Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17-07-2021

SATURDAY 17thJuly, 2021

' No.106424

US President: COVID misinformation on Facebook is killing people

PAGE

05

US$293M GPL ‘master plan’ targets old network –– company looking to expand 03 transmission system to all major load centres, says CEO PAGE

Over 97 per cent of parents in Region Two uplifted the Government of Guyana’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant during a three-day rollout of the programme in the region. An example of the widespread participation in the initiative is seen here at one of the distribution stations at the Wakapoa Primary School on Friday (DPI photo)

Public Works Minister orders probe into Region Seven aircraft accidents 02 PAGE

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

Children with comorbidities to receive 17 medical masks PAGE

Guyanese doctor aims to open 11 gastroenterology unit in Berbice PAGE

Dr. Adrian Van Hooten

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Public Works Minister orders probe into Region Seven aircraft accidents MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has ordered a probe into the recent aircraft accidents in the hinterland.

He requested that the investigation be conducted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), with support from other agencies.

Minister Edghill, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday, said he had also ordered that the airline operators be served with notices of suspension with immediate effect, as two accidents in two days were far too many. This aside, he said he was pleased that no one was seriously injured as a result of the accidents.

“Aviation safety is the number one priority when it comes to operating in

the airline industry,” Minister Edghill reasoned.

The first accident occurred on Wednesday, when a Cessna Caravan belonging to Jags Aviation of the BK Group of Companies, ran off the Eteringbang runway in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Then, on Thursday, a similar incident occurred at the Kamarang airstrip due to the disintegration of a Cessna plane’s propeller upon take off, media reports stated. The plane’s private operator was Orlando Charles.

“I’ve asked, and it must be complied with, that whoever is recommended to be the incident/accident investigator must have had no dealings whatsoever with the inspections of these companies’ aircraft.

I want to ensure that there is no conflict of interest, and I expect by this afternoon [Friday] to name the incident/accident investigator in keeping with the Civil Aviation Act,” Minister Edghill related.

Referring to the incident at Eteringbang, the minister said that the investigation will have to take a multi-sectoral approach, including assistance from the Guyana Police Force.

The aircraft was found to have been carrying mercury, a restricted substance, for which the aviation service was not authorised to transport. Minister Edghill said the mercury was removed from the aircraft before the inspection was conducted.

“We must be able to confirm how the mercury got on board an aircraft to be transferred to a location, where it was coming from, who were the recipients, why it was removed

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill from the aircraft even before investigations began,” the minister posited.

In relation to the Kamarang accident, the minister said news of a disintegrated propellor is shocking, and begs the question of maintenance.

“So, the officers of the GCAA who were responsible for inspecting and authorising these aircraft to be operated based upon their maintenance and servicing compliance responsibilities would also come up for scrutiny because these are very serious issues.

“Our passengers and Guyanese and foreigners must always feel safe every time they board an aircraft for a destination.

And it is the responsibility of the regulatory body, the GCAA to ensure that every air service provider is operating in keeping with the law and is in full compliance,” Minister Edghill said.

To this end, he instructed aerodrome operators to ensure all hinterland aerodromes are safe for landing and take-off. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

US$293M GPL ‘master plan’ targets old network

3

–– company looking to expand transmission system to all major load centres, says CEO

By Tamica Garnett

ing viable sources of funding for this project.

WITH the demand for In responding to queselectricity on the rise, the tions about how the compaGuyana Power and Light ny is dealing with scheduled (GPL) has formulated a and unscheduled power outUS$293 million “master ages, Dindyal related that the plan” for its old trans- proposed project would be mission and distribution a complex one as it would network. require the entire rebuilding The plan will focus on of the current network, even forecasting generation and as the company continues to transmission demands by as provide electricity. much as 30 years from now.

“We have developed a Chief Executive Officer master plan for transmission (CEO) of GPL, Bharat Din- and distribution, it is about dyal, explained that although US$293 million and we are the plan has been formulat- thinking this could be impleed, it would take the compa- mented over a five to eightny somewhere between five year period. This calls for a to eight years to implement. complete rebuilding of the Speaking during a recent existing network and while virtual panel discussion or- we are trying to rebuild the ganised by the Public Util- existing network, we have ities Commission (PUC), to continue to provide the Dindyal said as it is now, the service,” Dindyal explained. power company is examinFurther, he said that the

GPL’s CEO Bharat Dindyal company is examining a combination of grant and loan resources to fund the proposed massive infrastructural upgrade.

“We are looking at several potential sources… we

are looking at raising this money every possible way… grant funding and concessional funding afterwards,” Dindyal said, noting: “Our main source has been [the] Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)…there are other institutions interested, but at the end of the day we have to ensure that it is manageable.”

The ultimate intention of the company is to build-out the transmission system to all the major load centres, and centralise power generation.

With Guyana poised for major housing development, Dindyal was also grilled about the company’s capacity to prepare for the increased transmission requirements that will be placed on the company’s resources.

In response, he related

that the company has already been putting much thought into its future prospects.

“We are doing a 30-year forecast, where we actually have to invest in generation resources. One of the things we are looking at now is a window to 2040 - 2050. To look at what will be our ideal transmission voltage so that we can design lines with that capability and move from 69,000 [KVA, where we are currently at] to 230,000 [KVA]; but if we need to go higher to say 375,000 to meet the needs… we have to build those lines now with those capabilities and of course switch to the correct voltage as the situation so demands,” Dindyal reasoned.

He noted that there are some challenges involved in the establishment of a suffi-

cient transmission network, primarily the density of Guyana’s population being centralised to the narrow, low coastal plain, which does not provide many alternative routes for the laying out of the transmission systems.

“There are only so many routes for transmission. Up the East Coast we will have a problem in building out more and more transmission lines,” Dindyal related.

As it pertains to generation and increased capacity, Dindyal noted the country’s move towards the 300-megawatt gas-toshore project which will form part of a multi-source generation, which will also include power from other projects involving several renewable energy sources including hydro, solar, wind and biomass.

Over 97 per cent of Reg. 2 parents uplift education cash grant OVER 97 per cent of parents in Region Two uplifted the Government of Guyana’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant during a three-day rollout of the programme in the region that started on Wednesday and concluded on Friday.

A total of 11, 795 learners are on the registers of all schools in the region, which amounts to $224,105,000 in ‘Because We Care’ cash grants for the region.

Of this total number of learners, 11,433 of them received their grants, which amounted to $217,227,000 given to them and their families over three days. Some 362 grants had to be returned, because the parents or guardians were not able to uplift them.

However, those parents that did not get to uplift their grants can still do so at a date to be announced by the Ministry of Education. They will uplift the grants at the Department of Education in

the region.

While at the Wakapoa Secondary School on Friday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that the Government of Guyana believes in investing in the people of this country.

She told parents that the programme was started in 2014, when it was announced that every child in the public school system would receive $10,000, and that the amount would increase every year until it reaches $50,000 per child. She said that following a change of government, the programme was deliberately discontinued.

According to the Education Minister, if the programme had continued, each child could have been receiving $50,000 this year.

Minister Manickchand said that the programme is meant to give parents a helping hand in providing for their children.

Minister Manickchand told parents that the grant is

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand delivering remarks at the Wakapoa Secondary School (DPI photos) not limited to only uniforms and school supplies, but that it can be used in any way that will serve children. “Our commitment is that we will continue to find ways to serve our people,” she said, adding that anything that is bought with the grant that will benefit children would be a useful expenditure.

The Education Minister

said that information on how many parents collected the grant shows that families need the financial assistance provided by the programme, and the fact that this administration restored the programme shows the high priority it places on helping families cater to their needs.

Minister Manickchand said the distribution of the

grant is being managed and facilitated by the professionals at the ministry, with assistance from teachers, and that the process is being audited by the Audit Office of Guyana to ensure transparency and accountability.

“We have invited the Audit Office to audit this as it is happening,” Minister Manichchand said, adding: “We have confidence that our officers are not troubling a cent here that does not belong to them.”

She explained that there will be an officer from the Audit Office at various stages of the process, including at the distribution centres observing the process to ensure that each child that receives the grant is on the school’s register.

In the case of new nursery entrants, checks are made to ensure they were registered on or before June 30, 2021.

Each parent that collects the grant has to be identified, and is also required to sign for

the sum.

Further, despite the many challenges Guyanese have faced, such as the worst floods the country has ever experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a prolonged election period, Minister Manickchand said the government has found the resources to respond to the needs of Guyanese families and children.

She thanked teachers and headteachers across the Essequibo Coast who rejected the call to not be involved in the process, and chose to come out and ensure that it was done efficiently, and that the learners under their care are served.

The distribution exercise was also spearheaded in the region by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who visited several locations across the region. (DPI)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Reuters journalist killed covering clash between Afghan forces, Taliban

(Reuters) - Reuters journalist, Danish Siddiqui, was killed on Friday while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters near a border crossing with Pakistan, an Afghan commander said.

Afghan special forces had been fighting to retake the main market area of Spin Boldak when Siddiqui and a senior Afghan officer were killed in what they

described as Taliban crossfire, the official told Reuters.

Siddiqui had been embedded as a journalist since earlier this week with Afghan special forces based in the southern province of Kandahar and had been reporting on fighting between Afghan commandos and Taliban fighters.

“We are urgently seeking more information, working with au-

Photograph of Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui (REUTERS) thorities in the region,” Reuters President, Michael Friedenberg, and Editor-in-Chief, Alessandra Galloni, said in a statement.

“Danish was an outstanding journalist, a devoted husband and

Saturday July 17, 2021 –– 10:30hrs - 12:00hrs

father, and a muchloved colleague. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”

Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, said in a statement on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened with the shocking reports” of Siddiqui’s death and extended condolences to his family.

Siddiqui told Reuters he had been wounded in the arm by shrapnel earlier on Friday while reporting on the clash.

He was treated and Taliban fighters later retreated from the fighting in Spin Boldak.

Siddiqui had been talking to shopkeepers when the Taliban attacked again, the Afghan commander said.

Reuters was unable

to independently verify the details of the renewed fighting described by the Afghan military official, who asked not to be identified before Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry made a statement.

Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Taliban had not been aware there was a journalist reporting from the site of what he described as a “fierce battle” and that it was not clear how Siddiqui had been killed.

