Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-07-2021

TUESDAY 20thJuly, 2021

' No.106427

Street in Queens, New York, renamed after Pandit Gossai

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Rose Hall Estate to 03 hire over 100 persons PAGE

_ close to 700 regain employment at shuttered estates

This majestic Harpy Eagle was seen relaxing next to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway early on Monday (Mike Charles photo)

Journey towards empowerment, entrepreneurship begins 02 PAGE

First regional kidney transplant performed at GPHC 08 PAGE

Two dead, several injured in Diamond accident 03 PAGE

Dead: Aaliyah Edwards

Dead: Anthony Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Journey towards empowerment, entrepreneurship begins _

as hundreds commence training under the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network

TEARS of joy flowed from women participants when the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security launched its online and in-person WIIN (Women’s Innovation and Investment Network) classes in ICT and professional care (child and elderly care) on Monday.

For many of them, it was a ray of hope, as the programme provided an opportunity to pursue courses in areas that would open new vistas of employment or entrepreneurship avenues.

The initiative took place at the ministry’s Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara.

Over 200 of the over 4,200 applicants to the programme commenced classes on Monday.

One participant sought out subject Minister, Dr.

Minister Vindhya Persaud shares a light moment with one of the women at Monday’s event

Vindhya Vasini Persaud, the brainchild of WIIN, and broke down in tears as she told her that when Dr. Persaud was a medical student at GPHC, she had encouraged her to pursue studies in childcare.

Her little daughter at that time was being treated for Wilm’s tumour. Those words stayed with her, and several

times she made attempts to, but nothing worked out. She wanted Minister Persaud to know that today she would be able fulfill her dreams of being able to work in childcare.

Another young woman expressed how grateful she was for the opportunity to be trained so that she can be in a better position to be employed. In fact, many women

Over 200 of the over 4,200 applicants to the WIIN programme commenced classes on Monday

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud sharing encouraging remarks to participants on Monday

emphatically expressed their feeling of hope that they were being invested in and equipped with skills that would make them financially independent.

One woman even brought her little daughter to class because she did not want to miss out on the opportunity.

As she launched the ministry’s flagship training programme at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Minister Persaud explained that $80M budgeted for training will be utilised to expend every effort to invest in certificate upskilling of women in every region. She emphasised to the women to commit to the foundation training which is provided free of cost.

“Create the opportunities by networking, thinking outside of the box, innovating, and using every iota of

what you have gained for self- growth, development and earning possibilities. I believe in each one of you and urge you to take what you have started today to the finish line,” Minister Persaud expressed.

The WIIN programme has been meticulously crafted to empower all women because of the absence of an eligibility criteria and the offer of areas of training that are unconventional, needed and could open up niche markets.

“I am encouraging you to be the influencers/entrepreneurs of tomorrow as we empower you today. I recognise the sterling efforts of my team who worked assiduously with me to make this a sustainable reality, and we stand ready to support you throughout your journey.

I am pleased to say that all the courses are accredited

and from this first step, nothing will be unachievable as you will learn about starting and sustaining your business too,” she further said.

Minister Persaud thanked all the lecturers, the School of The Nations and the University of Guyana for partnering with the ministry.

She also opened the brand new, modern computer lab at GWLI, which will be one of the main hubs for the WIIN programme.

Also presenting at the event were Deputy Director of Social Services Hamwantie Bissesar and Coordinator of GWLI, Motielall Samaroo.

Minister Persaud also visited WIIN classes at School of the Nations. The WIIN programme will continue to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Rose Hall Estate to hire over 100 persons

_ close to 700 regain employment at shuttered estates AS efforts to resuscitate Guyana’s ailing sugar industry continue, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in ramping up its activities at one of the three shuttered estates, the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, will be hiring over 100 persons on Thursday.

In 2017, the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country. The move saw four sugar estates being closed, and 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.

But, it was reported that plans were afoot to not just rehire persons, but to return the industry to viability through coordinated and prudent management, which is expected to come from both private and public stakeholders.

The Rose Hall Sugar Estate will be the first of the three estates to be reopened and is expected to begin grinding in 2022.

Ahead of this, GuySuCo will be conducting a massive recruitment exercise for various categories of field and factory workers on Thursday,

The factory at the Rose Hall Sugar Estate

commencing at 07:30hrs, in the compound of the Rose Hall Estate.

Head of Human Resources (ag) at GuySuCo, Vemen Walters, was quoted in a statement as saying: “This exercise is the largest one thus far to be undertaken as GuySuCo intensifies its activities both in field and factory at the Rose Hall Estate for the commencement of sugar production in the second harvesting and sugar

production season of 2022.

The corporation is hoping to attract more than 200 applicants from this exercise.”

Persons who are within the ages of 18 and 59 years and desirous of joining GuySuCo are encouraged to apply in person on the day of the recruitment exercise.

The management of GuySuCo will be providing free transportation using lorries, which will leave the No. 19 Village, Gangaram, Lochaber

Subsequent to the accident, several persons rushed to the scene and took the injured persons to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Persaud and Edwards were examined by a doctor on duty and pronounced dead on arrival.

Jessie Wishart, age 23 and Joel Wishart, age 20 of Lot 43 Old Road, Land of Canaan; Odarry Gonsalves, age 18 years of Lot 192 Old Road, Land of Canaan; Valencia George, age 18 years of Lot 80 Land Of Canaan and Shane Argyle age 17 years of Koker Dam, Land Of Canaan were all treated at the same facility and sent away.

Meanwhile, the remaining passengers were transferred and admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation as patients in the Accident and Emergency Unit.

According to the police, 18-year-old Sabrina Corlette of Lot 186 Hyde Park, Timehri, EBD, who has an open-fracture dislocation to her right ankle and head injuries; and 18-year-old Seth

Abrams of Lot 66 Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, who has deep, abrasion injuries to the right leg are in a stable condition.

However, two others, 17-year-old Johnny Persaud of Lot 108 Old Road, Land of Canaan who is suffering from head injuries and chest contusion; and

and Hyberary, respectively, at 07:00 hrs, on July 22, 2021.

Applicants are asked to present their Birth Certificate and National ID Card or Passport when presenting their application. Further, persons selected will be subjected to a pre-medical examination.

Already, some 301 persons have been hired at the Rose Hall Estate and are assisting with the revitalisation

of the industry.

Aggregately, some 695 persons have been hired at the shuttered estates, with 226 being employed at Skeldon and 168 at Enmore.

In 2020, the corporation was allocated a sum of $7 billion, of which $3 billion was used to recapitalise the Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore sugar estates, while the remaining $4 billion was allocated to support rehabilitation works at the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion sugar estates. As it is now, some 8,200 persons are employed in the sugar industry.

It was only in June that the government secured some $1.5 billion in supplementary funds from the National Assembly to offset critical capital works at various estates.

To ensure the continued development of agriculture and support services at six sugar factories, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, had said some $40 million will be pumped into the Skeldon and Enmore estates, respectively.

Another $292 million will advance works at the Rose Hall estate and rehabilitation will continue at the Albion Estate to the tune of $718 million. The Blairmont and Uitvlugt factories will also receive $149 million and

$259 million, respectively.

Some of the items listed to be procured to enhance the restructuring process are horse power tillage tractors, crusher run, harrow ploughs, cane punts, long reach excavators, paddle tug and drainage tubes.

With the most recent injection of funds, the government’s financial investment in GuySuCo now stands at $10.5 billion since being elected to office on August 2, 2020.

The vision of GuySuCo, as outlined by the company’s management, is to focus on expanding the sale of packaged sugar in CARICOM, North America and the local markets.

GuySuCo’s overarching plan for 2021 is to produce 97,000 tonnes of sugar, a high percentage of which is expected to be packaged.

“We have to diversify, we cannot produce raw, brown sugar and survive… we have to produce value-added products like refined sugar, ethanol, improve on molasses, improve on the co-gen facility at Skeldon… those are the things we have to do and we have to bring down the cost of production,” Minister Mustapha had said.

Two dead, several injured in minibus accident at Diamond A HORRIFIC accident that occurred on Sunday evening on the Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has left two youths dead and four others hospitalised.

Confirmed dead are 18-year-old Anthony Persaud of Lot 108 Land of Canaan, EBD and Aaliyah Edwards of Lot 16 Land of Canaan, EBD. Police identified 23-yearold Kevon Moore of Five Door Koker Dam, Land of Canaan, as the driver and said he is in custody assisting with investigations. A breathalyzer test reportedly revealed alcohol on Moore’s breath.

