Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-05-2021

WEDNESDAY 19th May, 2021

' No.106365

169,981 persons receive first COVID ‘jab;’ 34,317 get second

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Residents evacuated –– as flood waters in Region Nine rise SEE PAGE 03

–– hampers, relief supplies to be distributed today

Water levels continue to rise in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), covering roadways as seen here, and even flooding houses, forcing residents to evacuate in some areas. This seasonal flooding reportedly occurs when water from the Amazon Rainforest in neighbouring Brazil travels through the Rio Negro to the Rio Branco, and eventually makes its way to Region Nine (CDC photo)

Five charged Five per cent 11 800 more online with forgery 02 wage increase scholarships of GRA cheques for GPL workers available 05 PAGE

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Guyanese-born Stanford science 15 professor honoured PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Five charged over forged GRA cheques

FIVE persons appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, in connection with the alleged forgery of two Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) cheques together valued $19.4 million and the subsequent cashing of one at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

Shareesa Tappin, a 27-year-old hairdresser of West Ruimveldt, George-

town; Romeshchand Singh, a 40-year-old driver of Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara; Komalram Persaud, 25-year-old minibus driver of ‘C’ Diamond Block X, Golden Grove; Devindra Moteeram called Richard, a 24-year-old logger of Jackson Dam, Mandela Avenue; and Anush Khan, a 29-yearold logger of Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Diamond, EBD pleaded not guilty to forgery-related charges.

A GROUP of cattle farmers from Catherina Sophia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Tuesday met with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, seeking his assistance with providing them with alternative lands so they can graze their cattle.

The group of farmers, many of whom are also involved in the cultivation cash crops, indicated that they have already applied for lands to graze their cattle, but, to date have not had any feedback, and are currently occupying a portion of land under the control of the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

One of the men, who goes by the name of Rickey, said that they have all received warning letters from the NICIL regarding their occupancy of the said portion of lands, and as such are seeking the minister’s intervention in assisting them with acquiring

a lease for those lands, or alternatively making other lands available so they could graze their animals. Rickey said that the group has over 500 heads of cattle, and that they’ll be grateful if the ministry can assist with preparing “part of the savannah”, presumably there’s one somewhere in their neighbourhood, for them to graze their cattle, if they do not succeed in getting a lease for the area they are currently occupying.

Another farmer, who attended the meeting, said that after the Wales Estate was closed by the previous administration, many persons who received their severance payment invested in cattle rearing, while others went into farming. He also said that apart from having a suitable place for their cattle to graze, road access, potable water and electricity also plague the community.

In responding to some of the issues that have been

The first charge alleged that Singh, between October 28, 2020 and May 11, 2021 at Georgetown, conspired with Persaud, Moteeram, Khan and other persons to forge one Bank of Guyana Cheque #08-251478, dated April 9, 2021, amounting to $9,550,000, purporting to show that same was issued by the GRA, Internal Revenue Department knowing same to be forged.

The second charge alleged that Singh, between

October 28, 2020 and May 11,2021, at Georgetown, conspired with Tappin, Persaud, Moteeran, Khan and other persons to forge one Bank of Guyana cheque #08-252760, dated April 20, 2021, amounting to $9,875,000 in favour of Tappin purporting to show that same was issued by the GRA, knowing same to be forged.

Additionally, Tappin was charged separately for the offence which alleged

that on May 11, 2021, at GBTI Regent Street, with intent to defraud, uttered to bank teller Afsaanah Azimullah, one forged Bank of Guyana Cheque #08-252760 dated April 20, 2021, amounting to $9,875,000.

It is further alleged that, on the same day, with intent to defraud, Tappin endeavoured the sum of $9,875,000 from the said bank, upon or by virtue of a forged instrument.

Magistrate Daly released Singh, Persaud, Moteeram and Khan on $600,000 bail each and ordered that for the duration of the matter, they report every other Monday to Assistant Superintendent Caesar However, Tappin was remanded to prison since she is currently serving a four-year jail sentence for another matter.

The case will be called again on June 21.

West Bank cattle farmers seeking alternative lands – as NICIL begins review of their leases raised, Minister Mustapha said he was informed that NICIL had issued letters to several persons in the area, stating that a number of leases are currently being reviewed.

“It is not my desire for NICIL to take away lands from farmers who would have invested money to develop farms and other things, but that can only be NICIL’s decision, because that is a different entity from the Ministry of Agriculture. Those lands belonged to GuySuCo, but when the previous administration closed the estates, the assets were transferred to NICIL, and the liabilities were left with GuySuCo, in an effort to completely destroy GuySuCo,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “While we were in opposition, we made it clear that we would reopen the closed

estates, with the exception of Wales, because that estate was left in a state of no return.

This is why we said that, as an alternative, we’ll create the Wales Development Authority to ease some of the burdens brought on when the estate was closed.”

Minister Mustapha also promised the West Bank farmers that his office will engage NICIL on the best way forward.

“My officers will engage NICIL to see what lands are available for you,” he said, adding: “As soon as we can identify this portion of land, I’m willing to make the necessary machinery available to develop those lands. I cannot say when that will happen, but I’m urging you to have your group registered.

“Once that process is completed, and you have

your registration, make an application for an allocation, and we will engage NICIL, to see how fast a suitable portion of land could be identified and made available.”

He also told the farmers that if they are unable to acquire leases for the lands they are currently occupying, he would work with them and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to designate a portion of the savannah, and have it developed into a pasture.

The minister told the group that the government is focused on bringing economic development to Wales, but, at the same time, they are also promoting the expansion of the cattle industry. He further explained that only recently, a pronouncement was made about developing Guyana’s

cattle industry.

The farmers also sought the assistance of Central Government to assist with repairing the roads in their community, and providing it with electricity and potable water. Minister Mustapha committed to engaging his colleague ministers to see how best they can assist through their respective ministries.

Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, the farmers would’ve contacted Minister Mustapha to air their concern. Following their exchange, Minister Mustapha urged the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr. Dwight Waldron to visit the area. A report was later compiled and submitted to the minister.

Residents evacuated 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

–– as flood waters in Region Nine rise

–– hampers, relief supplies to be distributed today

By Naomi Parris AS water continues to rise in communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation and has started evacuating residents where necessary, the CDC’s Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig has said.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Craig said that the commission is working with the Lethem Town Council to evacuate and provide much-needed assistance to persons who are severely affected by flooding.

This seasonal flooding is said to occur when water from the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil travels through the Rio Negro river to the Brancho River and, eventually, makes its way to Region Nine.

In speaking about the CDC’s plans amid rising water levels, Craig said: “We are working out other arrangements as it relates to evacuation and provision of any support to persons affected.

“We also have regional officers that are conducting assessments across the entire region; the Town Council is also conducting assessments and making provision for shelters for those communities that fall under the municipality.”

Craig related that the CDC has been monitoring the situation closely and a team of technical officers will be dispatched today to assist those who are on the ground in the region.

“We have been in close contact with them and we will be deploying a technical team tomorrow [today] to support the response in the region,” the Director-General said.

In the meantime, hampers and relief supplies are being prepared for the flood-affected areas, Craig said.

Assessments are still ongoing so the total number of affected households is still unknown at the moment.

The precise number of households and places that were impacted will be determined after the Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine meets with the Minister of Health and other relevant officials.

The meeting, which will be convened soon, will also cover the potential threat of water-borne illnesses and tentative shelter locations for displaced residents.

So far, the Culvert City Nursery, Arapaima Primary School and Tapachinga Sports Complex have been identified as potential shelter locations.

In Bashaizon, Rupununi, approximately 48 households were impacted due to heavy rainfall and over-topping of the Takutu River.

Residents there were urged to secure all at-risk, personal effects so as to minimise damage to property. Access roads are inundated so complete assessments are unlikely at this time.

Based on preliminary data, however, at the Parabara area, Rupununi, 48 residents were affected, including cassava farms and farine and bread-making shops. Additionally, there have been reports of flooding in Regions Six and Ten. Persons in need of help can contact the CDC’s National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500, 226-1027, and 226-1114 or they can send a message on CDC’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.

A few of the hampers that will be distributed to residents affected by flooding in Region Nine (CDC photo)

A section of the inundated roadway in Region Nine (CDC photo)

Residents of Region Ten are also grappling with severe flooding as seen here (CDC photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Truce calls mount as Israel-Palestinian conflict rages on

REUTERS - Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants resumed cross-border rocket fire on Tuesday after a brief overnight lull during which the U.N. sent a small fuel convoy into the enclave, where it says 52,000 people are now displaced.

Israeli leaders said they were pressing on with an offensive to destroy the capabilities of the armed factions Hamas and Islamic Jihad, amid calls by the United States and other world powers for an end to the conflict.

Two Thai workers were killed and seven people were wounded in a rocket strike on an Israeli farm just over the Gaza border, police said.

Gaza’s ruling Hamas Islamist group and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.

Rockets were also

launched at the cities of Ashdod and Beersheba, further north.

Gaza residents said Israel was keeping up intense air strikes. Witnesses said an Israeli tank shell hit a paint factory in the southern Gaza Strip, setting it on fire.

“We will continue as long as it takes in order to restore calm for all of Israel’s citizens,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming remarks he has made over the past several days, said in a video clip on Twitter.

“One other thing: I’m sure that all of our enemies around us see the price we are exacting for the aggression against us and I am certain that they will have absorbed that lesson,” he said, speaking in an air base hangar with a warplane be-

hind him.

Hamas began firing rockets eight days ago in retaliation for what it said were Israeli rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem.

The current hostilities are the most serious between the militant group and Israel in years.

Gaza medical officials say 215 Palestinians have been killed, including 61 children and 36 women, and more than 1,400 wounded.

Israeli authorities say 12 people have been killed in Israel, including two children.

Nearly 450 buildings in the Gaza strip have been destroyed or badly damaged, including six hospitals and nine primary care health centres, the United Nations humanitarian agency said.

Some 47,000 of the 52,000 displaced had fled to U.N.