PRIZE-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHY Siddiqui was part of the Reuters photography team to win the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for documenting the Rohingya refugee crisis, a series described by the judging committee as “shocking photographs that exposed the world to the violence Rohingya refugees faced in fleeing Myanmar”.

A Reuters photographer since 2010, Siddiqui’s work spanned the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Rohingya refugee crisis, the Hong Kong protests and Nepal earthquakes. In recent months, his searing photographs capturing the coronavirus pandemic in India have been published across

the world.

Taliban fighters had seized the border area on Wednesday, the second-largest crossing on the border with Pakistan and one of the most important objectives they have achieved during a rapid advance across the country as U.S. forces pull out after 20 years of conflict.

Thirty-three journalists were killed in Afghanistan between 2018 and 2021, the United Nations said in a report this year.

Ten journalists were killed on April 30, 2018, including nine reporters and photographers who died in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, and a journalist working for the Afghan language service of the BBC who was shot in the eastern city of Khost.

That day was the deadliest for the country’s media since the Taliban were ousted in a U.S.-led campaign in 2001.

On November 19, 2001, Reuters journalists Harry Burton from Australia and Afghan-born Azizullah Haidari were also killed by gunmen who stopped their convoy on the road to Kabul from the Pakistani border.

They were travelling to Kabul to cover the fall of the Taliban regime.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Biden: COVID misinformation on Facebook is killing people US President Joe Biden has warned that the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on social media is “killing people”.

He was responding to a question from a reporter about the alleged role of “platforms like Facebook” in spreading falsehoods about vaccines and the pandemic.

The White House has been increasing pressure on social media companies to tackle disinformation.

Facebook says it is taking “aggressive action” to protect public health.

“They’re killing people,” Biden told reporters

at the White House on Friday. “The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated.”

US health officials have warned that the country’s current spike in COVID-19 deaths and infections is exclusively hitting unvaccinated communities.

Earlier on Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Facebook and other platforms were not doing enough to combat misinformation about vaccines.

“Obviously, there are steps they have taken,” she said. “It’s clear that

there are more that can be taken.”

A spokesman for Facebook, Kevin McAlister, said the company would “not be distracted by accusations which aren’t supported by the facts”.

“We’ve removed more than 18 million pieces of COVID misinformation [and] removed accounts that repeatedly break these rules,” the company said in a separate statement.

Facebook has faced criticism for its moderation, and misleading content about the pandemic is still widely available on its platforms.

Earlier on Friday Rochelle Walensky, director of the US public health body Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told reporters: “There is a clear message that is coming through: this is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

About 67.9 per cent of US adults have received one dose of the vaccine, while 59.2 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated.

Many eligible people refusing vaccinations in the US have said they don’t trust them.

In March, a report said anti-vaccine activists on

Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter had reached “more than 59 million followers, making these the largest and most important social media platforms for anti-vaxxers”.

That same month, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jack Dorsey - the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter respectively - were questioned in Congress over disinformation.

Dorsey told the senators that Twitter was committed to moderating posts.

Mr Pichai said YouTube worked to remove misleading content, and

US President Joe Biden highlighted its role in relaying vaccine information. (BBC)

with a Diploma in Forestry (1992-1994), and a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Studies (1994-1998), he also holds a Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management (2001-2003) from the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

“He also pursued academic research and field studies at the Doctoral level in Marine Resources Governance (2008-2013) at the University of the West Indies, Barbados.

More recently (2018), he received a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy from the University of New Delhi,” the EPA stated.

The EPA, according to its website, was legally established by the Environmental Protection Act

in 1996.

It has the responsibility to take the necessary measures to manage, conserve, protect and improve the

environment.

This entails the agency taking action to prevent and control pollution; assess the impact

of economic development on the environment; and ensure the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources.

EPA gets new Executive Director

AT a time when there is growing need for preservation and protection of the environment, a former senior employee of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram has been appointed to the helm of the agency, and will serve as its new Executive Director.

According to a statement from the EPA, Parsram, who returned after leaving the agency, has been serving in the capacity since June 30.

Parsram first joined the agency in 2013 as Director of Complaince, and Enforcement, and later served as Executive Director (ag) during the period December 2016 to October 2018.

The EPA, in its statement, said that Parsram is

New EPA Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram eminently qualified, and experienced in the field of environmental and natural resources management, law, policy, and governance in the wider Caribbean.

“A graduate of the University of Guyana

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Public-Private Partnerships

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met with representatives of the private sector on Wednesday last, with a view to reassuring them of his administration’s commitment to private sector-led growth and development.

According to the President, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are integral to the progression of Guyana, and should, therefore, form the cornerstone of the country’s economic development.

President Ali posited the view that such partnerships need not only be transactional, but should also become more policy-oriented, in terms of looking out for new investment opportunities, and working collaboratively with the government to take advantage of such opportunities. The private sector, said the President, has demonstrated the ability to take risks, and they have the wherewithal to make investments.

The appeal by the President was made at a Private Sector Commission (PSC)

Business Forum held under the theme, ‘The Private Sector in an Emerging Guyana’, held at the Pegasus Hotel. The aim of the seminar was to sensitise the business community on plans and opportunities within the various sectors in the country. Also in attendance were Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; and representatives from several other private sector organisations, including the American Chamber of Commerce, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, among several other representative organisations. The President, in his address, challenged the private sector representatives to rise to the new challenges, and reposition themselves to take full advantage of these new and exciting investment opportunities. President Ali assured the gathering that adequate provisions will be made to ensure that the local private sector is not overwhelmed by the bigger transnational

corporations, especially those operating in the oil-and-gas sector.

And, as pointed out by the President, the private sector needs to be aggressive in its pursuit of business opportunities, and should eschew the tendency to, as it were, become ‘spoon- fed’. The Government, for its part, is prepared to do everything within its power to make it easier for investors to do business in the country, by way of several fiscal incentives, the creation of an enabling environment, and removing bottlenecks through the establishment of a Single-Window Approval System.

The private sector has a vital role to play in the country’s development, especially in the area of wealth creation. That role has become even more pronounced, with the emerging oil-and-gas sector, which is likely to have a transformative impact on the economy, and, by extension, the lives of the Guyanese people. In this regard, the sector needs to transcend the profit-making

motive, and see itself as an integral part of the nation-building process. And while wealth-creation and profit-generation are important prerequisites for private sector development, it is also important that the distribution of that wealth is done in a manner that is fair and just to those who also contribute, by way of labour and skills. In the final analysis, the end result of wealth creation must be to raise the material and cultural well-being of the society as a whole.

The meeting with the President and other key policy-makers is both timely and relevant, coming at a time when there is growing investor confidence, and a sense of renewed hope in the future prospects of Guyana as a new development hub, not only in the region, but in the world at large.

The President and his entire Cabinet and policy advisers must be commended for the several initiatives taken to catapult the country to new and higher levels of growth and human development.

Remembering book shortage in the Burnham era

Dear Editor,

WE are fortunate in Guyana that the pandemic has not significantly affected the availability of books or printed assignments.

Even with a lockdown of schools and cross- border travel, Guyana has been able to overcome most effects of the pandemic.

The country has done well in the educational sector.

There was an educational lockdown around the globe for most of the period, from March 2020 to now. I read of several coun-

tries experiencing shortage of textbooks, but this is not a major concern in Guyana; materials are available.

The shortage of textbooks and written assignments in other countries is reminiscent of my experience in Guyana during the 1970s and 1980s after ‘the nationalisation of education’. Before the nationalisation of education in 1975, books, paper, printed materials, and writing tools were readily available.

I was a high school student during the 1970s. From 1972 ‘til nationalisation in 1975, and thru the 1980s, text books and work books were not available. Even notebooks and

writing or blank printing papers were scarce.

In some years, students received exercise books with Burnham’s photo and a message promoting his party. We used to borrow study materials from one another, and split the lines of exercise books to hold double the quantity of notes. Almost every student who I knew around my time in school, especially in the rural areas, had a stressful time acquiring books and studying. Many students were not able to grasp important science and math concepts without books to study, and reinforcement workbooks.

Because of a shortage of books, school

syllabus could not be completed to ready students for exams. Students were not adequately prepared to sit GCE O’ Levels or A’ Levels.

And they did not perform well as during the pre-nationalisation period. Guyana performed the worst among CARICOM countries post1976 thru the 1980s.

When schooling was de-nationalised post-1992, resulting in the establishment of private schools and tutorials, Guyanese began performing phenomenally well again.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

We must base our statements on facts, not misinformation Dear Editor, I’VE noticed quite a few letters being published, accusing the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) of malpractices, as it relates to the tendering and awarding of contracts.

It should be made clear that the NDIA does not, and I repeat, does not have any say in the tendering process. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is the body responsible for dealing with such matters. An evaluator who does not have any relation to the

ministry would make recommendations, and based on those evaluations, the NPTAB would award a contract to the lowest responsive bidder.

In today’s edition of the Kaieteur News, a writer is quoted as saying, “Tenders are out for pumps (almost rewarded), but bids have not been submitted as yet, or deadline reached, and bids opened as yet. Are decisions already made on who will get what?

Is it true that the Cottage pump station in Mahaicony is assigned to the Jagmohan group? Is it true that the Andrews pump station in Essequibo is assigned to Sama-

roo Investment?” I am unclear who is the writer’s source, but it should be made clear that nothing of the sort has happened at the NDIA, or the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture, for the first time in years, has made efforts to make the execution of capital and recurrent projects as transparent as possible. Tenders and Invitation for BIDs are published daily. Contract signings are also widely publicised. Notably, the procurement laws and regulations are being strictly adhered to.

The letter-writer also mentioned the supply of sheet piling. Ironically, there is

an advertisement for an Invitation for BIDs (retendering) for the same sheet piling that the letter-writer has accused the Ministry of awarding to a contractor.

If, as Guyanese, we are to move forward, we need to base our statements on facts rather than misinformation.

It is no secret that the Government of Guyana has undertaken major infrastructural works, nationwide, which would improve the livelihood of citizens.

Yours truly, Name and address given

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Opposition must be constructive and not destructive Dear Editor, Dr. Rouf Ahmad Bhat wrote in the introduction to his paper entitled, ‘Role of Opposition Party in Democracy’ (the International Journal of Science and Research) that, ‘The opposition is as important as that of ruling party.