The accident occurred around 22:00hrs and according to the police, Moore, the two deceased and nine other persons were returning from the seawall in minibus BXX 7256. The vehicle was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the roadway at a fast rate of speed when Moore lost control. It turned turtle several times and came to a stop facing in a south-eastern direction.

Dead: Aaliyah Edwards

16-year-old Michael James of Lot 29 Koker Dam, Land of Canaan, who is suffering from head injuries are listed as critical.

Further, the police stated that a breathalyzer test conducted on the driver revealed he had 0.039 and 0.037 micrograms of alcohol on his breath.

Dead: Anthony Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Pedro Castillo declared president-elect of Peru

Pedro Castillo has been declared President-elect of Peru, weeks after winning the popular vote in a tightly-contested run-off election.

The country’s election authority announced its verdict after reviewing claims of electoral fraud by his right-wing rival, Keiko Fujimori.

Castillo, a 51-year-old former school teacher and union leader, secured just over 50 per cent of the votes.

He will now be sworn in as Peru’s President on 28 July.

After the jury announced its verdict, Castillo gave a speech in the capital, Lima.

“We are going to work together and bring this country together,” said Castillo, according to news outlet RPP.

“We are going to reject anything that goes against democracy.”

In a tweet, Peru’s current President Francisco Sagasti said he welcomed the announcement.

“May this be the beginning of a new stage of reconciliation, consensus and unity,” he added.

Castillo burst onto the national scene four years ago when he led thousands of teachers on successful strike over pay.

During his presidential campaign, Castillo pledged to nationalise Peru’s lucrative mining and hydrocarbon sectors, and said he would aim to create a million new jobs in a year.

In the US state of Oregon, the nation’s largest active wildfire has burned through more than 300,000 acres, prompting thousands of evacuations.

Over 2,000 fire-fighters are tackling the so-called Bootleg Fire - one of the largest blazes in Oregon’s history.

Since starting on 6 July, it has already scorched an area

Castillo won the popular vote in elections last month, but was accused of voter fraud by right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori (BBC photo)

He also proposed re-introducing the death penalty to help tackle crime.

Castillo won last month’s election by a margin of only

44,000 votes -- beating Fujimori in her third bid for the presidency.

He has previously claimed victory, but a series of legal

larger than the city of Los Angeles.

It is one of more than 80 major fires raging across 13 US states, spurred by heat waves and high winds.

The Bootleg Fire, named after the nearby Bootleg Spring, has forced at least 2,000 residents from mostly rural areas to abandon their homes. At least 160 homes and buildings have been destroyed so far.

Authorities said that a quarter of the fire’s perimeter had been contained.

“Weather’s really against us,” Operations Section Chief

John Flannigan told US media on Sunday. “It’s going to

challenges by Fujimori delayed an official verdict from election officials.

Fujimori had provided little evidence of her claims of election, and Castillo’s Free Peru party has rejected the accusations. Electoral observers, including the Organisation of American States, have also said they have found no irregularities.

Ahead of Monday night’s announcement, Fujimori said she would accept the result.

“The truth will come out anyway,” she added. “We are all going to work together to re-establish legitimacy in our country.”

Fujimori is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who is in jail serving

a 25-year sentence for crimes including corruption and human rights abuses.

Fujimori herself is being investigated for alleged corruption and money laundering, claims she says are politically motivated. She spent a total of 13 months in jail between 2018 and 2020, when she was released on parole.

Her failure to become president means prosecutors can now proceed with the charges against her.

Fujimori is accused of taking money from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to fund her failed presidential bids in 2011 and 2016.

Prosecutors say they are seeking a 30-year jail term.

(BBC)

Largest wildfire in US burns through 300,000 acres

The Bootleg fire in Oregon is the largest of 300 others raging in the US (BBC photo)

be hot, it’s going to be dry and air’s going to be unstable which helps the heat raise faster.”

The fire, burning 300 miles (480km) south-east of Portland has destroyed over 160 buildings and threatens thousands of others.

Two evacuation centres have been set up for residents in several cities, including Klamath Falls and Redmond.

This week’s forecast is unlikely to help efforts to control the fire. Temperatures are expected to be between 10 and 15 degrees above normal and there is drought too.

Wildfires have already torn through more than 1.2m acres of the country this year, mainly in western states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

More than 4,000 blazes have been recorded by the organisation so far in 2021, which is almost double last year’s total.

In California alone, five times as many acres have burned compared with the same period last year.

One of the state’s recent fires, called the Dixie Fire,

has been linked to PG&E a utility firm whose power lines were blamed for starting the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest in California’s history.

The spate of fires marks a heavier-than-normal start to the wildfire season in the western US, and has coincided with record-breaking heat waves in recent weeks.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Canada, more than 150 new fires started burning in this past weekend alone, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Experts have told the BBC that due to a multi-year drought, the potential for a historic 2021 North American wildfire season is “sky-high”.

Many scientists say that climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Financial aid for flood-affected citizens soon – VP Jagdeo

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that the Government will soon begin the distribution of financial aid to support those persons who were severely affected by the unprecedented nationwide flooding.

During an interview with the Guyanese Critic last Friday, the Vice-President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting those who suffered losses due to the flood. He recalled that the administration acquired a $10 billion supplementary

fund in May, as part of the government’s immediate relief efforts.

“The numbers are in now for those who were affected by the flood. We have about 30,000 households and small farmers who lost kitchen gardens, and then a number of those bigger farmers who lost mature and seedling rice, livestock etcetera. We have a database now and we are now working out how much and what grants we will give to families, and those who suffered losses,” the Vice-President stated.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Dr. Jagdeo said President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be making an announcement on this relief initiative soon.

Floodwaters have sig-

nificantly receded in several communities allowing for several residents, who were being housed at shelters across the country, to begin

A most timely assistance AS distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant continued on Monday in

school reopens.

Jason Sam, of Seafield Village, West Coast Ber-

their children a reality.

“We know that parents make sacrifices every day

remarked.

According to the Education Minister, anything that will help children to gain an education is worth investing

returning to their homes. Persons who were being housed at the Tabatinga shelter in Region Nine have returned home, while 69 persons in Region 10 have returned to their homes.

As of July 9, 184 persons were housed in shelters in Regions Two, Five and 10.

This is a marked reduction of the 257 persons who were being housed in 12 shelters as of July 2.

Meanwhile, the Vice-President reiterated the Government’s commitment to achieving objectives including raising the old-age pension from $25,000 to $40,000; making tertiary education free; and bringing

on stream the gas-to-energy project which will cut electricity costs by 50 per cent.

“We are putting together the building blocks for many of these areas. A lot of quiet work is being done in planning; in moving projects forward. Day after day we have kept these pledges in our minds. When we go to work, we are working to implement the promises we made to people,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has not been moving at full speed, the VP noted.

Notwithstanding this, he emphasised that the government will continue to do its best to improve the economy and the lives of citizens. (DPI)

_ Region Five parents express thanks for ‘Because We Care’ grant $19,000 can carry a child a far way. He said that when promises are being kept by a government those promises should not be dismissed. He

Over at the Fort Wellington Secondary School, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag said the programme seeks to bring relief to par-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand delivering remarks at the Lichfield Primary School (DPI photo)

Region Five, parents at the different distribution centres shared how the grant will be helpful in providing for their children.

Carlton Morris, whose child attends the Belladrum Primary School, said that he and other parents are happy to receive the grant as it will help them to purchase their children’s school resources.

At the Lichfield Primary School, Melissa Dickson said that a lot of parents are not working right now so the grant will be helpful. She said being a single parent she will take the money and deposit it into her daughter’s account and withdraw it to purchase school items when

bice, said the grant will do a lot for him since he has been out of a job since the pandemic started. He said that the money will be used to send his daughter off to school as soon as it is reopened.

At the Belladrum Secondary School, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that parents live their lives every day, hoping their children can be better than they are and wanting their children to have a life of comfort, void of the struggles they experienced.

She said that the government believes that it is important to help families in making their dreams for

for their children and if we can help you by giving what we can afford, then we believe that we can put these children on a pedestal that nobody can remove them from,” the minister

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag interacting with a parent at the Latchmansingh Primary School (DPI photo)

in so that they can always have a safety net.

The Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson said the grant valued at

Parents at the Belladrum Secondary School (DPI photo)

said that distribution of the grant is testimony to the service the Ministry of Education provides to parents.

Dr. Hutson encouraged the parents to make the best use of the funds. The Regional Vice-Chairman Rion Peters said that the grant should be interpreted as the government’s commitment to serving Guyanese, regardless of which region or community, their race or any other reason persons use to divide people. He said that the grant will go a far way to ensure that children are better equipped during the pandemic.

ents preparing their children for the new academic term.