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike on a building, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City May 18, 2021 (REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)

Wednesday May 19, 2021 – 09:30hrs - 11:00hrs

schools.

Israel said more than 3,450 rockets have been launched at it from Gaza, some falling short and others shot down by its Iron Dome air defences.

On Tuesday, the army said a soldier was slightly injured when a shell was fired after it allowed the fuel convoy into Gaza. It says its forces have killed around 130 Hamas fighters and another 30 from Islamic Jihad.

CEASEFIRE CALLS On a visit to Iceland, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had received further information requested from Israel about its destruction of a Gaza high-rise that housed the local offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera news organisations.

Blinken gave no details about the information he said came through intelligence channels about Saturday’s attack.

Ron Dermer, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington and now an adviser to Netanyahu, said Hamas’ intelligence had been situated in the building, whose occupants were warned by Israel in advance to evacuate.

Hamas were engaged in activity that would have undermined Israel’s ability to target effectively and intercept incoming rockets, Dermer told CNN. Calling Netanyahu on Monday night, U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel had the right to defend itself against

indiscriminate rocket attacks but encouraged it to make every effort to protect civilians, the White House said.

Egypt and U.N. mediators also stepped-up diplomatic efforts, and the U.N. General Assembly will discuss the violence on Thursday.

Germany called for a ceasefire and offered more aid to help Palestinians before emergency European Union talks.

General strikes were held on Tuesday in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, Arab towns within Israel and in cities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Israeli bombardment of Gaza, Ramadan clashes between police and worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and a court case by Israeli settlers to evict Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem have caused anger among Palestinians.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian who tried to attack them with a gun and improvised explosives, and an unmanned aerial vehicle was downed near the border with Jordan on Tuesday, Israel’s military said.

Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces at a West Bank protest, health officials said. The military said soldiers had come under fire, which wounded two of them, and shot back.

PALESTINIANS

SHUTTER BUSINESSES Yuval Steinitz, a cabinet minister from Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, deplored the general strikes as “another blow to the delicate fabric of relations and cooperation between Jews and Arabs”.

Palestinian businesses in East Jerusalem were shuttered, including in the walled Old City, and in the mixed Jewish-Arab port city of Haifa in northern Israel. Protest organiser Raja Zaatar said 90 per cent of businesses were shut in Arab neighbourhoods.

Overall, in Israel, the strike appeared to have little effect on the general pace of commerce, or on the hightech industry. An official at a large supermarket chain in which many Arab workers are employed said its stores were operating as usual, though some deliveries were delayed.

Strike participation in Ramallah, in the West Bank, seemed high, a Reuters witness said.

“We closed our shop like everyone else in solidarity with all Palestinians against the acts that are carried out against all of us,” said Mahmoud Jabr, 50, a Ramallah grocery store owner.

Ra’afat al-Saman, a business owner in East Jerusalem’s Salahaddin street, named after the Muslim conqueror who seized Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, said: “This is the least we could do for our own people.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

800 more online scholarships available through Commonwealth of Learning

WITH over 10,000 Guyanese earning over 54,000 Coursera certificates through the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL)’s Workforce Recovery Initiative that started last year, the Ministry of Education has secured a further 800 scholarships for Guyanese to study in a number of six-month training programmes offered by Udemy, Grow with Google, and Coursera.

The main areas of focus are digital marketing, graphics design, android development and entrepreneurship, among other areas.

“There are 200 scholarships available for courses offered through Coursera, 300 scholarships for courses offered by Grow with Google, and 300 scholarships for courses offered by Udemy,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The statement further

mentioned: “Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 50 to apply. They must also have access to a reliable Internet connection, and be ready to commit at least five hours of learning per week.

Scholarships will be awarded on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis for those persons who satisfy the criteria.”

Like the Workforce Recovery Initiative, this programme is being done as part of the CoL’s Skills for Work initiative.

This initiative offers citizens of Commonwealth countries the opportunity to acquire skills to gain employment, access better work opportunities and attain improved livelihoods.

“According to CoL, the initiative aims to close the skills gap in demand and high-demand jobs in commonwealth countries. All citizens including persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply,” the statement noted.

Through the Workplace Recovery Initiative, Guyanese were allowed to pursue short courses offered by the world’s leading universities, as a response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment.

The programme allowed Guyanese to learn new skills and to improve their knowledge base in particular areas.

A number of countries would have also benefitted from this programme; however, Guyana was the country with the highest number of registrants and certificates earned by a participating country.

The new batch of scholarships will now offer certificate programmes outside of those being offered under Coursera.

Founded in May 2010, Udemy is an American massive open Online course provider aimed at professional adults and students.

As of April of 2021, the platform has had more than

Pomeroon mother needs financial help for urgent surgery DRUPATTIE Persaud, a mother of four, is pleading with members of the public to assist in financing a surgery to remove a tumour from her stomach.

The 34-year-old resident of Abram Creek, Pomeroon River in Region Two, recently told the Guyana Chronicle that she was diagnosed as have an advanced gastric tumour. She said that an urgent jejunostomy surgery needs to be performed to remove it.

According to the woman, she has eight weeks to find $800,000 for the surgery which will be performed at the privately-owned Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital in Georgetown. She said she was diagnosed with the tumour six weeks ago after feeling unwell. She is currently experiencing a severe upset stomach which causes her to “vomit” constantly.

Persaud said she would be grateful if the public could help with the surgery and post-surgery costs.

“I will welcome anything. It’s really hard on my family. We cannot afford as such. We have reached out to several persons and agencies to make my surgery possible.

My feelings are awful, can’t eat or do anything and have to keep lying down all the

time. I need help.” Persaud said.

Persons who wish to assist Persaud can contact

her on 690-7196 or on 6903241 or made a deposit into Republic Bank account 9584-5598-6641.

The flyer that is being circulated to solicit help for the young mother

40 million students, registered in 155,000 courses, with 70,000 instructors teaching courses in over 65 languages, and over 480 million course enrollments.

Grow with Google, which was launched in 2017, is an initiative through which Google partners with libraries, schools, and other organisations to provide digital literacy workshops and oneon-one coaching. Google says it works with more than 7,000 partner organisations and has trained more than four million people.

Graduates from the Grow with Google programmes stand a chance of being hired by one of the world’s top employers including Coursera, T-Mobile and Best Buy. Interested citizens can register by visiting: www. col-skillsforwork.org.

“The Ministry of Education encourages all Guyanese to take advantage of this new opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge base.

The ministry is an advocate for lifelong learning and will continue to seek opportunities for Guyanese to pursue training and academic development,” the statement underscored.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Technology and development

ONCE this country gains rent trajectory of socioeconomic development, with Guyanese on a plateau living their daily lives as a well-developed society that garners worldwide respect and admiration, comes the next phase of Guyana’s rise: The fashioning of the nation into a technological society. Such a preparation requires three pillars: A national policy that targets the cultivation of an innovation culture across every strata of the society, including at the regional and even municipal level; nurturing a country-wide pool of thought-leaders whose job it is to research and publish and stir up professional debate; a solid national conversation as to what kind of future works best for Guyana, especially through forums at the University of Guyana, but also across the land; and networking well with global organisations to make the global village with ease,

and is well aligned to the new frontier of humanity.

This 21st Century is promising to push the frontier of Mankind to astonishing heights, with the conquest of Space and Mars, and the rolling out of futuristic computing power, and

Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and the Internet of Things already well underway in advanced nations of the world. Countries have even announced the phasing out of fossil-fuel cars, starting in 2025, as self-driving electric vehicles are positioned as the new mode of transportation.

Before one blinks, Guyana will be on the edge of this new world, ready to play a dynamic role in the grand scheme of things. Now, the Guyanese nation is in the phase of bringing its GDP and standard of living in line with the rest of the Caribbean and the developed world, and becoming an advanced nation on the world stage.

From all indications, the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) Government would accelerate socioeconomic development so fast with its level-headed approach to macroeconomic matters, that exponential growth will position the country to be a big player in no time at all.

The oil-and-gas sector will this year become established as a national way of life. The traditional economy is already showing positive signs of growth and development. The skills-training agenda is well underway.

Everything on the local front is well set. And the country is also aligning well with the global roadmap of phasedin, net-zero emissions, as the climate change agenda picks up steam across the world, with Guyana’s intention of Development Goals, and to partner with the World Economic Forum on reforming key systems and structures for a world that is fully humane, equitable, and just.

The future of the world order is shaping up to be all about technology. Devel-

oped countries worldwide are preparing for the postCOVID-19 era, looking to technology as the way to rebuild and scale-up. And growth today happens with exponential progress, rather than with the old linear steps. Growth and development occur with lightning speed, and societies that fail to prepare for accelerated advancement would be left behind in the new world order now under construction. This world is not just drifting through history; rather, global thought-leaders are planning what the future of Mankind would be like, much like the Guyana Government plans this society in advance, mapping, designing and tweaking the blueprint for what the nation would look like in the future.

Thus, the National Budget is the business plan for the country, planning what 2021 would turn out to be,

would shape-up.

Despite the global pandemic, the world is actually in exciting times, with Tech-

nology Man on a serious quest to conquer some heady heights. Guyana’s place in this technology terrain is a vital requirement for the country to sustain its rise; its upward trajectory. Development is not a destination, with a set summit, that once the nation gets there, it could rest and relax. As the world is seeing with the advanced nations of the world, socioeconomic development is a constantly advancing phenomenon, with the need to always push the ceiling higher, to set new, bigger goals, and to see further and further ahead as the society is lifted higher and higher in its elevation.

All this might sound a bit too much for a small country such as Guyana, as it is only now reaching the start of its amazing potential, now launching out on its journey to the top. But, as one sees with the Asian Tiger nations, and even India and China, and also with the emerging economies in Brazil, South Africa and Russia, which, up to the

early 1990s still existed in grotesque poverty for much of their populations, within a couple of decades, a nation could ramp up its power and wealth to global standards.