They ensure that the acts of the ruling party are not detrimental to the interest of general public or nation at large. The role of the opposition party is not to oppose every decision of the ruling party. Rather, it is the duty of the opposition party to support the ruling party for the acts that are in the interest of the nation. The Opposition parties play a very significant role in a democracy as representatives of the people. The opposition act as watch dog of the system. In such countries where there is a two-party system in vogue, the Opposition party forms a shadow Cabinet to exercise vigil over the performance of the government.’

In a previous letter, I had stated that the PNC has never been a Government ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’ and in this letter I wish to submit that PNC has never been an opposition which reflects the will of the people.

In fact, it has been equally worse as an opposition if not more detrimental to this nation.

What the PNC did from 1961-1964 had set the trend which this nation can expect anytime the PNC is in opposition.

The Wismar massacre in May 1964 had set that tone.

Since the 1992 General Elections, the APNU had been in opposition for 23 years and thereafter from August 2020 and they have continued to act against the interest of this nation, including their own members and supporters. An important point to note is that the PNC is the dominant political party in the Coalition and it is the PNC which is the de facto opposition as it was the de facto party when in Government. It is always the PNC in power or out of power, the other parties such as the AFC simply did the biddings and were simply window dressing. These little pawns, completely devoid of any self-respect and dignity hang on for dear life if even just to enjoy ostentatious lifestyle, which strained the Treasury.

It is an undeniable historical fact that the PNC never behaved as a responsible opposition and displayed this nefarious trait as soon as it lost an election.

The PNC rigged all the elections: 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 and the Referendum of 1978 and for five long months attempted to rig the 2020 Elections. Another undeniable fact is that whenever the PPP won an election, the PNC greeted this with mayhem, violence, burning, looting and even murder.

What is notable is the fact that this trend started in 1961 when the PPP won that election by garnering more than double the votes won by the PNC. The PNC began its trade mark behaviour: there was mass demonstrations, a general strike and severe and aggravated inter-racial violence piloted by the PNC.

This provided the British authorities with the excuse they needed just after a few weeks after the Election to suspend a legitimate government. They sent in the British troops, and the Governor declared a state of emergency. This was tried successfully again in 1998, when The Herdmanston Accord reduced the PPP’s term in office by two years, just to quell the violence against the Indians.

There is no disputing the mayhem and violence which marked its tenure as the Opposition but what is equally dangerous is the penchant of the PNC in opposition to work relentlessly to derail the socio-economic programmes and policies which were implemented to better the lives of Guyanese.

This began in earnest after the 2011 Elections which saw the PPP as a minority Government. It must be recalled that the APNU had received 26 seats, the AFC seven seats and the PPP/C 32 seats and this one seat majority was used to its fullest to hold this nation at ransom and to be the basis for the no-confidence motion in October 2014.

Unconscionable Budget cuts saw the socio-economic stagnation of our dear country as many developmental projects came under the ‘scissors’, which Nagamootoo gleefully executed year after year. These acts were detrimental to our socio-economic development and should never have been done; this is not what a responsible opposition should have done.

But hit is the trademark of the PNC in opposition. They never supported the

Government and their foremost concern was to get into power and feather their own nests.

Fast forwarding to 2020, the Opposition has already begun to unleash mayhem and violence, as was evidenced by its protests of being ‘robbed’ at the 2020 Election polls, and the encouraging of violence on the West Coast of Berbice.

With four more years to go until the 2025 Elections, it is anyone’s guess what is in store, especially when the Opposition Leader is already making threats of civil unrest.

In a Democracy, an opposition party should play a very significant role ‘as representatives of the people’.

The opposition must ‘act as watchdog of the system’, but in Guyana, the Opposition acts as a predator.

If we can do a bit of transposition to Abraham Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg speech, ‘this nation must have a new birth of freedom, and the opposition must be an opposition of the people, by the people, and for the people’. We cannot afford to perish as a nation, because the opposition is self-serving; the opposition must change its course.

I encourage Mr. Harmon to read Dr. Bhat’s paper. In the last Election, the APNU+AFC was elected by the people as the country’s Opposition, and they must honour that office, not dishonour it.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Suicide is a national problem that cuts across ethnic groups Dear Editor, IN response to a column by Freddie Kissoon, Dr. Vishnu Bisram agreed that Indians live fearful lives.

While the facts and reality do not support that assertion, I leave that for another time, as my focus now/here is on the myth that Indians, globally, have the highest suicide rate, and that in Guyana, this is a runaway rate.

The only two nations with Indians among the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) top 10 nations re: suicide rates over the years have been Guyana and Suriname. Others include nations from Europe, Asia and Africa. This fact speaks for itself.

With respect to Guyana, it is true that at one point, 80 per cent of suicides in Guyana were from the Indo-Guyanese population, but that is not so today. Over

the last two decades or so, suicide has become a national problem, as the issues that drive suicide cut across all ethno-cultural and age groups are not unique to the Indo-Guyanese population. Besides, empirical and anecdotal evidence indicate that the highest suicide rate is within the Amerindian community, and while the suicide rate has been falling within the Indo-Guyanese population, it has been rising in other groups. As Dr. Bisram himself pointed out in a December 10, 2015 letter to Stabroek News, “The fact is that while Indians in Guyana do have the highest suicide rate, it has been decreasing from a high of about eight in 10 a few decades ago, to about six in 10 currently.” In fact, Dr. Bisram should revisit this 2015 letter, as it contradicts his positions on suicide in his recent one.

Factors that drive suicide are similar globally, even though some may mani-

fest in specific ways in different nations.

For example, poverty is global, but the issues that arise differ from nation to nation. In India, for example, large number of farmers take their lives as a result of strangling debt; not so elsewhere. As the Guyana government’s National Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020 points out, “Risk factors for mental illness in Guyana are related to environmental, lifestyles, biological and psychosocial factors, and include social class, gender, racial conflicts, housing, occupational risks, access to services, smoking, limited national policies, globalisation, macroeconomics, national politics, and urbanisation.” Ditto for every nation globally! Note... these are not cultural factors unique to any ethno-cultural group!

Incidentally, as The Caribbean Voice has pointed out over the years that rate of

44.2% in 2012 that led to Guyana being dubbed the nation with the highest rate globally was inaccurate. The WHO’s explanation for this figure was that they had factored in the generally unreported 25 per cent, which was not factored in for any other nation, and which is never factored in with respect to WHO’s tabulation of suicide rates. And an analysis of Guyana’s suicide rate both before and after 2012 shows 10+ percentage points less than the 2012 figure - a clear anomaly.

The fact is that under no circumstances would the suicide rate jump 10+ percentage points from one year to the next and then fall back 10+ percentage points the following year - not under war, not under large scale starvation, not under a pandemic!

Yours sincerely, Annan Boodram

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Giftland’s PPA never realised THE Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) signed between MCG Investments Inc, owner of the Giftland Mall, and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) proved to be more technical and cost-intensive than anticipated and was never realised as envisioned.

Giftland and GPL had signed the agreement in January 2020, in what

was supposed to be GPL’s first Independent Power Producer (IPP) partnership for the supply of energy generation. Giftland was expected to supply as much as 3 - 5 megawatt of power to the national grid.

However, on Friday, GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bharat Dindyal revealed that notwithstanding the signing of the PPA, the implementation

was much more difficult.

Dindyal was at the time speaking at a virtual panel discussion organised by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and was responding to a question posed by the panel’s moderator, Trinidad’s Commissioner of Regulated Industries Commission, Clayton Blackman on the status of the arrangement.

“It was the first signif-

GPL’s Bharat Dindyal icant effort to bring a consumer on to the grid, [But] linking to the grid required technical input and consideration,” Dindyal offered.

Dindyal explained that the execution of the arrangement would have needed significant investment from both Giftland and GPL, in order to put

Giftland’s CEO, Roy Beepat the necessary infrastructure in place.

“The commercial arrangement was the easiest of all, but the technical arrangement with the grid and the cost; that was a major issue. Initially, the investor [Giftland] had to make them ready for the interconnection

and integration into the grid; there was a significant outlay, and GPL had to invest significantly in some of the facilities needed for the interconnection,” Dindyal explained.

The situation would have dampened hope that would have set the precedent for other IPPs to deliver electricity to the national grid, which is currently grossly undersupplied.

Giftland had pursued the PPA for some time, prior to the signing, while a PPA with Banks DIH had also been hinted at.

It had been advised that GPL needs to focus more on outsourcing power generation, and place more emphasis on transmission and distribution.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Ministers engage Parika, Vreeden-Hoop speedboat operators

MINISTER of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry, Deodat Indar, on Friday met with speedboat operators at the Parika and Vreed-EnHoop Stellings.

The engagement was the second of its kind with stakeholders and sought to address issues faced by the operators.

Minister Edghill said the first engagement addressed COVID-19 measures in place to ensure the safety of operators and passengers. He thanked them for complying with those regulations.

“I believe the best place for me to start this morning, is by saying thanks to you for your understanding, thanks to you for your cooperation, thanks to you for your willingness to have adjusted to those measures and to ensure that we were in full compliance,” he said.

Minister Edghill said the engagement was aimed at ensuring that stakeholders have access to him through face-toface discussions. He added that the engagement would ensure that rules are set on the way forward as the operators continue to make a living.

“It is a little disappointing that people are

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry, Deodat Indar at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling really using the system to benefit themselves because sometimes it’s the same individual who already has a turn just using another name to get a third and a fourth boat into the system. While some people up until now have not been able to get one boat into the systems.

“We must also be our brothers’ keeper; we can’t allow one family to dominate any route, we cannot allow one group of people

to dominate any route, we must be able to have fairness and equal access as we go forward,” he urged the operators.

Minister Edghill said he could come up with his own rules and regulations for the sector, however, he felt it was important to sit with stakeholders to have frank discussions on establishing criteria.

Several boat owners and operators raised concerns about persons hav-

Non Pareil fisherman found dead in home THE body of Chaitram Singh, a 49-year-old fisherman of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Thursday found in his apartment at Block 12 Non Pareil.

According to a police report, the lifeless body was found by the fisherman’s nephew around 17:31hrs.

Enquiries revealed that the fisherman was experiencing domestic problems and would drink from time to time. He was reportedly last seen by his relatives drinking alcohol around

16:00hrs, on Thursday. Sometime later, checks were made and the gruesome discovery was made.

