Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-06-2022 by Guyana Chronicle

saturday 18th june, 2022

No.106757

Thousands of jobs, skills development, major infrastructural projects ahead –– Vice-President Jagdeo ‘talks up’ big plans for Region Six

PAGE

Automatic public assistance 02 PAGE

–– for persons living with disabilities, HIV/AIDs and cancer

Several projects earmarked for Region Seven communities PAGE

–– President Ali says gov’t on a mission to include all citizens in Guyana’s prosperity

President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday apprised residents of several Region Seven communities, of his government’s developmental agenda for Guyana. The President also highlighted the many initiatives being implemented to develop hinterland communities (Office of the President photo)

Night shelter gets significant upgrade 12 PAGE

Authorities remove COVID-19 testing requirements for 13 international travellers PAGE

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Automatic public assistance –– for persons living with disabilities, HIV/AIDs and cancer

By Tamica Garnett PERSONS living with disabilities (PWDs), and persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer will now have automatic access to public assistance for life, according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud in a follow up to a prior announcement made by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. Dr. Persaud outlined this and several other plans during a ceremony at the night shelter on Friday. In addition to automatic public assistance, Dr. Persaud said PWDs will also now be provided, free of cost, with necessary medical devices and equipment such as wheelchairs, white canes, canes and hearing aids. Additionally, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through its Difficult Circumstances Unit, will also be launching a facility to provide diapers, free of cost,

to persons living with disabilities. “This morning, I’m very pleased to make an announcement that will generate much relief to persons living with disability. The announcement is that all persons living with permanent disabilities will be able to access public assistance without any need to qualify for a needs test. It is automatic access to public assistance. “Secondly, that public assistance will be provided to them for the rest of their life, they do not need to be subjected to any other medical or any other test going forward,” Minister Persaud said. The minister added: “This takes immediate effect right across the country and it will include persons living with HIV and those who have cancer.” Public assistance was initially classified as temporary financial assistance designed to assist the infirm, aged, persons with disabilities, orphans, persons affected by HIV and

all other persons who cannot adequately maintain their households. The programme is subjected to periodic reviews to ensure eligibility, and applicants were interviewed by the officers after which the duly constituted Local Board of Guardians of the district will deliberate and decide on who will receive the grant and how much will be given. However, with this new announcement, PWDs and persons with HIV/AIDS or cancer will no longer need to be scrutinised by the Local Board of Guardians. According to Minister Persaud, this is something that has been very close to her heart and she looks forward to seeing it implemented. As it is now, persons who qualify, could access up to $14,000 in public assistance. “ … No longer will persons who have disabilities have to go before the Local Board of Guardian; it is now automatic.

All they have to do is register with the National Commission of Disability and the ministry will provide an application and they’re on to their public assistance register,” Dr. Persaud said. The minister’s announcement follows an announcement that each child with a disability would be awarded a one-off cash grant of $100,000 in 2022. “So now, whether you are a child or an adult, we capture the entire spectrum of disability, physical and mental as well. I believe that this will help those who are in the caregiving world and care for children or adults who still have the age of a child, mentally. “We want to ensure that those persons living with disabilities understand the government’s commitment to them, and, from the Ministry of Human Services level, our personal commitment to all persons living with disabilities,” Minister Persaud said. Persons living with disabili-

ties have been at the fore of the government’s agenda for social welfare development, especially at the level of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Office of the First Lady. Currently, there are plans to construct a $120 million business centre for PWDs; this is expected to be replicated in each region. The centre will comprise five work stations, three dedicated office spaces, three urinals, 10 washing and sanitising stations with accessible toilets, and a lot more. The centre will also include seating arrangements that will provide adequate clearance for mobility. Also, earlier this month, the Office of the First Lady announced it will be funding a programme whereby 16 special needs schools and organisations will begin benefitting from guidance counselling services. These measures are being put in place to address a lot, if not most of the challenges

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud which hinder the everyday life of persons living with disabilities. The government has allocated $200 million in this year’s budget to offer direct support to persons living with disabilities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 18, 2022

Thousands of jobs, skills development, major infrastructural projects ahead

—Vice-President Jagdeo ‘talks up’ big plans for Region Six

CLOSE to $2B is being invested in Region Six through the creation of some 4,000 part-time jobs for residents there, as the government continues to implement measures to cushion the increase in cost of living occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, hundreds of residents turned out at the Liverpool Tarmac, on the Corentyne, and the Port Mourant Community Centre to sign one-year contracts that will see them being placed at government offices, departments and agencies. Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who addressed the gathering at both locations, made it clear that the jobs are not giving away of “free money” but getting people to serve their communities. Those employed, he said, will be monitored to ensure delivery of work. The Vice-President had previously explained that the jobs are part-time and not temporary, as claimed by some APNU+AFC elements, pointing out that on expiration, the oneyear contracts can be extended, and the extension could go on for an indefinite period. Persons employed earn $40,000 per month for 10 days’ work, and the government will create some 10,000 such jobs across the country. Already, 2,000 part-time jobs have been allocated in Region Two; 2,000 in Region Three; more than 1,000 will be allotted in Region Five and 1,000 in Region 10. Dr. Jagdeo urged the recruits, many of whom are young people, to sign up for the GOAL scholarship initiative if they have not done so already, and to see their job as a stepping stone for bigger things in life. He noted that the part-time jobs are necessary, as they will support income at the household level, but aside from this, it will help to address a situation the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) encountered on assuming office in August 2020. Poor policies by the former APNU+AFC Administration, Dr. Jagdeo said, had resulted in contraction of several productive sectors, causing the loss of some 35,000 jobs. Another 35,000 jobs were lost when the then APNU+AFC Government shutdown the country at the advent of COVID-19. In tackling this situation, the PPP/C Government employed a dual strategy: It reopened the economy, and placed emphasis on containing

of Guyana.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the gathering at the Port Mourant Community Centre on Friday (Office of the Vice-President photo)

INTERVENTIONS The government has restored the children’s cash grant that was stopped by the former APNU+AFC Government, and increased the sum from $10,000 to $25,000. This grant has since been extended to learners in private school, and there is a promise to further increase it to $50,000 by 2025. The children’s school uniform vouchers have also been increased from $2,500 to $5,000; old age pension has been increased by 40 per cent; some 20,000 scholarships have been made available to Guyanese, and this number could increase to 50,000; the end-of-year bonus for the Joint Services has been restored; VAT has been removed on water, electricity, machinery, ag-

vate lands, who do not have the capital, to build their homes. Dr. Jagdeo also said that education at the University of Guyana will be made free before 2025; 1,000 homes will be built in Linden and electricity cost is expected to be reduced by 50 per cent by 2025 with the coming on stream of the Wales gas-to-shore project and other major energy projects. In Region Six, he said thousands of acres of lands are being opened up for development and agriculture that will create thousands of jobs in the region and a national stadium will be built at Palmyra that will transform the community into a major commercial hub with modern hotels and shopping centres. A new hospital will be built in the region, other health care facilities will be

A resident raises a concern at the meeting held at the Liverpool Tarmac, Corentyne (Office of the Vice-President photo)

the virus through vaccination, social distancing, and the washing of hands. Dr. Jagdeo told the residents of Region Six that through prudent management of COVID-19 and the economy, Guyana has emerged from the pandemic with a lower death rate compared to many developed countries, and an economy that is among the best,

in terms of performance, in this part of the world. ON TRACK Also, since the PPP/C assumed office, Guyana has seen an influx of investors, particularly in Regions Three and Four. Their investments have created thousands of jobs, and along with the part-time jobs and other large-scale govern-

ment projects in the making, these will put the PPP/C on track to achieving its 2020 Manifesto promise to create some 50,000 jobs by 2025. At both Liverpool and Port Mourant, the Vice-President told the gathering that his government has been hard at work since assuming office less than two years ago to deliver on the promises it made to the people

riculture inputs, among others; unjust D&I charges have been resolved and concessions have been granted to miners to make their operations more profitable; corporate tax on health care and education has been removed; more than 11,000 house lots have been distributed thus far and the government is now helping persons with pri-

upgraded and technical training of persons for the oil and gas sector, hospitality sector and nursing will also be done in Region Six, Port Mourant to be specific, the Vice-President said. This is in addition to efforts by the government to shift some of the oil and gas activities to Berbice.