Such is growth these days; of exponential progress.

These things Guyana would want to take into consideration even now, in its early days of this meteoric rise it has embarked upon.

To prepare for this kind of future; this technological era of Mankind which is at the doorstep of the global village, Guyana would do well to establish within the next couple of years a firm structure that fuels innovation, encourages widespread technological research, and networks with global stakeholders for a tech start-up sector that launches global digital enterprises from the home front, even from villages across the Rupununi, Berbice, Essequibo and Bartica. Government is on that path, with high-speed Internet a major component of this year’s budget.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

No opposition to the IRI when it funded ‘Vote Like A Boss’ in 2015 Dear Editor, I HAVE noted opposition to the proposed electoral reform project in Guyana. The stance of the opposers is that the project should not go forward and that it is led by the International Republican Institute (IRI). Many of those that have voiced such objections are compromised so it’s no surprise that they are against putting measures in place to prevent a reoccurrence. What I find duplicitous though is their opposition to the IRI’s involvement in this project that will be spearheaded by the government with the involvement of the political opposition. It was this very IRI which spearheaded and funded the ‘Vote Like A Boss’

campaign in 2015. All those now crying foul were supportive then; what caused the change?

It is important to note that the electoral reform project would encourage the involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) so as to ensure that the reform is in line with regional and international standards.

The US Embassy spoke on the project recently saying that it would allow for GECOM, the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers and CSOs to collaboratively consolidate and improve local electoral and constitutional law knowledge. It would also improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions while promoting reform through citizen engagement.

In this regard, I strongly oppose the

position taken by the WPA, ACDA, GHRA and the others as I recognise the importance of such as we move forward as a country. This project which is slated to last about 18 months would strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers in relation to electoral processes so that we do not go down the same road we did in 2020. The only way to ensure that does not happen is to have proper electoral reform and the IRI is here to assist with just that.

Yours respectfully, Erin Northe

Foreign pressure saved Guyana’s democracy Dear Editor,

DOES PNC/R Leader, David Granger, realise how preposterous he sounds when he was reported as saying in the SN of May 16, 2021 that foreign intervention made the 2020 elections "toxic”? No one can fail to disagree when he said “Our electoral laws have to be seriously re-examined but I believe we live in a society where we are (sic) mature enough to conduct elections."

Yes sir. It was the same PNC/R that colluded with GECOM to rig the March 2020 election s with Clairmont Mingo giving conflicting and false figures which GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield, fraudulently used to advise GECOM Chairman Justice Claudette Singh to declare the winner.

Editor, this “... type of mischief perpetrated on the

people of Guyana last year” according to Granger’s own words was all due to PNC/R fraud. If it wasn't foreign pressure, a fraudulent election would have resulted in a Coalition victory which would have been a travesty.

Foreign pressure contributed to the upholding of Guyana's fragile democracy.

Furthermore, the PNC/R leader cannot pick and choose which court delivers justice in Guyana. The CCJ will remain the final court of adjudication of Guyana regardless of what Granger wishes. It is so enshrined in the Guyana Constitution and requires a two thirds vote to change it.

When the former President criticises the makeup of the election commission with the appointment of three election commissioners each, by the government and opposition as a recipe for "gridlock" he has forgotten this was a

Carter Center formula by which the same PNC agreed to it in 1992 and which is now part of the Guyana Constitution. It will require a constitutional amendment to change this issue.

What has been most obvious is that the PNC/R is not a party that has any respect for laws, rules and democracy. When it loses it wants to change the rules of the game by rioting and violence. This does not augur well for a multiracial Guyana. How far have we come from 1964 when outside "toxic" pressure left hundreds dead, racial riots and subversion of democracy to put the PNC/R lead Coalition into power which bankrupted Guyana for 28 years. That same outside pressure put the PNC/R lead Coalition in 2015 and all was hunky dory then.

Yours sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

Diaspora Unit, UG exploring ways to collaborate 8

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

--to help sustain tertiary education in Guyana

THE Diaspora Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation and the University of Guyana are discussing areas in which they can collaborate to support tertiary education in Guyana.

In an introductory meeting with diaspora organisations in Toronto, Canada, held via Zoom last Saturday, recently-appointed head of the unit, Rosalind Rasul disclosed that during a conversation with UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin, the two discussed ways in which they can tap into the resources of the more than 50,000 UG alumni around the world, as well as bring them back home to Guyana.

According to Rasul, the expected collaboration will metamorphosise the entire tertiary level education, because “we can now offer, through engagements with various diaspora groups and various universities, new

Diaspora Unit Head, Rosalind Rasul degree and diploma programmes that are offering studies in areas that are of interest to Guyana. These include science, research in oil and gas, marketing, international relations, economics and civil engineering.”

As regards the courses, where Guyana needs to develop but unfortunately the population is not endowed with the level of knowledge, Rasul said, “When we have that sort of interaction as we are having now, it brings the groups together so that you can talk, you can plan, and you can in-

fluence what’s happening in Guyana, and then you can also help with national development.”

She said, “We came up with areas in which we can collaborate to help the University of Guyana; we are doing it for sports, for philanthropy and tourism, because one of the Georgia groups told me that they are interested in business tourism, apart from leisure tourism. They expressed concerns about having to come to Guyana and register their business, and all the challenges they encounter.”

She pointed out that the Georgia groups also gave the Unit some recommendations as to some of the ways they can assist in resolving the problems.

“And so, these sort of engagements have been so very productive, that we want to have more of it,” Rasul said, adding: “Of course, you will appreciate that different groups have

UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin different complexities, and different issues.”

She promised to have scheduled meetings with different groups in Canada.

NOT THE LAST “This is not the first nor the last,” she said. “We are literally going to set up a timetable as we go around the globe to different regions to have these meetings at inter-group levels; the one-on-one level, and also at the global level, as, already, groups have been asking to meet other diaspora groups from other countries.”

Directing her remarks specifically to the Canadian Diaspora Group, the Diaspora Unit head pointed

out that her entity has been doing extensive work since she was appointed to the position last month, and this includes laying the foundation and understanding the groups.

“That guides us in our work programmes, and we want to let you know that we are ready; we are open to work with you to know what your interests are. We want to know how can we better the relationship, and what are some of your suggestions to have effective engagements, and project initiatives that work toward the development of Guyana, the country itself, and the people here,” she said.

“I do know that we are a fast-moving country now; we’ve got a budding oil-andgas sector, and there is so much that can be achieved and can be done, if the Guyanese in the diaspora and the homeland work together and pool their various resources.

Think of how amazing Guyana’s development will be,” she added.

Rasul boasted that in just a few engagements with groups in the Caribbean, “We have already got about

20 to 30 projects already earmarked, and this is just coming from the first meeting.”

Regarding concerns mainly in the area of trade, Rasul said, “We have got meetings set up with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Go-Invest. We are not just going to be the face; we are going to bring the groups together, so that you yourself can engage the officials from these entities.

We want them to hear from you directly; how you are affected. And we want them to understand the complexities, and go back and make the changes that are easier for you to do the things that you want to do at the end of the day.”

The meeting, which was a forerunner to the upcoming inaugural Virtual Diaspora Conference scheduled for Saturday, was held under the auspices of the Guyana Consulate, Toronto and its Consular staff, including Consul General (acting) Gerald Whyte, while Executive Secretary Nutana Singh served as the moderator.

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222 children in foster care

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

— far-flung, riverine communities urged to adopt foster care system

ACROSS the world, varying reasons have forced children to either seek refuge or be placed in refuge, and this is no different in Guyana where some 222 children are currently within the foster care system, which has 128 foster parents.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in a statement to commemorate National Foster Care Month 2021, which is observed annually in May, said some 79 children have been placed in non-biological families and 143 are in kinship care.

Considering the number of children in foster care, Minister Persaud said there is need for more persons to

“step up to the plate” and foster children.

“Children are blessings from God— little souls who need to be cherished, nurtured, and guided in the right direction. With proper parental attention and control, children can grow up to lead productive lives and make rich contributions to their families and our country as a whole,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Further, she said: “What about those children who lack such parental guidance in their lives? Our world is replete with the consequences that can occur as a result of lack of guidance and many times absence of parental presence.”

It is for this reason that

Dr. Persaud expressed her gratitude to foster parents who have opened up their hearts and homes to children in need of quality family-based care.

While the figures released by the minister reflect that persons are willing to become foster parents, so far as Georgetown and a few other places are concerned, she explained that the real interest, in promoting this National Foster Care Month, is to have the “buy-in” of persons from outlying regions, such as those far-flung and riverine communities.

“At the moment, in order to work with the families and make things right for the children, we have to bring them to Georgetown.

169,981 persons

receive first COVID ‘jab;’ 34,317 get second SOME 169,981 persons have already received their first dose of either the Oxford-AstraZeneca, Sinopharm or Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said.

He said this during Tuesday’s edition of the daily COVID-19 update with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The number of persons who took the first dose of either of the three vaccines account for 34.9 per cent of the adult population in Guyana, while 34,317 individuals, equivalent to seven per cent of the adult population, have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This means that 20.1 per cent of persons who took the first dose of the vaccine have taken the second one as well.

“I think, over the last 24 hours, we would have seen a good pickup, in terms of people coming out to get their second and first dose.

So yesterday [Monday],

we saw close to 7,000 immunisations, and we’d like that number to go up even higher today [Tuesday],” the Health Minister said.

In addition, the minister has advised persons who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to be proactive in getting their second dose.

“Don’t wait until we come back to your community. If there is a neighbouring site where they’re doing vaccinations, come to it so that you can get your second dose,” he urged.

Minister Anthony noted that it would be undesirable to have persons receiving their second doses at a period later than recommended, or not having them at all.

He said too that persons returning for their second doses of the vaccine can receive their booster doses a day or two before or after the date that it is due to be administered, in the instance that the scheduled date poses any inconve-

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony nience.

