Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-08-2021

MONDAY 16th August, 2021

' No.106455

Gov’t rejects malicious statements

–– delivered at Coalition-supported rally in New York

–– invites Congressman Jeffries to discussions on 08 matters of mutual interest PAGE

Distribution of 03 $7.8B flood relief to start this week 25 to get core 02 homes, 118 home improvement subsidies PAGE

PAGE

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips joined the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. KJ Srinivasa, his wife, Ashwini and other members of the Indian Diaspora in Guyana, to commemorate the country’s 75th Independence anniversary. In this Carl Croker photo, the Prime Minister is assisted in lighting the ceremonial lamp to mark the auspicious occasion

Missing child 07 found drowned PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

25 to get core homes, 118 home improvement subsidies

OVER one hundred low-income residents of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, on Sunday signed contracts that will see them benefitting from the construction of core homes and home improvement subsidies. The signing was held by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) at the La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School. Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Susan Rodrigues, Minister within The Ministry of Housing and Water, CH&PA Chief Executive Officer , Sherwyn Greaves and Regional Vice-Chairman, Omesh Satyanand were

present at the exercise. Minister Croal, in his address, stated that the home improvement subsidies and core homes, which fall under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), are designed to elevate the living standards of vulnerable groups. "Our mission at the Ministry of Housing and Water is to increase homeownership across the country and with low-income housing being the highest demand in our system, such programmes are important to our mandate," Minister Croal stated. The minister also spoke to some of the min-

istry’s ongoing development programmes in the region including the drilling of new wells, water service connections and some $900 million in expected road upgrades. Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues, in her remarks, elaborated that the AHUAP will not only help to improve housing conditions but also provide employment opportunities. "Job creation and stimulation of the local economy is integrally part of this programme. These are the soft issues that affect people's lives and that we're working on addressing through our housing drive," said Minister Rodrigues.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal and a resident display a signed contract Before the signing of the contracts, Head of CH&PA's Legal Secretariat, Hannifah Jordan, explained the contract terms to beneficiaries. A session for concerns to be addressed was then facilitated by Director of Community Development, Gladwin Charles and Deputy Director, Donell Bess-Bascom and team. Sunday’s proceeding follows the inking of $163

million in contracts between the CH&PA and the contractors executing the projects. Twenty-five core homes will be built through this phase of the programme and 118 home improvement subsidies will be granted. The core homes will be no less than 330 square feet single-family homes with concrete blocks for the outer walls and floors, basic doors, windows,

electrical wiring and water connections. The homes are designed to meet basic standards that a family can move into and affordably expand over time. On the other hand, the home improvement subsidies will be $500,000 granted in the form of building materials for repairs to walls, floors, electrical works and sanitation improvements, among others.

A section of the gathering at the La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School on Sunday

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Distribution of $7.8B flood relief to start this week –– names of recipients being finalised By Rehana Ahamad

DURING the course of this week, the government will begin the much-anticipated distribution of flood-relief cash grants. This was confirmed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who said that efforts were ongoing to finalise the list of beneficiaries of the grants. “That list should be submitted to the Ministry of Finance by tomorrow [Monday] or so. We are now finalising everything,” minister Mustapha said. He said that even though the distribution was expected to start sooner, as previously indicated by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, there were some additional verification of losses that had to be done. Nonetheless, with the list being wrapped up, minister Mustapha said that the distribution of the flood-relief monies was likely to take the form of the education cash grant, which was being rolled out countrywide, in the pres-

ence of various ministers of government and other key stakeholders. It was on August 1, 2021, that President Ali announced his government’s intention to provide financial assistance to various categories of persons who had been affected by the ongoing floods, which started more than three months ago. Dr. Irfaan Ali had said then that the assistance will cover various categories of households and farmers, and that it will not exceed a ceiling of $10 million per individual. “In these categories, farmers within the context of a homestead would receive $100,000 each; those with kitchen gardens will receive $50,000 each, and households excluding homestead and kitchen garden will receive 50,000 each,” the Head of State said. He noted that approximately 52,000 households across 300 communities had been affected by the unprecedented levels of floodwaters.

“The combined assistance to homestead farmers, kitchen gardens and households for these categories will be in excess of $3.5 billion,” the President related. He recognised, too, that the rains had a significant impact on the rice sector, with approximately 50,000 acres and 2,000 farmers being directly affected. As a result, support will be given to rice farmers on a categorised basis. “For rice that was ready to harvest but lost in the floods, $80,000 per acre would be given to those farmers. For rice sown and lost in the autumn crop, these farmers will receive $65,000 per acre. For land that was completely prepared but was not sown, $45,000 per acre would be given to these farmers,” President Ali specified. In addition to this, he said that 60,000 bags of seed paddy would also be made available for rice farmers. “The combined assistance in these four categories would be in excess of $3.2 billion,” Dr. Ali noted.

The names of recipients are expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance today

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has been on the ground ever since the floods started in May He said that support for the livestock industry will also be given, based on categories of subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers. So far, in excess of 2,000 livestock farmers have been affected. “In total, these four categories will benefit from in excess of $600 million direct transfers,” President Ali added. BRINGING RELIEF “I am aware that this assistance will go a long way in bringing relief. However, it can never compensate for the emotional and social loss which I saw and experienced first-hand,” Dr. Ali acknowledged. Added to these direct transfers, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be assisting through “genetic improvements”, as well as drainage and irrigation works, technical support, and extension services to the approximate value of $500 million. Minister Mustapha told the Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, that those who suffered losses but were not

included in the assessments, can still reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture to have the verification done. “We could accommodate them if their losses are genuine and we can see proof,” the Agriculture Minister posited. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, resulted in some 300 communities being directly affected for a protracted period of time. An initial assessment shows the agriculture sector being most affected, with some 92,000 acres of farm and farmlands completely affected, and approximately $23 billion or more in loss of production. LOSSES The sugar industry suffered estimated losses of more than $1.5 billion in the fields, while more than 50 per cent of mining operations have been affected. “Damage to the forestry sector, loss of production and damage to equipment are estimated at in excess of $8 billion,” Dr. Ali previously related. As it is, the total socio-economic impact assessment is currently being examined by the United Nations’ Economic Commis-

sion for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Even as the report is being finalised, efforts have commenced to repair and rebuild, especially as it relates to critical dams, farmto-market access roads, hinterland roads, mining roads, community roads, drainage systems, and other infrastructure that were destroyed or faced deterioration as a result of the floods. The Head of State had previously promised that once the emergency needs of the people are met, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government will be providing as much support as it can, to help persons rebuild their lives and recover from the floods. During a recent airing of ‘Parliamentary Agenda’ on the National Communications Network, Senior Minister in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh opined that the 2021 floods have been far more devastating than the infamous 2005 floods, since the latter primarily affected the coastland, while this year’s flood brought unimaginable devastation throughout the country, particularly in the rural and hinterland regions.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Afghans wake up to new world as Taliban takes Kabul

THE lightning advance of the Taliban in retaking the country has led Afghan-Americans, former generals and leading statesmen to blame President Joe Biden for a hasty US withdrawal. But he appears to have the public on his side -- for now. Hadia Essazada wept as she recounted the horror the Taliban visited on her household, first beating her father, and then killing her brother. The first time "they were beating my father with an iron rod because they were looking for my elder brother", who had fought to resist their rule in the 1990s, she told BBC Persian. They fled their house in the northern city of Mazar-I-Sharif, but "after six months when we returned to our home, Taliban again

came to visit us. And they took my younger brother". "I don't know how many

Hadia Essazada, who fled Afghanistan for the US, is haunted by past trauma and fearful for the future (BBC photo)

days had passed when a shopkeeper in our neighbourhood came to my father to tell him his son was killed," she said. The Taliban had executed him and dragged his body through the streets. Relatives were not allowed to collect his body for burial for weeks, and by then, dogs had been allowed to desecrate the remains. Essazada, today in her 20s and living in the US, said she now feared for the security of both Afghanistan and her new home, America, now that the Taliban is in control once more. "The Taliban has not changed a bit," she said, predicting that the West will be targeted by militants who she believes will be given shelter by the group. "Do you really want to go back to Afghanistan again?" BIDEN'S PROMISE TO GET OUT To his critics, the President's decision to wind down America's longest conflict has undone 20 years of work and sacrifice, paved the way for a humanitarian catastrophe and called into question US credibility.