“Parents, those of you who have one child, you know how much this means to you. Who have more than one child you know how much this means to you. Because when the school time comes and September comes you and only you know how you have to provide for your children; and so in any small way this money is going to be able to assist you,” she said. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Politicising Education Cash Grants

NO one with a clear conscience can deny the benefits of the government’s “Because We Care” cash grant programme currently being rolled out by the Ministry of Education throughout the country. From all indications, the cash grant is seen by the vast majority of the Guyanese people as a welcome gesture on the part of the PPP/C administration as manifested in the smiling faces of recipients and the numerous expressions of gratitude and thanks.

Approximately 172,000 students will benefit from the programme, estimated to cost $3.2 billion at a unit value of $19,000 per student. This sum will go towards the purchase of school uniforms and other school-re-

lated expenses with a view to easing the financial burden of parents and guardians of school-age children.

Despite its obvious benefits, there are a few individuals who are seeking to, as it were, throw cold water on the programme with the hope of scoring political points.

In fact, the opposite has materialised. In his “Conversation Tree” column, former Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran had cause to respond to statements made by PNC member Mr Aubrey Norton to the effect that the education cash grant ‘is inadequate and ill-conceived and geared towards creating a dependency syndrome.’

According to the for-

mer Speaker, Mr. Norton seems by his utterances to have joined with the most conservative, reactionary politicians worldwide to perpetuate this now ‘largely discredited, backward, dangerous and fallacious nonsense’ and pointed to the fact that the local education cash grant comes in the midst of significant developments in the United States, where similar relief measures have been put in place for eligible individuals with a view to reducing child poverty.

Mr. Norton appears to have a limited understanding of the concept of the ‘dependency syndrome theory,’ which is a highly intellectual tool used by academics and development practitioners to study the unequal power relations between the

more industrialised countries and those in the socalled periphery. It is that unequal power relations between the developed states and those in the periphery that has resulted in high levels of exploitation and underdevelopment of the countries in the third world.

How exactly such an analogy is applicable to the Guyana context where programmes are implemented by the government to assist parents to send their children to school is at best puzzling and could only be seen as a clear misrepresentation of the conceptual framework of the dependency theory.

And as pointed out by Mr Ramkarran, the theory is selectively and opportunistically used by reactionary elements to deny

welfare and other benefits to the under-privileged and those in the lower income brackets.

Mr. Norton’s statements appear to be in tandem with a call by another senior APNU official, Ms. Coretta McDonald, who is also General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union and an APNU Member of Parliament.

She had reportedly called on teachers not to participate in the ‘Because we Care’ distribution exercise, a call which thankfully has been ignored by teachers who certainly know better.

Mr. Norton, in a subsequent letter to the media, claimed that he did not oppose the cash grant but was calling instead for an increase in the amount, which sounded hollow

when seen against the background of the APNU’s scrapping of the programme in its entirety during its term in office.

The injection of $3.2 billion into the economy, apart from the direct benefits to parents and students will also have a multiplier effect on the local economy by way of support to members of the business community. To say that the money spent is ‘a waste of time and money’ as some members of the APNU+AFC are seeking to project is not only politically disingenuous, but is also an act of gross insensitivity to the needs of parents, teachers and students, the real beneficiaries of the programme.

Our farmers need an extra dose of patience and persistence in these times

Dear Editor,

OUR world is still being besieged by a host of problems. Over the last few days, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have been hit with floods, and then right after, the BBC reported on mudslides in India.

I can go on but what I want to say is that the recent flooding situation in Guyana fits into a global phenomenon of hard times for many people,

but here there was the appreciation for human non-fatalities, as well as the rising of government to take a hands-on approach to help the many affected by loss of livelihoods and possessions. It was noteworthy to take to heart that even the President himself was on many flood-alleviation trips.

Now that the field assessment has been conducted, and this after dealing with the immediate

and necessary relief efforts, as it should be, the Government of Guyana is currently fine-tuning the data it collected, so that necessary next steps can begin, which will lead to all the affected getting back their livelihoods.

The word in the air is that “President Dr. Irfaan Ali will soon be making an announcement, regarding the financial assistance that will be rolled out.” This is not something to be brushed over,

as some 30,000 households were severely displaced and every one of these will be eligible for government assistance.

I add that there will be massive efforts and inputs towards the many bigger farmers who lost huge crops such as rice and livestock.

People must take cognisance of the fact that the aftermath of flooding is a serious matter. It is more than giving hand-outs. The

literature is there with findings that flooded soils create significant challenges for agricultural lands. Floods have many direct impacts, the most prominent being: depositing of sand and debris on the productive lands; erosion of agricultural soils, and flooded-soil syndrome, that is, the loss of beneficial fungi which mobilise soil-based plant nutrients. I can add to this list, but for now, my

word is that we must be aware that landowners face a number of economic challenges when recovering from a flood.

Recovery is hard work and our farmers need an extra dose of patience and persistence in these times. So, I commend the government, many private bodies and other agencies, local and outside, for all the help.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Disgusting to say the least and scandalous at worst

Dear Sir,

IT is extraordinary that the Mayor and City Councillors can find money to hire a lawyer to represent the acting Town Clerk Ms. Sherry Jerrick, at the Local Government Commission (LGC) but do not have money to do basic sanitation work in the city, and to pay workers’ contributions at the National Insurance Scheme and the Guyana Revenue Authority.

A few nights ago, the Mayor Mr. Ubraj Narine appeared on HGTV Nightly News and represented the position taken by the council against the LGC’s request to the acting town clerk, for her to show cause why she should not be disciplined for professional negligence, for not preparing and submitting the council’s Asset Register. In that newscast, the mayor said words to the effect that the commission has no authority to deal with such matters as the council’s Asset Register. And that it is the council’s Asset Register and as such the commission could not blame the town clerk for not producing it. However, two things are glaringly wrong with the mayor’s comments.

First, this request for the council’s Asset Register was made by the LGC chaired by Mortimer Mingo, in 2019.

At that time Mrs. Sharon Harry-Munroe was the acting town clerk of the council. She was unable to produce that document in the requested time. As a result of that and other alleged shortcomings, that commission, after

having her on a long and embarrassing period of administrative leave, terminated her service. The records of the council will show that the very Mayor Mr. Narine, who is now publicly challenging the commission, and threatening to go to court, did not say to that commission, chaired by Mr. Mingo, in 2019, that it had no authority to request the Asset Register. And Mrs. Munroe, was never even asked, about, let alone afforded, legal representation by the council. Why? Because they wanted her off the job. Not too long after the termination of her service, the council attempted to recruit, through an inadequate and shambolic process, hand-picked individuals to fill certain vacancies, including the position of town clerk; they failed.

In the instant case involving Ms. Jerrick, not only is the council attempting to say to the commission that it does not have the authority, but has instructed the acting town clerk to take a lawyer of her choice.

They did that at the last statutory meeting, held Monday, July 12, 2021, without any regard to the cost; it is an unfortunate and unfair action of the council. While citizens have to wade through storm waters in certain parts of the city whenever it rains, and contend with garbage almost everywhere in Georgetown, the mayor found the money to hire a lawyer to deal with this matter. While roofs on markets are like sieves during rains, the only abattoir in this city

is a public health hazard, and the mayoral complex is in a state of disrepair, the mayor can proudly hire a lawyer to fight the commission. It is unbelievable.

Worse, in this period of COVID-19, the council has taken a decision to make hundreds of workers (all women, some single parents) from its Day Care Service, and General Works Department (able-bodied men and women) redundant, because it claimed that it can’t find the money to keep them on staff.

But, the council can find hundreds of thousands of dollars, to hire a lawyer to represent one officer in what is basically a purely administrative matter. It is disgusting to say the least and scandalous at worst. How is it that the council does not have money to assist staff, but has enough to hire lawyers to defend matters that do not add value to the service they are providing to the public (they hired lawyers to get the current city engineer dismissed; they lost the case; they hired lawyers to get hand-picked individuals to fill top posts; that matter is before the courts).

This document was requested since 2019. Up until now, in 2021, nothing has been sent to the commission. One must wonder why the fuss and spare-no-expense attitude by the mayor to protect a particular officer while he and a small clique of councillors attempted to have others dismissed, including the current city engineer.

One must wonder too the effect this is having

on the morale of other officers and workers at the Georgetown city Council.

Stunningly, the mayor of Guyana’s capital appears not to know basic things about how the Georgetown municipality operates. Two examples: The mayor seems to be unaware that a substantial part of the responsibilities of the town clerk, who is the chief administrator of the council and secretary to all the committees of the council, is concerned with archives, records and documents.