“What we don’t want is for people to miss their doses completely, so we are encouraging all those persons who have received their first dose to ensure that they come back for the second dose, because unless you get both doses, you are not going to be fully immunised, and that’s important,” Dr. Anthony related.

We are pleased to say that we are working to change this.

“During this month, officers of the Childcare and Protection Agency are heavily promoting foster care across the regions, explaining how our programmes work and how individuals could be part of this rewarding and positive experience of being a foster parent,” Dr. Persaud noted in her statement.

National Foster Care Month is being observed this year under the theme: “Foster Care as a Support for Families, not a Substitute for Parents.”

“We hope that at the end of this month there would be increased awareness of the programme and families in the hinterland regions would sign on to be foster parents, all in an effort to have the service

available to all our children across the country,” Minister Persaud said.

The Minister committed, on behalf of the ministry, to raising the level of awareness of their Foster Care Programme, and to recognise the important role and dedication of foster parents. She stressed the need to honour foster parents for their time and commitment in being there for the children within their care.

“Even as you continue to care for our young ones, we urge you to be willing to work towards helping the children to be reunited with their biological families.

We want to remind you that while foster care offers continued family-based care, support, guidance and love to a child who has to be separated from his/her biological family, it is only

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud a temporary arrangement until the child can safely be returned home.

Once again, thank you very much for your efforts,” the Minister’s statement concluded.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Region 2 markets flooded with pineapples as harvesting commences A happy pineapple vendor selling pineapples to a customer at the Anna Regina Market THE harvesting of pineapples has commenced in Region Two, particularly in the Amerindian communities of Mainstay/ Whyaka and Capoey.

A bountiful supply of the sweet fruit has already flooded the Anna Regina and

Suddie markets. Pineapple vendors showcase their produce daily on stalls lining the roadways.

The sale of pineapples is the main source of income for many farmers, especially in the Arawak community of Mainstay/Whyaka.

The community’s sandy soil is ideal for pineapple cultivation.

Lascel Pearson, a farmer, told the Guyana Chronicle that he has five acres of land designated for pineapple farming. Currently, farmers in Mainstay are busy reaping the crops with the expectation of collecting about $200 to $600 for each pineapple, he said.

According to Pearson, the only challenge being experienced is the short shelf life of the fruit. He told this publication that due to the sweetness and the softness of the pineapples, farmers are forced to sell the fruit early to avoid spoilage.

“I have been planting pineapples for the last 40 years. That money I used to send my children to school and, like me, many other farmers did the same,” Pearson said.

Meanwhile, Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka, Yvonne Pearson, said farmers in her community are busy harvesting. The recently reelected village leader said that she intends to ensure that agriculture is a top priority as this was not the case under the previous village council. She said that she has intentions of resuscitating the community’s farmers association which has been dormant for some time.

This newspaper was

informed by farmers that over 3000 acres of land are under pineapple cultivation.

Another farmer, Mona Williams, related that she wholesales the pineapples she reaps from her farm to persons outside of Essequibo.

She said her sisters and brothers usually establish stalls during the season to market the pineapples.

While some farmers are satisfied, others desire more markets and better prices for the fruit. Several of the rural farmers said the low prices cannot offset all their expenses which include transportation from their farms to the market. They added that sales are very low.

Pineapples on display at the Anna Regina Market The fruit, over the years, has undoubtedly provided income for many households in Mainstay. It is one of the main economic activities in the village.

Independence clean-up

intended to be citizen-driven THE recently launched clean-up campaign aimed at beautifying Guyana in time for the country’s 55th Independence Anniversary on May 26, is intended to be citizen-driven, as opposed to being financed by the government.

In an invited comment on Monday, Public Works M i n i s t e r, J u a n E d g h i l l explained that the efforts to clean up the country is expected to be executed primarily by the citizens of Guyana.

“We have to revive the spirit of patriotism and national pride,” Edghill said.

He explained that since a stakeholder engagement last Friday, parties have all decided to assist in mobilising individuals, groups, and communities to clean up and beautify their own surroundings. “ Yo u s e e , t h i s i s a different approach as against the government just calling contractors and saying, ‘Go and clean up,’” the Public Works Minister told the Guyana Chronicle.

He said that the government employing independent contractors to clean up the entire country

would defeat the whole purpose of getting persons, families and communities involved. “If the government go and call contractors for them to clean up, then that is not a nationwide clean-up; a nationwide clean-up is when the citizens are involved, taking pride in cleaning up their area, beautifying the area, putting up flags and all the rest of it,” Edghill expounded.

He said that even though the government will be lending critical support, and employing persons to execute some amount of the clean-up work, it expects citizens to play their part.

The minister noted that so far, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), various religious organisations, and private sector bodies have been successful in mobilising support to execute the initiative.

“Everybody is mobilising among themselves to take action; over the weekend, that is what has been taking place,” Edghill noted.

He said that communities and villages all across the country can come up with innovate ways of boosting

morale and encouraging residents to participate in the exercise. “For example, in Region Two, they will be doing a ‘Best Village’ competition, where they will be judging the best village,” the minister said.

Minister Edghill, who is a clergyman, also underscored the importance of religious organisations in influencing positive behaviours that align with the global saying, ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’.

“A religious organisation could go and paint a bridge, or paint a pedestrian crossing; put up flags through a street,” Edghill said.

He noted, too, that religious organisations can capitalise on their unique ability to mobilise support, which will pave the way for communities to come out and participate in the noble exercise to beautify their environment.

“We want to develop this into a movement,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “We just have to keep out there and don’t let it die.

The Ministry of Public Works had said in a press release that its Independence programme has managed

FLASHBACK: September 2020 when a group of young people joined forces to clean the sea shores of Guyana to garner the support of of light poles; erection of independence on various local authorities, private- m o t i v a t i o n a l b a n n e r s , social media platforms. sector bodies, religious p a i n t i n g o f c o m m u n i t y Bumper stickers, which o r g a n i s a t i o n s , n o n - b r i d g e s ; c l e a n i n g a n d are already produced by governmental organisations, painting of community open the Ministry of Foreign and citizens all across the spaces; painting of pedestrian Affairs – Communications country. crossings; enhancement of Taskforce, with messages of patriotism will also be Some aspects of the bus stops and surroundings. programme to improve the The discussion also encouraged. Communities aesthetics of communities, resulted in the emergence and organisations interested include but are not limited to, of novel ideas such as the i n b e i n g p a r t o f t h i s the cleaning of parapets and erection of decorative initiative can contact the drains; cleaning of shorelines, frames nationwide, so that Ministry of Public Works sea and river defences; persons can take ‘selfies’ for more information on flagging and decorating to showcase Guyana’s 231-8127 or 231-8128.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Five per cent wage increase for GPL workers

SOME 1,120 non-management staff of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) are set to benefit from a five per cent wage increase for the year 2020 following the signing of an agreement between GPL and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), on Tuesday.

On April 27, 2021, junior employees of GPL

resorted to protest actions against the company, noting that the managerial hierarchy of the company have reportedly received their due salary increases, while subordinates are still awaiting the finalisation of an agreement on their increases.

In July 2020, the union met with GPL to discuss a three-year package for salary increases. At the time, GPL was offering five per cent across the board for

three years but that proposal was rejected by the union and the two sides entered into negotiations.

While negotiating in March 2021, NAACIE asked GPL to pay five per cent for 2020, seven per cent for 2021 and nine per cent for 2022.

Negotiating on behalf of the workers for wage increases was the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and NAA-

CIE, which, collectively, represent the over 1,100 employees outside of the management bracket, inclusive of supervisors.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Support Services at GPL, Renford Homer, noted that GPL is heartened that the negotiations for year 2020 were amicably concluded.

He reiterated that management of the company remains committed to continuing discussions with the union to mutually establish a three-year Collective Labour Agreement.

Meanwhile, NAACIE’s General Secretary, Dawchan Nagasar, echoed similar sentiments and

expressed his satisfaction with the agreement that resulted from negotiations that commenced in July 2020.

He noted that NAACIE looks forward to continued negotiations, with priority being a three-year Collective Labour Agreement.

Acting Chief Labour Officer (CLO) at the Ministry of Labour, Michella Baburam, also commended GPL and NAACIE for arriving at an amicable agreement and encouraged both parties to continue their negotiations on future proposals, which the Ministry of Labour stands ready to facilitate.

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Duo accused of armed robbery and carjacking remanded

TWO men, who were arrested for allegedly robbing a taxi driver of his motorcar and other valuables at gunpoint, appeared, on Monday, at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and were remanded to prison by Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool Stephon Daphness,

24, of Hill Street, Albouystown and Daniel McArthur, 19, of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), pleaded not guilty to the joint armed robbery charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that the duo, on May 13, 2021, at Second Street, Cummings Lodge, ECD, while being

armed with a gun, robbed Miles Burrows of a Toyota Allion motorcar, HD 1860, valued at $3.2M and belonging to Sandra Bradley, an LG cell phone valued at $35,000 and $55,000 cash.

Magistrate Liverpool remanded the duo to prison until June 9, 2021.

According to reports, on the day in question,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Burrows was working his taxi in the vicinity of Middle Road, La Penitence when he was stopped by the two accused, who requested a taxi to take them to Second Street, Cummings Lodge.

On arrival at the destination, Daphness reportedly pulled out a firearm and pointed it at Burrows, while McArthur choked him from behind. They relieved the man of his cell phone and cash before tying his hands and forcing him into the trunk of his car.

The duo then drove off in an unknown direction.

Burrows managed to escape while the vehicle was on Sheriff Street.

The matter was reported to the police and, on

Stephon Daphness and Daniel McArthur McArthur is no May 14, acting on a “tipoff” ranks went to a loca- stranger to the court. On tion at Vryheid’s Lust and May 3rd, he was charged reportedly caught the duo with armed robbery and attempting to change the was out on $150,000 bail.

He also has two other number plate.

They were arrested and similar matters before the courts. subsequently charged.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Region Seven man is latest COVID-19 fatality THE Ministry of Health has reported that one more person, who tested positive for COVID-19, has succumbed to the deadly virus.