The police were summoned and the body was examined, but no marks of violence were found.

The man was then transported to the Nabaclis Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was subsequently transferred to Jerrick’s Funeral Home, where a post-mortem will be conducted.

ing multiple boats in the system.

The minister said his ministry has been in con-

sultation with the various associations to address this.

“Just before we came into government certain players and individuals inserted as much as 10 and 12 new people into turns based on politics. As a result of this the whole system went out of sync with what is order and reality; the last thing we want as a government is to put systems in place that is [sic] benefiting some and disadvantaging others, especially when the others are the majority,” he related.

He said there should be clear rules for operating speed boats at the various stellings, pointing out that there should be an agreement between the speedboat associations and the Maritime Administration Department on proper operations. (DPI)

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

PPP stalwart Michael Forde remembered THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Friday laid wreaths at the Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Lot 12 Princess Street & Louisa Row, Le Repentir, Georgetown, in honour of the 57th death anniversary of party stalwart, Michael Forde.

Members of the ruling party were joined by members of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), representatives of the Michael Forde bookshop and members of the Forde family.

Minister of Agriculture and executive member of the PPP/C, Zulfikar Mustapha said the sacrifices and dedication of the fallen heroes and many other Guyanese must never be forgotten Forde, a 22-year-old Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) activist, was one of the leaders of the historic Freedom Marches in February of 1964.

Forde was killed by an explosive package brought to Freedom House by a book purchaser. His death was the second in the Forde family that week; his father had died on the previous Sunday. It was reported to the police that a young man went into the Progressive Bookshop, housed in the Freedom House building with a small carton. He placed the box on a bookshelf, purchased a book, and, without waiting for his change, hurriedly left the shop, leaving his box behind.

Seconds after the man had left, Forde, who was an employee, called out to the manager, Miss Euna Mulzack, an American citizen residing in the country, and informed her that the young man left hurriedly without collecting his change and also left a box behind.

Becoming suspicious, she told him to throw the box out of the building.

Forde responded, and was rushing through the eastern side door of the shop when there was an explosion.

The lower part of Forde’s left hand was hurled some 50 yards away, behind the pit entrance of the Metropole Cinema. His mutilated body was found face upward, lying across the entrance of Freedom House, with just strips of clothing dangling around his waist.

At the time of the explosion there were around

Manager of Freedom House and member of the PPP/C, Neil Kumar 40 persons in Freedom House, some of whom were injured. Among the wounded were Mary Nunes, wife of Minister of Education (at that time), Cedric Nunes; Patricia Christian; Euna Mulzack, who suffered a damaged eye; and Miss Bispat, with a suspected fractured spine.

The First Lady, Janet Jagan, wife of the then Premier of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, escaped with slight injuries to her hands.

“Today, we are celebrating the annual death anniversary of the revolutionary Michael Forde. Michael Forde was killed by a bomb that was placed at the bookshop in 1964, and that was a very sad moment. Michael knew that something was wrong, but he took that parcel out, and it blew up in his hands, as he was going out,” manager of the Freedom House,

Neil Kumar, detailed, on Friday.

“But I’ll tell you what, he saved comrade Janet, comrade Cheddi, and more than 30 other comrades— real, genuine comrades of our party,” he added.

He profusely expressed his gratitude for the work done by the PYO in cleaning up the gravesite and the surrounding areas, so that it would be accessible today.

“We are very proud of them, and we feel that the youths of this country are our greatest asset, and we have tremendous confidence in them,” he stated, then added: “So, on behalf of the PPP/C, particularly our General-Secretary, and our President Irfaan Ali, we would like to say that we will continue to pay respect to this fallen hero, comrade Michael Forde.”

In remembrance of the 48th death Anniversary of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand, who were murdered while protecting ballot boxes, executive members of the PPP/C also held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Number 66 Village Burial Ground, Corentyne.

During the ceremony, Executive Secretary of the PPP/C and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the sacrifices and dedication of these fallen heroes and many other Guyanese must never be forgotten.

He called on Guyanese to continue in their fight for democratic freedom so that Guyana doesn’t return to the “dark, dictatorial days.”

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Guyanese doctor aims to open gastroenterology unit in Berbice

–– after successfully completing specialized degree programme in Cuba

AFTER a successful stint at the world-renowned Institute of Gastroenterology at the University of Havana, Cuba, Dr. Adrian Van-Nooten is ready to return home and serve his country.

Dr. Van-Nooten graduated recently from the university after completing a

Doctor of Medicine (DM) degree with specialization in Interventional Gastroenterology and Hepatology (liver diseases).

The doctor, who hails from New Amsterdam, Berbice, is an accomplished scholar whose work has been published in several medical journals. He recent-

ly co-authored a publication with his Professor, Dr. Marlen Ivon Castellanos Fernandez, that was featured in the Tropical Medicine Magazine in Cuba.

His vision is to return to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and collaborate with Guyana’s Ministry of Health to open

At a health facility in Cuba are, from left: Drs. Jordi Alonso; Marlen Ivon Castellanos Fernandez; Adrian Van Hooten; Juan Antonio Mas Paez; and Hermedio Hernandez Mulet, at a facility in Cuba

Cop who stole from colleague gets 8 months in prison POLICE Constable Nelisha Mahaica, who stole her workmate’s bank card and withdrew $500,000 from the account, was on Friday sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

The policewoman, who was stationed at the Mahaica Police Station, appeared before Magistrate Alicia George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and confessed to four counts of simple larceny, which alleged that between June 30 and July 6, 2021, she stole the

cash from her colleague’s Republic Bank account.

Mahaica was sentenced to eight months imprisonment on each count. However, the magistrate ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

According to reports, Mahaica stole the victim’s bank card, and hacked into the account. She managed to secure the victim’s pin number, and subsequently went to the bank and withdrew the money from the ATM machine on various occasions.

Nelisha Mahaica Video footage from the bank showed Mahaica taking the money.

She was later arrested, and, under caution, admitted to the crime.

a Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Unit that would diagnose and treat conditions such as stomach ulcers, alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, colon cancer, and biliary duct stones, among others ailments.

The doctor’s expertise and skills cannot be overemphasised, as he also holds a Master’s Degree in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Hepatology.

Dr. Adrian Van Hooten on the job

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Man convicted of Anna Catherina triple murder appeals life sentences

DEATH row convict Abishai Caesar, who is currently serving three life sentences for the 2012 murder of Anna Catherina liquor store owner, Jennifer Persaud, and her two sons, is now challenging his conviction and sentence.

Last month, Caesar was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court, after he was found guilty by a 12-mem-

ber jury on three counts of murder.

Caesar was convicted for the murders of 41-year-old Persaud called “Jenny,” and her sons, six-year-old Afridi Bacchus and 18-month-old Jadon Ernest, between September 21 and 22, 2012, at Sea View, Anna Catherina.

The judge had told Caesar that he had no other alternative but to impose a sentence of death since

Jennifer Persaud, Afridi Bacchus and Jadon Ernest

he treated life and death as “meaningless” and showed no remorse for his horrific action.

Caesar, in his documents filed at the Court of Appeal, claims that his conviction cannot stand. He is asking that his sentence be set aside since it was unfair, too severe, and excessive.

One of the main witnesses in the case at the High Court was Zoey Phillips, the former reputed wife of Caesar and neighbour of Persaud.

“Abishai said to me that he was going over to Jenny to get some money because he was broke,” Phillips had told the court during her testimony.

The couple then went into the kitchen in the lower flat of their home, where Caesar armed himself with a knife and a pair of green gloves. He was clad in a pair

of 3/4 pants at the time.

The witness said that Caesar went to the back of their house and gained entry into their neighbour’s yard through an opening in the zinc fence. According to Phillips, her neighbour had clear glass windows and so she was able to see Caesar in the woman’s house by peeping through the louvre window in her bedroom.

After seeing Caesar as he went up the stairs to Persaud’s home, Phillips claimed that she went to bed and fell asleep.

She was later awakened by the sound of a woman screaming and sat on her bed. Thirty minutes later, Caesar called for her and she went downstairs into the kitchen and opened the back door for him.

According to Phillips, Caesar had a small cardboard beer box in his hands and told her that that was all he had gotten from raid-

ing Persaud’s home. The box contained a number of $20 and $100 bills which amounted to $3,000. He also came back with the pair of gloves and a knife, both of which had what appeared to be blood. There were also what appeared to be spots of blood on his pants. The witness disclosed that her reputed husband told her that Persaud woke up and saw him in her house and he killed her because she saw his face and knew him well.

Caesar, Phillips explained, told her that while he was stabbing Jennifer, the older son woke up and saw him. This caused him to kill the child and later the toddler. The couple then went to the seawall, where Caesar threw the knife into the river. They then went into the street and Caesar threw the gloves and pants into some bushes.

Death row convict: Abishai Caesar The witness said they returned to their home and went to sleep.

In 2019, Caesar was first tried before Justice Brassington Reynolds, but the case was sent for retrial after a 12-member jury was unable to arrive at a verdict.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

BOSAI to address OSH, labour law breaches

RESPONDING to complaints of breaches of labour laws and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guidelines, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, and Senior Labour Officer Prandatt Basdeo on Friday met with the managers of BOSAI Minerals Group in Linden, Region 10.

During the interaction, Minister Hamilton raised a number of issues relating to labour, OSH, and the non-payment of National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which were all reported to him.

Approximately 600 persons from the region are said to be employed at the bauxite plant.

The minister, during the meeting held with the company’s top brass, outlined his position regarding the protection of workers’ rights. He emphasised that foreign companies must comply with the Laws of Guyana, and that local employees and expatriates must be treated equally.

The visit was part of the ministry’s routine inspections to ensure that companies, countrywide, are in full compliance with the country’s labour laws.

During a recent interview with the media, Minister Hamilton made calls for both local and foreign companies to respect and uphold the country’s labour

laws.

“Let me say this to companies, and I will keep saying this to people, you have two options: Either you obey the law and comply, or I call press conferences and let them see how this works out,” he had said.

He added that delinquent companies will be publicly identified, if they are in breach of the labour laws.

“All companies, you obey and comply; you refuse to do that, I will assemble the media and attempt to publicly shame you. That is the bottom line; whether you be a local company or overseas company,” Hamilton asserted.