In Chap 28:01, it says that the clerk “… shall have the charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all charts, deeds, records and other documents belonging to the council which shall be kept as the council may direct.” The question is, if it is not the responsibility of the town clerk to have an Asset Register for the council, as the mayor is claiming, then he must say whose responsibility it is. Who should the commission look to for such an important document? The Act is very clear.

The next example is the utterances by the mayor about the lack of authority of the commission to request certain documents. It is true that the commission does not have authority over elected councillors; the mayor is a councillor, who has been elected Chairman of the Council. But the commission, in a real way, has powers over all human resources and related matters.

However, according to Act 2013, Under func-

tions of the Commission, “Section13. (I) The commission shall have power to deal with all matters relating to the regulation and staffing of local government organs, including employment and dismissal of staff and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs, and in particular shall - (a) monitor; and review the performance and implementation of policies of all local government organs, including policies of taxation and protection of the environment: (b) monitor, evaluate and make recommendations on policies, procedures and practices of all local government organs in order to promote effective local governance…”

Also, under, Miscellaneous, at “28. The commission may require a local government organ to furnish to it at intervals as may be specified and at other times as the commission may require, a detailed report of finances and activities in the form and containing the particulars as the commission may specify.” And, at “27. It shall be the duty

of every local government organ to cooperate with the commission, its officers and employees in the discharge of their functions. and for that purpose to comply with all requests made or directions given by the commission or its officers and employees.”

In the face of a deteriorating city and poor municipal services, the mayor is constantly involved in public verbal battles with the government, other bodies and even some officers of the council. Councillors seem unable to do anything about all that is happening at City Hall. It is as if the council has gone rogue, with no clear sense of direction and purpose. In this 21st century, citizens continue not only to be embarrassed with the state of the city, but the public health of their communities is being put at risk by a council that appears leaderless and visionless.

Yours truly, Anthony Subner

Retraction and apology ON August 7, 2020, an article headlined, ‘Reg. 2 REO under fire for sexual allegation’ appeared in the Guyana Chronicle. Subsequent to the publication, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) in question, Mr Denis Jaikaran, caused a correspondence to be dispatched to the Guyana Chronicle, which indicated that certain statements contained in the said article are false and defamatory. The contentious article was published under the watch of elements of the old management of the Guyana Chronicle. Following a review of the article, it was found that indeed the claims made against Mr Jaikaran were false. The Guyana Chronicle retracts the contentious article and issues an unreserved apology to Mr Jaikaran for the distress the publication might have caused him and his family.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

First regional kidney transplant performed at GPHC THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) marked a huge milestone on Monday following the first successful kidney transplant in the region at the Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Department.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said the ministry is committed to providing the necessary tools to enhance the capacity of the department.

He extended congratulations to Dr. Kishore Persaud and his team for successfully completing the surgery on a patient from outside of Guyana.

“I want to congratulate the team that has been able to do these surgeries… over the last six years, they have done a fantas-

tic job despite the many challenges and odds that they face.

“The Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that they are given the tools so that they can enhance their work.

Today we celebrate a very historic day in Guyana and that is we have been able to do transplantation for one of our CARICOM sisters.”

The Health Minister said the government is working on improving the delivery of health care services not just for Guyanese, but for those in the Caribbean.

“Our vision for the health sector is one where we can develop a number of services that is [sic] not only going to be for our

Dr. Germaine Bristol (in white) speaks to the media about her surgery (DPI photo)

patients here in Guyana, but we envisage in the next few years that we will be able to offer those health services to other

citizens of the Caribbean region,” he said.

A n e m o t i o n a l D r.

Germaine Bristol, who travelled from Grenada to undergo the surgery, thanked the Government and people of Guyana for providing her with “a new lease on life”. Her 19-year-old son Gerome Bristol donated his kidney.

“Georgetown Public Hospital comes highly recommended. So, I would recommend it to anyone seeking medical care,” Dr. Bristol said.

The surgery was successfully completed on June 14, 2021. Head of the transplant team, Dr. Persaud explained that there were several com-

plications. He disclosed that while the kidneys start working almost immediately post-surgery, it took almost three weeks before Dr. Bristol’s kidneys started working. However, efforts were made to ensure her kidneys are back to normal function, so she will be able to live a normal life. (DPI)

Armed bandits rob women at BBQ

THREE armed bandits with a handgun and a cutlass recently robbed two females at 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, of their gold jewellery and other valuables amounting to

over $300,000.

Reports indicated that the 47-year-old woman and 16-year-old teen were in front of their yard sitting with relatives and two neighbours barbecuing chicken when

they were confronted by the bandits.

One of the suspects pointed a cutlass in the direction of one of the victims and told her not to move after which he relieved her of her gold bangles.

The other suspect pointed a handgun at another victim while relieving her of her gold chain as another suspect operated as a lookout.

Police said the entire incident lasted about 10 minutes after which the suspects made good their escape on foot.

The matter was reported to the police, who are investigating the incident.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Man accused of ganja Cop found not guilty of rape trafficking remanded A man, who was allegedly caught with over eight pounds of cannabis at Mon Repos (South) East Coast Demerara, was, on Monday, remanded to prison for drug trafficking.

Romel Ramsingh appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 17, 2021, at Mon Repos, he had 3,730 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose

Romel Ramsingh

of trafficking.

Magistrate George re-

Man charged for drunk driving, knocking down cop

Abdool Safraz Nazir

The alleged drunk driver who struck down a police sergeant on the Peter’s Hall Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and left him hospitalised, was, on

Monday arraigned before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Abdool Safraz Nazir was charged for failing to stop after an accident, failing to render assistance to officer Rajendra Major and driving while he was under the influence of alcohol. The offences were allegedly committed on July 13, 2021.

Nazir pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted a total of $60,000 bail.

The matter was adjourned until August 16, 2021.

“Sad Killer” shoots “Rawle Dog” RAWLE Franklyn, 33, called “Rawle Dog” of Sparendaam Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was, on Sunday night, allegedly shot by a former colleague known as “Sad Killer” and “Dutchy” whom he met at the Lusignan prison, police have confirmed.

Police said the victim and the suspect are known to

into Sparendaam Squatting Area, ECD to the gambling shop when he was confronted by “Sad Killer”, who was on the access bridge at the time and told him “look how long I waiting on you”.

The suspect then reached to his left side waist and drew a firearm and shot the victim to his right side hip and ran away in an unknown direction.

each other. Franklyn claims that whilst he was a remand prisoner at the Lusignan Prison, he met the suspect who would, from time to time, send him death threats.

On the aforementioned date, at about 21:45 hours, police said Franklyn was riding his pedal cycle heading

The victim then called a taxi driver, who is a friend, to take him to the hospital, where he was admitted as a patient and is in a stable condition.

Police said checks were made for the suspect but he was not located as investigations continue.

manded Ramsingh to prison until August 31.

A c c o r d i n g t o re ports, on the day in question, Ramsingh was seen by police with a plastic bag in his hand acting in a suspicious manner. It is alleged that he attempted to discard the plastic bag into a parked motor van. He was confronted and a search of the bag unearthed the narcotics.

Ramsingh was arrested and later charged for the offence.

A 25-year-old Police Constable was on Monday freed of a rape charge after the jury returned a not-guilty verdict.

Waylon Jordan was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court, for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 17-year-old girl on April 26, 2019, in the county of Demerara.

In his defence, he had claimed that the victim was infatuated with him, and he did not rape her.

The jury, after deliberating for two hours, found Jordan not guilty of rape. The state’s case was presented by prosecutors Nafeeza Baig and Sarah Martin,

FREED: Waylon Jordan

while Jordan was represented by attorney-at-law Teriq Mo-

9

hammed.

Justice Barlow told Jordan to consider it a second chance and that he must use the opportunity to avoid finding himself in similar situations and before the court.

The allegation was that the teen was a passenger in Jordan’s taxi when the offence was committed at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. It was alleged that Jordan carried the teen to a bushy area located at 4th bridge, Diamond Housing Scheme. He then locked the car doors with them inside and raped her. After the act, he drove the teen home. She later told her relatives what had allegedly transpired and the matter was reported to the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

City Hall departments being relocated to facilitate restoration project

By Naomi Parris

GEORGETOWN Mayor, Ubraj Narine, has disclosed that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is moving apace with relocating several departments to facilitate restoration of the historic City Hall building.

“We are currently relocating the Town Clerk, the Secretary, the Treasury departments, the chamber and so on. Those works have commenced and I want to commend government on this restoration of City Hall building,” the Mayor said, Earlier in the year, Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall had announced that works on the historic City Hall building will commence this year.