Monday August 16, 2021 – 11:00hrs - 12:30hrs

The Taliban swept into Kabul unopposed and have seized the presidential palace (BBC photo) Many of those closest to is hardly a surprise. Since and the Iraq War but also the conflict - Afghans, sol- his days as Vice-President Kosovo [and] Grenada. I diers and statesmen - have to Barack Obama, he has think there's a certain soberlong been sceptical of the always insisted that the war ness to the way he looks at President's view that the should be limited in its mis- these challenges, and also a Kabul government could sion. weariness." be expected to maintain the As a senator from DelRunning for office, country's security by itself. aware in 2001, he joined a Biden told CBS in 2020 that With the fall of the cap- unanimous vote to approve the US should only have ital city on Sunday, some the use of military force in troops in Afghanistan "to wonder whether it is only Afghanistan. But he opposed make sure that it's impossia matter of time before the the deployment of more ble for the Taliban and for American electorate comes troops Obama authorised in ISIS or al-Qaeda to re-estabto regret Mr Biden's move 2009, the so-called "surge". lish a foothold there". to deliver on the long-held "Biden was pretty darn That has not come to promise of getting America clear on Afghanistan," Brett pass. On Sunday, Taliban out. Bruen, a former diplomat fighters reached the Afghan His decision to pull out who sat in the Obama ad- capital amid little resistance ministration's National Se- following a scramble by the curity Council meetings, US and its allies to airlift told the BBC. "He said we personnel out of the country. should get the heck out of Within hours, Karzai Inthere." ternational Airport had susBiden pushed his case pended commercial flights and would sometimes make and government forces at it personal, Bruen recalled. Afghanistan's main prison "It was an effort to win over near Bagram Air Base had the room," he said. surrendered to insurgents. As a White House canBiden was forced on didate in 2019, Biden re- Saturday to approve the minded voters that he would deployment of thousands be the first President since of additional US troops Dwight Eisenhower in the "to make sure we can 1950s to have had a child have an orderly and safe serve in an active conflict. drawdown of US personnel In his memoir Richard and other allied personHolbrooke, who was special nel" and carry out a "safe envoy to Afghanistan in the evacuation" of Afghans early Obama years, remem- at "special risk" from the bered Biden angrily telling Taliban. him he was "not sending my boy back there to risk his EARLY WARNINGS life on behalf of [Afghan] A leaked US intelliwomen's rights... That's not gence report this month what they're there for". had warned that the westBut his long experience ern-backed Afghan govin foreign policy has prob- ernment could collapse ably done even more to within 90 days of US troop shape the President's out- departures. look, Bruen said. "He's lived Biden's predecessor through so many of these See page 5 conflicts, not just Vietnam

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Haiti earthquake: Rescuers search for survivors as death toll climbs to 1,297

OFFICIALS in Haiti have confirmed at least 1,297 people are dead after a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean nation on Saturday. Rescuers are picking through rubble in a desperate search for any survivors. Homes, churches and schools were among buildings flattened in the quake. Some hospitals were left overwhelmed and in need of supplies. An unknown number of people are missing and about 5,700 have been injured, officials say. The disaster compounds problems facing the impoverished nation, which is already reeling from a political crisis following the assassination of its president last month. The south-west of Haiti appears to have suffered the worst of the damage, especially

around the city of Les Cayes. Footage on social media showed residents desperately trying to pull victims from ruined buildings. "The streets are filled with screaming," Archdeacon Abiade Lozama, head of an Anglican church in Les Cayes, told the New York Times. "People are searching, for loved ones or resources, medical help, water." The epicentre of Saturday's quake was about 12km (7.5 miles) from the town of Saint-Louis du Sud, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. But the tremor could be felt in the densely-populated capital of Port-au-Prince, some 125km away, and in neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a month-long state of emergency and urged the population to "show solidarity".

"The most important thing is to recover as many survivors as possible under the rubble," he said on Saturday. "We have learned that the local hospitals, in particular that of Les Cayes, are overwhelmed with wounded, fractured people." The international community has promised to help. US President Joe Biden said he had authorised an "immediate US response" through USAID. The UN also said it was supporting the rescue effort. The neighbouring Dominican Republic has offered to send food and medical equipment, with Cuba also reportedly deploying more than 250 doctors. Jerry Chandler, the head of the Haiti's civil protection agency, said on Sunday that in the South department, where Les Cayes is situated, about 1,500 houses had been

completely destroyed and 3,000 damaged. "In Nippes [department], there are 899 houses destroyed and 723 houses damaged. In the Grande'Anse department, there are 469 houses destroyed and 1,687 houses damaged," he added. He warned that Tropical Storm Grace, which is approaching the country, is "likely to make matters worse" in the coming days. The Pope offered prayers for the victims during a Sunday address and expressed hope that aid would arrive soon. Aftershocks were felt after the initial tremor, with the USGS initially warning the earthquake could result in thousands of fatalities and injuries. A 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to the country's infrastructure and economy. (BBC)

Afghans wake up to new ... From page 4

Donald Trump accused him of "weakness, incompetence, and total strategic incoherence" but some have pointed to a withdrawal deal his team hatched with the Taliban last year as partly to blame. Some of the objections to the Biden withdrawal plan echo warnings made years ago. Asked in 2009 whether his proposal to reduce troop numbers could succeed, Stanley McChrystal, then the US Commander in Kabul, replied: "The short answer is no." With the swift Taliban takeover of the last few weeks, that prediction has proved correct. Gen. David Petraeus, who replaced McChrystal as commander, told the BBC: "The situation obviously is just disastrous." "We should literally reverse the decision," he said. "I feared we would come to regret the decision and we already are. There's no good

Crowds filled Kabul Airport to try to escape the Taliban advance (BBC photo) outcome unless the United arm serving as an interpreter came to me and said they States and its allies recog- for US troops in 2003. now believe I was right. nise that we made a serious Now a US citizen, he They are not going to vote mistake." said was furious about the again." Husain Haqqani, Paki- US withdrawal. Biden has Polls have consistently stan's ambassador to the US "left the people of Afghan- shown withdrawal to be in 2009, told the BBC: "He istan in the hands of Tali- popular with Americans [Mr Biden] always said 'our ban," he told BBC Persian. exhausted by 20 years of fight was about al-Qaeda, "I do not trust the US spent blood and treasure, and not the Taliban'. I al- government anymore," he and years of promises to ways thought it was naïve." said. "My wife and my son get out. Sher Hossain Jaghori, an voted for Biden. I told them In office, Obama pledged Afghan-American, lost an not to do that. Now they to get out. Running for president, Donald Trump hammered against continuing the "endless war" -- he had set a departure date for US troops of 1 May this year. As recently as last month, an overwhelming majority of Americans – 70 per cent or more -- supported Biden's withdrawal, according to polls from Harris and the Chicago Council. But that was before the lightning advance of the Taliban. As the situation on the ground shifts -- and with vetThe hasty withdrawal from Kabul has prompted comparisons with the fall of erans aghast at reports of the Saigon in 1975 (BBC/Reuters photo) executions of Afghans who

had served with them, former allied posts overtaken by Taliban fighters and aid groups warning of a humanitarian crisis to come -- comparisons are already being made to the ignoble withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975. "Theoretically Amer-

icans wanted out," Breun said. "But practically when they see these images of the Taliban driving through the streets, American forces fleeing in a Saigon-esque fashion, it's a very hard pill to swallow." (BBC)

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Cross-dressing and cultural sensitivities THE National Assembly has recently passed legislation to decriminalise cross-dressing defined to mean an act of wearing items of clothing not commonly associated with one's sex. Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who piloted the bill in the National Assembly, reminded the House that the Government was seeking to amend the Act and in so doing comply with its constitutional role as the legislature. The bill was first introduced by Mr. Nandlall in June 2021 to officially decriminalise the offence of 'cross-dressing'. It sought to amend the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act of Guyana by deleting a section of the Act which makes it an offence for any person to dress as the opposite gender, in a public place or for any improper purpose. According to the Attorney-General, the Government has a duty not only to make new laws or amend

existing laws but to remove from our legislative architecture those provisions that have been found to be repugnant and repulsive to our Constitution. Guyana is a secular State and as such is duty-bound to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens, regardless of their cultural, religious or gender orientations. Indeed, respect for the rights of all Guyanese, especially minority groups is the bedrock on which modern society rests. Guyana is known for its political and religious diversity and it is the duty and responsibility of the State to rise above cultural differences and enact legislation that are just to all, regardless of their beliefs or their sexual or cultural orientation. As to be expected, dissenting views were expressed by some members of the political opposition on the ground that it violated social norms and religious sensitivities. However, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira reminded

the House that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana's highest court, had already ruled that the vaguely-worded law was unconstitutional and violated transgender citizens' rights to equality and non-discrimination and as such should be removed. It would be recalled that a court challenge was brought by a group of transgender women who were arrested and jailed in 2009 under an archaic 1993 cross-dressing law. They then mounted a legal challenge on the ground that the law was discriminatory and did not specify enough detail about what an improper wear entailed. The debate as to what constitute a proper or improper wear will continue long after the law is passed given the cultural and religious sensitivities of the matter. This is all well and good, provided that it does not stand in the way or violate the fundamental rights of others. As pointed out by CCJ President Justice Saunders, no one should have his or her right trampled on, or human

right denied, merely on account of a difference, especially one that poses no threat to public safety or public order. 'Difference is as natural as breathing,' Justice Saunders said in his ruling. The Guyana Government must be commended for modernising its legislative architecture and in so doing bringing it in line with new and enlightened thinking on the issue of cross-dressing. Indeed such legislation was long overdue given the fact that Guyana was one of the few countries in the region to criminalise gay sex which carried a punishment of up to life in prison. As noted by a leading rights activist, for too long that particular law was used to target and harass ordinary people, especially those who are seen as transgender. Guyana, it has to be said, is becoming a much more tolerant and cohesive society and this piece of amended legislation will certainly help to advance that process.