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New bill to be tabled to deal with bail granting, refusal

AS the government continues to strengthen the legal and constitutional framework of the country, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., recently announced the imminent tabling of a new bill to address the granting and refusal of bail. Nandlall said that the completion of this bill is expected by different sections of society, as it follows many discussions over the years. “Bail has long attracted

great public sentiments, has excited criticisms, and has been an issue in the public domain for a long time. Persons have complained about the inconsistent grant of bail, as well as the inconsistent refusal of bail,” he said. With the current confinement time period set at 72 hours, the proposed amendments will shift the time frame to only 24 hours. This, the Attorney-General said, will assist law enforcement, and judicial officials in their overall execution of duties.

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“You can only be remanded by a police officer for a serious offence…you don’t have to be remanded… and if that police remands you and you’re not granted bail, within 24 hours you must be taken to a magistrate,” Nandlall said. He added: “The constitution says the police can detain you for 72 hours. Our experience is that though the police can conclude that investigation in five hours because they have that constitutional coverage, they hold

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you for 72 hours…this new law imposes an obligation on the police to act with alacrity, and to act with expediency.” Moreover, the bill also specifically addresses the conditionality of bail that magistrates can set. The Attorney-General said that these proposed amendments will not take away from the discretion that law enforcement and judicial officials enjoy when granting or refusing bail. “Like every other discretion, the discretion to grant or

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refuse bail is not an absolute one, it is not an untrammelled discretion. It is a discretion that must be exercised in accordance with certain principles and must be exercised reasonably,” he said. The proposals of these new bills, such as the Representation of the People Act Amendment bill, Firearm amendment bill and the Narcotic Substances amendment bill, all play a pivotal role in the PPP/C administration’s mandate of ensuring continuous re-

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Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C. form and accountability of the criminal justice system, as outlined in its manifesto. (DPI)

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Several projects earmarked for Region Seven communities –– President Ali says gov’t on a mission to include all citizens in Guyana’s prosperity

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has told the residents of Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) that his government is on a national mission to bring prosperity to all citizens under the “One Guyana” platform. The Head of State made this pronouncement, on Friday, as he addressed residents of Kaikan, Phillipai and Kamarang during separate meetings. “The only way we can build an equitable society is if we have a society in which the prosperity of the country can be shared with every single family across our country… as a people, we have to have humility and we have to support each other,” Dr. Ali said. The Region Seven residents were updated on the government’s progressive agenda, including its aim to improve the health and education sectors countrywide. Friday’s visit is a continuation of the President’s outreach to the region which started in Bartica on June 15, when the President conducted a community meeting, visited several schools in the town and met with the local private sector. EASING THE BURDEN, ENHANCING WELFARE President Ali first stopped in Kaikan, where he reminded residents of his government’s interventions, including $7 million in COVID-19 cash grants, and numerous other initiatives that aided a cross-section of the community members, including school children. “We have also re-employed every single CSO (Community Service Officer) that was fired in the last government, every single one of those CSOs was re-employed, bringing back opportunities to those young people and revenue in the villages they are from,” Dr. Ali said. Regarding new initiatives, President Ali told the residents that they will soon receive a new tractor with agricultural implements that will serve the communities

of Arau and Kaikan. These interventions, he reiterated, are to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of the people. The Head of State said: “Whether your community has 420 people or your community has 100,000 people, you’re entitled to the development, and you’re entitled to be part of the prosperity of this country.” The President lauded the support of the army in the border community, whose members have worked on several projects over the last year. He announced that they will now work together to build a guest house, with materials from the government. Several other projects were identified, including the construction of shade houses and a poultry project, both with an aim of enhancing food production. In Phillipai and Kamarang, President Ali said that the Ministry of Agriculture will work along with the communities on an agriculture plan to enhance their production. He emphasised that this will align with Guyana and the Caribbean’s plan to reduce its food import bill by

President Dr. Irfaan Ali being led to the community meeting by a senior resident in Kaikan (Office of the President photo) 25 per cent by 2025. For Kamarang specifically, President Ali said that the community could become a central location for the mining and logging industry. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITIZENS The President stressed that all of the initiatives implemented and those to come are “people-centred” and are being formulated through consultations. Dr. Ali said: “I want to say to you, as a government, we believe in some very important principles.

We believe that we must be responsive to your needs. But we cannot be responsive to your needs if we don’t listen to you if we don’t come to you, and we don’t engage you, and that is why you’re seeing the Cabinet all over

the country.” Residents were presented with cricket, football and volleyball gear after the meetings. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; the

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken were also on the outreach. (Office of the President)

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Human Capital Development THE success of a country and its ability to transcend challenges induced by various externalities is contingent upon the strength and capacity of its people, who are tasked with responding effectively and efficiently, in their own unique way, to any impediment to development and advancement. Serving as the bedrock of an economy, the people of a nation are its most valuable asset, as it is through their expertise, commitment, investment and love of country that development in any economic sector or segment of an economy is possible. Here in Guyana, the significance of human capital has been observed across all spectrums of society, from the fields to the highest office of the land. Whether they produce food as farmers, deliver justice as attorneys, administer healthcare as doctors, or implement policies and devise fiscal plans to sustain the country as government officials, every person is important to the overall functioning and advancement of the economy. A more recent and specific example of how important a country’s human resource is to its development is the collective effort of every stakeholder in the fight against the debilitating COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected countries the world over.

Responding directly to the health implications of this disease were doctors, nurses and other health workers, while policymakers and other key stakeholders implemented measures to protect people and maintain economic stability by cushioning the economic effects of the pandemic. It was also through a united effort that democracy prevailed after a prolonged electoral process, which was marred with legal challenges and alleged political interference by the previous Coalition administration, in 2020. There are many other instances in history where the resilience, strength, determination and combined effort of Guyanese significantly transformed the country in one way or another. And while we acknowledge the contributions and significance of every contributor to development, especially as the country celebrates Labour Day, we must also examine the steps taken or the plans in place to ensure that the country’s most valuable asset is nurtured, secured and appreciated. As outlined by the World Bank, in order to preserve and enhance human capital, and ensure that progress is maintained, there needs to be investments in nutrition, health care, quality education, jobs and skills. This, the esteemed international financial institution said, is

also key to ending extreme poverty and creating a more inclusive society. Almost mirroring this advice is the approach of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration to governance. Guided by its “One Guyana” policy, the government has made significant investments in areas that have improved the overall welfare and economic position of every Guyanese. On the side of welfare benefits, the government has so far restored the education grant and increased it to $25,000; increased the uniform voucher and oldage pension; disbursed billions of dollars in the form of various grants to cushion the economic conditions influenced by COVID-19 and other factors, and removed VAT on water, electricity and data, among other things. The government’s approach, which President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said time and again is people-centred, is vastly different from that of the Coalition administration, which shuttered several sugar estates and laid off over 7,000 workers, restricted individual growth by imposing new tax measures and adopted an economic philosophy of consumption rather than long-term/capital investments. Not only has the incumbent reversed the conditions that prevailed between 2015 and 2020, but it has also outlined a

vision which places human capital development at the fore of its agenda. Aside from its direct disbursement of financial aid and investment in other welfare benefits, the government is also empowering Guyanese to be able to function effectively in every sector within and outside of this economy. The government has already initiated its plan to deliver 20,000 online scholarships to persons through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL); there is a three-month course that, once completed, would afford persons entry into either a tertiary-level programme or a specialised technical programme; and the Port Mourant Training Centre is being transformed into a national institute for oil and gas and hospitality, among other things. All of those programmes are supplemented by the Local Content Act that came into effect in December 2021. To add to this, the authorities are also providing thousands of temporary jobs, while simultaneously creating a conducive environment for investments and further expansion of the economy. Taken altogether, the government’s policies and measures form a sturdy foundation upon which Guyana’s most valuable asset, its citizens, could grow and thrive.

