 2021

Risk of COVID spread is ‘zero’, IOC chief says, amid rising cases See Page 23 Thomas Bach (right), president of the International Olympic Committee, meets with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike in Tokyo yesterday. | (BLOOMBERG)

No definitive decision on fully vaccinated fans for WIPakistan T20s in Guyana

Pant tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of England Tests THE Indian cricket team has faced a major blow ahead of the five-match Test series against England with Rishabh Pant reportedly testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The dashing wicketkeeper-batsman has been instrumental in India’s recent success in red-ball cricket.

Hence, the team management would want him for the crucial series against the Three Lions. However, his participation is now in

WEST Indies will play Pakistan in three Twenty20 Internationals at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on July 31 and August 1 and 3 from 11:00hrs.

In ongoing and recently concluded series in the Caribbean, a limited number of fully-vaccinated paThe government of Guyana is still considering whether fans will be allowed in the national stadium for the three Twenty20 International matches.

Continued on page 23

Rishabh Pant has played 21 Tests for India.

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Continued on page 23

| FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021