Coalition had no proper plan and vision for housing sector

Dear Editor,

I have taken note of a letter authored by Annette Ferguson titled “APNU+AFC created a sound housing sector strategy” and wish to respond to her missive. The first thing I want to point out is that Ferguson claims that the APNU+AFC Coalition left behind a foundation for the housing sector. I have no clue what that foundation is because as far as I am aware, all the Coalition had in regard to the sector, was a hotchpotch plan which they failed to execute. No clear strategy was outlined and the facts in the subsequent paragraphs will contradict Ferguson’s contention. To begin, the former Minister contended that a simple comparison of the two governments’ policies for the housing sector would show that the APNU+AFC had a better plan. I completely disagree. If the Coalition had

a better plan wouldn’t we have seen more development under their tenure? The reality is that the PPP/C Government has done more for the housing sector in just one year of being in office than what the APNU+AFC Coalition did for their entire term in office. They had five years to deliver what they promised to the people but even that they couldn’t do. In her letter, Ferguson outlined several housing areas to show how many house lots were issued by the Coalition. While they did allocate a few house lots, it is important for people to know that the vast majority of those allocations were hurriedly given after the passage of the no-confidence motion and were used to get persons to vote for them. It turned out to be another fraud perpetrated on the people by the APNU+AFC as those persons were merely issued letters saying that they were allocated house lots and that they should check with the Central Housing and

Planning Authority (CHPA) to pay. However, these very lots were not even in existence. It was pure vote-buying and trickery. The real beneficiaries of the APNU+AFC land allocation and housing policy were the ministers, their relatives, friends, cronies and the rich businessmen who bankrolled them. This group accumulated land which totaled the size of Barbados. One leading official gifted himself shore based land in the Demerara River through a front company registered in the name of employees of his close business associate. Forty-five plots of waterfront land in Linden were hurriedly transferred by NICIL to officials of the APNU+AFC, their friends and relatives a few days before elections were held. There is a long list of this sort of massive land-grabbing by a handful of Coalition officials and their cronies that is out in the public. Any comparison of housing development

under the PPP/C and APNU+AFC is like comparing chalk to cheese. In just one year the Dr Irfaan Ali-led administration has allocated more than 5,000 house lots. Hundreds of turn-key homes were also constructed during this period and significant sums are being spent on infrastructure in new and existing housing schemes. And this housing drive is not limited to Region Four. In a recent two-day exercise in Linden, Region 10, 400 houselots were allocated. This is way more than the APNU+AFC allocated in their entire five year tenure. This is an example of how big a failure the APNU+AFC was. With that in mind, I trust that no one will be fooled by the false narratives being peddled by the opposition members. Yours respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Missing child found drowned

THE lifeless body of Trayshawn Archer, three, who was reported missing on Sunday, was found on the same day in the intersection of a trench that runs to the front and back of his home. According to police report, information received from Trayshawn’s 19-yearold mother, Aaliyah Archer, stated that she last saw him asleep at 05:00 hours. She said that about 06:18hrs, she discovered

that he was not in the house and immediately started to search for him. She found a pair of brown rubber slippers belonging to Trayshawn on the bridge that gave access to the neighbour’s yard. The neighbour, Sean Dover, stated that he did not see Trayshawn for the day; hence, an alarm was raised and a report was made to the police at North Ruimveldt Police Outpost. Persons in the area and

the police conducted searches but he was not seen. At about 15:15hrs, the body of Trayshawn was found at the intersection of the trench that runs to the front and back of his home. He was pronounced dead by a doctor. No marks of violence were seen on the body. However, a whitish liquid was seen on the nose of the deceased. The body is at Memorial Funeral Home awaiting post mortem examination.

The virus kills our loved ones, but vaccination saves lives!

Dear Editor,

I totally agree with the Ministry of Education when it said, “The reopening of schools to face-to-face engagement hinges heavily on the national vaccination programme. More of the adult population needs to be vaccinated to protect themselves and children, especially those who are below the age of 12 for whom no vaccine has been approved as yet. We urge all Guyanese to see the importance of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and to consider the consequences that will come from not being vaccinated.” The virus has had a devastating impact on the world affecting national economies, the production and supply chain, travel, and employment. A huge negative impact has been its devastation of our education process. As the ministry rightly said, “The education sector has been hit hard due to the pandemic and having to close schools as a response. However, the longer the school doors are closed the more our students will suffer from learning loss and greater is the likelihood of an increase in school dropouts.” We must learn from the mistakes and best practices of other countries. In the USA, for instance, in some areas, as soon as they opened schools, they had to close again because of teachers and students found to be infected. Here is a recent headline, “COVID-19 Cases Surge as Students Return to Schools.” Here is another, “Just a few days into the academic year, over 1,000 students in Palm Beach County, Florida, have been told to go into quarantine because of COVID-19 cases at their schools. The number of kids sent home grew from 440 on Wednesday to 1,020 on Friday, the district reported.” The amount of work it takes to do contact tracing, testing, deep cleaning, and enforce quarantining is enormous. In Guyana, where most people use public transportation to and from school, the risks of infection are extremely high. So, if only 25 per cent of

teachers are vaccinated, you can bet that if schools are open in September as the ministry has decided, it will be a series of open-close, open-close. This will be a very draining, disruptive process on everyone, especially parents. Our parents need to understand that online learning is a big challenge, and in Guyana where online access is unavailable or unreliable, poor rural and hinterland children will continue to be disadvantaged most. The ministry does its best to distribute worksheets but that is not a substitute for regular face-to-face instruction and the interactive classroom processes. Parents are not teachers or home-schoolers. In the USA, a teacher who relies on worksheets as a strategy will get the lowest possible evaluation from an administrator. They want to see more engaging, handson, differentiated, customised methods. In the best interests of the whole nation, the teachers and nurses must be role models in being vaccinated and encouraging vaccinations. Teachers and nurses are “key influencers” and nurturers. When resisting and hesitating patients don’t want to take medicines, tests or therapy, nurses are the ones to coax and persuade them that “it won’t hurt, it’s good for you, if you want to get better.” The same with teachers who influence, motivate, and mould young minds. So we call on all teachers and nurses to step up at such a time as this. This is not about politics, it’s about our people and our national health and safety. The government is eager to get back to normal and has to think about the interests of the whole country. Parents, please speak up now and support our teachers, nurses, and older students to get vaccinated. “All are involved, all are consumed.” The virus kills our loved ones, but vaccination saves lives! Yours sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Sophia man shot dead

KEON McPherson of Lot 687 ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was shot dead on Saturday. The incident occurred around 04:00 hours at ‘C’ Field, Sophia. Police said a 21-year-old male and a 28-year-old female had been taken into custody and were assisting with investigations. The brother of the deceased told the police that the two of them were at home when about 23:50hrs on Saturday, McPherson indicated that he was going to ‘C’ Field. At about 04:00hrs Saturday, police said an unknown female called the

Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre and reported that McPherson was seen in a yard at ‘C’ Field, Sophia, lying motionless with what appeared to be blood on his skin. Upon arrival at the scene, investigators inspected the body and discovered what appeared to be a gunshot wound on McPherson’s left side chest and one on his right hand. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting Post Mortem examination.