13

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton interacting with the staff and management of BOSAI Minerals

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

STARR Computer encourages vaccine acceptance with laptop raffle

AS part of an effort to support the national vaccination drive, which is geared at curbing the spread of COVID-19, STARR Computer has launched a “laptop giveaway raffle”, which will run for the next three months, and be applicable only to persons who would have been vaccinated against the disease.

On Wednesday, the company chose the first winner along with 10 others who won consolation prizes. Winners were drawn randomly from a batch of almost 2,000 participants.

President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan, while speaking during a virtual ceremony, called on more businesses to support and promote the vaccination drive to ensure Guyana reaches herd immunity soon.

He said that COVID-19 kills, and the new delta variant is even more severe, based on available information. To this end, Mohan reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccine saves lives, sorrow, and heartbreak.

“So, take your vaccine, and save your family from unnecessary grief,” he said, while noting that every employee of STARR Computer is vaccinated.

In support of the nationwide vaccination drive, Mohan said STARR Computer is running the monthly laptop giveaway raffle, which affords persons the opportunity of winning a complete computer package that includes a laptop computer, printer, a desk and a chair. In addition, he said the company will give out an additional 10 ‘mystery’ gifts every month.

President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan (centre) with the computer package and employees of the company “And to be eligible to uplift prizes, the winners must be a Guyanese local resident, visit STARR, and present their authenticated vaccination card within three

days of the drawing,” Mohan said, adding: “They must also agree to allow STARR to post their photograph with prize at STARR BioSafety Department.”

The grand prize winner at Wednesday’s event was Jewanram Lall, and the consolation prizes went to Ahreefa Bacchus; Melissa Gillis; Saskia Marisha

Persaud; Oma Devi Singh; Leyland Rodrigues; Omkar Singh; Uvannie Roopram; Wanita Persaud; Margaret Persaud; and Marc Thomas.

Mohan said that persons who did not win will automatically be re-entered for the next month’s draw.

“At STARR Computer, everyone is a winner; all

participants who entered through our website will receive special coupons via email to be redeemed at STARR for any purchase of their choice. Rules and regulations are stated on the website. Also, one lucky member of the press who entered in a separate drawing received a Lenovo tablet,” he said.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Massy Motors’ Land of Plenty branch relocated to Sparta

By Indrawattie Natram MASSY Motors has relocated its branch at Land of Plenty to Sparta to ensure there is space to provide a wider range of dealership and distribution solutions to their customers in Region Two. On Friday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rohit Coonjah, cut the ribbon to officially open the doors of

additions to their line up will be announced soon.

“As we prepare to cut the symbolic ribbon to officially open this new location for Massy Motors, I will commit that our efforts will continue to have suitably equipped facilities and team to provide solutions for all of the dealership offerings,” he said.

Coonjah emphasised that the company looks

Staff of the Georgetown, Essequibo, and Berbice branches stand in front of the newly opened Sparta office.

“This relocation was necessary. With the leadership and guidance we realised that we had to relocate to support our growing economy,” Singh said.

Chief Executive Officer, Rohit Coonjah, speaking during the simple opening ceremony. the new location.

Coonjah, in his remarks, said the ribbon-cutting ceremony was yet another significant milestone in Massy Motors’ journey as the company has evolved from a single store into one which has multiple locations.

He said the new location at Sparta is specially equipped to provide dealership solutions for their partners on the Essequibo Coast.

“This new location will have a suitable capacity to adequately represent all Massy Motors lines… such as Massy Ferguson, Nissan, Iveco and Power Master to recent additions [such as] Tractors - Farmtrac(Escorts), MLA forklifts, Mack trucks, Vehicles - Chrysler Group (Jeep), Batteries - Moura & Zetta and Shell Lubricants,” Coonjah said.

He also hinted that new

forward to participating in activities that will contribute to the improvement of the Sparta community and surrounding areas.

He also mentioned that all of the staff members at the Essequibo location are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while across all locations, 90% of the employees have been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Location Manager, Dhanraj Singh, said the ceremony marks the official relocation of Massy Motors. He said that before Massy Motors came into being the words “AINLIM” and Massy Industries were known to Guyanese.

He stated that Massy made entry into Region Two almost 27 years ago when its first location was opened at Henrietta. It was later moved to Land of Plenty, he said.

He said that the company recognised that there was a need for a new location and he later assured that customers will continue to benefit from the “Wow”

experience.

Singh used the opportunity to thank all the customers for “readjusting” during the pandemic and for their continued support.

Also in attendance at the simple ceremony were executive team members from the Ruimveldt, New Amsterdam, Georgetown, and Essequibo branches.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

One more COVID-19 death, 77 new infections recorded

THE Ministry of Health on Friday announced that one more person who tested positive for COVID-19 has succumbed to the deadly virus.

This death takes the COVID-19 death toll for the month of July to 31, and the overall COVID-19 death toll to 507. The latest fatality is a 73-year-old woman from Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), who died while receiving medical care at a Ministry of Health facility.

Mortality aside, the Health Ministry also recorded 77 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,506 tests carried out for July 15, 2021.

Of these, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded three; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West

Demerara), seven; Region Four, 38; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), two; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 18; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), two; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), seven.

The newly-infected persons were 39 males and 38 females. To date, eight persons occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care

Unit (ICU), while 103 are institutionally isolated, 1,068 are isolated at home, and five in institutional quarantine.

Of Guyana’s 21,351 confirmed cases since the detection of COVID-19 here, 1,184 are currently being monitored, while 120 of Guyana’s 19,260 recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours.

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

COVID-19.

If anyone you know is d is p la y in g a n y o f the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Children with comorbidities to receive medical masks –– says Health Minister

WITH young people now being more susceptible to COVID-19, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, is urging parents and guardians to protect their children, especially those with underlying health issues.

During Friday’s COVID-19 Update, Dr. Anthony said medical masks are best suited for children with comorbidities.

“Children with medical conditions such as cancers and so forth, it is recommended that they wear the medical types of mask, because it’s trying to protect

them from getting these infections. Other children who are relatively healthy should and can wear the cloth mask.

“So, we should encourage children to wear masks, especially in the light; right now globally, you have the Delta variant that is currently circulating and, with this particular variant, anyone who is unvaccinated would be at risk, which includes children,” Dr. Anthony reasoned.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines state that children five years and above should wear a

mask, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its guidelines, stipulating that those children two years and over should wear a mask.

Guyana’s COVID-19 guidelines state that everyone over the age of eight years must wear a mask whenever in public. Minister Anthony is also advising against using a face shield as an alternative to a mask.

“Face shield is just a physical barrier. When you wear a mask, especially those like the medical mask, they are specially designed, so depending on which type you’re using, they probably would have three layers and they’re specially designed

to prevent small particles from getting into your respiratory tract.

“With an N95 mask, it has about five layers, so it protects you. So, they’re not the same thing and therefore, if you use a face shield and somebody sneezes, maybe it stops the physical droplet from getting to you. But if you were in a room where aerosols are circulating, you can breathe them in, so it’s not the same thing,” Dr. Anthony explained.

Currently there are seven children in the COVID-19 wards and ten adults in the Intensive Care Unit at the Covid hospital, Liliendaal.

Considering the rate

Ferguson denies cyberbullying charge, granted self-bail A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson, was, on Friday, released on selfbail for alleged cyberbullying.

Ferguson appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that, on June 15, 2021, she used a computer system to

humiliate or harass Colonel Omar Khan, a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The former government minister was represented by attorney-at-law Lyndon Amsterdam, who made an application for reasonable bail.

Magistrate Daly later released her on self-bail and adjourned the matter until July 26.

On Wednesday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum received legal

advice from the Police Legal Officer to institute a charge of using a computer system to humiliate a person, contrary to Section 19 (5) (a) of the Cybercrime Act, against Ferguson.

On June 30, 2021, Ferguson was arrested after the senior GDF rank made a report about a Facebook post which falsely claimed that he had been earmarked to be in charge of “a killing squad”.

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson

of infection, Dr. Anthony is urging parents and guardians to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines established by the government, to reduce their children’s risk of contracting the deadly disease.

All persons 18 years and older are also encouraged to visit any of the

17

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony Ministry of Health’s vaccination sites and take the vaccine, to protect themselves from COVID-19.

18

Training programmes recommence at Cheddi Jagan Dental School

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, visits the government’s tertiary facility for dentistry located above the Cheddi Jagan Dental School (DPI photo) MINISTER of Health, Frank Anthony, has said that dentistry classes have resumed at the Cheddi Jagan Dental School which was closed for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have restarted our dental programmes, training programmes that is, so the various programmes that we normally run for dental/ dentexes and so forth, those have been restarted. They were suspended because of COVID but now we are able to restart them, of course, using the appropriate COVID protocols,” Minister Anthony said during Thursday’s COVID-19 Update.

During the down time, a new pharmacy was constructed to enhance the level of service offered to the public. A number of key facilities, including a sterilisation room were refurbished.

Work is also ongoing on a theatre to accommodate maxillofacial surgeries.

“We recognise that persons who require some specialised types of dental work are not able to get it anywhere else. In a lot of cases, it’s more than just the normal dentistry that people would come to the institution for, but it requires operation by a maxillofacial surgeon.

“Currently, at the institution, we have a number of Maxillofacial Surgeons, but they don’t have a theatre to operate. So, in this year’s budget, we had allocated $24.1 million to construct a theatre for maxillofacial surgery at the dental school,” Dr. Anthony said.

Additionally, he related that the bidding process has been completed and the contract for construction will be signed during this week, with construction set to start by next week.

The minister is optimistic that the facility would be up and running by the end of this year. (DPI)

Miner accused of murdering co-worker remanded A 27-year-old miner was, on Friday, remanded to prison for the murder of his workmate, who was fatally stabbed during an argument at Ithaki Backdam, Mazaruni River.

Kevin Lindore of 2 & 1/2 Miles Bartica appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the capital offence.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, on July 11, at Ithaki Backdam, Mazaruni River, Lindore murdered Damion Williams called “Wild Buck.”

Lindore was remanded to prison until August 6.

According to reports, Lindore and Williams worked together at a mining camp. It is alleged that, on the day in question the two men had a disagreement over the way Lindore was treating a female employee who worked as a cook at the

Kevin Lindore said camp.