There is no truth in remarks made by Mr Jeffries about racism in Guyana Dear Editor, CONGRESSMAN Hakeem Jeffries, representative of a Brooklyn district comprising thousands of Afro-Guyanese, made a generalized, unsubstantiated remark on June 11 in Brooklyn to a small Guyanese grouping that not everyone in Guyana “is treated consistent with the principles of equal protection under the law,” adding that he “will not tolerate racism in Guyana”. The Congressman offered

no illustrations or examples or cases of alleged racism in Guyana. The truth is that the present Government of Guyana, from August 2, 2020 until now, has not exhibited any acts of racism or bias against any community. The government has embraced strong pro-equality practices and has set out to reverse the racism that was practised by its predecessor PNC-led coalition, in order to build an equal and just society. Everyone in Guyana is

treated with equality and fairness before the law and with dignity, regardless of ethnicity and faith. Guyanese lived with inequality and racism between January 1965 and October 1992 and again between June 2015 and July 2020. Racism and inequality must have no place in Guyana and those who practise it must be condemned. In his remarks, Mr Jeffries mentioned his close friendship with one Rickford Burke, a well-known supporter of the PNC and

perennial critic of the current PPP administration, and who himself has been accused of uttering racist remarks against supporters of the PPP and violence against the government. There is no evidence that the PPP government is engaged in racial discrimination against any group. None was offered. It appeared that Mr Jeffries uttered remarks with a preconceived notion about governance in Guyana that is in dissonance with reality. The Congressman was ill-in-

formed and ill-advised about racial equality in Guyana and was fed a staple of untruths, probably from a racial provocateur. The governing PPP has done more for Afro Guyanese than the PNC did during its 33 years in office. In the 22 months since President Irfaan Ali has been in power, there has not been one act of bias against any group. The same can’t be said of the preceding coalition administration, during which tenure perceived non-supporters

faced racial and political discrimination. There is no truth in the remarks about racism in Guyana made by Mr. Jeffries. The opposite is true. Africans dominate the state sector, debunking any claim on inequality or racism. As an illustration, Africans make up just under 30 per cent of the population but constitute 90 per cent of the armed forces; 80 per cent of the police force; 90 per cent of the prison see page 7

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There is no truth in remarks made ... from page 6

service; 85 per cent of the bureaucracy; 65 per cent of nurses; 65 per cent of teachers; 28 per cent of ministers of the government; 25 per cent of CEOs of and appointees of state-run companies and membership of state boards. The state media is 70 per cent African; staff at the University of Guyana (UG) are 80 per cent African; the management of UG is dominated by Africans; the student body at UG is 65 per cent African; the Chancellor of the Judiciary is an African woman; the Chief Justice is also an African women; the Prime Minister is African; Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Sam Hinds, is African; Mr Hinds has the record as the longest serving Prime Minister of Guyana, during the PPP’s tenure, in the Commonwealth. Where is the racism? Reverse racism can be inferred. At the institutional level, the PPP government has enacted legislation and amended the constitution to strengthen the laws to guard against racial and ethnic discrimination in any form and fashion. Guyana is one of the few countries globally that has a constitutional commission to deal with ethnic discrimination. This commission was established

by the constitution and its members are selected through a parliamentary process which involves both the government and opposition. Any person can go before this commission to complain about discrimination. This commission has a wide array of powers. Race-hate language and any manner in which that is expressed are serious criminal offences that carry long terms of imprisonment under laws enacted by the PPP administration. The PPP as a government has signed on to every major convention in the western hemisphere dealing with racial and other forms of discrimination. These conventions are now part of Guyana’s constitution through amendments made to that constitution while the PPP has been in the government. In terms of policy, the PPP’s policies and budgetary allocations are available to the public and they can be critically examined from an ethnic perspective. And if that were to be done, there would be no evidence whatsoever of any ethnic bias. Policies in Guyana are all issues and not ethnically driven. This is reflected in its annual budgets, housing policy, and in other areas. As an illustration,

I noticed in visits at the Housing Ministry during the coalition’s tenure that the applicants and those given house lots from the state were primarily of one race. Since August 2020, I have noticed that the applicants for house lots at the Housing Ministry and at Housing Expos reflect the ethnic composition of the nation. So, in what areas are there racism and lack of fairness and equality in Guyana? Congressman Jeffries is absolutely wrong in his statements about racial inequality in Guyana. As a member of the leadership of the Democratic Party, he should not allow himself to be misled and misguided by a character who is engaged in demagoguery, working with relentless passion and purpose to spread myths and malicious falsehoods and hatred of people on account of race. If Mr Jeffries were to speak with fair-minded, objective, well-informed Guyanese about aspects of governance in Guyana, he would learn that the PPP administration has been very inclusive in all aspects of governance. Yours faithfully, Dr Vishnu Bisram (PhD Pol Science)

Health Minister urges men to take control of their health

AS Guyana joins the world in celebration of Men’s Health Week, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has used the occasion to encourage men to take control of their health and

well-being. The minister issued the call on Friday during his address to persons gathered at a health fair hosted by the Health Ministry’s Men’s Health Unit in commemoration of In-

ternational Men’s Health Week, which commenced on June 13. At the health fair, Dr Anthony highlighted several issues which men deal with as it relates to their health. He specifically spoke on the issue of men rarely visiting health centres for regular medical checkups, which, he said, should not be the case. Dr Anthony said that men must have an attitudinal shift in order to take charge of their health and not only report to hospitals and health centres when they are sick. “That is something that we want to promote, get men to come to the health centres to get check-ups so that we can detect things

earlier and fix them if they’re there,” the Health Minister said. He related that many males suffer from a number of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and high blood pressure among other things. To this end, he noted that those and other diseases could be prevented, but there must be a shift in thinking. With such a shift in thinking, Dr Anthony believes that men could be able to work towards living healthier lifestyles. In sharing his advice on how men could improve their lifestyles, Dr. Anthony said men could reduce their salt, sugar,

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Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony (Ministry of Health photo) and alcohol intake and even exercise more. He said: “We got [sic] to start looking at how we will change our lifestyles, so- we got to look at our diet, what we eat, how much we eat, we got to look at things like salt; we have to reduce that. We got [sic] to also look at consumption of alcohol and reduce it; we have to look at smoking and remove it because it’s not good for you,”

Dr Anthony advised men that it is important that they start to take control of their lives, even as he mentioned that it is never too late to start taking action. Meanwhile, at the health fair, men were able to benefit from on-site health services which included prostate screening, HIV testing, screening, and counselling, along with mental health services.

NYC court frees Guyana-born murder accused By Vishnu Bisram

GUYANA-BORN Prakash Churaman was on June 9,

2022, freed of a murder charge by a New York City (NYC) court after the District Attorney decided to drop the case against him. Churaman, whose case was covered by several publications in NY and San Francisco, spent about six years behind bars for the 2014 murder before he was put under house arrest. A movement which was formed to fight for his freedom included two NYC councilmen and several activists. The NY Post and other publications carried photos

and reports of the activities that were held calling for him to be freed. In 2014, Churaman, a then 15-year-old immigrant from Guyana living in Rosedale, Queens, was arrested and charged with the murder of 21-year-old Taquane Clark, an American, during a botched home invasion in South Jamaica. Although he was a minor at the time, he was charged and tried as an adult. In 2018, Churaman was convicted on the basis of testimony from an “earwit-

ness” and was sentenced to nine years to life. His lawyer appealed. The Appellate Division in June 2020, overturned the conviction and sentence and ordered a retrial. Just weeks before the scheduled start of the retrial, the DA announced the decision to dismiss the case against him. “The truth will always prevail no matter what adversity life brings,” Churaman told reporters after he was freed. He later disclosed his intention to file a $25 million lawsuit against the city. He said that for now he is enjoying his freedom after being away from his family for such a lengthy period of time. During his trial, Churaman was offered a plea deal but he rejected it, claiming that he was innocent.