The latest fatality is a 56-year-old man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), who died on Monday while receiving medical care at a Ministry of Health facility.

His death pushes the toll for May to 46, and the overall number, from the onset of the pandemic in Guyana, to 345.

This figure is reflected in the ministry’s daily COVID-19 dashboard for May 18.

The Ministry of Health has also recorded 102 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,482 tests carried out for May 17, 2021.

Of that number, Region One (Barima-Waini), recorded two; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), four;

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 72; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), six; Region Seven, two; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), eight, and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), four.

The newly infected persons were 58 males and 44 females.

Presently, 14 persons occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 111 are institutionally isolated, 1,732 are isolated at home, and seven are institutionally quarantined.

Of Guyana’s 15,454 confirmed cases since the detection of COVID-19 here, 1,864 are active, while 167 of Guyana’s 13,252 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.

The Minister of Health has also urged persons 18 years and older to take the COVID-19 vaccine in order to immunise themselves against the deadly virus.

If anyone you know is displaying any of 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.

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Accused in fatal stabbing case pleads guilty to manslaughter

TWO years after the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Clive Osborne during a brawl at Supenaam, on the Essequibo Coast, Richard Harrychand, on Tuesday, confessed to the crime.

Harrychand was arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh at the Suddie High Court for the capital offence of murder. However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He confessed that, on June 2, 2019, at Supenaam, he unlawfully killed Osborne.

Justice Singh has deferred sentencing until June 2nd, so as to allow for a probation report to be prepared for Harrychand. The state is

being represented by prosecutor Tiffani Lyken.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on the day in question, Osborne was at a bar with his friends when he was confronted by Harrychand, who was armed with a knife. Harrychand stabbed Osborne several times to his abdomen, chest and forehead and then made good his escape.

Osborne attempted to run out of the bar but collapsed on the roadway. He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Harrychand was later arrested. He told police that

Clive Osborne

Confessed killer, Richard Harrychand Osborne’s death stemmed from an old grievance involving his younger brother.

He also handed over the murder weapon to the police.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Unemployed man accused of theft granted $300,000 bail A 23-year-old unemployed man, was, on Tuesday, arraigned before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on two counts of simple larceny.

Eijad Ali of Green Heart Street, McKenzie, Linden, pleaded not guilty to the offences which were allegedly committed on Ryan Richardson and Sen Zhi Dan on May 16, 2021 at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

He was granted Eijad Ali bail in the sum of $300,000 on the first charge and self-bail on the latter charge.

Both matters were adjourned to June 21.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Guyanese-born Stanford professor recognised for excellence in science

By Richard Bhainie

GUYANESE John R. Rickford, professor of linguistics and the J.E. Wallace Sterling Professor in the Humanities, emeritus, in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University (SU), is among 120 newly elected members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

He is also one of the university’s six researchers who were bestowed this honour in April this year.

According to its website, the NAS was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by then US President, Abraham Lincoln, as a private, non-governmental institution, charged with providing independent, objective advice to the United States on matters related to science and technology.

Membership to this prestigious academy is widely accepted as a mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honours that a scientist can receive. Members are elected by their peers, who are current members of the academy, in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in research.

With the recent elections, there is now a total of 2,461 active members and 511 international members, of

which approximately 190 have received Nobel prizes. Notable members of the academy included Nobel laureate, Albert Einstein, who was elected a member in 1942 and physicist, Stephen Hawking, who was elected an international member in 1992.

Born on September 16, 1949, Professor Rickford attended the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School, after which he received a Government of Guyana scholarship for secondary education in 1960 and ventured to Queen’s College.

At QC, he received the college’s prize for best results at London University’s General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level exams in 1965.

Two years later, he received the Wishart Memorial Prize for distinction in English at the London University’s GCE Advanced Level exams and taught English for a year at his alma mater. In 1968 he received a Fulbright Institute of International Education grant for undergraduate study in the US. He subsequently attended the University of California, Santa Cruz until 1971 when he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociolinguistics with the highest honours.

In 1973, he received his

Master of Arts (MA) in Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and then his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Linguistics from the same University in 1979.

Professor Rickford taught Linguistics at the University of Guyana (UG) from 1974 to 1980 and during that time, he was also Assistant Dean of the university’s Faculty of Arts.

He started at Stanford in 1980 as a visiting professor and quickly rose in the ranks to become assistant professor in 1981; associate professor in 1986; professor, with tenure, Linguistics, in 1990 and professor emeritus, Linguistics and by courtesy, Education, in 2019.

The primary focus of Professor Rickford’s research and teaching is sociolinguistics, the relation between linguistic variation and change and social structure. He is especially interested in the relation between language and ethnicity, social class and style, language variation and change, pidgin and creole languages, African American Vernacular English, and the applications of linguistics to educational problems, his website states.

He is the author/editor of numerous scholarly articles and several books, including A Festival of Guyanese Words (ed., 1978), Dimensions of

a Creole Continuum (1987), African American English: Structure, History and Use (co-ed., 1998), Creole Genesis, Attitudes and Discourse (co-ed., 2000) and Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English (co-authored, 2000).

To date, Professor Rickford has received a number of academic honours and served in a number of distinguished positions; his work is also highly awarded. His book ‘Spoken Soul’ received an American Book Award in

2000 and in 2016 he won the award for the Best Paper in the journal ‘Language’.

He served as President of the Linguistic Society of America in 2015 and was, in 2017, elected to the membership of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), an independent research centre founded in 1780. Its members included Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin and Winston Churchill.

Professor John Rickford Professor Rickford is married to Angela Rickford, née Marshall, who attended The Bishops’ High School, and is now Professor of Education at San Jose State University. They have four children: Shiyama, Russell, Anakela and Luke.

More information about Professor Rickford and his work can be found on his website johnrickford.com, which houses a plethora of his writings, including books, articles and reviews.

Carpenter shot by mechanic over pool game A FORTY-THREE-year-old carpenter has been hospitalised after being shot to the abdomen by a mechanic, following an argument over a game of pool.

The incident, according to reports, occurred on Monday, at Zeelugt, East Bank of Essequibo (EBE). The suspect, a 43-year-old man, remains at large.

Police said the suspect and victim had an argument over a game of pool, and as a result of the disagreement, the mechanic drew a handgun and shot the carpenter.

The mechanic then escaped after the ordeal and public-spirited persons rushed the carpenter to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was initially treated.

The victim was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he remains in a serious condition.

Investigations into the matter, which include a hunt for the suspect, are ongoing, according to the police.

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First set of computer-generated birth certificates distributed THE General Register Office (GRO), on Monday, issued its first set of computer-generated birth certificates.

The new electronic system also produces death and marriage certificates, which feature embedded security markings, including a Quick Response (QR) Code.

Registrar General, Raymon Cummings, told the Department of Public Information (DPI): “This

QR Code could be read by a special app which can be downloaded by any smartphone and you use that app to scan the code, which allows you to see certain special characteristics, which persons, who need certificates to be used in the identification and authentication of individuals doing business with them, will have access to.”

Cummings said there are other security features which can be provided upon request,

via email at groguyana@ gmail.com or WhatsApp 6109394. Once a request is made and the verification process is successful, the hidden codes would be released.

The Registrar General also said the traditional birth, death and marriage certificates are still valid and he will continue to engage various agencies to ensure they are accepted.

“I urged them not to discard them but to keep using them until that time

when they will no longer be accepted, which, I would average, we are hoping that we would have that generated within the next year or year and a half,” Cummings said.

Persons registering now for birth or marriage certificates or those seeking to obtain death certificates will receive the new computergenerated document. Those who have already applied through the Guyana Post Office need not reapply. “ We h a v e y o u r

GRO Registrar General, Raymon Cummings (extreme left) and the Ellis family (DPI photo) application in storage. We errors on their documents have already entered them to contact the GRO for into the system, so it’s just redress.

Jomo Ellis, his wife a matter now of rolling out and the printing of those Lakeitha and daughter certificates. We were waiting Jada are the first recipients the actual stock of paper of the computer-generated to print it on,” Cummings birth certificates. In an invited comment, Ellis said added.

He said the new system her family is honoured also reduces the incidence to receive the first set of of human error and urged electronic documents from persons who have found the GRO.

290,000 packs of unregulated

cigarette seized, destroyed in Lethem

The seized cigarettes being destroyed THE Product Compliance Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has destroyed 290 cases (290,000 packs) of imported cigarettes found at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

According to the GNBS, the cigarettes, which were branded “US Mild 1” and imported by a local business, were destroyed in an inferno at the Lethem dumpsite recently in the presence of the GNBS inspector stationed in the Region.

During routine surveillance inspections, the GNBS detected the sale of the cigarettes in the Lethem area and the product was subsequently examined for compliance with the Tobacco Regulations of 2018.

The examination found the product to be not in compliance with labelling and marking requirements.

As a result, the aforementioned quantity of the non-complying product was seized by the GNBS and was prohibited from sale in Guyana.

After being stored for a short time, the items were destroyed by the distributor and officials of GNBS. In light of this seizure and destruction, the GNBS urged importers and dealers of cigarettes to become familiar with the Tobacco Regulations to ensure imported cigarettes are compliant at the time of importation.

Meanwhile, inspectors of the GNBS will remain vigilant to ensure there is not a prevalence of unregulated cigarettes on sale in the city and other outlying areas.

The GNBS monitors the labelling and quality of products to ensure consumer protection. In addition to cigarettes, the national standards body monitors domestic electrical/electronic appliances, weighing and measuring devices, textiles, garments, footwear, safety helmets, safety matches, new and used tyres, gas stoves, electrical equipment and fittings, PVC pipes, furniture, Christmas tree and decorative lighting outfits, cellular phones and gold jewellery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Regional ‘tech’ company opens flagship office at Goedverwagting

REGIONAL technology company, PBS Technologies Inc., on Tuesday, opened its flagship local office at Goedverwagting, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The company offers a range of solutions for the government, financial, retail and commercial sectors and works alongside some of the leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) manufacturers in the world on major projects in the region.