The disagreement resulted in a fight between the men, and Lindore pulled out a knife and stabbed Williams to his neck. Williams fell to the ground and became motionless.

He was escorted to Bartica Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.

Lindore was arrested and charged for the offence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Mohoric wins stage 19 of Tour de France

(BBC) – Bahrain - Victorious Matej Mohoric won stage 19 of the Tour de France, denying Mark Cavendish an opportunity to break the record for stage wins he shares with Eddy Merckx.

Cavendish had hoped to compete for a 35th stage win, but a breakaway of 20 riders left the peloton well behind.

Cavendish will get another chance in Sunday’s final stage, which finishes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar remains in the leader’s yellow jersey.

Mohoric’s second win of the Tour comes after his team’s hotel was raided by French police on Wednesday over an allegation of doping.

He said after his win: “I was thinking mostly about what happened two days ago.

You feel a bit like a criminal.

It’s a good thing the police are checking - of course they found nothing, because we have nothing to hide.

“But I’m a bit disappointed with the system - it’s not a nice thing when police walk into your room and

start going through all your belongings.

“Even if you have nothing to hide it feels a bit weird when they go through your personal things, photos of your family, your phone and your messages.”

The largely flat 207km stage into Libourne was expected to result in a sprint finish, with all eyes on Cavendish, who was warmly embraced by Belgian cycling legend Merckx at the start in Mourenx.

However, after a frenetic opening and early crashes involving Geraint Thomas, Rafal Majka, Enric Mas, Sonny Colbrelli and Cavendish, a large breakaway was allowed to escape by a peloton with little appetite to deliver a meaningful chase on the back of several punishing days in the Pyrenees.

And Mohoric delivered a replica of the superb solo attack that carried him to victory on stage seven, riding clear with 26km to go and extending his lead, as the chasing group failed to organise themselves.

The peloton rolled home almost 21 minutes later, and Pogacar will defend a lead of five minutes and 45 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard in today’s 30.8km individual time trial from Libourne to Saint Emilion.

Stage 19 results 1. Matej Mohoric (Slo/ Bahrain Victorious) 4hrs 19mins 17secs 2. Christophe Laporte (Fra/Cofidis) +58secs 3. Casper Pedersen (Den/ DSM) Same time 4. Mike Teunissen (Ned/ Jumbo Visma) +1mins 02secs 5. Nils Politt (Ger/ Bora-Hansgrohe) +1mins 08secs 6. Edward Theuns (Bel/ Trek-Segafredo) Same time 7. Michael Valgren (Den/ EF Education-Nippo) 8. Georg Zimmermann (Ger/Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) 9. Anthony Turgis (Fra/ TotalEnergies) 1mins 10secs 10. Jasper Stuyen (Bel/ Trek-Segafredo) Same time General classification after stage 19 1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/ UAE-Team Emirates) 79hrs 40mins 09secs 2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo Visma) +5mins

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Saratoga Race 1 Neuro Race 2 Repo Rocks Race 3 Trumpet Lilly Race 4 Austrian Race 5 Chattalot Race 6 Portfolio Company Race 7 Sheriff Shebaz Race 8 Witsel CANADIAN RACING TIPS Woodbine Race 1 Beyond Mybudget Race 2 Cheeky Pint Race 3 Artie’s Princess Race 4 Tara Dawn Race 5 Sol Dorado Race 6 Red Fiction Race 7 Livin In The Six Race 8 Fiduciary SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Kenilworth 08:25 hrs Forever Bill 09:00 hrs World So High 09:35 hrs Nexus 10:08 hrs Sleeping Single 10:44 hrs Icon Princess

Matej Mohoric is the current Slovenian road race champion.

45secs 3. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/ Ineos Grenadiers) +5mins 51secs 4. Ben O’Connor (Aus/ AG2R Citroen) +8mins 18secs 5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Bora-Hansgrohe) +8mins 50secs 6. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +10mins 11secs 7. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz/ Astana) +11mins 22secs 8. Guillaume Martin (Fra/ Cofidis) +12mins 46secs 9. Pello Bilbao (Spa/Bahrain-Victorious) +13mins 48secs 10. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education Nippo) +16mins 25secs.

11:20 hrs Izapha ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newbury 08:15 hrs Home City 08:50 hrs Felix 09:25 hrs Zeeband 10:00 hrs Diligent Harry 10:40 hrs Chipotle 11:10 hrs Seattle Rock 11:45 hrs Princess Nadia 12:20 hrs Qasbaz NEWMARKET 08:40 hrs Annie’s Story 09:15 hrs My Style 09:55 hrs Stunning Beauty 10:30 hrs Golden Pass 11:05 hrs C’Est No Mour 11:40 hrs Sweet Enough 12:15 hrs Red Mirage IRISH RACING TIPS Curragh 08:45 hrs Threebagsfull 09:20 hrs Beauty Inspire 09:50 hrs Mooneista 10:25 hrs Snowfall 11:00 hrs Marbling 11:35 hrs Zoffanien 12:10 hrs Ever Present

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Oosthuizen takes two-shot lead into 2021 Open weekend

(BBC) - Record-breaking Louis Oosthuizen holds a two-shot lead at The Open as the world’s best tamed Royal St George’s with a flurry of low scores yesterday.

The South African pulled three clear with an eagle at 14 but his first bogey of the tournament on 17 saw him card a five-under 65 to close on 11 under par.

Collin Morikawa set the early target of nine under in round two after taking 64 shots in glorious sunshine in Kent.

Fellow American Jordan Spieth (67) is a further shot behind at eight under par.

There are a number of players waiting to make their move today, edging into contention when the wind dropped at the Sandwich venue and scoring conditions improved.

World number one Dustin Johnson is one of those, lurking at seven under par after a composed 65 late on day two that included seven birdies.

England’s Andy Sullivan and Paul Casey are also among the chasing pack after shooting 67s and sit right in the mix at six and five under par respectively.

Reigning U,S, Open champion and world number two Jon Rahm climbed to five under, after the Spaniard posted the joint-best score of the day, his 64 matching Morikawa and Argentine Emiliano Grillo who sits at six under.

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka is also at five under, while Ireland’s defending former Open champion Oosthuizen, who won his sole major at St Andrews in 2010, has dropped just one shot in 36 holes after building on his opening 64 with another impressive performance on day two.

It gives him a 36-hole total of 129, which is the lowest in Open history, beating the total of 130 by Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992 and Brandt Snedeker 20 years later at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The world number 13 now needs to convert his advantage into a second major victory, having posted six runners-up finishes, including at the 2015 Open, since he lifted the Claret Jug 11 years ago.

“Feeling good for the weekend,” Oosthuizen, who said he played better on Thursday, told BBC

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 17, 2021) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Chris Gayle-1632 runs (36 ODIs) (2) Graham Gooch-881 runs (32 ODIs)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest individual ODI score made by a WI player against ENG to date?

(2) What is the highest individual ODI score made by an ENG player against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Radio 5 Live.

“The course was definitely tougher with the wind but there were a lot of birdies on the back nine (yesterday) and I am glad I could get a few.

ALL IN ALL A GOOD DAY “Wherever I am would have been fine with The Open, as long as I am up there with nine holes to go.”

SPIETH AND MORIKAWA IN CONTENTION Morikawa, playing in his first Open, set off at a scintillating pace and posted seven birdies to reach 10 under after 14 but he bogeyed the 15th as he signed for a six-under 64.

The 24-year-old, who won his first major at the US PGA Championship last year, had a chance to reach 10 under par again on the last but could not convert a birdie putt that would have seen him equal the course record.

“I feel pretty good.

Towards the end of the round we stopped hitting fairways and making a few birdies, but overall, it’s a very good 64 and I will take it,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We have to just stick to that game plan for the next couple days.”

Spieth briefly made it a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard when he birdied the 12th to reach nine under before making his second bogey of the day at the tough par-four 15th.

“It could have been really special. I felt like I had a really low one in me,” said three-time major champion Spieth, who last won one of golf’s biggest prizes at the 2017 Open at

Royal Birkdale.

“I’m in a great posi-

tion but it’s kind of a bad taste in my mouth for

what could have been, I guess.”

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Hamilton takes pole position ahead of British GP weekend

(BBC) - Lewis Hamilton thrilled a crowd of 86 000 at Silverstone to take pole position for today’s new sprint race at the British Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver beat title rival Max Verstappen’s Red Bull by 0.075 seconds to secure top spot for the new 17-lap race introduced this weekend.

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was third ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was sixth and there was an outstanding display by Williams’ George Russell in eighth.

“It has been such a difficult time for everyone and we finally have all the fans at the British Grand Prix and the desire to deliver for everyone is beyond belief,” said Hamilton.

“We watched the England game the other day; you see how much passion there is in England. It was a difficult time for everyone and I was hoping I could do my part in bringing something positive.

It is only the first step but, wow, what a fantastic way to end the day.”

Mercedes looked off the pace of Red Bull earlier yesterday but delivered when it mattered in qualifying.

VINTAGE HAMILTON AT SILVERSTONE Hamilton set the time that mattered on his first lap in final qualifying. He was on course for a quicker time on his final run but made a mistake, sliding wide at the penultimate corner, Vale, and losing time.

But while Verstappen

did improve on his final lap, it was not enough to supplant Hamilton and the seven-time world champion sent the crowd into raptures.

Already this is the biggest crowd at a sporting event in the UK since the start of the pandemic - and there are more to come over the weekend, with 140 000 due to attend the Grand Prix tomorrow in predicted tem-

peratures of close to 30C. It was a vintage performance from Hamilton, helped by Mercedes team’s first upgrades since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, but it is not another pole position to add to his tally of 100 - officially the driver who wins today’s ‘sprint’ will be classified as the pole position winner.

And it was an important

change in form after four wins in five races by Verstappen, who has opened a 32-point championship lead.

The crowd chanted Hamilton’s name as he did his post-session interview and he basked in their adulation.

Hamilton said: “We have been missing this for a whole year. I have lost my voice a little. I am so grateful to see everyone here.

To come to Silverstone and have a full crowd like this, you feel the energy. I was hopeful with the great work we did at the team and the energy of the fans would get us here. This is down to the fans.

“The first lap was great and the second was looking even better but I just lost the back end in the last corner and my heart was in my mouth as I crossed the line.”