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Guyana supports IICA’s plans to address threats to food security

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has guaranteed Guyana’s support for the continental alliance proposed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to address growing threats to food security in the hemisphere. Mustapha made an official visit to IICA’s headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, where he met IICA’s Director General, Manuel Otero, to talk about the Caribbean nation’s

cooperative system. “This alliance should promote a new generation of public policies that empower family farmers, who are essential, with new extension strategies, giving greater importance to questions of associativism and cooperativism. It also seeks to foster science and technology, and increase trade and integration. A new alliance is needed between production and the environment,” Manuel Otero said.

Minister for Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero (IICA photo)

At IICA headquarters, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, was shown the Interpretative Center for Tomorrow’s Agriculture (CIMAG), the Fab Lab agricultural technological innovation laboratory and the Typical Rural House (IICA photo) action plans, priorities and agricultural challenges, and to dialogue on the main advances of Guyanese agriculture and discuss new opportunities for technical cooperation. “We in Guyana will support the continental alliance and contribute to the Director General’s vision. We have to work together to achieve food security. The interest they have shown in food security not only in the Caribbean but in the whole world is to be applauded. IICA has been highly proactive in helping the agricultural sector to progress,” Mustapha said. The Agriculture Minister described the alliance as an “innovative way of uniting the countries and working together to ensure that we address food security,” which has been aggravated by a current context of overlapping crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Eastern Europe and climate change. “In Guyana we are grateful, our president Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is promoting these same ideas in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to form an alliance with countries from all over the world to address the issue,” Minister Mustapha said. The alliance proposed by IICA for collective action to combat food insecurity, promote sustainability, guarantee peace and democratic stability, has, as its roadmap, a document with concrete proposals that was also submitted at the Summit of the Americas last week in Los Angeles, USA. This medium-term and long-term work is based on four strategic aspects: the strengthening and transformation of agrifood systems in the Americas, challenges and opportunities for agri-food trade in the region in the new geopolitical context, the role of science, technology and innovation, and facilitating economic and social inclusion by reinforcing the

He added: “It is necessary to act now to generate an effective coalition to promote food security in our continent, transforming threats into opportunities and generating a set of concrete actions. It is time to come together; no country can get through this crisis alone. Food security must be combated with concrete actions in the short and medium term.” AGRICULTURE PRIORITIES IN GUYANA On his visit to IICA headquarters, Minister Mustapha, who is also chair of the Ministerial Work Group established by the CARICOM to analyse the food agenda and the agri-food system in the Caribbean, spoke about the reality of the agriculture sector in his country, a strategic nation with great capacity to become the food basket of the region. He related that Guyana’s priorities are to reduce food import costs by 25 per cent in three years, diversify production and increase resilience to climate change, focusing on corn, soy and wheat crops; boost intra-regional trade by removing barriers that impact the country; harmonize standards, and foster more science, innovation and technological development, boosting the institutional framework in these areas. “We must look for ways to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent in the next three years; this is a monumental task, and we are going to need investments and a lot of capital, but we have the capacity. We want to diversify our economy, make it more resilient, so that small-sized farmers are part of this development that we seek,” Mustapha said. Her added: “We have the land, the water and the capital, we can produce the corn and

soy that we need for the Caribbean and for Guyana itself, which can become the centre of food production, reduce its import costs and have a resilient productive sector.” During the meeting, Mustapha spoke about other issues the country is focusing on including work in logistics and food transport, infrastructure, agricultural extension, attracting young people to agriculture, and boosting the meat, poultry and aquaculture industries and rice and sugar chains. Otero made a commitment to provide technical cooperation to Guyana for re-engineering and to strengthen the National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI), connect science with innovation and promote entrepreneurialism, train young rural people in the use of new technologies for

agriculture and act as bridge in bilateral dialogues and in south-south cooperation actions. “We wish to continue building an increasingly stronger technical cooperation agenda,” Otero said. At the IICA Headquarters, Mustapha was engaged on some of the institute’s initiatives such as IICA of Open Doors, the Interpretative Center for Tomorrow’s Agriculture (CIMAG), the Fab Lab agricultural technological innovation laboratory and the Typical Rural House. He was also informed about IICA’s technical cooperation programmes in bio-economy, agricultural health, international trade, climate change and territorial development. Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Moves afoot to make yoga popular among youths –– says India’s High Commissioner to Guyana

GIVEN the benefits to one’s mental and physical well-being, efforts are being made to make yoga popular among youths, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.

J. Srinivasa, has said. Dr Srinivasa made this disclosure to the Guyana Chronicle during an interview ahead of International Day of Yoga 2022, which will be celebrated on June

21.

“Yoga is the art and science of well-being, which is a traditional practice from India. Over these years, it has grown from strength to strength be-

cause it is good for not only your mental well-being but also physical well-being. It helps also in your spiritual upliftment,” he told this publication on Friday.

India's High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa He related that yoga is not bound by race, religion or creed and is helpful to people in many different ways. “If you see the latest COVID pandemic, it has been able to help people to fight the stress, fight depression, and fight loneliness, at the same time keeping them both physically fit and mentally active,” Dr. Srinivasa added. He explained to this publication that yoga is also proven to help combat non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and it helps your memory to improve. “This will help the new generation and also the older generation to combat all this daily stress and strain that they undergo, help them to keep themselves fit,” Dr. Srinivasa said. The United Nations in December 2014, proclaimed June 21 every year to be International Day of Yoga. The concept of such a day was first proposed by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. This year is the eighth International Day of Yoga. “Since 2015, every year, despite the pandemic, we have held [International Day of Yoga] and this year, we have a theme called ‘Yoga for humanity’ because we believe that humanity can be served well,” Dr. Srinivasa said. He added that given

the COVID-19 pandemic, it was celebrated under limited circumstances with fewer people at the gatherings. “This year, we are doing it in a big way. In Georgetown, we are having one event on the 19th of June at the Everest Cricket Ground. We are expecting ministers from the Government of Guyana. At the same time, we will also be encouraging the youth and the students from the University of Guyana [and] the various other universities here,” he said. He related that in Palmyra, Berbice, there will be seven or eight local schools taking part. There will also be live coverage of yoga events happening across the world. “So, they start early morning in Japan, going one-hour incremental basis westwards. And they have about 35 to 40 countries who will be a part of this and I’m very proud to say that Guyana is a part of this,” Dr. Srinivasa said. He noted that not only are they happy with the interest being shown from the western world, which is already exposed to yoga, but they are also getting tremendous interest from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. People are getting together to celebrate yoga at iconic locations across the world, he added.

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

17 years’ jail for convicted child rapist

CONVICTED rapist, Clincy David, was, on Friday, sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment on two counts of rape committed on a 13-year-old girl. Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry handed down the sentence to the 45-year-old construction worker, in the Sexual Of-

fences Court of the Demerara High Court. On April 29, a 12-member jury found David guilty of attempting to have sex with the girl on April 8, 2020, in the county of Demerara. The jury also found David guilty of engaging in sexual penetration with the

young teenager on July 13, 2020. David, however, had denied committing the heinous crimes. During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry sentenced David to serve 15 years on the first count and 17 years on the second count. The judge also ordered

that the sentences run concurrently, which means that David will only serve 17 years. He was represented by attorney-at-law Teriq Mohammed, while the state was represented by prosecutor Caressa Henry. The prosecution had told the court that David is

known to the child’s family. It was alleged that, when the victim turned 13 years old, he began engaging in the illegal acts when he visited her home. The child subsequently confided in her relatives and the matter was reported to the police. David was later arrested and charged.