Dharamlall had told the

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine

Guyana Chronicle that preliminary studies into the restoration project have already been completed. The ministry had reviewed the reports and construction works are expected to follow.

“The European Commission and some other stakeholders have done a report, so that will be re-evaluated

during the course of next week and as soon as that is done, then we would be able to make some final determination,” he said.

Dharamlall further explained that the project is a commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, which fits into plans to enhance the City of Georgetown. He noted that the iconic 19th century gothic architectural marvel, the City Hall building, is a major tourism product and its restoration is necessary.

“We will be restoring the building to keep its image and its historical value; it also has a heritage value; it is a big tourism product and it’s part of the general landscape of Georgetown; it is also a landmark,” the minister said.

City Hall was designed by architect Ignatius

Scoles and the foundation stone was laid by Governor Henry Turner Irving on December 23, 1887. It was officially opened on

July 1, 1889, by Governor Viscount Gormanston. Over the years, the building has gradually descended into a deplor-

able state. There have been numerous appeals for the renovation and restoration of the beloved City Hall.

The Historic City Hall Building

Fire razes house at Grove Housing Scheme

A 56-year-old single mother, Nirmala Singh and her teen daughter, Nadia, have been displaced after a fire, said to be caused by a kerosine stove, gutted their 315 Grove Housing Scheme home.

The Guyana Chronicle, on Monday, was made to understand that the fire started around 23:00hrs on Sunday

night.

The daughter was in the outside bathroom while her mother had gone out to the public road. The girl noticed the flames and went out on the road to raise an alarm.

The address accommodated two houses; a kitchen of the second one was scorched.

The Fire Service responded in a timely manner and prevent-

ed the flames from spreading to the nearby wooden homes.

The destroyed house was a one-bedroom flat and the mother and daughter lost everything in the blaze.

Acting Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo, said the fire was caused after flames from a kerosene stove came into contact with a combustible material.

Nirmala Singh rummaging through what is left of her home on Monday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Municipal abattoir to be relocated _ official plans to be submitted on Thursday

By Naomi Parris GEORGETOW Mayor, Ubraj Narine, on Monday, disclosed that plans to relocate the municipal abattoir, located on Water Street, South Cummingsburg are underway.

At an impromptu press conference held in the mayor’s chambers, the mayor explained that the relocation stems from an incident last year when a crane, belonging to John Fernandes Company Limited, fell onto the abattoir’s roof.

“The abattoir will be relocated in a modern way, modern structure and so on and that plan will submit to my desk latest by Thursday and we are moving forward in that direction but we wanted everything to finalise first be-

slaughtering chambers was also damaged.

Mayor Narine added that the current location of the abattoir will be a spot for oil- and-gas operations in

fore we make the statement to the public,” the mayor said.

The crane, which belongs to John Fernandes Company Limited, severely damaged the roof, walls and windows of the kitchen area of the building. The roof of the

leave (AWOL) or are -Brutus tells PAC out terminated from the job for

abandoning their posts.

Brutus said that in most cases when ranks are terminated or opt to resign, a system is expected to be followed to ensure that the force’s accounting department puts a stop to the monthly salary payments.

While noting that about eight ranks go AWOL every month, he explained to the committee that after a 72hour period of no contact

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

report at a meeting of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday in the Parliament Chamber.

He noted that the issue of overpayments arises when ranks resign, are absent with-

already been selected; however, the mayor said that such will be revealed to the media and public in a subsequent press briefing after the official plans have been submitted to the mayor’s office.

The Municipal Abattoir processes approxi-

mately 75 per cent of the meat sold on the local markets. Since 1933, the abattoir, which operates under the ambit of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, has, over the years, been subject to minor maintenance works.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine

The Georgetown Municipal Abattoir will be relocated, says Mayor Narine

Overpaying of ranks due to slow information transfer

WITH the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yet to recover some $2.2 million overpaid to ranks during the 2010 to 2012 period, Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus, has noted that most of the major overpayments were due to the slow transmission of information to the accounting department.

Brutus addressed the issue which was recorded in the 2012 Auditor General’s

the future. “I will say to you that the abattoir there, this Council don’t want the abattoir to be no longer at Water Street because I believe Water Street will be an area for the oil-and-gas sector in the future.”

A proposed location has

from a rank has elapsed, the superior officer at that rank’s post is required to report it and record same as dereliction of duty, Brutus said.

He added: “The system of reporting and the actually [sic] paper report that comes

after 72 hours… a report of the person’s absent [sic] is expected to be at headquarters for action. If that fails, then measures are taken against ranks responsible, whether it be a sergeant or the sub-divisional officers.

Actions are taken against them for failing to show that the report is compiled and sent for action.”

He indicated that strategic steps are being taken by the force to ensure that preventive measures are undertaken.

Brutus stated that since August 2020, the force has instituted a system of “call reporting” that is being utilised as a way to minimise the wait time for transmission of information.

He added that this new system allows for the ranks or officers-in-charge to transmit preliminary information to senior officials in the GPF on ranks who are AWOL, prior to sending out their completed written up report.

He noted that in many cases across the country this system is the most efficient and time- effective way of ensuring that the force’s finance department obtains accurate and timely information on employment and payment, so as to mitigate the issue of overpayment to persons who are no longer in the employ of the GPF.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Over 6,000 pieces of substandard electrical products destroyed

SOME 6,867 pieces of substandard electrical products seized by inspectors of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ (GNBS) Product Compliance Department were destroyed on Monday.

According to a release, these items included breakers, lamp holders, power cords, receptacles, power outlets, knife switches and surge protective devices.

They were seized from sale outlets in Regions Three and Four for failing to comply with the requirements of the standards.

The GNBS, in 2021, commenced the monitoring of several categories of electrical equipment and fittings based on the requirements of 31 mandatory national standards.

According to the GNBS, the standards are aimed at protecting consumers from losses or injury resulting from the use of inferior electrical items.

“Some of the items confiscated and destroyed were found to be without any label while others did not specify the country origin; certification marks to prove that they were tested by an independent laboratory for quality were missing from labels; and for others there were no directions for use. There were a large number of inferior power cords and power strips incorrectly labelled as surge protective devices while they did not have such protection capability,” the release said.

Most of these non-con-

forming items were placed on hold by the GNBS for inspection. During this period, importers and dealers were given the opportunity to submit test certificates, and in some cases, Declaration on Conformity of Origin.

Some importers could not provide the requisite documents, which are based on the minimum requirements established by the respective mandatory National Standards.

The GBNS said that test certificates from independent/third party laboratories are required for products that do not have standard marks, which indicate that they were tested and conform to a standard.

Meanwhile, Declaration of Conformity of Origin is needed for products, which have no indication of the country in which they were manufactured.

To avoid seizure of items, importers and dealers are reminded to register with the GNBS, submit samples of new products for approval before importation; and ensure inspectors of the GNBS examine consignments of commodities before clearance and sale in the country.

Importers are also advised to purchase from sources known for producing quality products and those that are able to issue warranties that could be easily passed on to consumers.

In addition, imported products should bear a national or international certification mark from a rec-

ognised independent testing body in the country of origin, or a certificate of quality compliance should be submitted to the GNBS to verify the quality of products imported. Meanwhile, all labels, brochures, instruction manuals, leaflets, etc., which are associated with products, should be written in English Language and accompany the product at the time of sale.

The release also noted that importers and dealers are also urged to check their products received to ensure conformance to the quality specification and to detect any deterioration in quality or other damages during storage and transportation.

“For consumers, while some of the substandard items may cost less, you are urged to purchase items which are correctly labelled and suitable for the required use. The GNBS recommends that you purchase electrical equipment and fittings under the careful guidance of a certified electrician who is keen on using the best quality items. Such careful actions can reduce damages to household appliances and property due to fires,” the release said.

Copies of the various standards for electrical products can be purchased from the GNBS Head Office at Exhibition Site, Sophia. Inspectors of the bureau will continue to aggressively monitor for non-complying and defective products, the release noted.

Some of the items which were seized and later destroyed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Cash grant: another manifesto promise fulfilled _ says Attorney-General

THE ‘Because We Care’ education cash grant currently being distributed to parents and guardians of students enrolled in the public school system is another initiative which highlights the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government efforts to continue to deliver on its manifesto promises.

These were the sentiments shared by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., while delivering an address to hundreds of persons who gathered at the Bygeval Multilateral School, Region Five, on Sunday, to receive the $19,000 per child cash grant.