Verstappen said: “The car was handling quite well but just a lot of understeer so I couldn’t really attack any corners, just waiting for the front to grip up. A weird feeling to drive, I don’t think it was set-up or front wing-related, we are still quite close so it’s all right.”

And the 23-year-old said the new format being trialled this weekend - and planned for a further two races at some point this season - was “a bit of a weird feeling”.

“You do qualifying, you go flat out and it doesn’t really mean anything in terms of pole feeling,” Verstappen said.

“We have a strong race car but we need to fix the issues in qualifying. I am quite confident we can have a strong race.”

There are three world championship points on offer for the winner of today’s sprint, two for second and one for third, and Hamilton has said he “needs” to win both that event and the Grand Prix to reduce his deficit to Verstappen in the championship.

Hamilton has the benefit of his team-mate also up in the top three with him, while Verstappen’s partner Sergio Perez could manage only fifth in his Red Bull, beaten by the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, in another stellar qualifying performance by the Monegasque.

Malan; de Kock score centuries as South Africa square Irish series

(ESPNCRICINFO) - A dominant South African batting performance allowed them to square the series with Ireland and deny the hosts a first series win over a top-eight ranked team.

South Africa were much improved from three days ago, when they lost to Ireland for the first time, and appeared rejuvenated by the return of Quinton de Kock, who was rested for the first two matches, and their new opening combination.

Janneman Malan partnered de Kock at the top and both brought up centuries.

Malan’s 177* was the second in his seven-match career and his highest score, while de Kock’s was his 16th and first since February last year. The pair shared in South Africa’s fifth-highest opening stand, first opening stand over 200 since the year 2000, and first century opening stand since the 2019 World Cup. They asked Ireland to pull off their highest successful chase to win the series and despite Simi Singh’s fighting maiden century at No.8, they fell well short.

In good batting conditions, de Kock and Malan were severe on the Irish attack, particularly Mark Adair, whose line was often too wide, and Andy McBrine and George Dockrell, who conceded 102 runs between them in just 13 overs. Both batters put on perfect displays of power-hitting, with boundaries all around the small ground.

The onslaught began in the second over when Malan flayed Adair through point and whipped a full delivery through mid-on. de Kock was not far behind with back-toback off-side drives off Craig Young.

Ireland had a half-chance to dismiss de Kock in the next over, on 12, when he drove Adair in the air in the direction of Curtis Campher in the covers. Campher dived to his right and got a hand to the ball but could not hold on to a tough chance.

Left-armer Josh Little introduced in the ninth over, drew the edge from Malan with his first ball but it went through the vacant second slip area for four. South Africa finished the first pow-

Janneman Malan scored his second ODI ton, (Sportsfile via Getty Images) erplay on 58 without loss with a platform to accelerate.

The first six of the innings came in the 12th over when Malan stepped forward to launch Adair over mid-on.

He cleared the boundary five more times, four times over the on-side and once, in the final over, over extra-cover.

Ireland pulled things back slightly between the 14th and 18th overs when they did not concede any boundaries.

In that time, Malan brought up his fifty, off 66 balls, de Kock’s milestone took fewer balls, 43, and came when he hit McBrine over the covers for four. de Kock overtook Malan and brought up his hundred first with a push to long-on off Dockrell, off the 83rd ball he faced, and Dockrell’s punishment did not end there.

In the next over, de Kock took 16 runs off his first three balls and Malan reached his century off the fifth ball to leave Dockrell with figures of 0 for 36 from three overs.

Ireland had some respite in the 37th over when de Kock pulled Simi Singh into the hands of Adair on the square leg boundary. South Africa promoted Rassie van der Dussen to No.3, ahead of captain Temba Bavuma, and he did not take too long to get his eye in. He reverse-swept the fourth ball he faced, for four, but let Malan continue as the aggressor.

Malan started the final powerplay by hitting Singh for a six over long-on and edging him for four to third man. He reached his highest ODI score with another edge,

between the wicketkeeper and short third man then brought up 150 by stepping to the leg side and driving Young back over his head.

Though none of South Africa’s finishing options came off, Malan batted to the end and ensured they scored 100 runs in the last 10 overs to post a daunting total.

Ireland’s reply was dented early when Keshav Maharaj, who opened the bowling, had Paul Stirling caught at slip, pushing at a ball that drifted into him and then turned away sharply. This was Stirling’s third cheap dismissal in the series after he made 13 and 27 in the previous two matches.

Two overs later, Maharaj removed Andy Balbirnie, who looked to drive him and edged once more to Malan at slip. Balbirnie had not scored less than 50 in any of his three meetings with South Africa before this.

Two overs after that, Lizaad Williams became the third South African to take a wicket with his first ball in ODIs. He pitched it short of a length, and McBride hung his bat out, edged and was caught

behind. Ireland were 27 for 3 in the eighth over and could not really recover from there.

Campher, batting for the first time against the country of his birth, and Singh put on 104-run for the seventh wicket and both scored half-centuries to lend some respectability to Ireland’s cause but it was never going to be enough. Campher skied a delivery to the leg side where Malan took the catch to give Andile Phehlukwayo a third wicket, and his most convincing return of the series.

Ireland lost three wickets for 33 before Craig Young partnered Singh to see him to his century. It came off 91 balls, in the 47th over, and was decorated with 14 boundaries in a show of defiance against a South African attack that lost its shape as the inevitable drew closer.

South Africa bowled Ireland out with 2.5 overs to spare and gained much-needed points on the World Cup Super League table. They now have two wins in the competition and are in 10th place. Ireland who took 15 points from this serie, remain fifth.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Haiti, Martinique suffer heavy defeats in CONCACAF Gold Cup (CMC) – French Caribbean sides Haiti and Martinique both suffered heavy defeats to crash out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup here Thursday night.

In a Group B double-header at Children’s Mercy Park, depleted Haiti were beaten 4-1 by Canada after going down to ten men while Martinique were crushed 6-1 by powerhouse United States.

The defeats were the second for both sides leaving them out of contention for the next round, as the winners both advanced to the quarter-finals with a round of group stage games left to play.

“We started this match very shyly with a very slow rhythm … but we didn’t want it enough in front of the goal,” said Haiti head coach Jean-Jacques Pierre who was without seven key players due to COVID-19 related reasons.

“We created on the occasions we

played to our strategy even if we had a weakened group quantity-wise and were able to put pressure on Canada.

“We wanted to win even if we had less players but the result is what it is, but it doesn’t reflect the quality of the team. I am proud of my players.”

Cyle Larin notched a second half brace in the 51st and 74th minutes to heap pressure on Haiti after Stephen Eustaquio opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Canada with a superb free kick from nearly 25 yards.

Substitute Ronaldo Damus missed an open goal in the 52nd minute for Haiti which could have changed the complexion of the game before Stephane Lambese pulled one back four minutes later, when he finished off a clinical passing move with a stunning close-range volley.

Junior Hoilett added Canada’s fourth

Haiti’s goalscorer Stephane Lambese holds off his marker during Thursday’s contest. in the 79th, a minute after Francois Dulysse was sent off.

In the other game, Martinique felt the weight of Daryl Dike’s brace, the 21-yearold scoring in the 14th with a redirected header from a corner and then with a delightful chip in the 59th.

Samuel Camille’s own goal, resulting from desperate goal-line defending, had

sent Martinique down 2-0 in the 23rd, with Miles Robinson adding a third in the 50th.

Emmanuel Riviere left goalkeeper Matt Turner flat-footed from the spot in the 64th to grab Martinique’s only goal before Gyasi Zardes (70th) and Nicholas Gioacchini (90th) completed the hosts’ domination.

Pakistan beat England at Trent Bridge

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Liam Livingstone scored England’s fastest T20I century in vain as Pakistan won a thrilling contest by 31 runs to go 1-0 up in their threematch series at Trent Bridge.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan guided Pakistan to their highest T20I total of 232 for 6 with a 150-run opening partnership, Pakistan’s second-highest for any wicket in this format.

It meant England had to better their highest T20I score while chasing and Livingstone did his utmost to try and get them there, his 42-ball hundred beating Dawid Malan’s 48-ball century against New Zealand in 2019. But with his dismissal, they fell short, bowled out for 201.

Livingstone struck nine sixes and six fours but, after Pakistan had reduced England to 48 for 3, their bowlers continued to take wickets at regular enough intervals

to dent the hosts’ run-rate, which had been superior for significant periods. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 30 off 3.2 overs and he was excellent in the field.

Pakistan didn’t get off to a blazing start.

On the contrary, by the end of the powerplay, they were 49 for 0 and it wasn’t until the 12th over that they struck their first six.

They went on to score 12 in all, equalling Pakistan’s record against Bangladesh in 2007.

Rizwan was still scoring at a run-a-ball by the end of the eighth over but the 12th over - when he and Azam each struck sixes off Matt Parkinson in the space of three balls - signalled an acceleration.

Pakistan ended up scoring 152 runs of the last 10 overs, their middle order maintaining the momentum even after Azam fell for a 49-ball 85 and Rizwan

Liam Livingstone romped to a 17-ball fifty in England’s chase. (Getty Images)

for 63 from 41.

AZAM ON A ROLL His 158 had set Pakistan up to avoid being swept 3-0 in the ODI series before James Vince and Lewis Gregory trumped his effort, and Azam continued his fine form.

He struck three consecutive fours off David Willey in the third over of the match, steering him through the covers before advancing down the pitch to send the ball over long-on then flicking through midwicket with imperious timing.

On the last ball of the over, he survived an England appeal for lbw and their subsequent review when he was given not out, replays showing the ball was missing leg stump.

Eoin Morgan brought Livingstone on in the ninth over, but it backfired when he conceded 11 runs, including back-to-back fours to Rizwan. The 12th over, bowled by Parkinson, went for 18, Azam cracking a shot over the midwicket boundary and Rizwan going flat and hard in the same direction.

Azam went over the fence at long-on twice more, off Parkinson and Gregory, amid a total of eight fours.

He finally fell swinging at a wide, full delivery from Willey which Jonny Bairstow took behind the stumps. Initially given not out, England’s review was successful when UltraEdge revealed a clear spike for bat on ball.

Sohaib Maqsood contributed 19 runs off seven balls, Fakhar Zaman 26 off just eight - including three sixes off Saqib Mahmood in the 18th over - and Mohammad Hafeez 24 off 10, to keep Pakistan tracking in the right direction.