CONVICTED RAPIST: Clincy David

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Night shelter gets significant upgrade

–– now has capacity to house 120 persons, boasts improved facilities By Tamica Garnett THE public night shelter at East La Penitence, Georgetown, could now accommodate even more persons following the completion of significant infrastructural works on the facility. A new wing was added to the facility at a cost of over $5 million, while the interior and exterior of the existing building were significantly enhanced. The upgrades to the facility are the realisation of a commitment by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya

Persaud, who had visited the facility soon after assuming office in August 2020, and was appalled by the conditions there, and wanted to see it restored to the sanctuary it was intended to be. “I am happy to be here at the end of a process that started some time ago and this process took a little longer than I wanted it to take, but, nevertheless, I am happy to be here to officially open the additional wing of the night shelter,” Minister Persaud said during a simple commissioning ceremony on Friday. The minister also said: “Since becoming the minis-

ter, I came here very early and this is one of the institutions that I was very passionate about ensuring that the conditions are improved, that the environment is conducive, and that the persons are living comfortably.” According to Minister Persaud, the completed upgrades are not the only works budgeted for the facility, there is more in the pipeline including the establishment of a kitchen area. The night shelter, which is run by the government through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS), is a safe

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, interacts with a resident at the night shelter, as staff look on (Delano Williams photo) haven for persons who are homeless. With the new wing that was added, the night shelter now has the capacity to house 120 persons, but it currently has 45 persons there. One of the occupants, 58-year-old David Jones, a former drug addict, expressed how grateful he was for the services being provided by the facility. “I’m so happy to be here at the night shelter and I’m thankful for what the government is doing for all of us here. I used to be sleeping on the road and now that I’m here I have a shelter over my head and I’m so glad,” Jones told the Guyana Chronicle. He said he got addicted to drugs in his late 20s and was shunned by his family members. And it was only after a series of events that he later turned to religion and gave his life to Jesus Christ and worked on improving his circumstances. Jones told this publication that he “cleaned up” his life, and when he needed a roof over his head, he was able to turn to the night shelter. “I used to be smoking marijuana, cocaine, everything, you name it, but since I give my life to Christ I stop. Nobody introduced me to it [drugs], I started it on my own, so I said to myself anything I start I can finish, it’s not about nobody it’s about you. “So, I always told myself the same way how I introduced myself I can stop and so I stopped and I’m so glad that I stopped,” Jones said. He related that he’s now a drummer and also sings at his church, the night shelter and other locations. Jones was one of many persons who expressed their gratitude to the government and management of the night shelter for the work executed on the facility. In addition to the physical

upgrades at the night shelter, measures were also put in place for the residents to have access to better medical care, while plans are in place to offer training programmes to the residents and to see the establishment of a shade house to grow vegetables that could then be used in the meals for residents. “If they would like to learn something, they like to do something, or if they would like to be able to work, whatever it is they would like to do going forward, we would like for them to have that opportunity to do it,” Minister Persaud said. She thanked the staff of the night shelter for working along with the ministry to ensure that the upgrades were completed efficiently and in a timely manner. Administrator of the night shelter, Sheila Veersammy, said she was happy to see the upgrades to the facility as they were what she had envisaged for years. “It is absolutely wonderful. I had come here in 2015 and this place was horrible. With the support of the ministry, we did a massive upgrading at the time, but then I resigned in 2017 and all the upgrading I had started completely stopped and nothing else was done. “But then Minister Vindhya Persaud visited and she was appalled at the deteriorating conditions that existed here and she immediately put some plans in place,” Veersammy said. She added: “We had an extensive meeting where she [Minister Persaud] outlined all the plans she had for the people who lived here. One of the first things we had done was to look at the food that they were getting, while the second thing we looked at was staffing, and the third thing we looked at was the new system where people living here were provided with medical care.”

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Region Seven to get major tourism boost

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that potential major infrastructural developments in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will help to boost the region’s tourism potential. “To do this, we have to upgrade the roads, we have to upgrade the airstrip, we have to look at making this region, and developing the capacity of this region to

He added: “The days and time when you can spend nine hours on a ferry to come to a region for tourism are far gone. If you are to build tourism, whether it’s day tourism or weekend tourism or long stay, we have to be able to build a product that is connected to a wider product, and we have to build the infrastructure that will allow us to

frastructure that could bring people to the region,” the Head of State said. The President also spoke of a potential road link that will enable persons to travel to the opposite side of Bartica. Dr. Ali said: “These are the types of transformative infrastructure that will open up new opportunities, create new opportunities, and this

Members of the media on a familiarisation tour to the Marshall Falls in Region Seven (DPI) photo)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali greets a citizen upon arrival at the Bartica airstrip on Wednesday (DPI photo) at least have a minimum municipal standard airstrip/ aerodrome so that we can support the development in the hinterland… those are things that are necessary to prop the types of investment, and types of projects that we want,” President Ali said in his address to residents of the region, on Wednesday.

build that product here.” President Ali related that persons also need to be trained, for which provisions have already been made. “We are setting aside resources to train 6,000 people in the hospitality sector, and we want people from this region to be trained, but importantly we want to have the transformative in-

is the vision that we are pursuing, a vision that is aimed at increasing prosperity, and improving opportunities for you.” He noted that the development path is one which sees a region that is sustainable, food and energy secure, and responsive to climate change with the investments that will be made.

The Aruwai Resort located in Region Seven (DPI photo) The partnership with the Government of Barbados to collectively market the two countries, and the Tourism Ministry’s effort to develop the region was also highlighted by the Head of State. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Com-

Authorities remove COVID-19 testing requirements for international travellers –– visitors still required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival to Guyana THE Ministry of Health, on Friday, announced the removal of COVID-19 testing requirements for international travellers. In a post on its Facebook page, the ministry announced that the relaxation of this measure took effect from Friday. This decision comes just days after the United States announced the removal of similar measures for international travellers. Speaking on the sidelines of an event at the Ministry of Health, on Friday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said

that local health authorities have been monitoring the country’s COVID-19 situation and this decision is an outcome of that process. When the Guyana Chronicle asked what the determining factor was, the Health Minister said authorities decided on removing the testing requirement after examining where the country is in relation to the rate of vaccination and the current capacity to treat and deal with COVID-19 cases here. “So, having looked at where we are in terms of vaccination, we felt very

comfortable that we can now remove the requirement for antigen or PCR testing. However, for travellers into Guyana, we will still maintain that they have to produce their vaccination cards before they are allowed to board,” Dr. Anthony said. With that, the Health Minister said it was observed that Guyana’s vaccination numbers are high, with first doses at 86 per cent and second doses just around 68 per cent. He then said that while they would like the numbers to be higher, the country is

still in a good position to remove such measures. Similarly, the Health Minister said that after looking at data as it relates to treatment, he noted that even if the country is to get more positive cases, health facilities have adequate capacity to treat those patients. He said: “Even if we have people who are positive, we have enough capacity to be able to treat people whether they are in hospital [or not] because the Ocean View facility, we have 198 beds there so if people get sick, we can deal with any surge.”

merce has been working to develop the Essequibo tourism circuit which includes parts of Regions Two, Three and Seven. Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, while on a media tour in late 2021, had said that there will be up-

grades to the tourist sites in the Essequibo circuit. Sites along the Essequibo circuit include the forts; several waterfalls such as the Baracara and Marshal Falls, and several tourist resorts in Bartica and the wider Essequibo River.

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Massive H-Towers Mall to be constructed at Providence –– developers say facility will create hundreds of jobs

HUNDREDS of jobs are expected to be created with the construction of the H-Towers Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara. The developers of the H-Towers Hotel, Residence, and Mall, in a press release, said that the new mall will have activities for the entire family with

world-renowned restaurants, an entertainment centre, and shopping experiences for both locals and foreigners. The developers noted that the mall is expected to open in 2025 and will be located below the Sheraton Hotel and Residence. The facility will have two retail space levels equivalent to

An artist’s impression of the H-Towers Mall’s interior

some 63,340 square feet. Construction of the mall and shopping centre will lead to the creation of new jobs, with more than 200 persons expected to be employed when the facility is fully operational. Against this backdrop, concessions at the H-Towers Mall will include a food court, clothing stores, jewellery stores, banking agencies, home furnishing, supermarkets, and an entertainment hub that consists of “posh bars” and restaurants. Executive Director of H-Towers, Kerwin Bollers, was quoted in the statement as saying: “The mall forms part of a mixed-use unique experience for hotel guests, residents, and shoppers.” The developer said that the H-Towers Mall will be eventually positioned to become the goto place for all shopping and entertainment needs.