Territory Head of PBS, Jason Sahai, noted the importance of the launch, stating: “Now,

more than ever, we in Guyana must demonstrate that we are capable, competent and competing at a global level. With resources spanning the Caribbean Region, including our home-grown tech experts in Guyana, we are ready to use our talent to drive innovation for our customers.”

He noted that the opening of the state-ofthe-art facility is an investment in the Guyanese people. The facility is said to offer “accelerator-type programmes” to develop and harness the talent of young people in digital technologies.

In November 2020, the company, then known as Massy Technologies (Guyana) Inc., was acquired by regional giant, the Musson Group and renamed PBS Technologies (Guyana) Inc. The company now has a stronger regional footprint and a more diverse portfolio of products and services, operating in 22 countries in the Caribbean and Central America, with over 2,100 IT professionals, over 50 years’ experience in multiple markets and over US$250 million in annual revenues.

Musson Group’s Chairman, P.B. Scott,

The local PSB Technologies Inc. team PBS Group’s Chief ExecW h i l e C O V I D - 1 9 solutions in a world drautive Officer (CEO), Pe- has led to the closure or matically altered by the dro Paris and other senior downsizing of several pandemic. executives are in Guyana regional businesses, the PBS Technologies from May 17 to 21, to opening of PBS Tech’s has been helping many launch the flagship office, flagship office signals the of its regional partners and meet with the PBS increased importance of adapt digitally to the Guyana team. technology and digital “new normal.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Russell returns, selectors persist with Gayle, Edwards ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Explosive all-rounder Andre Russell is set to feature for West Indies for the first time in 14 months, after being named in an 18-man provisional Twenty20 squad yesterday for upcoming series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.

The 33-year-old superstar has been plagued by injury in recent years, leading to sporadic appearances for the Caribbean side and has featured in only five of their 38 T20 Internationals over the last 3-½ years.

He last turned out for West Indies on the twomatch tour of Sri Lanka last year when he excelled with the bat to emerge Player-ofthe-Series.

A 21-ball fifty and a five-wicket haul for Kolkata Knight Riders during the recently suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) hinted at a return to his best form.

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell, who have struggled with fitness issues in recent months, have also been included in the squad along with the ageing pair of Fidel Edwards and Chris Gayle, who have struggled for form.

Head coach Phil Simmons said the squad, which will be again led by Kieron Pollard, was a blend of youth and “world-class match-winners”, designed to ensure West Indies a successful defence of their T20 World Cup title later this year.

“These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup,” Simmons said yesterday.

“We have assembled a very solid squad with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket.

“We are at that point where we have identified those whom we will look to, to be the core of the squad to defend our World Cup title, so we want to make sure the upcoming matches create that environment – the way

we train, the way we plan, the way we execute and the chemistry within the group.

“We won five years ago, so the next few weeks and months will be major stepping stones on the road towards defending our title and being World Champions for a third time.”

The group will train in St Lucia in preparation for the five-match series against South Africa which bowls off June 26 in Grenada.

And with back-to-back five-match series following against Australia in July and against Pakistan in July/ August, chief selector Roger Harper said his panel would be better able to determine the “best squad”.

“The provisional T20I squad was put together with all T20I Home Series matches against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in mind,” he explained.

“This gives us the opportunity to continue to build towards the upcoming World Cup and to determine our best squad and our ideal eleven.”

Of the 14-man squad who faced Sri Lanka in March, only all-rounder Rovman Powell has missed out. He made a single appearance in that series – in the final game – making seven as West Indies won the decider.

Edwards, meanwhile, recalled at age 39 for the Sri Lanka series after a decade out of international cricket, has maintained his spot despite a lack-lustre display in the first two T20 Internationals where he sent down six overs, before being dropped for the last game.

Gayle, 41, scraped 29 runs from three innings in the series and then also found the going tough in the IPL where he averaged 25 from eight innings without a fifty for Punjab Kings.

SQUAD – Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Australian bowlers deny knowledge of sandpaper ball-tampering plan THE Australia bowlers who played in the sandpaper Test have denied knowing about the plan to tamper with the ball.

Batsman Cameron Bancroft suggested that some bowlers knew about the plot to use sandpaper against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018.

Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner were banned following the incident.

"We respectfully request an end to the rumour-mongering and innuendo," Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon said in a statement.

"It has gone on too long and it is time to move on."

They said they knew sandpaper was on the field only when they saw images on the big screen at the ground, and that the umpires did not change the ball as "there was no sign of damage".

Asked in an interview with The Guardian if the bowlers knew he was tampering with the ball, Bancroft said: "It's pretty probably self-explanatory."

Cricket Australia (CA) has since asked him if he has any new information about the scandal.

Bancroft was banned for nine months following a CA investigation, while captain Smith and batsman Warner were banned for a year. All other players and staff were cleared.

"We pride ourselves on our honesty. So it's been disappointing to see that our integrity has been questioned by some journalists and past players in recent days in regard to the Cape Town Test of 2018," the bowlers said.

"We have already answered questions many times on this issue, but we feel compelled to put the key facts on the record again.

"We did not know a foreign substance was taken on to the field to alter the condition of the ball until we saw the images on the big screen at Newlands.

"And to those who, despite the absence of evidence, insist that 'we must have known' about the use of a foreign substance simply because we are bowlers, we say this: The umpires during that Test match, Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, both

Four Aussies bowlers: "It has gone on too long and it is time to move on." (Getty Images)

very respected and experienced umpires, inspected the ball after the images surfaced on the TV coverage and did not change it because there

was no sign of damage.

"None of this excuses what happened on the field that day at Newlands. It was wrong and it should never

have happened."

South Africa won the third Test in Cape Town by 322 runs and the fourmatch series 3-1. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson pays tribute to father after scoring winner THERE were tears at fulltime, an emotional signal up to the sky and a mass of red bodies on top of Alisson in what Jurgen Klopp described as a "special moment".

It is not every day you see a goalkeeper score a 95th-minute winner. In fact, in Liverpool's 129-year history, no goalkeeper has ever scored in a competitive match for the club.

So when Alisson nodded in a dramatic winner for Liverpool against West Brom - in turn keeping their Champions League qualification hopes in their own hands - the celebrations were wild.

Alisson paid tribute to his late father immediately afterwards in an emotional interview.

"I hope he was here to see it, I'm sure he is celebrating with God at his side," said the Brazilian.

And he joked: "Hopefully I don't have to come up too many times to score goals!"

Alisson is the first goal-

keeper ever to score for Liverpool in a competitive game Alisson became the sixth goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal - and the first to do so with a header.

"I think it's one of the best goals I have scored," he told Sky Sports, before being reminded it was actually his only goal.

"OK, the best I have scored," he added.

Alisson's father, Jose Agostinho Becker, died aged 57 in Brazil in February with local police saying he had drowned at a dam near his holiday home in Lavras do Sul. "I'm too emotional, this last month for everything that has happened with me and my family, but football is my life - I played since I can remember with my father," said Alisson.

"Sometimes you are fighting and things aren't happening. I'm really happy to help them because we fight together and have a strong goal to achieve the Champi-

ons League, because we have won it once and everything starts with qualification.

"So I can't be more happy than I am now.

'Winning that way is really special' Liverpool have had a difficult season after they were unable to retain their Premier League title and now face a nervous wait to see if they can qualify for the Champions League.

The 2-1 victory over West Brom moves them to within a point of fourthplaced Chelsea. Until Alisson's dramatic late intervention, their top-four hopes appeared to be slipping away. "'Wow' is a pretty good word," manager Klopp told BBC Sport.

"It was spectacular and a good game. That is so far the highlight [of the season].

I hope we have time for another highlight. Winning that way is really special. I couldn't be happier."

Klopp, who also lost his mother this season, said

Alisson looks up to the sky immediately after scoring the winner at The Hawthorns.

it was "the best goal I've ever seen scored by a goalkeeper" and described Alisson's thumping header as a "worldie". "[Alisson's] our player, our boy and our brother," he added. "When he is suffering, we are all suffering - it's hard in these moments.

"There are more import-

ant things than football but when football can deliver moments like this for him, and all the boys, and our fans, then football is the best thing for a few seconds than anything else out there."

'He's a beloved team-mate for all of us' In further testament to the solidarity among the Liver-

pool squad, Reds midfielder Thiago paid tribute to his "beloved" team-mate.

The Brazilian has played with some superb strikers in his career, including the current Best Fifa Men's Player Robert Lewandowski, but feels any of them would have been proud to score Alisson's header.

"We have to watch and rewatch that goal because it's so emotional for us, not just for our Champions League chances but for Ali with what we has been through this year, so we are so happy for him," Thiago told Sky Sports.

"He's a beloved teammate for all of us. He has faced it with a strength I have never seen in my life.

"I've been in many great teams with many great forwards but I've never seen the quality and timing of the header from Ali. The cross was amazing as well - everything was great."(BBC Sport)

Uncapped Bracey, Robinson in England squad for two NZ Tests UNCAPPED Gloucestershire batsman James Bracey and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson have been included in England's 15man squad for two Tests against New Zealand, which begin on June 2.

There is also a recall for Somerset's Craig Overton, who last played in 2019.

Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow have been left out after only recently returning from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ben Stokes (broken finger) and Jofra Archer (elbow injury) are also absent.

Opener Dom Sibley, who has missed recent Warwickshire games with a fractured finger, has been included, as has Rory Burns, who was dropped for the final two Tests in England's 3-1 series defeat in India over the winter.

Jack Leach is the sole spinner in the squad, with Dom Bess left out, while Ben Foakes is set to keep in England for the first time in Buttler's absence.

Bracey, 24, was a reserve in the England squad for

last summer's Tests against West Indies and Pakistan and last winter in Sri Lanka and India.