England were well ahead of the required run-rate at the end of the powerplay, having scored 20 more runs than Pakistan to that point, but wickets were the problem and excellent fielding from the visiting side was responsible.

Afridi’s gem of a return catch sent

Malan packing for just 1, as he dived forward on his follow-through to grab the ball low to the ground. Imad Wasim’s take to dismiss Bairstow, also off Afridi, was straightforward in comparison, but then came Haris Rauf’s miraculous effort at cow corner to remove Moeen Ali. Having skied Mohammad Hasnain in that direction, Moeen could only watch, as Rauf and Maqsood were lucky not to be injured, as they both ran for the ball. Rauf ended up in Maqsood’s lap as he leapt with two hands and both fell to the ground, Rauf crucially holding the ball to leave England wobbling on 48 for 3.

LIVINGSTONE LIGHTS IT UP Jason Roy looked the man most likely to go big for England, racing to 32 off just 13 balls as wickets fell around him. But when Roy was out edging Shadab Khan to Azam at deep point, Livingstone stepped in. Playing just his sixth international T20, Livingstone raced to a half-century off just 17 balls, England’s fastest fifty in T20Is. His striking was immaculate and power immense as he pummelled nine sixes in all. Having seen Hasnain tip his leading edge off Rauf over the rope at third man, Livingstone then sent Rauf into the stands over deep square leg. He punished a couple of Shadab long-hops before punching him down the ground twice more. His drive into the stands at cow corner off Rauf took him to 97 off 41 and within reach of the England record.

Livingstone’s almighty drive over longon off Shadab to bring up his hundred was to be his last. He skied the very next ball in the same direction but picked out Afridi on the boundary’s edge. Needing 44 off the last three overs, the task proved too much for the England tail.

With Eoin Morgan having said that England would use this series to assess fringe players ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year, Livingstone showed there is nothing “fringe” about him.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Lewis, Fielding hand West Indies final T20 win over Australia

(ESPNCRICINFO) A fiery half-century from Evin Lewis laid the platform for a 200 target set by West Indies, which seemed well within reach for Australia until a slew of dynamic fielding efforts during the chase turned the tide back the way of the hosts as West Indies clinched a 16-run victory to complete a 4-1 series win at Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.

Lewis attacked pace and spin in equal measure to blaze a 23-ball fifty and ultimately finished with 79 off 34 balls, including four fours and nine sixes, to pace West Indies through the first half of their innings after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The hosts looked on track for well in excess of 200 while Lewis was still at the crease but after his departure Australia’s medium pacers, highlighted

by Andrew Tye in his first match of the tour, bowled superbly at the death to rein back the West Indies line-up and give themselves a chance at a consolation win.

Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh put Australia well ahead of the required run rate in the Powerplay portion of the reply. But a trio of sensational fielding efforts, first by Russell off his own bowling in the fifth and then

by Fabian Allen and stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran in the space of three balls in the 10th, sucked the air out of the Australia

Andre Fletcher was yorked by Adam Zampa © AFP chase at a pivotal stage from which they never recovered.

LEWIS FIREWORKS After a blazing 31 off 14-ball cameo in his previous knock two days earlier, Lewis stayed a bit longer at the crease on this occasion and enacted double the damage.

His first victim of the night was Jason Behrendorff. After ending the first over by flicking the left-armer over square leg for six, Lewis seized on a free hit in the third to belt a full toss for another six over midwicket before ending the over with another over backward square. A switch of ends made little difference for Behrendorff in the sixth as Lewis clattered him for another pair of boundaries and sixes.

The start of a four,

six, six sequence in the eighth over against Tye helped Lewis to his ninth T20I half-century. At one stage, David Miller’s fastest T20I century off just 35 balls looked in peril when Lewis heaved Mitchell Swepson for back-to-back sixes over the leg side in the ninth to move to 75 off 28 balls.

But the left-hander finally ran out of steam collecting four singles in the next two overs before holing out to Marsh at the end of the 11th.

WEST INDIES TYE’D DOWN AT THE DEATH BY SLOWER BALLS With five overs remaining, West Indies were still sitting pretty at 169 for 4.

But Tye’s wide array of knuckleballs and other off-speed deliver-

ies kept the West Indies middle-order in check as they could only add 30 off the final 30 balls of the innings. Tye bowled three of the final five overs in the sequence and conceded 19 runs while claiming three wickets, not to mention two other dropped chances he created.

He began his haul removing the dangerous Russell for 1, picking out Alex Carey at deep cover in the 16th. Two overs later, Pooran pulled to Carey again this time fielding at deep midwicket for the left-hander. His final wicket on the night was a sliced skier by Darren Bravo to Finch at short third man.

The only boundary he conceded in the three death overs came off the final ball of the innings when Hayden Walsh Jr drove him over the rope at wide

long-off, but that did little to spoil the marvelous work he did to keep West Indies a hair under 200.

FIELDING MAGIC In spite of the early loss of Josh Philippe to end the first over, Australia were humming in the Powerplay behind another brisk knock from Marsh at No. 3, who motored to 30 off 14 balls as Australia ended the fourth over at 46 for 1.

Russell arrived in the fifth and struck first ball with a brilliant reaction catch as a half-volley was smoked straight back to the allrounder, who pocketed a hip height catch in his follow-through.

But Russell’s catch was child’s play compared to what occurred in the 10th over. Player

of the Series Walsh Jr claimed his series best 12th wicket off the second ball of the over, but it was Allen who made the moment possible through sheer effort and athleticism. A knee high full toss was slapped flat down the ground by Finch, but Allen reprised some of the boundary catching heroics from years gone by in the CPL, that put him on the map early in his career, by sprinting to his left at long-on before flinging his body to claim a stunner laid out full extension with his left hand.

Two balls later, new batter Carey tried to tap and run into short midwicket to get a well set Moises Henriques back on strike. But Pooran continued his side’s merciless display in the field by hustling out from behind the stumps, picking up the ball and firing back into the striker’s end stumps from short range with Henriques still inches short of making his ground to be out for 21.

From 95 for 2, Australia were suddenly 100 for 4.

Despite being ahead of the required run rate, their thin middle-order depth meant the target became increasingly distant. Russell helped cement the win by dismissing Carey and Matthew Wade in consecutive overs.

With 63 off 27 required for the tail, some late hitting made the final margin seem more flattering to the visitors than it was as the hosts completed yet another convincing win.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 17, 2021

Enmore CCCC looking to build on T10 victory West Indies Women A suffer whitewash

(CMC) – West Indies Women ‘A’ endured a chastening 3-0 whitewash after going down by seven wickets to Pakistan Women ‘A’ in the final one-dayer here yesterday.

Sent in, the hosts rallied 204 all out in the 48th over with Qiana Joseph top-scoring with 48, Sheneta Grimmond chipping in with 40, and Rachael Vincent and Shabika Gajnabi both scoring 22.

New-ball seamer Aimen Anwar (3-22) and off-spinner Saba Nazir (3-53) claimed three wickets apiece as West Indies Women ‘A’ lost their last six wickets for 34 runs.

In reply, right-hander Aliya Riaz hit an unbeaten 63 off 77 deliveries as the visitors chased down their target with

Sheneta Grimmond starred with bat and ball for West Indies ‘A’.

46 balls to spare at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Javeria Rauf struck 43 from 71 deliveries with four fours in a 66-run opening stand with Ayesha Zafar whose 36 came from 44 balls with seven fours.

Captain Sidra Nawaz hit 28 not out in a match-winning 80-run, unbroken fourth-wicket stand with Riaz who belted eight fours in an entertaining knock.

Grimmond was the best bowler with two for 24 with her off-breaks.

West Indies Women ‘A’ lost the opening game by nine wickets and the second by 80 runs.

They looked to be gunning for a more competitive total when Joseph and Grimmond inspired key half-century stands.

With their side on 45 for two in the 10th over, Joseph hit eight fours off 56 deliveries in a 53-run third-wicket stand with Zaida James (11) while Grimmond counted seven fours off 48 deliveries to help post 57 for the fifth wicket with Gajnabi.

Coasting on 170 for four, Gajnabi and Grimmond perished in successive overs to spark the home side’s swift decline.

SKIPPER of the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC), Bheemraj Ramkelawan, said that their recent T10 victory has proved their dominance yet again and has placed them in a mental frame of mind to continue battling whenever cricket re-starts on the East Coast of Demerara.

“Some of our players continue to train during the off-season and are mentally prepared to compete when cricket re-starts on the East Coast.”

Ramkelawan said that his players showed their abilities in the LBI Sports Club T10 competition, which concluded on Sunday.

“The win has proved once again that Enmore CCCC is among the more consistent clubs with hard-working and dedicated cricketers. It is also heartening to see that young Chaitram Balgobin has been excelling among the senior cricketers.”

After having secured a place in the final by beating their B team, LBI A

Enmore CCCC won last week’s T10 final. awaited the winner of the after S. Jainarine grabbed expired.

ECCCC vs Lusignan SC 3-9 from two overs and C. Steve finished with 31 semi-final battle, which Surat 2-17. not out and Nizam Khan was played on Sunday Enmore also batted first 23. morning. in the final against home Ramlakhan was adIn that clash, Enmore team LBI and scored 99-2. judged player-of-the-fiCCCC batted first and Vishwanauth Ram- nal while Balgobin won made 83-3. Balgobin led lakhan led the attack with the best batsman’s award. the way with an unbeat- four sixes in his 44, while Meanwhile, Richard Dowen 27, while Rudolph Balgobin again played an latram was declared the Singh added an unbeaten unbeaten knock. His 32 best bowler of the tourna15. included three sixes. ment.

Lusignan, in reply, LBI, in reply, reached Eight teams battled in were restricted to 61-7 79-1 before their overs the competition.

Lewis, Fielding hand West Indies final T20 win over Australia

see story on page 34

Caption: Evin Lewis acknowledges spectators’ applause on reaching his half-century, West Indies vs Australia, 5th T20I, St Lucia, July 16, 2021

Chris Gayle’s innings was brief but powerful, West Indies vs Australia, 5th T20I, St Lucia, July 16, 2021

Andrew Tye closed out the innings well, West Indies vs Australia, 5th T20I, St Lucia, July 16, 2021 © AFP

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

SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2021