An artist’s impression of the H-Towers Mall

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Work ongoing to enhance Enmore Martyrs heritage site By Jared Liddell

THE location of the Enmore Martyrs monument is being transformed into a complete heritage site, according to the Manager of Freedom House and Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Neil Kumar. Ahead of the 74th death anniversary of the fallen heroes, the burial site was significantly transformed, but works are still ongoing to complete the project which, when complete, will create an aesthetically pleasing site for persons who would want to pay their respects. The site honours five sugar workers namely Rambarran; Lall called Pooran; Lallabagie Kissoon; Surujballi called Dookie, and Harry, who died on June 16, 1948, while on strike at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara. They were brutally and senselessly gunned down by Colonial Police. According to Kumar, the work at the site was necessary and timely, since it was

difficult to access the site whenever it rained. He noted that the PPP/C has been spearheading the project which entails a paved walkway, a new concrete bridge to access the final resting place of the Enmore Martyrs, a plaque, and a newly built arch over the burial site. “This was in preparation for our plan for the 75th anniversary. But before the work commenced, the place used to be full of mud; anytime it rained you can’t walk in, the place would even flood out. “So, what we did is we made sure we did the road so everybody could drive in. We removed the wood bridge and replaced it with a concrete bridge for people to go across, we concrete the whole place, and then we put up the headstones and a plaque and the arch,” Kumar said. He related that the plan to have the heritage site is one of great importance, noting that the PPP/C is aware of the significant

DPP recommends inquest into schoolgirl’s fatal accident THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C., has recommended that a coroner’s inquest be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the 12-year-old schoolgirl, Kayla Barnabas. Barnabas, a student of the West Demerara Secondary School, was struck down by Guyana Police Force motor pickup GXX 6575, driven by a police corporal, on June 1, 2022, at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara. Reports are that the schoolgirl was crossing the road when the police vehicle crashed into her. The police had submitted the file to the DPP’s Chambers for legal advice. On Thursday, the DPP returned the file and advised that DEAD: Kayla Barnabas an inquest be held to determine whether the policeman is criminally responsible for the child’s death. An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions and is held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana, a sitting magistrate acting as the coroner, empanels a jury, following which the inquest is conducted.

sacrifice that was made by those heroes and how instrumental it was in Guyana’s history.

The new Enmore Martyrs Plaque at the burial site (Elvin Croker photo)

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

Former pawn shop supervisor charged for allegedly stealing $7.1M A 39-year-old man was, on Friday, hauled before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing $7.1 million from the Lenders Jewellery & Pawn Shop, where he was employed as a supervisor. Claude Stewart of Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown denied that, between November 20, 2020, and May 27, 2022, while being employed at the pawn shop, he stole the money which belonged to his employer, Collin Barker. He was represented by attorney-at-law Shercola Exeter, who pleaded with the court for reasonable bail. Exeter told the court that Stewart is the father of two minor children. Police prosecutor, Christopher Morris, did not object to the lawyer’s application but asked for conditions to be attached. The magistrate after listening to both sides, orClaude Stewart dered Stewart to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters every Monday until the case is completed. He was released on $250,000 bail and the matter adjourned until July 22. According to reports, as a supervisor, Stewart was tasked with collecting pawned jewellery which he placed in envelopes for safekeeping until the owners returned to repay their debt. However, it is alleged that during the period in question, Stewart made in excess of 27 envelopes bearing the names of unknown persons. He reportedly placed nail clips, keys and other odd items inside the envelopes and made himself $7.1 million from the “fake” transactions. Barker, who is the pawn shop owner, went through the envelopes after the “grace period” had passed and discovered that there was no jewellery inside. The matter was reported to the police and Stewart was arrested. It is alleged that he admitted to the crime while under caution.

Elderly farmer killed in Charity accident

A 79-year-old farmer and father of five was killed on Friday morning after he was struck down by a minibus at Charity, Region Two. Dead is Choomanlall called ‘Cyril’ of Adams Creek, Lower Pomeroon River. The accident occurred around 10:00hrs in the vicinity of the Alfro Alphonso gas station and according to reports, Choomanlall was walking on the roadway at the time. His relatives explained to this publication that he usually goes to Charity to sell vegetables. They said they received a call around 10:15hrs informing them about his death. The relatives, who are in shock at his sudden death, said that Choomanlall was living Choomanlall alone and would usually take called ‘Cyril’ care of himself. “We get a call…we heard the driver rushed him but he died on the way. He got injuries to his head and body, “one relative related. Choomanlall was picked up and rushed to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors. His body is currently at the Charity mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. He was described as a loving grandfather. The minibus driver is currently in police custody as an investigation continues.

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 18, 2022

Joseph strikes twice ... From page 28 innings. “I think we feel disappointed as a team, as a batting unit. I think we would’ve loved to bat out the day because there would’ve been some heavy legs on their side tomorrow,” Blackwood said afterwards. “Today, we were just trying to bat time, bat as long as possible and wear down the Bangladesh bowlers for as long as possible. “But credit to the Bangladesh bowlers, I thought they bowled pretty good to us, they didn’t give us too many loose balls to score [off]. Overall, we’re disappointed because we lost a lot of wickets in the last part [of the innings].” Resuming the morning on 95 for two, West Indies overhauled Bangladesh’s first innings total of 103 as Brathwaite and Bonner extended their third wicket

stand to 62. Brathwaite, starting on 42, moved to 75 at lunch but lost Bonner – the only casualty of the session – in the first over following the drinks break, bowled by captain Shakib-al-Hasan after misreading one from the left-arm spinner which came on with the arm. He faced 96 balls and struck three fours. Paired with Blackwood on nine at the interval, Brathwaite looked a sure bet for three figures before playing back to one from Khaled which stayed a touch low, and finding himself lbw on the stroke of the first hour afterwards. His dismissal, which ended a partnership of 63 with the Jamaican, proved the breakthrough Bangladesh required as Mehidy Hasan quickly got stuck into the middle and lower order. He struck left-hander Kyle Mayers in front for

nine and got Joshua Da Silva (1) to feather a defensive prod behind, before disposing of Alzarri Joseph without scoring also to a catch at the wicket in the third over after tea, taken at 231 for six. Amidst the carnage, Blackwood gathered his 16th Test fifty to be 53 not out at the second interval, but was eventually ninth out after facing 139 balls in a shade over 3-½ hours and striking nine fours, brilliantly taken at cover by Mehidy Hasan off Khaled. Trailing by 162 runs, Bangladesh got a 33-run first wicket stand from Tamim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy (18 not out) before Joseph struck in successive overs. First, he found Tamim’s edge for Da Silva to take a one-handed blinder in front of first slip and then got Mehidy Hasan to nick off to Mayers at first slip.