7

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Gov’t rejects malicious statements at Coalition-supported rally

–– invites Congressman Jeffries to discussions on matters of mutual interest THE Government of Guyana has rejected the malicious statements delivered at a march and rally titled "Anti-PPP Racism March & Rally" held in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday. The rally was organised

by the Guyanese Organisations Against Racism (GOAR). “We note the numerous malicious and false claims made by several Members of Parliament, Regional representatives and other persons

associated with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) political party. We wish to place on record that we reject ALL the statements delivered at today’s march and rally. The APNU continues to propagate racial divi-

sion and tension in Guyana and in the diaspora through the dissemination of inaccurate information about the Government of Guyana, and, by extension, the People’s Progressive Party. These attacks are mere desperation by the APNU who, one year later, refuses to accept the results of the 2020 General Elections, needless to say, after a lengthy court battle,” the government said in a statement. The Government of Guyana also noted remarks made by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, which it found to be quite appalling. The Government, in

expressing its disappointment with the Congressman Jeffries, said he allowed himself to be negatively influenced by individuals who are adamant in destroying Guyana by instigating violence and division among her people. “We call on the Congressman to desist from joining with these individuals in creating chaos in our communities at home and in the diaspora. We invite the Congressman Jeffries to have discussions with us on matters of mutual interest. “We wish to emphasise that we are a Government for ALL the people of Guy-

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

ana. Evidence exists that we uphold democratic principles, adhere to equitable practices, embrace diversity and inclusivity and promote transparency at all levels. We continue to show strong leadership to the people of Guyana and abide by the principles as reflected in our national motto- One people, One Nation, One Destiny,” the statement concluded.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

West Demerara Shore Base eyes 2023 completion –– as approvals pave way for year-end construction

CONSTRUCTION of the West Demerara Shore Base (WDSB) at Versailles is slated to commence later in the year, according to the investor company, Tristar Incorporated. In a press statement on Friday, the entity said that all regulatory approvals have already been given, and that the project was on course for a 2023 completion. “The WDSB will be built on a 70-acre site on the West Bank of the Demerara River. When completed, the project will be a dedicated oil and gas Shore base with six-berths,” the statement indicated. The WDSB is the brainchild of Guyanese businessman, Krishna Persaud – founder and sole shareholder of Tristar Inc. After a successful stint as a stock market investor and real estate developer in the United States, Persaud has returned to Guyana with an aim of providing opportunities for Guyanese living on the West Bank of Demerara, where he was raised. “Having taken two companies public on the NYSE and NASDAQ stock exchanges, he is now focussed on bringing the WDSB to life,” the statement posited. It emphasised, too, that, once operational, the project will bring a much-needed economic boost to several West Demerara communities that suffered “dislocation” due to the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate in 2016. “By creating economic opportunity, the WDSB has the potential to resuscitate these communities,” the company said. EMPLOYMENT It noted, too, that in addition to creating hundreds of direct employment, the WDSB will also utilise a supply chain of Guyanese suppliers and Guyanese sub-contractors, thereby increasing the number of employment that the project will create. “This is in keeping with Tristar’s stated commitment to the people of Guyana. The WDSB will also mean more competition in the shore base services landscape which will lead to lower prices for companies engaged in offshore exploration and development activities, this ultimately redounds to the benefit of the Guyanese economy,” Tristar Inc noted. Additionally, it said that the Versailles area is one that is not congested with traffic, houses and businesses. “Being located up the

Demerara River means that the facility will not be subject to coastal wave action. Its location is also just opposite existing development: Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI), together with the WDSB, could create a sustainable economic cluster,” the company said. Tristar Inc. also expressed its commitment to adhering to the Local Content Policy and all its accompanying legislation. “To this end, Tristar has already engaged Guyanese contractors and is in discussions with other Guyanese contractors with the view of maximising local content in the development and operational phases,” the company said. Further, Persaud and his team said that they have also been in discussion with major international operators in the oil and gas industry who may want to utilise the facility to support their deep-water exploration and development operations. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Added to that, Tristar Incorporated will be attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA, from August 16-19, 2021. It is one of the largest conferences on the oil and gas industry’s calendar. Further, in light of its over nine billion barrels of oil equivalent in discoveries in the last six years, Guyana is poised to take centre stage at this year’s OTC. “Tristar’s presence at the OTC is indicative of its commitment to provide a worldclass shore base facility to support the expansion of the Guyanese oil industry,” Tristar Incorporated said. The delegation representing Guyana is headed by Persaud, and includes a “blue chip” team of international experts working on the project. Nonetheless, once the WDSB is up and running, the investor company said that it will be operating in accordance with international standards “including ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, as well as ISPS port security standards”. Added to that, “the shore base will be operated to the highest international Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (HSSE) standards. Moreover, the company assured that ‘as a dedicated oil and gas facility, the WDSB will allow for optimal control of logistics and management of HSSE’”.

An artist’s impression of the West Demerara Shore Base slated to be constructed at Versailles

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

When children lie

A GUYANESE adage says, 'A liar is a thief, and a thief is a murderer,' but this is not necessarily true. Children tell lies as part of their normal child behaviour; it does not automatically follow that they will also steal or kill. When children lie, adults feel betrayed, angry and frustrated. They usually believe 'licks' and punishment are in store for the wayward child. “How dare a child try to pull a fast one on 'big people' as if he thinks we grown-ups born yesterday”. It is natural to feel vex when children tell lies as

lying is not a commendable characteristic, but children learn this type of deceit as part of their natural development. Even children as young as two have already begun to develop some deceptive tactics. Some experts use lie-telling to indicate that toddlers have developed a theory of mind- meaning the infant is aware of his mental state and those of others. It is an essential cognitive skill. In time the child will work out the possibility of false beliefs. No one can read minds or know the mental state of others.

As they grow and work out how other people think, children's lies become sophisticated. They have and use more words to conjure up exactly what an adult might want to hear and imagine. They realise some lies are more effective than others and they refine their skill. One of the main reasons children lie is to get themselves out of trouble. However, they end up in a worse situation for lying, when found out. To them, it was worth taking the risk, even if it only delays the inevitable. When children

know their parents will react badly to a situation, they bend the truth or lie outright to avoid being reprimanded or worse. Other reasons children lie are to gain attention from peers or parents or get a reaction from an adult. A three-year-old who knew not to go through her mother's bag spied the bag on the floor next to her little chair - sparking her interest and imagination. Her mother is busy in the kitchen. What should she do? Quite aware of her mother's distraction, she went to the bag and took

out the eyeliner. Just then, her mother asked, 'Tina, you're not touching mummy's things, are you?' The child hastily dropped the eyeliner and replied, 'No, I'm just going to sit on the chair'. Already she is making up falsehoods to get herself out of trouble. These skills improve as children get older as added facial expressions and gestures give more effect. Adults become exasperated when there are two or more children in a home, yet no one will own up when something is broken, removed or damaged. Someone is responsible, and yet the culprit will not step forward. Some parents leave it there, at a stalemate; they delve no deeper. They have so many things to do, time is short, and they are not able with the interrogation and lies involved in reaching the truth. They fail to get to the bottom of the incident and move on with life. By not tackling these everyday occurrences, no matter how small, parents encourage children to be deceitful. Children should take ownership of their mistakes, accidents and shortcomings; only then will they learn to strive and rise above them. Hiding behind the fact that parents can blame someone else is dishonest. It could lead to even greater dishonesty in adulthood. Parents can speak to children about honesty and teach them the difference between telling the truth and falsehoods. These lessons should take place when the child is old enough to understand and reiterated when necessary. Explain to children why it is better to tell the truth, and deal with the consequences - support them to do the same. Help them to understand what can

happen if they lie; make honesty one of your family values. Parents can avoid situations where children feel they need to lie. Like the 3-year-old mentioned earlier, her mother could have said, 'I hope Tina is not troubling my bag and she is sitting on the chair like a good girl' - thus avoiding accusatory remarks and initiating a deceitful line of defence from a child. When a child owns up about a mishap or accident, an incident or deception, encourage and admire him for telling the truth. Sometimes telling the truth is the hardest thing for a child to do, but that is why children need to do it. Children should learn and grow with the value of this virtue rather than adopt traits of deceit and dishonesty. Deliberate lies should be handled calmly, not dramatised and highlighted to embarrass a child. The objective is to let the child understand the spin-off from telling lies. Firstly, it makes a parent feel bad inside to know their child is lying, it also negatively affects the parent/child relationship, and lastly, it proves the child is untrustworthy. When you know your child is lying, let him know, but don't call him a liar. Try not to 'brand' the child adversely before uncovering the cause behind the lie. Being a role model and talking through dishonest incidents can rectify lying behaviour. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

‘Take a personal interest in your children’s education’ – Minister Croal tells Santa Rosa parents

RESIDENTS of Moruca have been assured that the provision of equal opportunities for all in the education sector will remain a priority for the government. The assurance came as Housing and Water Minis-

ter, Collin Croal, launched the government's "Because We Care" $19,000 cash grant at the Santa Rosa Secondary School. The cash grant initiative is eligible for all parents and the minister urged them to make full use of it

to improve their lives. "While the ‘Because We Care’ is geared at preparing students for the reopening of schools, we have several other long-term initiatives geared at raising their level of education as

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, addressing parents of the Santa Rosa Secondary School

they grow." The minister also called on persons to take advantage of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and GOAL Scholarship programmes. These are aimed at improving access to edu-

cation across the country. Parents were also encouraged to play an active role in their children’s education. "You have to ensure they are punctual and spend the extra time with them, ensure their assign-

ments are submitted; the teachers can't do it alone; as parents, we have a role to play as well," the minister said. The grant has already been distributed in the Mabaruma and Port Kaituma sub-regions.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

One new COVID-19 death; 106 new cases recorded

THE Ministry of Health has reported that one more person has died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 574. According to the min-

istry, the latest fatality is a 38-year-old man from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) who died while receiving treatment at one of its facilities. Meanwhile, there are

currently 1,042 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 106 new cases from 1,444 tests conducted on August 15, 2021. Fifty-six of the newly recorded cases are females

with the remaining 50 are males. The 106 newly confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, Seven, Nine and 10. Region Four accounted for 77 of the new cases. Region One recorded four new cases, Region Two recorded two new cases, Region Three recorded 11 new cases and Regions Six and 10 recorded five new cases each. Regions Seven and Nine recorded one new case each. Even as new cases were recorded, 19 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to date to 21,946.