He is a top-order wicketkeeper-batsman and averages 37 in 44 first-class games for Gloucestershire.

This season, the left-hander has scored 478 runs in 10 innings, with one century and four fifties.

Right-arm pace bowler Robinson, 27, was named in England squads last summer but is yet to feature, and he toured as a reserve last winter.

He has taken 279 firstclass wickets at an average of 21.04, and has claimed 29 scalps at 14.72 for Sussex this season, including taking 9-72 in the second innings against Glamorgan in April.

Overton has played four Tests, three against Australia, taking nine wickets at an average of 44.77.

England men's head coach Chris Silverwood said: "James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their callups to the Test squad.

"They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this

season and, over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in."

Silverwood, who is now also responsible for selection following the departure of Ed Smith, said Overton and Robinson are "realistically" competing for one spot, and they are "very difficult to split”.

He also said the players involved in the IPL will play some County Championship or Vitality Blast fixtures before returning to the England fold, while Stokes could return for Durham in the Blast.

Squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Subrayen among six uncapped players in SA squad for West Indies Tests UNCAPPED offs-pinning all-rounder Prenelan Subrayen and fast bowler Lizaad Williams, who recently made his T20I debut, have received maiden call-ups to South Africa Test squad for the two-match series against West Indies in St Lucia in June.

Kyle Verreynne, Keegan Petersen, Sarel Erwee and Marco Jansen are the other uncapped picks in the line-up of 19, to be led by Dean Elgar for the first time.

The white-ball squads, now led by Temba Bavuma, for the fixtures against West Indies and Ireland, have also been announced, and included few surprises, with Sisanda Magala and Williams, who were blooded in the recent series against Pakistan, retained.

A total of 19 players will travel for the series of five T20Is in the Caribbean, and Keshav Maharaj will join the squad for the games in Ireland afterwards.

Subrayen, 27, finished third in the wicket-takers' list at the 2020-21 CSA Franchise 4-Day Cup with 19 strikes in four matches at an average of 18.89, and best returns of 6 for 24. That helped him get into a spin-bowling pack that also includes Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde as frontline spinners.

"The Caribbean (South Africa are travelling there for a bilateral tour in 11 years) is well-known for its low and slow wickets and we

Prenelan Subrayen has received his maiden call-up to the South Africa Test squad. (ICC via Getty)

have ensured that we have chosen the personnel needed for every eventuality on this very important excursion," explained CSA convener of selectors Victor Mpitsang in a press statement.

"While there aren't any (World Test Championship) points to play for, it is still of vital importance for South Africa to produce winning results through a steadily growing and high-performing cricket pipeline.

While the tour of West Indies runs from June 10 to July 3 - two Test matches to start with, followed by five T20Is - the series of three ODIs and three T20Is in Ireland begin on July 11 and end on July 25.

"The historic tour to Ireland is crucial for points towards our qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year," Mpitsang added. "This is

the start of our road to these trophies and every tour will see us field our absolute best sides.

"The team has been in a rebuilding phase for a while now but we are satisfied that the return on investment is going to show itself sooner rather than later. We have to trust the process that has been put in place and support our team while they find themselves and their way.

“These are truly exciting times in South African cricket, with an exciting new leadership group that is determined to return the team to its winning ways."

SQUADS Test: Dean Elgar (capt.), Temba Bavuma (vice-capt.), Quinton de Kock (wkp.), Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Peterson, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Prenelan Subrayen, Marco Jansen.

T20Is and ODIs: Temba Bavuma (capt.), Quinton de Kock (wkp.), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj (only for Ireland), Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der

Cricket legend Tendulkar reveals anxiety, insomnia NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — Record-breaking Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has revealed he struggled with anxiety for much of his career, often suffering sleepless nights before a game.

The “Little Master”, who accumulated more Test and one-day runs than any other player, said he would shadow bat, watch TV and play video games in the small hours when he was unable to sleep.

“In my mind the match started long before I entered the ground. The anxiety levels were very high,” he said, according to the Times of

India.

“I felt anxiety for 10-12 years and had many sleepless nights before a game. Later on I started accepting that it was part of my preparation.

“Then I made peace with the times I was not able to sleep at night. I would start doing something to keep my mind comfortable.”

Mental health has become a key consideration among athletes, including cricketers, and especially during the pandemic when many are spending long periods in biosecure bubbles.

Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs

during a 24-year international career, said it was vital to accept first that there is a problem.

When there is an injury, physios and doctors examine you and diagnose what is wrong with you. Same is the case with mental health,” he said.

“It is normal for anyone to go through ups and downs, and when you hit those lows you need people around.

“Acceptability is the key here – not just for the player, for people around him also. Once you have accepted you start looking for solutions.”

Dussen, Kyle Verreynne,

Lizaad Williams. (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

England great Broad warns against 'cheap' Test caps LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Stuart Broad has warned against Test caps being given out “free and cheap” as a result of England's controversial rest and rotation policy.

The veteran seamer also said yesterday he was looking forward to life under a new England regime, given former national selector Ed Smith “probably didn't rate me”.

But Broad, now a Test specialist, accepted that multi-format England teammates, such as the currently injured Jofra Archer, would need careful handling if they were to be fit for both this year's Twenty20 World Cup and the subsequent Ashes series in Australia.

Smith's post was abolished last month, with England coach Chris Silverwood now in sole charge of selecting the side.

Broad's tally of 517 Test wickets is second only to that

of long-standing, new-ball colleague James Anderson among England bowlers, yet he was still left out for last season's opening match against the West Indies.

It was a move that left the 34-year-old Nottinghamshire seamer feeling “frustrated, angry and gutted”, although Broad responded by becoming England's leading bowler of the 2020 Test campaign with 29 wickets at a miserly average of 13.41.

“A lot of people have bosses who don't rate them as much as other people and I think he was mine,” said Broad of his relationship with Smith.

England's rotation policy has been designed to ensure players don't suffer from burnout as a result of both a congested schedule and the extra demands of playing bio-secure cricket amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Broad, regretting what he felt was a lack of com-

Stuart Broad's tally of 517 Test wickets is second only to that of long-standing, new-ball colleague James Anderson.

munication from former England batsman Smith, said he would accept being rested

by Silverwood if “it was explained in a good way”.

EARN YOUR STRIPES Nevertheless, he insist-

Bermuda’s national football captain Dante Leverock quits at 29 HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Danté Leverock, Bermuda’s well-travelled captain, has dropped a bombshell by announcing his retirement from international football at the age of 29.

His decision – announced on his social media site on Monday night – will come as a major blow to national coach Kyle Lightbourne, who is making last-minute preparations for World Cup CONCACAF Group B qualifying matches against Suriname and the Cayman Islands next month.

Lightbourne was not immediately available for comment.

Leverock, a towering six-

foot, four-inch defender who made his international debut in March 2015 in a friendly against Grenada and went on to make 23 appearances in all for the national team, started in Bermuda’s first two Group B matches in March, both played in Florida.

Bermuda lost 5-1 to Canada and then beat Aruba 5-0, with Leverock scoring the third goal – one of five he netted for the country.

In a short message confirming his decision to step down, Leverock thanked the Bermuda Football Association for giving him the “greatest honour” of leading the country.

“Thank you for all the memories, Bermuda FA,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 19, 2021)

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

the highs and the lows,” Leverock said.

“Playing on the biggest stage representing and being captain of my country, there’s no bigger honour.

“The future is so bright for Bermuda football. I can’t wait to see the new heights they reach,” added Leverock, but he did not elaborate on his reason for leaving the international stage.

He plays for club side Robin Hood.

Throughout his international career, the centre-half, who had stints playing abroad in the United States, England, Ireland, Estonia and Poland, has played a key role for Bermuda.

Among his international highlights, Leverock can look back on the historic occasions of leading the team out in major tournaments, including a first CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign and the Nations League in 2019.

Leverock’s last overseas club stint was in Poland before he returned home last year after contemplating quitting the game because of what he termed racial discrimination during a turbulently brief spell with Polish second-tier club Radomiak Radom.

ed: “Part of the reason I don't play white-ball cricket anymore is so I'm fit and available for Test cricket and fresh when I'm needed.

“Test caps aren't there to be given out free and cheap.

“We work very hard for

the opportunity to play Test cricket and you have to earn your stripes.”

The past year has witnessed several occasions in which England have left one of Broad or Anderson out from their Test side when both bowlers have been fit, a move team management justified by the need to maintain the duo's fitness and give other bowlers experience of taking the new ball.

Broad, speaking at an event organised by England sponsor Lifebuoy soap, made it clear he was ready to be an ever-present in this season's seven Tests at home to New Zealand (two) and India (five).

“I don't think many could argue against Jimmy (Anderson and I being the best bowling attack in England, but if you need to get experience and overs into bowlers, that is what it is,” he said.

Fast bowler Archer, a hero of England's 2019 50over World Cup triumph, has been ruled out of next month's series with New Zealand as a result of a persistent elbow injury that could require surgery.

“I'm sure the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) will be thinking long and hard of what the next step is, but it's probably a little bit more intensive than rest and recoup now, isn't it?,” said Broad.

“Obviously the New Zealand and India series are huge for us but if I was looking at Jofra Archer, I'd want him bowling my last over in the T20 World Cup and I'd want him playing at Brisbane (the expected venue for the first Ashes Test).”

“Without being disrespectful to any other type of international cricket, you do have to get him right for the games you want him right for.”

Proteas eyeing competitive series against West Indies JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CMC) – Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it was anticipating a competitive tour of the Caribbean next month, especially with both teams “evenly matched” for the Test and Twenty20 series.

The hosts are ranked sixth in Tests, one place higher than the Proteas, but are four places below them in T20 Internationals, despite being the reigning world champions.

“Tours to the West Indies are always one of the most highly anticipated tours of them all, not only because of the beauty of the venues, but the quality and competitiveness of the cricket that is in store,” said CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith.

South Africa will face West Indies in their first bilateral tour in over a decade.