Scoreboard BANGLADESH 1st Innings 103 WEST INDIES 1st Innings (overnight 95 for two) *K Brathwaite lbw b Khaled Ahmed 94 J Campbell b Mustafizur Rahman 24 R Reifer c wkp Nurul Hasan b Ebadot Hossain 11 N Bonner b Shakib-al-Hasan 33 J Blackwood c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Khaled Ahmed 63 K Mayers lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 7 +J Da Silva c wkp Nurul Hasan b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1 A Joseph c wkp Nurul Hasan b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 0 K Roach c Liton Das b Ebadot Hossain 0 G Motie not out 23 J Seales lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1 Extras (lb4, w2, nb2) 8 TOTAL (all out, 112.5 overs) 265 Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-72, 3-134, 4-197, 5-224, 6-230, 7-238, 8-239, 9-258, 10-265. Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 18-7-30-1 (w1), Khaled Ahmed 22-4-59-2 (w1), Ebadot Hossain 28-8-65-2, (nb2), Shakib al Hasan 21-5-48-1 (w1), Mehidy Hasan Miraz 22.5-6-59-4, Najmul Hossain 1-1-0-0. BANGLADESH 2nd Innings Tamim Iqbal c wkp Da Silva b Joseph 22 Mahmudul Hasan Joy not out 18 Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Mayers b Joseph 2 Najmul Hossain Shanto not out 8 TOTAL (2 wkts, 20 overs) 50 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-35. Bowling: Roach 8-4-19-0, Seales 4-0-16-0, Joseph 6-2-14-2, Mayers 2-1-1-0. Position: Bangladesh trail by 112 runs with eight second innings wickets intact. Toss: West Indies. Umpires: Chris Gaffney, Joel Wilson; TV – Richard Illingworth.

MILO schools football tournament…

Two days of Knockout action commences today

TWO days of intense football action begins today when the Milo Schools u18 Football tournament resumes at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Today’s action kicks off at 12:30hrs with Dolphin Secondary taking on St. John’s College after which West Ruimveldt takes on Queen’s College

from 14:00hrs Charlestown Secondary and The Bishop’s High school will clash at 15:30hrs before the Bladen Hall Secondary versus Carmel Secondary game at 17:00hrs. On Sunday, Grove opens the day’s proceedings against Uitvlugt at 12:30hrs with North Ruimveldt Secondary and East Ruimveldt battling

from 14:00hrs. Golden Grove Secondary will play Buxton Secondary at 15:30hrs while the winner of the Dolphin/St John’s College clash will play the winner of the Charlestown/Bishop’s game. The tournament, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic normally takes a round robin phase; however, for this

year only, the competition will feature a straight knockout format. $300,000 will be awarded to the tournament’s winner which will go towards a school project. Second to fourth will be awarded $200,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively, along with individual prizes for top performers.

RACING TIPS English Racing Tips Ascot 09:30 hrs Alfred Munnings 10 05 hrs Nobls Truth 10:40 hrs Hurricane Lane 11:20 hrs Home Affairs 12:00 hrs Blackrod 12:35 hrs Falling Shadow 13:10 hrs Falcon Eight Irish Racing Tips Down Royal

09:00 hrs Spartan Army 09:35 hrs Rock of Candy 10:10 hrs Prime Chief 10:45 hrs Gradulations 11:35 hrs Cougar 12:05 hrs Nailed Down 12:40 hrs Busselton South Africa Racing Tips Grenville 08:45 hrs Keep On Dancing 09:20 hrs Al Sackeet

09:55 hrs Botz 10:25 hrs Jet Cat

Race 8 Prince James Race 9 Hooky Player

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Storied Fella Race 2 Bless Bless Race 3 Marco Polo Race 4 Winning Drive Race 5 Closing Deals Race 6 Masen Race 7 Dripping Gold

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Helms Bear Race 2 Supet Leggera Race 3 Six Feet Apart Race 4 Rosie Amour

guyana CHRONICLE saturday, june 18, 2022

CCG to become West Indies high performance and Heritage centre THE Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), home of West Indies Cricket, is entering the final phase for major development planning which will transform the ICC accredited facility into a truly state-of-the-art cricket and cultural heritage centre. Infrastructural work and rehabilitation are expected to commence later this year. CCG will become a world class centre of cricket with linkages to several other smaller cricket academies across the region. CCG will be able to adequately host training camps and player remedial work as well as stage international matches at all levels. This will include an Emerging Players Academy and the construction of an ultra-modern indoor/outdoor facility with several inputs for players’ preparation, including medical, training, fitness, and gym facilities. “A strategic approach to master planning of the facility is well underway, and we are stepping into a new frontier as we seek to make CCG

the ‘flagship’ where players from the grassroots to the international level can develop and hone their technical and mental skills. We envision the CCG of the future as a truly world-class facility with all the amenities,” said Nelecia Yeates, General Manager of CCG. Yeates added: “Fans attending matches at the ‘new CCG’ will also have an exceptional spectator experience. We will leave no stone unturned as we hold firm to the commitment and belief that all islands of the Caribbean can be the birthplace of greatness in our sport, both on the off the field.” As part of the redevelopment project for the 20-acre facility, CCG has announced the appointment of a design collective consisting of CJC + Associates Inc., KSS Design Group Ltd and Melon Design Architecture to design and develop a transformational high-performance, worldclass concept master plan. “We were hugely impressed by the quality of all the responses for our request

MILO schools football tournament…

Two days of Knockout action commences today TWO days of intense football action begins today when the Milo Schools u18 Football tournament resumes at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Today’s action kicks off at 12:30hrs with Dolphin Secondary taking on St. John’s College after which West Ruimveldt takes on Queen’s College from 14:00hrs Charlestown Secondary and The Bishop’s High school will clash at 15:30hrs before the Bladen Hall Secondary versus Carmel Secondary game at 17:00hrs. On Sunday, Grove opens the day’s proceedings against Uitvlugt at 12:30hrs with North Ruimveldt Secondary and East Ruimveldt battling from 14:00hrs. Golden Grove Secondary will play Buxton Secondary at 15:30hrs while the winner of the Dolphin/St John’s College clash will play the winner of the Charlestown/Bishop’s game. The tournament, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic normally takes a round robin phase; however, for this year only, the competition will feature a straight knockout format. $300,000 will be awarded to the tournament’s winner which will go towards a school project. Second to fourth will be awarded $200,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively, along with individual prizes for top performers.

for proposals. But the level of information showcased in the design collective proposal was both impressive and inspiring. The winners have shown exceptional talent and promise, and aligned well with CWI’s vision to

create a uniquely West Indian and world-class cricket and heritage centre.” said Ricky Skerritt, President of CWI and Chairman of CCG. “It is a huge achievement and opportunity, yet a humbling experience to be select-

ed the winners, even more so with the high standard of entries as was expressed by the client,“ said Colin John Jenkins on behalf of the design collective (CJC+ Associates Inc., KSS Design Group Ltd and Melon Design

Architecture). Within the next few months, Jenkins and the design collective team are expected to submit draft master plans to CCG and CWI for final design and costing approval.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 18, 2022

Guyana athletes arrive in Mexico ahead of IMMAF Pan Am Championships

G U YA N A’ S M i x e d Martial Arts (MMA) team arrived in Mexico today ahead of the June 22 – 24 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Pan American Championships in Monterrey. Shenese Bobb (Lightweight), Trevlon Clarke (Welterweight), Ijaz Cave (Middleweight) and Carl Ramsay (Heavyweight) are the athletes hoping to bring glory to Guyana at the country’s second outing at an IMMAF event. Bobb will become the first woman to represent Guyana at an IMMAF competition, while Ijaz Cave will be the first Guyana athlete to compete at consecutive IMMAF events.

Since the women’s lightweight division has only three entries, Bobb will have but two other athletes standing in her way of glory. Cave, on the other hand, faces a much more stacked division at welterweight, where he hopes to bounce back from his loss to eventual silver medalist Robin Enontekio at the World Championships. Both Carl Ramsay and Trevlon Clarke will be making their respective MMA debuts in Monterrey. Clarke is a member of the Guyana Police Force and has previously competed in other martial arts. He competed at a Kempo Karate Open held in Barbados in 2018 and won three medals.