The country has now recorded a total of 23,561 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020. Of the active cases, 16 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 81 are in institutional isolation; 941 are in home isolation and four are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until August 31, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic. As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew begins at 22:30 hrs and ends on 04:00 hours. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 180/181 for assistance.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Over 600 graduate from Nations University

MORE than 600 students recently graduated from the Nations School of Business and Management, the Nations School of Education and the Nations School of Law. They received certificates from the University of London, University of Bedfordshire and Advancing Business Education (ABE), during six graduations ceremonies which were held while following existing COVID-19 protocols in order to minimize the spread of the virus. According to a release from Nations University, a total of 125 students graduated with a masters degree from the University of Bedfordshire with whom Nations has had a long-standing relationship. The numbers include 101 students who graduated with a Master Degree in Business Administration. Of this number, 21 specialized in Oil and Gas Management, 12 in Human Resources Management, six in Hospital and Health Services Management, three in Marketing Management and 59 in Business Administration. Thirteen students graduated with a MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Bedfordshire through Nations School of

Education. Special congratulations went out to Masheeke Goodluck-Adridge and Kimberly Craig who were each awarded MA Education (Distinction). The release said Goodluck-Adridge noted that when she made the decision to pursue her degree, the staff from Nations provided her with the necessary guidance to ensure that she had a smooth journey as she continued her educational pursuits.

La Toya Herbert

“I had just overcome a few challenges, but I was determined that I would not give up in my pursuit to further my studies by God's grace. Unfortunately, I had little money to start. With guidance from friendly Nations’ staff, I applied and was accepted one (1) week later. The lecturers at Nations and Bedfordshire provided feedback before and after final submissions. This provided guidance for my writing and helped me

noted that the programme has given her greater insight into the legal and complex framework that exists within the oil and gas industry. “Facilitated through Nations School of Law, the LLM programme provides ample opportunity for students to engage in distance learning. The UoB, through the Nations’ programmes, offers the same quality of learning experience as that of being at the university in the United Kingdom.

Three ABE graduates produce the best writing pieces I have ever written,” she was quoted as saying. Further, she noted that the modules offered for the programme helped her understand the importance of leadership. She also noted that her research skills were nurtured and improved with each module, giving her clarity on the effects of policies on specific stakeholders in education. Additionally, Nations School of Law celebrated the achievement of five students who were conferred with the LLB from the University of London and 11 students who graduated with the LLM in Oil and Gas Management. Special congratulations were given to Sursattie Bholaramsingh and La Toya Herbert who were awarded distinction having completed the LLM programme. Herbert noted that she was “happy” with her decision to have chosen the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) through the Nations School of Law to do her postgraduate studies. She

I thoroughly enjoyed this programme which has benefitted me tremendously, and I wish to thank the entire staff at Nations for their willingness to assist students whenever the situation may have arisen. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all persons wishing to further their education to consider what Nations has to offer,” she said according to the release. An additional 93 students graduated with a BA Business Administration (Hons) degree also offered by the University of Bedfordshire. Many of these students progressed through the ABE Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma allowing them to complete their degree in less than three years. Alternate routes allowed students with an Advanced Diploma to complete the BA in 8 months. The 2021 graduation ceremony also saw the conferral of the ABE Diploma Level 4 and Level 5 to 376 students. Of special note were the three students receiving TOP Paper Awards

Masheeke Ulele Goodluck- Adridge from ABE for outstanding performance. Those students are: Dibbi Kissoon, Ricardo Semple and Dhabita Sookraj. Directors of the institution, Brian and Pamela O'Toole, commended the graduates on their persistence and commitment to completing their varying programmes. They noted that this perseverance has equipped them for contributing to the “new Guyana that is emerging.” “This has been a year unlike any other when we have all been asked to explore new paths, adopt new approaches and master new technologies. It has taken tremendous application, commitment and tenacity on your part to meet those challenges - but you have done it. You have persevered when many others would have given up,” the release said. The directors encouraged the graduates to celebrate with their support systems and their teachers who provided them with strength

and guidance during their studies, encouraging them to remember the invaluable contribution their support made to their success. The directors reminded the graduates that while they take time to celebrate their achievements, they must position themselves to play their part in Guyana’s development. “The new Guyana requires new approaches in education, law, business and entrepreneurship. As you embrace the various challenges, draw on the support and ideas of your classmates and tutors and find strength in one another. As you know, various international agencies predict significant growth for Guyana in the days to come - each of you will be called upon to play a key role in this unfolding process and begin to set in motion a new model of development. This is indeed an exciting time to be a new graduate,” the directors stated.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Cuban Medical Brigade commended for service to Guyana

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony speaks at a farewell ceremony for the Cuban Medical Brigade (DPI photo)

HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the government was grateful to the Cuban Medical Brigade for its service to Guyana over the past four years. In his feature address at a farewell ceremony held at Duke Lodge, Friday evening, Dr. Anthony said he was pleased that the group which traditionally comprised only doctors, had been opened to other categories of health professionals. “You have really done well, and we want to commend you for the work that you have done

not only for Guyana, but globally. “Here in Guyana of course, we have had the privilege of having various brigades coming and, over the years, we have seen the expansion of these brigades, not just to cover doctors, but we have nurses and other categories of health workers coming here,” he said. Minister Anthony said Guyana was at a transition period and the expertise of its friends were welcomed and appreciated. “That’s important because we are at a phase

where we are growing our system and we might not have all the experience. “Therefore, we would like to borrow some of your experience and to get some of that knowledge transferred to our local doctors.” Minister Anthony said the Cuban health workers have helped to strengthen the local health sector. “Not only have you proved on-the-ground experience here, but we have also benefitted from sending a lot of people to Cuba to study. “And, in the not-sodistant past, when Pres-

ident Jagdeo was in office, we basically struck a very historic agreement where literally hundreds of young people from Guyana were able to go to Cuba to get medical training.” Approximately 43 health professionals - nurses, doctors and technicians comprised the brigade. Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Amador Socorro also attended the event. (DPI)

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, presents a certificate of appreciation to a member of the Cuban Medical Brigade, who has completed tenure in Guyana (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

COVID-19 ‘under control’ –– says Regional in Region One Chairman By Jared Liddell WITH the highest percentage of vaccinations recorded in the country thus far, Region One has “got COVID-19 under control,” according to Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley. The regional chairman, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, noted that over 60 per cent of the adult population has already taken their first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. He noted that daily, this number increases significantly. Government has rolled out a strategic plan to achieve herd immunity and combat the deadly effects of the virus. The ongoing vaccination programme gives everyone above the

age of 18 the opportunity to receive either the Russian-produced Sputnik V vaccine, the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine or the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Ashley told this publication that due largely to misinformation, the region, like many other parts of the country, has faced some skepticism as it relates to the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. This has slowed down the rapid administration of the vaccine in the region, he said. “Well, Region One, as you might be aware, is leading the COVID vaccination process where 60 plus per cent are vaccinated already and over the last few days, we have seen several persons becoming vaccinated. There were some hesitan-

cies owed to the fact of misinformation, political gimmicks from politicians who themselves would have taken the vaccines but are telling the people not to,” Ashley expressed. He noted that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has been using innovative ways to deliver public education campaigns to ensure accurate information is disseminated to residents. The RDC has also been mobilizing resources to ensure that vaccination sites are placed at accessible points around the region. Ashley noted that in keeping with the vision of ease of access, a COVID-19 vaccination site was set up at the recently concluded US Embassy Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP) five-day medical

outreach at Mabaruma and Port Kaituma. He noted that on the first day of the outreach, the Ministry of Health officials administered the first dose to 60 persons. Meanwhile, the regional chairman told this publication that since August 1, 2021, when the updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures took effect, the region’s COVID-19 vaccination drive has seen a significant and steady increase in the number of persons opting to get vaccinated. Ashley explained that persons in the region are more cautious about not being allowed access into government buildings, as

this is their main channel to voice their concerns and to get the necessary documentation for work and school. “I think that too has given persons the courage to go and get the vaccine because they need the services and in Region One there isn’t a day that the office of the regional chairman don’t see the public; every day we see the public sometimes 30 persons a day from several different communities. And coming here…coming all this distance and you learn that you can’t get service because you are unvaccinated, you wouldn’t want that to happen, so the best thing you’d do is to get

15

Region One Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley your vaccine shots,” Ashley said. He noted that the option to get the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests done for those residents who do not want to take the vaccine is unavailable since there is no private medical facility in the region that offers this service.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

O&G Chamber attending major conference in Houston, Texas

THE Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) will be attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA during the pe-

riod August 16–19 with a 15-member delegation led by the President of GOGEC, Manniram Prashad. According to a release, the OTC is where energy

professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. At the event, GO-

GEC intends to sign a few Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with key international players for mutual areas of collaboration, namely in capacity-building

through education and training, and to promote strategic partnerships with local players in the energy sector in Guyana with international organisations.