In making his contention, Nandlall highlighted a gamut of measures the PPP/C administration has undertaken and implemented since their assumption of office less than one year ago. He also made comparisons with the initiatives implemented by the previous administration.

Nandlall referenced the 200 “draconian” new tax measures implemented by the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change

government, which the then administration had imposed within just 10 months of being in office, 143 in February 2016 and 57 in December 2016. All of which were reversed by the new PPP/C administration.

The Attorney-General also referenced the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant, which the PPP/C administration implemented to be distributed to every Guyanese household in an effort to help with the harsh effects Guyanese faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; the five per cent increase in salaries for all public sector employees and the COVID-19 cash grant which was aimed specifically at public sector employees.

While the ‘Because We Care’ education cash grant is currently being distributed for use by students who are enrolled in the public education system, Nandlall reiterated Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent announcement that the government is actively considering the extension of the cash grant to accommodate children attending private institutions.

“These measures aggregate to give back to all of our

Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, S.C., addressing the gathering at the Bygeval Multilateral School, Region Five, on Sunday

people, billions of dollars in disposable income. This is

the style and type of government that we offer,” Nandlall

said.

“I am compelled to emphasise that these measures are being implemented, even though our country’s economy is affected by the worst public health pandemic in living memory and hit by a national disaster of flooding never seen before,” he reminded.

The Attorney-General acknowledged that the question “where is the money coming from?” must be asked, given that “not a single dollar has been used from the Sovereign Wealth Fund” -- meaning the funds being allocated for distribution of the cash

grant does not stem from oil proceeds.

“The money comes from the halting of runaway corruption and ending the overwhelming squandermania under the previous government, coupled with prudent management of the economy,” Nandlall said.

“So yes, as we continue to deliver, they will continue to criticise, erratically; pull at their hair, frustratingly and gnash their teeth in envy, but we will not be distracted and the people will continue to ignore them,” he added.

A section of the persons who attended to receive the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Street in Queens, New York, renamed after Pandit Gossai

A Queens, New York Street was co-named for a Guyanese pandit, Shri Prakash Gossai, formerly of Handsome Tree, Mahaica, Region Five, last Sunday.

It is now Shri Prakash Gossai Way on 86th Street and 101 Ave in Ozone Park, Queens, where thousands of Guyanese and Trinis are settled. Ozone Park is an extension of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven and Cypress, all of which are settled by tens of thousands of Guyanese.

The co-naming of the street in Queens comes on the heels of the co-naming of two other streets in the nearby areas for Guyanese Pandit, Ramlall, and Little Guyana in Richmond Hill, so described because of the large Guyanese population settled in New York.

Some one hundred thousand Guyanese live in the greater Richmond Hill area which was first settled by Guyanese and Trinis in the 1970s. Some half a million

Guyanese are settled in the USA. Prakash Gossai Way is named in honour of the late Hindu priest, Shri Prakash Gossai. He was enormously popular in North America and the Caribbean for his explanation and interpretation of the Ramayana. He was also the most popular Bhajan singer in the West.

Gossai was a versatile singer and won Bollywood filmi singing contests in Guyana. He played the harmonium very well. Gossai was educated as a biologist at UG and worked at the medical laboratory in Georgetown before migrating to the US in the early 1980s.

He was employed briefly with Dr Vishnu Bandhu as an accountant and sales agent in a store in Brooklyn. Then he applied for and passed exams to obtain a licence as a high school teacher of Biology, in New York, in 1985. While waiting for his teaching licence, he accompanied Dr

Bandhu and other religious figures singing at satsanghs and religious events in weekends and at weekday Hindu festivals.

THE CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has welcomed recent developments in the movement for reparatory justice, especially in the Caribbean and across the United States and reiterated its demands to European states that colonised the Region, to

immediately begin reparation negotiations with CARICOM. The movement for reparatory justice has received wide media coverage in the aftermath of the globalisation of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Rastafari, civil society

organisations, and prominent public figures in the Caribbean such as Michael Lester “Mike” Henry and Olivia Grange in Jamaica; Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Mia Mottley of Barbados and Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, have consistently em-

After he became a biology teacher, he founded the Bhuvaneshwar Mandir in Brooklyn and then shifted location to Ozone Park,

Queens. He was a popular pandit among Indo Caribbeans and nationals from India.

Gossai also studied Hinduism and Hindi in India for a year. He escorted tours and pilgrimage to India annually for a few years.

The well-known pandit re-migrated to Guyana and was employed by the government around 2007.

He suffered a massive heart attack in 2009 and his family airlifted him to Miami for medical treatment. He died shortly after his arrival in Miami. His body was flown to New York for final rites.

Thousands from all parts of the globe came to pay final tributes to him.

Recently, his family petitioned the City Council to name a street in his honour near the Mandir he founded.

Council member, Eric Ulrich, of the area championed the petition. It was approved by the Council and signed into law by the Mayor.

Among those in atten-

dance for the street-naming ceremony were Brooklyn Borough President, Donovan Richards; Democratic Mayoral nominee, Eric Adams; community leaders, the Mayor’s Liaison, Rohan Narine; Pandit Santram Dukhbanjan; Dr Dhanpaul Narine; Assembly Woman, Jenifer Rajkumar; Council member Ulrich, and Pandit Bankim Gossai of London.

Bankim is Prakash’s brother.

Arun Gossai, Prakash’s son, presided over the ceremony.

Before the unveiling ceremony, there was a programme at the Mandir that included prayers, speeches, singing and dance items.

Accolades were showered on the late pandit from community leaders and elected politicians.

The co-naming of the street to honour Indian Guyanese is a reflection of the growing influence of the IndianAmerican community in America.

CRC welcomes push for reparatory justice phasised the urgent need for reparations and recompense, especially for the crime of chattel slavery, the CRC said in a release.

The CRC said it is encouraged by the progress being made in the United States to bring the HR40 bill to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote in the weeks ahead. The CRC also noted the results of a recent public poll conducted by the Congressional Black Caucus, which shows reparations as the number one issue on the minds of the African-American electorate.

The UN Human Rights Council’s recent landmark report calls on member states of the United Nations to pay reparations to the countries and communities that have been victimised by centuries of systemic racism and by the ongoing legacies and harms of African enslavement.

“The global movement for reparatory justice is witnessing significant momentum outside of the United States, particularly in Europe,

Africa, and the Latin American regions in this International Decade for People of African Descent and the 20th anniversary this year of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).

“Reparations for African enslavement, Indigenous People’s genocide, deceptive indentureship and other colonial atrocities continue to resonate across the Region. The CRC’s 10-point plan remains a crucial blueprint for sustainable social and economic development throughout the Caribbean.

“The reparations movement across the Caribbean and the globe is a ‘big tent’ movement. There is enough space inside this tent for a wide variety of reparation initiatives, projects, and currents, all of which agree on a common objective and goal—justice and restitution for historical crimes of slavery,” the CRC said.

It noted that the righteous reparations messages are resonating powerfully across

the world, adding that reparation initiatives and projects in states and municipalities across the United States are mushrooming in the wake of the horrific murder of George Floyd in the U.S., ironically on Africa Day 2020, and the massive street demonstrations which followed, led by the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Major universities and religious denominations in the U.S., Britain and Europe are today involved in a wide range of reparatory-justice projects.

Reparation initiatives are currently underway in Namibia and Tanzania in Southern Africa and reparation groups have been established in several countries of the Americas, most notably Colombia, Brazil, Panama, and Costa Rica.

“The CRC applauds these initiatives and stands in solidarity with the civil society advocates leading these initiatives. The Reparations Movement has, indeed, become the greatest political, social justice and human rights campaign of the 21st Century, uniting its advocates across all geographic spaces and building solidarity bridges where colonialism sought to break them,” the CRC said in the release.

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Chelsea Edghill will be ready!

– Coach Idi Lewis

By Rawle Toney IDI Lewis, long-time coach of Chelsea Edghill, is confident that the Table Tennis ace will be ready for her first taste of Olympic competition on Saturday July 24 in the Women’s Singles event.

Edghill arrived in Japan on Saturday and had her first training session yesterday at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

“Chelsea is in great spirits and of course it's an exciting time to be on this stage amongst the best in the world. We had our first training session and, surprisingly, it's going better than I thought it would, factoring in the travel,” Lewis told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview from Japan.

Edghill, who also holds

a BSc in Chemistry, having graduated in 2019 from Lindenwood University in the USA, plays professionally in Portugal with Lusitania de Lourosa; a table tennis club located in the city of Lourosa in Santa Maria da Feira.

When Edghill features at the 32nd Olympiad, she will become the first table tennis player, male or female, from Guyana and Lusitania de Lourosa to reach the Olympic Games.