“We are looking forward to explosive displays of cricket and entertainment on our screens for fans around the world to consume as the two evenly matched countries come together for both Test and T20 cricket.”

South Africa will face the hosts in two Tests at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia from June 10 to 22 and five T20 Internationals at

South Africa will face West Indies in their first bilateral tour in over a decade.

the Grenada National Stadium from June 26 to July 3.

The tour was originally scheduled for last year but was scrapped following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Cricket West Indies (CWI) to halt its entire domestic schedule.

For South Africa, the visit will mark their first bilateral series against West Indies in nearly 12 years, following their 2-0 win back in 2010.

Smith said CSA was grateful for the opportunity to play cricket especially amidst the challenges posed

by COVID-19.

“We are extremely pleased to have the men’s team’s tour to the West Indies officially confirmed,” said the former captain, who led South

Africa on their last Caribbean tour.

“COVID-19 has played havoc with the ICC Future Tours Programme and we are thankful to CWI and the governments of St. Lucia and Grenada for ensuring that the tour goes ahead as planned.

“The hosting nations, in particular, came to the party at very short notice and Cricket South Africa (CSA) would like to extend its immense gratitude to them for their enthusiasm and willingness to host us.”

The South Africa tour will kick off a bumper international home schedule which will also see Australia travel for a white-ball series in July and Pakistan tour for a Test and white-ball series in July and August.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 19, 2021

AB de Villiers retirement remains final AB de Villiers, South Africa’s superstar cricketer, will not be making his comeback from retirement.

It was speculated that he will be picked for the upcoming tour of West Indies where the Proteas are scheduled to play two Tests and five T20 Internationals.

Head coach Mark Boucher and de Villiers himself were optimistic of things going in the right direction for the latter to comeback.

However, when the squads for South Africa’s tours of West Indies and Ireland were announced on Tuesday, de Villiers’ name was missing.

This raised a lot of eyebrows only until Cricket South Africa (CSA) clarified in its press release that the discussions with the now retired cricketer ended with him deciding to not play for

the country again.

There is no idea as to what transpired behind the scenes that AB de Villiers had to take such a decision.

The man himself, during the now suspended IPL 2021, had confirmed that he and Boucher will discuss about possibility of returning to play for South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

“Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his re-

Meanwhile, in another shocking decision, CSA have decided not to include their top batsman Faf du Plessis in their ODI squad against Ireland and T20I squad against West Indies.

He retired from Tests earlier this year but was expecting to contribute especially in the T20 format with the World Cup looming later in the year.

It remains to be seen if he is not available or not considered for the tours.

(CricTracker)

Darren Sammy relinquishes captaincy of St Lucia Zouks ... Two-time T20 World Cup winner joins Andy Flower as part of the backroom staff; Zouks retain seven players for IPL 2021 AB de Villiers has decided his retirement will remain final.

Guyanese cricketers dominate with bat in Majestic CC Caribbean Fest 40-over tournament FOUR Guyanese cricketers, including the dominant Chris Patandin and Derick Narine spearheaded a batting onslaught against Bronx Cricket Club, to lead Majestic Cricket Club to a 172-run victory when action in the New York National Cricket League, Caribbean Fest 40-over tournament continued recently at Cunningham Park.

Former National U-19 cricketer Patandin, fresh off his double-century (205) for Everest/ACS against Ocean’s XI, opened the batting with Narine, who plays his Saturday cricket for Richmond Hill Liberty CC. Some of the Guyanese cricketers represent different clubs in different competitions.

In the clash, Patandin and Narine (who captained the side) opened the batting and stormed to 92 runs in 7.3 overs before the former fell.

The ex-Everest CC batsman scored 40 of his 45 runs in boundaries (10x4).

Recent migrant Yutesh

tirement will remain final,” CSA said in its statement according to journalist Saj Sadiq.

AB de Villiers, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), was in great form during the 14th edition of the IPL. He had played multiple match-winning knocks for his team and had amassed 207 runs in six innings at an average of 51.75 and an amazing strike-rate of 164.29 while also hitting 16 fours and 10 massive sixes.

Damion Vantull (left) and skipper Derick Narine both scored half-centuries in the victory.

Dhanpaul (former Zeeburg CC cricketer) then joined Narine and the two continued to bat their team to dominance.

The pair put on 111 runs for the second wicket with Narine (a former Berbice inter-country cricketer) hitting 91 from 62 balls (10x4, 4x6).

Dhanpaul finished with 47 (3x4, 1x6), while UG and Tucber Park CC cricketer Damion Vantull (who travelled from Guyana for the competition) smashed a

quick 65. His innings included four fours and four sixes from 41 balls.

When Vantull fell in the 33rd over, Majestic had already passed the 300 mark.

In the end, they finished their 35 overs (reduced) on 325-5.

Bronx CC could not keep up with the needed run rate and ended their innings on 153-6. Dhanpaul and Nicholas Ramrattan picked up two wickets each for the winners.

DARREN Sammy has stepped down from his role as St Lucia Zouks captain to become the franchise's "T20 cricket consultant and brand ambassador" for the 2021 CPL season.

Sammy led the Zouks who had previously reached the play-offs once in seven seasons - to the final last year, after they finished third in the league phase and then bowled Guyana Amazon Warriors out for 55 in the semi-finals.

Sammy himself faced 51 balls and bowled only three overs across his 12 appearances, and with his playing role increasingly limited, he will now join Andy Flower's coaching staff instead.

Sammy, a two-time T20 World champion, is yet to confirm his retirement from all cricket but has not played since the 2020 CPL final, and is now head coach at his PSL franchise, Peshawar Zalmi.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to have led and been a part of the St Lucia Zouks from its inception," Sammy said in a CPL me-

Daren Sammy will be assuming the new role of T20 Cricket Consultant and Brand Ambassador.

dia release. "Even though some may say good things must come to an end it will not be in this instance: St Lucia Zouks and I will always be a team.

"But since venturing into coaching, I realise I have a new passion that can allow me to still contribute and play a part in taking the franchise forward on its quest to winning a CPL title and developing future stars."

Flower, who called Sammy an "icon of West Indies white-ball cricket" and "the heartbeat of St Lucia Zouks," said: "He's decided to step away from playing after an amazing career, not only with the

West Indies, where he led the side to two T20 World Cups, but also as a really inspirational leader, full of integrity, for the island.

We want to continue our partnership with Darren coming in as part ambassador, part coach, part mentor alongside me."

The Zouks also announced the retention of seven players from their 2020 squad ahead of the upcoming season, which starts on August 28 in St Kitts: Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Obed McCoy, Mark Deyal and Javelle Glen. (Cricinfo)

Russell returns, selectors persist with Gayle, Edwards

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Mohamed returns for another year as GMR&SC president

… Several new life members inducted

Rameez Mohamed (seated far left) returns as GMR&SC president along with some familiar faces on his executive committee.

Andre Russell last played for West Indies in March 2020.

(Getty Images)

Task Force approves Novices Bodybuilding and Mr Linden Classic

… Some 28 competitors complete registration process NEXT Saturday’s Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Novices Competition and Mr Linden Classic event has been given the stamp of approval by the COVID-19 Task Force.

President of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess, disclosed yesterday that the approval was the last hurdle for the federation in putting all systems in place for the event.

“We have gotten all the necessary approval from the authorities and with most of our sponsorship secured, we are fully ready to host the first bodybuilding competition of the year in Guyana.”

The Fitness Express-sponsored May 29 event is scheduled for Lichas Hall in Linden.

With the registration deadline completed, Bess con-

firmed that 28 competitors will battle in Bodybuilding, Mr Physique and Ms Bikini.

The athletes are now fine-tuning their preparations before they hit the stage.

The event will be spectator-free and is expected to be streamed online on popular social media sites.

Bess had noted before that all systems will be in place for a COVID-19 free event.

“While on stage, athletes will be required to stand six feet from each other, while backstage athletes will be required to wear their masks and maintain the mandatory physical distancing. Judges will be seated six feet from each other and will be required to wear their masks.”

RAMEEZ Mohamed was returned to the helm of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) following the body’s Annual General Meeting and Election of office-bearers on Monday.

Mohamed, who was returned unchallenged, enters his fourth year of presidency of the club.

Also during Monday evening’s meeting, the club had adopted and approved the financial report for the years 2019 and 2020.

Those present were also allowed to voice their concerns about the sport moving forward.

Former vice-president Hansraj (Richie) Singh will return to that post, replacing Mohamed S. Roshandin, while Azim Jaffar remains as the club secretary.

Azaad Hassan is the new treasurer with Harold ‘top gun’ Hopkinson moving into his role as assistant secretary/treasurer.

Sunil Persaud returns as Club captain with John Chin replacing Joel Evans as technical adviser.

The returning committee members are Kamal Seebarran, Haniff Mohamed, Motilall ‘Kevin’ Deodass, Carey Griffith with new-comer Neilon Dias.

In addition the club also moved a motion and later approved the appointment of technocrat members in Joel Evans, Nyron Maraj, John Bennett, Paul Jiwanram and Diana D’ornellas.

A motion was passed for Ramesh Seebarran of HLB R. Seebarran & Co to replace Parmesar Accountants as the club’s auditors.

NEW LIFE MEMBERS The proposition and later acceptance of new life members of the club also formed part of the meeting.

Azruddin Mohamed of Team Mohamed’s Enterprise was awarded life membership by the club for his development of the drag strip and drag area of the South Dakota Circuit while longstanding administrator Selwyn ‘Bunny’ Persaud was also inducted.

Harold Hopkinson joins the life member rank having dedicated numerous years and technical experience to the club along with office executive Desiree Lee. The fifth and final addition to the list was that of former motorcycle rider and adviser Compton A. Beckles whose work aboard the two-wheel machines was reflected on briefly.

AB de Villiers retirement 31 remains final PAGE

Interline Gym’s Joel Caldeira is expected to compete in the bodybuilding competition.

Yusuf Mustapha Khan from Unity Gym will compete in the Mr Physique competition.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021