GOGEC President, Manniram Prashad

47 graduate from youth apprenticeship programme SOME 47 youths from across the country have graduated from the Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme (YNR) aimed at providing opportunities for young people to experience and learn about this critical sector and capitalise on job opportunities. At the graduation ceremony on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Coordinator of YNR, Lorianne

(DPI) also spoke with several graduates who lauded the programme. Kenesia Roberts said she valued the opportunity to acquire knowledge about Guyana’s natural resources sector, and to interact and engage with other youths who share her passion. “Personally, the highlight for me would have been the sandpits. We visited the sandpits and what was amazing to me was how big

Graduates of this year’s Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme (DPI photo) Pluck, spoke of the significance of the event. “What we seek to do is to involve young people, young adults, preferably teens who are preparing for CXC or would have finished CXC, and introduce them into the natural resources lifestyle.” Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Vishal Ambedkar, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, charged the apprentices to persevere in order to live successfully. “Be steadfast in all that you do despite the difficulties and delays in achieving your success. “It doesn’t matter what your goal is, or how long it takes you to reach or achieve that goal, chances of your success depend solely on you.” The Department of Public Information

the pits are and how many trucks there were collecting sand 24/7,” she said. Another graduate, Michael McCloud said this year’s progamme was “very fulfilling”. “The biggest highlight for me was the trip to Iwokrama, the River Lodge and Research Centre where we were exposed to road monitoring and the various monitoring through the rain forests, and what it takes to sustain it throughout the day and protect it.” Both of these youths are aspiring to secure careers in Guyana’s natural resources sector. This programme is set to kick off again next year when youths are set to work with agencies like the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, ExxonMobil, MACORP and other big companies that operate in Guyana’s natural resources sector. (DPI)

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

14 roads valued $250M commissioned on West Coast PUBLIC Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Saturday, commissioned several roads on the West Coast Demerara, Region Three, bringing great relief to the residents there. Over $250 million has been spent on 14 roads in Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt, Hydronie and Parika. Addressing residents of the five communities, Minister Edghill said: “Our number one priority is taking care of

people, improving their lives and their livelihoods. We did what you ask for, a promise fulfilled, and it’s time for you to take over and run it. “The President, Irfaan Ali-led Administration is not just talking, but we are doing what we said we will do.” Minister Edghill emphasised that the Government was fulfilling a promise made to Guyanese during the 2020 elections campaign. He noted that every part

of Guyana would be developed. “We are one family, the Guyanese family. We’ve got one Guyana to build. Those of you that go to the koker know when the tide comes in, all of the boats rise up. When the tide of prosperity comes to Guyana, it will benefit all of the people of Guyana. So, I want us to work together.” Minister Edghill also urged the residents to maintain the infrastructure giv-

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, at the ceremonial opening of the road at Hydronie, West Coast Demerara

A reconstructed road in Uitvlugt

One of the newly constructed roads in Hydronie

en to the communities. He advised them not to allow drivers of heavy-duty vehicles to traverse the community roadways as they cannot withstand those weights. The minister also said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) must take the lead in establishing a road maintenance programme. Meanwhile, residents of the five areas told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that they were pleased

with the road works. At Uitvlugt Pasture, where five roads were repaired, Hasrat Mohamed, a resident of over four decades said, “we appreciate your dedication and response to our complaints to enhance our community. We must be thankful for your endeavour. “We will ensure that it’s keep up to the standards that require. The quality of work that have been done, you can see it, everyone can see it. We’re thankful for the work done.”

Tuschen resident, Eion Beaton, said that since the completion of the three roads, travel has become easier and faster. “We the residents of Tuschen Housing Scheme would like to thank the Government of Guyana for building and repairing the roads. “It has made the journey for me more easier for me in vehicles. I trust that the Government of Guyana continue to build more roads in the community,” he said.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

GDF Platoon Sergeants’ Course, Commander Course commence

Commandant Guyana People's Militia, Colonel, Trevor Bowman (seated centre); Commanding Officer Training Corps, Colonel, Collin Henry (seated third from left), along with staff and students of the SCC 2021-02 THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Platoon Sergeants’ Course (PSC) 202101 and Section Commander Course (SCC) 2021-02 were formally declared open last Thursday at Base Camp Seweyo, Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Forty-four Senior and Junior Non-Commissioned Officers drawn from various units across the Force are undergoing training in the Platoon Sergeants’

Commandant of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Colonel Trevor Bowman, in his feature address to ranks, called their attention to the objectives of their courses. “This is a functional course and you need to be a subject matter expert. Soldiers under your command will come to you for guidance and you must have solutions. Embrace all you’re being taught and expand your horizon to be better

Commanding Officer Training Corps, Colonel, Collin Henry (seated left); Commandant Guyana People's Militia, Colonel, Trevor Bowman (seated centre) with the staff and students of PSC and SCC during the opening ceremony Course. The area of studies are skill-at-arms, drills, minor staff duties, open and close country warfares, internal security, method of instructions, leadership studies, military law, physical training, history of the Guyana Defence Force, military service, information technology, administration, military ethics, and communication skills. Meanwhile, 59 Junior Non-Commissioned Officers are benefitting from training in the Section Commander Course. In this programme, they are instructed in areas such as drills, leadership, skill-atarms, map reading and navigation, minor tactics, physical training, military law, military ethics, signals, administration and field craft. The Platoon Sergeants’ Course aims to qualify the student to train and administer an infantry platoon in peacetime or combat, and the Section Commander Course qualifies the student to lead and administer an infantry section in peacetime or limited war.

equipped to handle all the requirements of this task. Be diligent, exercise discipline in all areas - physical, military, personal and social, while conducting yourselves according to standard operating procedures (SoPs).” Commanding Officer Training Corps, Colonel Collin Henry, in his opening remarks, also noted the course objectives. “These are significant roles that you have to train for and effectively execute when you successfully complete these courses. The exercise of good judgement is needed at your levels on border locations and operations at your unit lines. The basic leadership lessons and related practical exercises that will be conducted on the course will enhance your command and control. This is not only a military skill, but a professional and lifelong learning skill that is required in your daily lives.” Both courses will be held for a period of 12-weeks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:20 hrs Sir Michael 08:55 hrs Magical Midlands 09:30 hrs Wintertime 10:05 hrs Flying First Class 10:40 hrs Don’t Touch Me English Racing Tips Lingfield 08:30 hrs Love Of Zoffany 09:05 hrs Habanero Star 09:40 hrs Prince Rock 10:15 hrs Algheed 10:50 hrs Seneca Chief Catterick 08:45 hrs I’m A Gambler 09:20 hrs Quercus 09:55 hrs Hachert 10:30 hrs Oh So Woke 11:05 hrs Nadein 11:35 hrs Refuge 12:08 hrs Genesius Windsor 11:50 hrs Media Guest 12:25 hrs Rose Barton 12:55 hrs The Princes Poet 13:25 hrs Crystal Starlet 13:55 hrs Glen Esk 14:25 hrs Tynwald Irish Racing Tips Roscommon 11:45 hrs Gwan So 12:15 hrs Nectaris 12:45 hrs Indulging 13:15 hrs Comfort Line 13:45 hrs Talking Tough 14:15 hrs Ciel D’afrique 14:45 hrs Indignation American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Kaufy Futures Race 2 Willow Grove Race 3 Do What It Takes Race 4 Our Caravan Race 5 Iova Race 6 Throwing Stones Race 7 Holmdel Park Race 8 Bastet Canadian Racing Tips Fort Erie Race 1 Hey Congrats Race 2 Ever Do D’wild Race 3 Raven’s Cry Race 4 No Exit Race 5 Giantballs Of Fire Race 6 Later Gator Race 7 Secret Archangel

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Kane-less Tottenham decimate Manchester City (BBC) - The figure of Harry Kane loomed large over Tottenham Hotspur’s superb victory over Manchester City to such an extent that it firmly focused the minds of almost 60,000 fans filling this magnificent arena. Manchester City’s supporters fired the opening salvo in the public battle for Kane’s heart and mind - as well as taunting their Spurs counterparts - within seconds of the game starting with loud chants of “Harry Kane, he wants to be blue”. The tables were brutally turned as City’s performance sank without trace, leaving Spurs supporters to deliver a retort of their own in the direction of the wanted man. They left it just late enough to feel confident that victory was theirs before singing: “Are you watching Harry Kane?” He was. And saw Spurs, under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, give a performance that hints at promise ahead, whether that is with or without Kane. Ironically, it was Guardiola who once referred to Spurs as “the Harry Kane team”. This, with delicious timing and a touch of irony, proved they are much more than that.