Lewis and Edghill held daily training sessions since the former Caribbean U-21 Singles Champion had gotten the news that she picked up the lone female global selection from the Olympic Games Tripartite Commission (IOC/ANOC/ASOIF).

However, Edghill had departed Guyana for an over two weeks Elite Training

Allicock departs... over a year.

The Albouystown resident believes that his trip to the Olympics is an opportunity for him to make amends for his controversial defeats at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and the World Boxing Championship.

Allicock’s selection by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Boxing Task Force was labelled as a “joyous moment for boxing in Guyana,” according to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle.

Ninvalle, the country’s Director of Sport said Allicock heading to the Olympics ``underlines that our executive has been on the right track. It has been 25 years since we had someone qualify for the Olympics. We will need all aboard to increase his chances of medalling or even bettering the bronze that we won in 1980.”

UK-based Antiguan

Camp in California where she worked with other Olympians ahead of the games.

“I’m judging that we’re maybe 70 per cent, which is more than I thought it would be for our first training session because it’s a new arena, new tables and everything, so I think we’re doing better than I thought on our first day and I know that she’s going to keep getting better; so come the day of the competition, we definitely going to be ready to go,” Lewis said.

The country’s National Table Tennis coach also lauded the work done by the Guyanese delegation’s physio and COVID-19 personnel, Angelica Holder, adding “she has been an incredible support leading up to us getting here and even more so us being here.”

(From back page)

boxer, Alston Ryan, Jamaica’s Ricardo 'Big 12' Brown and Trinidadian Aaron Prince will join Allicock as the only boxers from the Caribbean at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Swimmers Aleka Persaud and Andrew Fowler, along with Table Tennis player, Chelsea Edghill,

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have already arrived in Japan and begun preparation ahead of their respective events.

Track athletes, Emanuel Archibald (100m) and the Abrams siblings-Jasmine (100m) and Aliyah (400m)-- will arrive on the Island on Thursday.

11:55 hrs Mars Haper 12:25 hrs Rain In Spain 12:55 hrs Chelseas Friend 13:25 hrs Mickey Shea 13:55 hrs Bow tie Canadian Racing Tips Fort Erie Race 1 Summer Retreat Race 2 Dynamite Karma Race 3 P S Charlie Brown American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Party In The Raine Race 2 Social Mobility Race 3 Star Manager Race 4 Annie Rocks Race 5 Preferred Out Come Race 6 Investment Grade Race 7 Regality Race 8 Stone Heart South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:45 hrs Lulu’s Boy 09:20 hrs Alex The Great 09:55 hrs winter Watch 10:30 hrs Dancing Queen 11:05 hrs El Romiachi

WI women win series 3-2 despite losing final match

The victorious West Indies women’s team

ST. JOHN'S, AntiguaWest Indies Women finished the CG Insurance One Day International Series against Pakistan Women with a 3-2 series victory, despite losing the fifth and final match by 22 runs via the Duckworth/Lewis/ Stern Method on Sunday.

The match was reduced to 36 overs per side due excess moisture on the pitch.

The umpires deliberated and delayed the toss and start of the match allowing the pitch time to dry. The game was then reduced by a further two overs to 34 overs per side as the rains came and forced a stop in play.

Pakistan women took advantage of some wayward bowling by the West Indies Women, both in the opening overs and then the back end of the innings which allowed them to post 190/8. At the

innings break the umpires gave the West Indies Women a revised target of 194 runs from the 34 overs. The West Indies Women struggled to maintain or overtake the required run-rate, leaving too many runs to get in the final overs with wickets consistently falling.

West Indies Women's Head Coach Courtney Walsh was pleased with the overall performance of the team throughout the series despite the back-to-back losses.

Coach Walsh told CWI Media: "There's a fair amount of positives with the cricket upfront. We lacked consistency in the last two games, we didn't show that hunger.

I wouldn't say it was complacency but we made some crucial mistakes that costed us right throughout. The results of both series wins

were very good because we hadn't had a series for a while. Moving forward we have to look at where we are, we have the qualifiers coming up and World Cup after so we have to address a number of areas."

Captain Stafanie Taylor shared similar sentiments as Head Coach Walsh, telling CWI Media "We will take away the series win but I guess when you look back on these two last games... I think we should have done a lot better. (On winning the series) It's very pleasing, we haven't won a series at home or away (in a long time), to actually win a series at home , once you win at home you can transfer that to a win away, so I'm really pleased we're back up and running when it comes to winning." (CWI Media)

Milwaukee Bucks move closer to NBA title after game five win THE Milwaukee Bucks moved to within one game of their first NBA title since 1971 with a 123-119 win over the Phoenix Suns.

The Bucks now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can seal the title at home in game six (02:00 BST on Wednesday 21 July).

They overcame an early 16-point deficit with 43 points in the second quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and nine rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 29 points and seven rebounds.

"One more to go," Antetokounmpo said. "We've got to keep playing good

basketball. We kept our composure, we kept fighting.

"This is the NBA Finals, so you got to give everything you got. And that's what the team did tonight."

Jrue Holiday had 27 points and 13 assists and also made a key steal off Devin Booker late in the fourth quarter as Phoenix tried to stage a late comeback.

Booker hit 40 points for the second straight game and for the fourth time in this postseason campaign.

Chris Paul, who finished with 21 points and 11 assists, cut the lead to one point at 120-119 with 56.6

seconds remaining.

But Holiday's steal led to a dunk from Antetokounmpo with 13.5secs left.

Although he missed the resulting free throw, Milwaukee regained possession and Phoenix fouled Middleton who scored one of his two shots to make it a two-possession game with 9.8secs to go.

"We knew this wasn't going to be easy. We didn't expect it to be," added Paul.

"It's hard. Coach said it all year long, 'Everything you want is on the other side of hard', and it don't get no harder than this." (BBC Sport)

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Lewis Hamilton racially abused online after British Grand Prix win LEWIS Hamilton has been the target of racist abuse on social media after his victory at Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Hamilton received a 10-second penalty after a collision with title rival Max Verstappen during the first lap of the race, which led to the Dutchman crashing out.

Mercedes, F1 and governing body the FIA condemned the abuse "in the strongest possible terms".

"These people have no place in our sport," read a joint statement.

"We urge that those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.

"Formula One, the FIA, the drivers and the teams are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, and such unacceptable instances of online abuse must be highlighted and eliminated."

Mercedes team principal

Toto Wolff told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have seen it in the football in the European Championship and the abuse that is absolutely not acceptable, and the same yesterday, and I still question whether some just don't get it.

"This is not acceptable and we will react to it."

Verstappen's team Red Bull Racing said it was "disgusted and saddened" at the abuse directed towards Hamilton.

"While we may be fierce rivals on-track, we are all united against racism," the team said in a statement.

"We condemn racist abuse of any kind towards our team, our competitors and our fans.

"There is never any excuse for it, there is certainly no place for it in our sport and those responsible should be held accountable."

Former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, who

is chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association which represents all competitors on the grid, said "racism and abuse of any kind is unacceptable" and added that the drivers' union "absolutely condemn any such behaviour".

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government's Online Safety Bill, which was announced in the Queen's Speech in May, "will make social media firms deal with abuse".

But while the bill is still only a draft, he said "it's time for platforms to turn the tide on racist abuse".

"Social media companies can and must act now. We're all sick to death of seeing the bile and the threats," Dowden tweeted.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, said in a statement: "The racist abuse directed at Hamilton during and after the British Grand

Shamsi four-for fashions comfortable South Africa T20I over Ireland A disciplined bowling display in which Tabraiz Shamsi was the star set up a 33 run victory for the Proteas over Ireland in the first T20 international in Dublin on Monday.

Ireland won the toss and asked South Africa to bat in the first ever match between the two countries in cricket's shortest format.

Despite a fast start by Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma, South Africa soon found themselves in trouble at 44-3 after a cluster of wickets fell during the powerplay.

The visitors eventually posted a 165/7 after their 20 overs with Aiden Markram (39) the top scorer.

He received support from Rassie van der Dussen (25)

Tabraiz Shamsi bagged four wickets in a T20I for the second time this year. (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

and David Miller (28) but it was the flashing blade of Kagiso Rabada (19* off

9 balls) that added some respectability to the South African score.

Ireland struggled from the start of the innings, regularly losing wickets as they struggled to 34-4 after five overs.

The introduction of Shamsi made their task even more difficult and the number one ranked T20 bowler spun his magic, taking 4/27 in his four over spell.