As for Ramsay, he will enter a five-man heavyweight division against some tough opposition in search of gold. Ahead of the competition, Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) president, Gavin Singh, said “all efforts are made to empower the growth of the sport within Guyana, hence we will expect our athletes to learn and give their best in this tournament.” “The preparation of athletes is a process that entails individual selection, training mechanisms, coaching apparatuses, and medical and anti-doping training. They all have their requisite bodies that are working to grow the sport,” Singh said. The growing participation

of athletes from Guyana is a testament to the work being done by the federation locally to promote and develop the sport. After failing to secure a win in Abu Dhabi, the boost in numbers may see Guyana secure their first medal at the 2022 Pan American Championships. MMA in Guyana is currently on the rise through the hard work of the federation and the growing popularity of Carlston Harris, the first Guyanese athlete signed to the UFC. Harris was told that he was what inspired the setting up of the federation and he is very supportive of the work they do.

‘Unfinished Business’ Futsal Championship to ignite National Park tonight

THE National Park tarmac this evening will be a hive of activity when the Magnum Tonic Wine ‘Unfinished Business’ Futsal Championship kicks off. Back Circle and Gold is Money will take centre stage in the opening match of the one-day tournament at 20:00 hours. In the second contest, Sparta Boss engages Bent Street from 21:00hrs, in what promises to be another exciting fixture in their storied rivalry. The winners of the respective matches will progress to the final. The losers will contest the third-place playoff. The winner of the mini championship will pocket $300,000, while the second, third and fourth place sides will walk away with $150,000, $100,000, and 50,000 respectively. Edison Jefford, the coordinator of the tournament, said, “We are expecting a monumental night of action, the quality of the four teams which were the leading pro-

GFF threatens sanctions for participation in ‘unsanctioned tournaments’ THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wishes to inform that it has not sanctioned or given approval for the conduct of the advertised “Unfinished Business” Futsal championship. Consequently, the GFF is unaware of the tournament’s Rules and Regulations, security arrangements, and other critical aspects that are necessary before any approval can be given, protocols that are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and safety of all. The GFF reminds all stakeholders that, under FIFA’s global structure of football governance and its Constitution, the GFF controls football in all its forms in Guyana. Therefore, the GFF regulations, under its Constitution, are in place to protect the interests and welfare of players, match officials and coaches, and to safeguard the future development, good governance and orderly organisation of football. The GFF seizes this opportunity to remind Regional Associations and all Affiliates of Article 13:1(h) of the GFF Constitution, which obligates Members’ Registered Players and Officials “not to maintain any relations of a sporting nature with entities (e.g. clubs, Leagues) that are not Members or Affiliates nor with Members that have been suspended or expelled.” Additionally, Article 13:2 clearly states, “Violation of the above-mentioned obligations by any Member may lead to sanctions provided for in this constitution.” Please therefore be advised that non-adherence to Article 13:1(h) may lead to sanctions to the guilty party.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday June 18, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Sparta Boss futsal team

tagonists of the previously hosted Magnum Independence Cup cannot be questioned so that patrons can expect a thrilling night of entertainment in a secure environment.” According to Jefford, “All systems are in place, as we aim to continue the narrative and objective of an incident-free tournament. Despite the fact it’s a one-day tournament, the environment has been prepared and brand-

ed to its traditional standard and quality which is not only reflective of the brand’s overall eminence and personality but the growing importance of the programme.” Meanwhile, Magnum Brand Manager Jamal Baird, stated that the tournament would not have been a reality without the tremendous support of the spectators, adding that the brand has been embraced by the urban communities and continues

to identify with grassroots initiatives in an attempt to further strengthen its appeal. He noted that the brand will always support programmes of this nature, as it has developed a synergy with the communities, adding, “We are a brand that listens to the streets, and the streets wanted this tournament so we duly obliged given their overwhelming support during the previous tournament.”

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Akeal Hosein-5 wickets (2) Mohammad Nawaz & Shadab Khan-7 wickets each Today’s Quiz: (1) What were the best bowling figures by a WI bowler in a single game in the recent ODI series against Pakistan? (2) What were the best bowling figures by a Pakistani player?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 18, 2022

Slingerz FC scores support from West Vybz Sports Bar WEST Vybz Sports became the latest sponsor for Slingerz Football Club after the Tuschen-base entity officially announced its alliance with the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) club on Friday. The West Vybz Sports Bar emblem is also featured on the club’s uniform, with Javed Ali, Slingerz FC president, stating that they’re hoping

to make this a feature for some of their sponsors. Proprietor of the entity, Jai Balgobin, said West Vybz Sports Bar will continue its support of Slingerz FC, adding “we endeavour to embrace the club’s vision and we look forward to continuing our partnership.” Slingerz FC’s president, Javed Ali, said they welcome the support from Balgobin, stating

that “this is not a sponsorship, but more so a collaboration. We want to work together with corporate Guyana because what we’re doing is bigger than football.” We s t Vy b z S p o r t s Bar now joins Forrester’s Lumber and Building Complex as the businesses that are backing the club. After a six-year hiatus, the former Guyana

Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Champions made a winning return, defeating Uitvlugt FC 3 – 0 on Wednesday. The club will be in action Sunday when the WDFA STAG League continues at the National Track and Field Centre when they take on #1 All-Stars from 20:00 hours in the final match of a triple-header.

Britons John, James Joseph dominate US cycling circuit

T H E We S t a n d United Cycle Club (WSUCC) duo Briton John and James Joseph who are both competing in the USA, have continued to turn in stellar performances. This past weekend, Saturday to be exact, both John and Joseph

finishing the race. Briton John has also been recording stellar performances in the Floyd Bennett Series, Pro1/2 class. To date, he has recorded first place and two second-place finishes. Meanwhile, contesting the Pottstown Hos-

Britons John (second from left) powering to the first place ahead of countryman, Jamual John (first from left)

Kacey Pearson, member of the Slingerz FC received the sponsor’s cheque from Jai Balgobin, proprietor of West Vybz Sports Bar

won their respective categories in separate races. John, contesting the Lucarelli & Castaldi Cup at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, won an exciting Men’s Category 1/2/3 contest, outsprinting countryman Jamual John (CRCA/ Foundation Elite Team). John won the event in one hour, 28 minutes, and 13 seconds (1:28:13). Similar times were awarded to Jamual and 3rd placed Stalin Quiterio Cuello The race attracted 89 starters with four not

pital Bike Race Series, 65-year-old James Joseph, competing in the Masters’ Men 55+ class, whipped the 26-man field, all younger riders than himself. Joseph won an exciting sprint home from 5 8 - y e a r- o l d R a m o n Benitez. He was clocked at 43.35.446 to Benitez’s 43.35456, and another 58-year-old, Scott Steward settled for the third place in 43.36.077. Attention will now turn to the Harlem Race Father ’s Day race, this Sunday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 18, 2022

Joseph strikes twice as Windies retain control of test CMC – Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph struck twice late in the final session to keep West Indies in control of the opening Test, after the hosts had lost a cluster of wickets in the middle period to be dismissed for a subpar total and concede some of their advantage on the second day here Friday. With Bangladesh having made a steady start to their second innings, Joseph (2-14) intervened to remove veteran left-hander Tamim Iqbal for 22 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for two, leaving the visitors on 50 for two at the close – still 112 runs behind heading into day three at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

West Indies had earlier been bowled out for a disappointing 265, collapsing from a strong position of 197 for three after lunch to lose their last seven wickets for 68 runs. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite missed out on his 11th Test hundred when he perished for 94 while vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood stroked 63 and Nkrumah Bonner, 33. Debutant Gudakesh Motie chanced his arm for an unbeaten 23 off 21 balls but off-spinner Mehidy Hasan, who snared four for 59, along with seamers Khaled Ahmed (2-59) and Ebadot Hossain (2-65), combined to torpedo the West Indies Continued on page 24

Jermaine Blackwood drives through the off side (June 16, 2022•AFP/Getty Images)

Guyana athletes arrive in Mexico ahead of IMMAF Pan Am Championships Story on page 26

MILO schools football tournament…

Two days of Knockout action commences today Story on page 24

Guyana’s MMA team before their departure to Mexico for the IMMAF Pan Am Championships

Action in the Milo Schools Football tournament resumes today with four matches

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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022