Since the start of last season, Son Heung-min is one of only four Premier League players to have been directly involved in 40 or more goals across all competitions. Harry Kane is one of the others Kane may not have been playing but still cast a shadow over this pulsating opening Premier League encounter deservedly settled in Spurs’ favour by Son Heung-min’s second-half goal. The story will continue and it may just be that events here at a vibrant Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could have prompted the next chapter in this story. Guardiola and Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners will be contemplating whether they can win another title without a recognised striker, even after the £100m acqui-

sition of Jack Grealish. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is believed to be determined to fight off City interest as the clock ticks down to the close of the transfer window. Will City feel they are so in need of Kane after this punchless show that they offer a sum that will make Levy blink? There was enough on show from Spurs to suggest all hope will not be lost even in a post-Kane era - especially with their brilliant match-winner Son just tied to a new long-term contract. Nuno’s new side played

with such passion and quality in their 1-0 win that the Spurs support were able to loudly remind the 28-yearold England captain that they regard as “one of their own” just what he might be risking by leaving. Tottenham say Kane was not considered for selection as he recovers from his Euro 2020 exertions with England followed by a holiday. He does not yet have a decision to make but the manner in which Spurs performed without him may have eased concerns among those who fear his departure would be a hammer blow to the club’s aspirations, making a mockery of their much-touted ambitions. New manager Nuno has walked into a difficult situation, having to deal with the Kane speculation while attempting to impose his strategy on the players he has inherited. Phase one was completed more or less to perfection as the Portuguese warmly embraced each one of his players before acknowledging a standing ovation from Spurs fans elated at what they had just witnessed, an extra gloss of pleasure applied by the fact City have set sights on their prized asset.

Messi-less Barcelona open with win (BBC) - Barcelona began life without Lionel Messi by beating Real Sociedad in an entertaining La Liga opener. Gerard Pique opened the scoring for Barca with a powerful header from Memphis Depay’s free-kick. Martin Braithwaite scored either side of half-time to become the first Danish player to score a La Liga brace. Real Sociedad pulled it back to 3-2 through Julen Lobete and Mikel Oyarzabal but Sergi Roberto added a fourth for Barcelona in added time. It was fitting that Barca’s first goal of the season was scored by Pique after the defender agreed to reduce his wages earlier in the week so the club could register three new signings in time for the new season.

Gerard Pique agreed to take a pay cut so Barcelona could register new signings: Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj in time for the new season Many of the 22,000 Barcelona fans wore Messi shirts to the Nou Camp and chanted for their record goal-scorer in the 10th minute after he joined Paris St-Germain on a two-year deal earlier in

the week. New signing, Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a calf injury, watched from the sidelines. Elsewhere in La Liga,

defending champions Atletico Madrid started the season with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, while their city rivals Real Madrid beat Alaves 4-1 in their season opener on Saturday.

‘I’ll be on crutches for many weeks’ - Federer (BBC) - Roger Federer says he will be sidelined for “many months” as he prepares to have further knee surgery. The 40-year-old Swiss, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, had two knee operations last year. In a video post on Instagram, Federer said he hoped the surgery would give him “a glimmer of hope” to return to action. He was knocked out in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in July and then missed the Tokyo Olympics. “I’ll be on crutches for many weeks, and also out of the game for many months,” Federer, who

Federer’s 20 Grand Slam wins include a record eight Wimbledon victories turned 40 a week ago, said on Sunday evening. “It’s going to be difficult in some ways but, at the same time, I know it’s the right thing to do because I want to be healthy, I want to be running around later as well again. “I also want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form. Roger Federer is tied with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on a record 20 men’s Grand Slam tournament wins “I am realistic - I know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it. “But I want to be healthy. I will go through the rehab process with a goal, while I’m still active, which I think is going to help me during this long period of time.” After losing to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon, Federer - now ranked number nine in the world - told reporters he was unsure whether he would play at SW19 again. In the past two years, he has seen his Grand Slam titles tally equalled twice - first by Spain’s Rafael Nadal at the 2020 French Open and then by Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who won a 20th major at Wimbledon 2021. Federer had two operations on his right knee in 2020 after the Australian Open, before returning to the Tour in Doha in March.

26

Fung snaps up Bronze as CAC bodybuilding commences in El Salvador; Guyana to host 2024 games GUYANA’S Rosanna Fung snagged bronze in the Ms. Bikini segment of the 2021 tournament being contested in El Salvador. The Guyanese, who is a member of the delegation that traveled to the South American country, kicked off Guyana’s participation in the 48th edition of the tournament. Meanwhile, Guyana will host the 2024 edition of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding championships. This was confirmed via president of the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) president, Kevon Bess. A statement from Bess said, “Guyana will host CAC 2024 (Central America and the Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Championship).” Initially, Guyana’s bid to host CAC 2023 was submitted to the Executive of the CACBBFF. However, CAC 2023 was given to Aruba after their bid was revealed to have been presented since 2020. Barbados, at CAC 2019, had also bid for and secured CAC 2022. At both of these General Assembly, Guyana was not represented. After consideration of Guyana’s bid, documents and oral presentation on Guyana’s behalf, the CAC General Assembly unanimously voted in favour of Guyana for CAC 2024. This vote was then officially minuted and an official document to this effect was handed to the President of the GBBFF. Congratulations to the Executive members of GBBFF, its athletes and the people of Guyana on this monumental achievement. Guyana has hosted its only CAC bodybuilding event in 2004.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday August 16, 2021)CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Chris Gayle-22 wickets (30 ODIs) (2) Daniel Vettori-33 wickets (25 ODIs)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What are the best ODI bowling figures by a WI versus NZ to date? (2) What are the best ODI bowling figures by a NZ player against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

Cricket Australia confirms IPL players to rejoin franchises (ESPNCRICINFO) - Cricket Australia has confirmed that players holding IPL deals will be able to rejoin their franchises for the resumption of the competition next month with the aim of using it as preparation for the T20 World Cup. A significant number of the 20 Australians with IPL contracts are expected to return although that won’t include Pat Cummins due to the birth of his first child. Steven Smith’s availability will depend on his recovery from an elbow injury which kept him out of the recent tours of West Indies and Bangladesh. It was confirmed on Saturday that franchises will be able to call on players who had previously withdrawn from the tournament when it began in India if they make themselves available. That could, therefore, mean Josh Hazlewood (Chennai Super Kings), Mitchell Marsh (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Josh Philippe (Royal Challengers Bangalore) are back in the fold. Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Daniel Sams made themselves unavailable for the recent Australia tours

Josh Hazlewood, who plays for Chennai Super Kings, could be back in the IPL fold BCCI due to bubble fatigue, having prior to the World Cup, has been part of the contingent of been postponed due to the Australians who had to travel complexities around travel home via the Maldives due to arrangements and difficulty border closures when the IPL in finding a suitable location. was suspended in May. It had initially been set to Not all the Australian take place in India with Sri players with IPL clubs will Lanka than another possimake the T20 World Cup bility. squad but Ricky Ponting, the However, the AfghaniDelhi Capitals head coach, stan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Saturday he be- will continue to assess the lieved it was the ideal lead-in. possibility of hosting a tri-se“There’s no doubt it’s ries with Australia and West their best preparation, in Indies as a warm-up to the those exact conditions play- World Cup. ing probably the strongest Finding a gap in the domestic T20 tournament schedule for warm-up matchin the world,” he told SEN es will be a challenge alradio. though there may be a small An ODI series against window for teams going Afghanistan, which had been straight into the Super 12 planned to be squeezed in stage after the IPL final on

October 16 with the first round of the T20 World Cup set to take place in Oman. The IPL will also clash with the scheduled start of the Australian domestic season although there remains uncertainty over whether that will begin on time due to the Covid-19 situation in the country. Players at the IPL also missed the first part of the last domestic season with the entire tournament played in between late September and early November. Australians with IPL 2021 contracts: Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, Kane Richardson, Josh Philippe, Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams (Royal Challengers Bangalore); Moises Henriques, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings); Jason Behrendorff, Josh Hazlewood (Chennai Super Kings); Nathan CoulterNile, Chris Lynn (Mumbai Indians); Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting (Kolkata Knight Riders); David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (Sunrisers Hyderabad); Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals); Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals)

de Vries wins formula E drivers’ championship (BBC) - Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries won the Formula E drivers’ championship after three other contenders crashed out in the early stages of the final race. Jaguar’s Mitch Evans had a technical failure on the grid and Rokit Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara collided with him. When the race restarted, British rookie Jake Dennis crashed, but De Vries held on for eighth in Berlin and Mercedes-EQ also won the teams’ title. The 2020-21 season is Formula E’s first as a full FIA world championship. Rokit Venturi’s Norman Nato took his first E-Prix victory in Berlin, with Brit-

Formula E World Championship, ePrix 2021, race at the former Tempelhof Airport. Nyck de Vries of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team shows off the trophy as he is honoured as 2021 World Champion. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa (Photo by Andreas Gora/ picture alliance via Getty Images)

ish Nissan e.dams driver Oliver Rowland second and Mercedes-EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne third. Dutchman De Vries’ finish was enough to take the title and the 26-year-old said: “I think we drove an incredible race. “It’s been such a tough season with highs and lows. Everything came down to the last race. We had a lot of fortune on our side today with everything that happened.” BMW i Andretti’s Dennis, also 26, left his car seemingly unharmed after his crash - as did Evans and Mortara and the British driver finished third in his debut Formula E season.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 16, 2021

That boy Roach again! Seamer inspires West Indies 1 wicket win over Pakistan

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Antigua 2000, Dominica 2017 and now Jamaica 2021. West Indies and Pakistan added another chapter to the list of enthralling, nail-biting Tests between these two sides as the hosts eked out a stunning one-wicket win with Nos. 9 and 11 holding on. As Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales kept batting, the nerves kept building. Finally, it all came down to a fateful Hasan Ali over, as a nick evaded a valiant dive from Mohammad Rizwan to race away for a boundary before Roach pushed one through the off side to guarantee a 1-0 series lead. Pakistan had their chances, but the story, for now, is thoroughly West Indian. The hosts looked like they had been edged out of this match so often towards the death, and yet refused to acknowledge it was game over. But it did look like that when Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers fell in quick succession, when Jason Holder was cleaned up by Hasan and when Joshua Da Silva - the last recognized batter - fell with 26 still to go. However, West Indies kept knocking down the runs, and the scoreboard pressure shifted entirely to Pakistan. The visitors might have been firm favourites after the hosts had been reduced to nine down, but as Pakistan lost their nerve, Roach and the teenager Seales held theirs. For Pakistan, there was historical precedence in perhaps their most famous Test of all. In 1954, a Fazal Mahmood inspired side defended 167 - exactly what they had on the board today - against England at the Oval: the origin story of Pakistan cricket. It might even have been comfortable when Shaheen Afridi blew apart the top order, and when a middle-order West Indian collapse saw Pakistan burrow deep into their tail. But the catching, so sensational up until the final session, let them down in crucial moments. Roach was put down by Rizwan as a partnership with Da Silva flowered, before Hasan dropped him as well in the deep with 19 runs still to get. Rizwan’s 45-yard sprint to seal Jomel Warrican’s fate looked also to have done it for West Indies, but there was perhaps an opportunity to pluck a diving one-handed catch off the Roach edge that ended up going to the boundary in that final over.

It may seem ages ago now, but a dramatic morning session saw more drama than many entire days, spanning eight wickets across two innings. Seales led the charge in the mission to remove the lower order cheaply, and within an hour-and-a-half, Pakistan’s last five had fallen for 35. Of those 35 runs, 28 were added by an enterprising Hasan in just 26 balls with two fours and two sixes. That pushed the lead above 150 for Pakistan, each extra run giving himself and his fellow bowlers precious breathing room. Moreover, Babar Azam’s presence at the crease was always going to be vital, but a Mayers delivery seared up off a crack and looped up to Holder at second slip early in the day. Azam had departed for a valiant 55, and while it brought Pakistan agonizingly close, his side ended up needing just a bit more from him. From there on, it was down to the raw pace of Seales against Pakistan’s lower order. Yasir Shah and Afridi were sent back with little bother, but Hasan rode his luck as Pakistan brought up 200. Seales, though, would not be denied a maiden five-for in just his second Test, and got there when Hasan’s hook went straight to Roach at fine leg. In the process, he became the youngest West Indies bowler to earn a Test five-for as the hosts were set 168 to win. The Afridi show began in a somewhat surreal over that had three reviews for leg before wicket by Pakistan against Kieran Powell, the third finally resulting in success. Kraigg Brathwaite didn’t last long in the face of a hostile spell from Afridi, his poke at one that jagged away leading to his downfall, but only after a review. Nkrumah Bonner dragged on in Afridi’s following over, and suddenly, the pre-lunch session turned into a damage-limitation exercise for West Indies. After the mad rush of the first session came the relative slow burn of the second. No less absorbing for its slightly slower pace, it carried with it the sensation of a building crescendo. West Indies made the early running as Chase and Jermaine Blackwood, West Indies’ top scorer with 55, threatened to take it away for the hosts with a 68-run fourth wicket partnership. They came out after lunch a much more confident pair, Blackwood continuing to put anything too wide or too full away. Hasan in

particular came in for punishment off successive overs as he struggled with his lines; and with a small target to defend, there wasn’t much room for error, every boundary tilting the scales the batters’ way. Chase, Pakistan’s pet peeve in 2017, was looking just as untroubled without quite having as much of an impact on the scoreboard. But all West Indies needed was a partnership, and as long as the pair continued remained at the crease, the danger signs flashed for Pakistan. Faheem Ashraf, Pakistan’s impact allrounder of late, was the man to break the partnership, constantly threatening Chase’s outside edge in a probing over. When the edge came, Imran Butt was never going to drop a low catch; and in Ashraf’s next over, the same combination got rid of Kyle Mayers for a pair. But the moment of the session came in late, when a few Holder boundaries had brought the required runs down under 60. Blackwood hung his bat out at Hasan once too often, sending it straight to first slip; except Butt at second decided only he could be trusted behind the stumps, diving sensationally to his left to hold on to a stunner. On the stroke of tea, Holder found his off peg knocked back with a beauty. It looked like a bridge too far when Da Silva and Roach came out after tea still needing 54, but as in Antigua and Dominica, the West Indies lower order refused to give in. They began to knock off the runs gradually, and suddenly, with the pair looking relatively untroubled, West Indies had less than 30 left to go. Pakistan, to their alarm, found they were still in a game, and with West Indies refusing to roll over, it became a game of shredded nerves as much as exquisite skill. There was the glory of Rizwan’s catch that spanned the length of the ground, the errors like Hasan’s drop at deep square leg, the guts of Roach going for his shots with the ultimate consequence on the line and the heart of Seales seeing off some searing pace bowling from Afridi. Pakistan broke West Indian hearts four years ago, but in a classic that contained shades of Antigua, West Indies have exacted exceptionally sweet revenge in Jamaica.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN 1st innings 217 WEST INDIES 1st Innings 253 PAKISTAN 2nd Innings (overnight 160 for five) Imran Butt lbw b Roach 0 Abid Ali c Holder b Seales 34 Azhar Ali b Roach 23 Babar Azam c Holder b Mayers 55 Fawad Alam c wkp Da Silva b Seales 0 Mohammad Rizwan c wkp Da Silva b Holder 30 Faheem Ashraf c wkp Da Silva b Roach 20 Yasir Shah c wkp Da Silva b Seales 4 Hasan Ali c Roach b Seales 28 Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw b Seales 0 Mohammad Abbas not out 1 Extras (b4, lb2, nb2) 8 TOTAL (all out, 83.4 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Imran Butt), 2-56 (Azhar Ali), 3-65 (Abid Ali), 4-65 (Fawad Alam), 5-121 (Mohammad Rizwan), 6-168 (Faheem Ashraf), 7-170 (Babar Azam), 8-180 (Yasir Shah), 9-192 (Shaheen Shah Afridi), 10203 (Hasan Ali) Bowling: Roach 19-8-30-3, Seales 15.4-3-55-5 (nb1), Mayers 15-5-33-1, Holder 18-6-36-1 (nb1), Warrican 7-2-28-0, Chase 6-2-12-0, Brathwaite 3-1-3-0. WEST INDIES 2nd Innings (target: 168 runs) K Brathwaite c wkp Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi 2 K Powell lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 N Bonner b Shaheen Shah Afridi 5 R Chase c Imran Butt b Faheem Ashraf 22 J Blackwood c Imran Butt b Hasan Ali 55 K Mayers c Imran Butt b Faheem Ashraf 0 J Holder b Hasan Ali 16 J Da Silva c wkp Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi 13 K Roach not out 30 J Warrican c wkp Mohammad Rizwan b Hasan Ali 6 J Seales not out 2 Extras (b2, lb10, nb1) 13 TOTAL (9 wkts, 56.5 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Powell), 2-15 (Brathwaite), 3-16 (Bonner), 4-84 (Chase), 5-92 (Mayers), 6-111 (Blackwood), 7-114 (Jason Holder, 38.4 ov), 8-142 (Joshua Da Silva, 49.4 ov), 9-151 (Warrican) Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 12-5-27-0, Shaheen Shah Afridi 17-4-50-4 (nb1), Hasan Ali 16.5-5-37-3, Faheem Ashraf 8-1-29-2, Yasir Shah 3-0-13-0. Result: West Indies won by one wicket. Series: West Indies lead two-match series 1-0.

That boy Roach again!

see story on page 27

Seamer inspires West Indies 1 wicket win over Pakistan

Fung snaps up Bronze as CAC bodybuilding commences in see story El Salvador; Guyanaon page 26 to host 2024 games Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Guyana’s Rosanna Fung won bronze in the Ms. Bikini contest (Emmerson Campbell Photo).

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021