He was ably supported

by Lungi Ngidi and George Linde as the Proteas cruised to win despite an annoying last wicket partnership between Barry McCarthy (30*) and Josh Little (15*) The teams meet again in the second match in the three match series on Thursday.

Lewis Hamilton's victory at Silverstone cut Max Verstappen's championship lead to eight points.

Prix is unacceptable and we've removed a number of comments from Instagram.

"In addition to our work to remove comments and accounts that repeatedly break our rules, there are safety features available, including comment filters and message controls, which can mean no one has to see this type of abuse.

"No single thing will fix this challenge overnight but we're committed to the work to keep our community safe from abuse."

Verstappen was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after suffering an impact of 51G in the crash, but was later released without any major injuries.

Hamilton's 10-second penalty saw him drop to fourth place after his pit stop, but the seven-time world champion fought back to overtake Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with two laps remaining to secure victory.

Verstappen later called Hamilton"disrespectful" and "unsportsmanlike" for celebrating the win while the Dutchman lay in hospital.

The incident comes a week after England footballers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were targeted with racist abuse on social media after

they all missed a penalty in the Three Lions' Euro 2020 final shootout defeat against Italy.

A mural honouring Manchester United striker Rashford was also defaced, though it was repaired the next day and later covered with hundreds of messages of support.

The UK government says it wants those found guilty of abusing footballers online to be banned from attending football matches and that its Online Safety Bill will do more to force social media companies to act.

In response to the abuse directed at the England players, Twitter said it had removed 1,000 posts and blocked accounts sharing hateful content, and had tools and filters that could be activated to stop account holders from seeing abusive content. (BBC Sport)

India batters fire to thrash Sri Lanka in ODI opener (REUTERS)-Stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan impressed on debut as India cruised to a seven-wicket win

and the entire Test squad are sitting out this series due to India's five-match Test series against England, which starts on August 4.

Privthi Shaw showed some of his enormous potential with a blistering innings // Getty

in their opening one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Kishan celebrated his 23rd birthday with a breezy 59, while Dhawan remained not out on 86 as India chased down the 263-run victory target with 13.2 overs to spare.

Regular captain Virat Kohli

After electing to bat, Sri Lanka struggled for momentum but still managed 9-262 thanks to No.8 Chamika Karunaratne's unbeaten 43.

The hosts got off to a steady start before Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Avishka Fernando (33) with his first delivery.

Charith Asalanka (38) and

captain Dasun Sanaka (39), in charge in the absence of Kusal Perera due to a shoulder injury, were the other Sri Lanka batsmen to get decent starts.

Chahal (2-52) and fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav (248) applied the brakes before Karunaratne's late counter-attack.

In contrast, India got their run chase off to a blistering start.

Prithvi Shaw led India's robust reply with 43 off 24 balls including nine boundaries as India reached the 50-mark in the fifth ove After Shaw's exit, Kishan continued the assault bringing up his 50 in 33 balls, the second-fastest half-century in ODI history. The fastest was fellow Indian Krunal Pandya, who hit a 26-ball fifty against England earlier this year.

Kishan smashed two sixes and eight boundaries before falling to spinner Lakshan Sandakan (1-53).

The visitors reached the target in the 37th over with Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 20) at the crease with Dhawan when the winning runs were hit.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Pollard wants smooth transition as ODIs return BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Captain Kieron Pollard yesterday underscored the importance of making a successful transition to the longer format amid the recent heavy diet of Twenty20 cricket, as West Indies prepared to face Australia in the opening One-Day International of the threematch series here today at the Kensington Oval.

West Indies dominated the preceding five-match Twenty20 International series in St Lucia, winning 4-1, but Pollard said it was critical players adjusted their mindsets to the ODI version, especially with more time available over 50 overs.

However, he pointed out that with key players like Shai Hope and Darren Bravo returning for the series, they would help to fuel the approach required, especially among the batting group.

“We’re supposed to be professionals … so in terms of making the transition, it’s a mindset. In anything

that you do, it’s from a mind perspective,” the Trinidadian told an online media conference.

“About six or seven guys have left the T20 squad and about six or seven guys are coming into the ODI team.

Hopey (Hope) is coming back, he was not in the T20 team. He has an appetite for scoring runs and batting long.

Left-hander Darren Bravo bats in the nets ahead of the first ODI as captain Kieron Pollard (middle) and team psychologist Donald La Guerre look on. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) “Darren Bravo got the opportunity to play one T20 match [against Australia] but his last ODI score would’ve been a hundred as well, so a couple of the guys coming in are guys we expect to sort of bat long and who love batting long.

“With that aspect of it, it’s just a matter of the T20 guys to continue their momentum – not curb their natural instincts – but understand it’s a longer format of

the game.”

The right-handed Hope has been in sublime form in ODIs, slamming a hundred and two half-centuries in the three-match series against Sri Lanka last March.

Overall, the 27-year-old averages 53 from 81 ODIs and with ten hundreds, is one of the world’s leading players in the format.

Bravo, meanwhile, is also coming off a hundred against the Sri Lankans and is expected to help shoulder the burden of the batting.

With world-rated all-rounder Jason Holder and off-spinning all-rounder, Roston Chase, also return-

mons that 300-plus totals were the goal during the upcoming series, especially in light of the quality batting available.

“Those [totals] are international standards. But if we do well and we bowl well – if we bowl first and limit the opposition – we just have to make what’s in front of us,” he explained.

“But in terms of from a batting perspective, that’s international standards – 300, 320, 330. We had started off this quest when we first started a couple of years ago trying to find the right balance and combination.

“I think we’ve sort of

and play each ball on its merit, we still have to respect conditions and we still have to respect oppositions.”

The ODIs fall in the middle of the home side’s preparation for this October’s T20 World Cup, and on the heels of a five-match T20 series against Pakistan starting here later this month.

But Pollard said there was value in the ODIs, especially with points going towards qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India.

“Every one-day game that we play is very, very important, and is geared towards 2023 – which is in

Left-hander Darren Bravo bats in the nets ahead of the first ODI as captain Kieron Pollard (middle) and team psychologist Donald La Guerre look on.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

ing, and left-hander Shimron Hetmyer coming off a strong T20 series, West Indies are expected to present a formidable batting lineup.

Pollard, who missed the T20 series through injury, reiterated recent comments from head coach Phil Sim-

found that and now it’s a matter of the next step, which is to consistently hit those targets. As I keep saying, it’s a work in progress and I think we have the personnel in the dressing room to do that.

“But we still have to go

the future and which in all honesty I don’t like to speak about,” he said.

“But in terms of 50-over cricket, we have to play each game like it’s a quarter-final knockout because it’s the points that are going to have value in the back end, so we

have to be focussed on that and we have to be focussed on winning.

“That’s our main focus and hopefully guys can buy into it and hit the ground running at the start of this series.”

SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Anderson Philip, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd.

AUSTRALIA – Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Wes Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Dan Christian, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Pogacar wins Tour de France for the Finch injured, Carey named Australia’s 26th ODI captain second year in a row

…Finch's knee injury will be assessed on a day to day basis during the series

Winner team UAE Emirates' Tadej Pogacar (C) of Slovenia wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey celebrates with his teammates as he crosses the finish line at the end of last stage of the Tour de France cycling race on Sunaday. (AFP - ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

(REUTERS)-Slovenian Tadej Pogacar claimed a second successive Tour de France title after Sunday's 21st and final stage.

The 22-year-old UAE Emirates rider is the youngest rider to wear the overall leader's yellow jersey at the end of the race for two years running.

He also won the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider and the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification after a dominant performance throughout.

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard took second place

overall with Ecuador's Richard Carapaz in third.

Pogacar now heads to Tokyo for the Olympics, where he will be among the favourites for the road race next Saturday.

After a processional ride to Paris, multiple attacks took place in the eight laps around the finishing line on the Champs Elysees, with Mark Cavendish's Deceuninck-Quick Step team controlling the gap.

The Briton, however, did not benefit from his usual lead-out man Mikael Morkov

and Van Aert powered to victory for his third stage win in this year's Tour.

Belgian Jasper Philipsen was second ahead of thirdplaced Cavendish, who wins the green jersey for the points classification for the second time, having won four stages this year.

Van Aert, who will take part in the time trial in Tokyo, won Saturday's individual time trial after also winning a mountain stage featuring two ascents of the much-feared Mont Ventoux.

ALEX Carey has been named Australia captain for the first ODI against West Indies in Barbados with Aaron Finch ruled out due to the knee injury he aggravated during the last T20I. Carey will become the 26th man to captain Australia in one-day international cricket.

Finch's injury will be assessed on a "day by day" basis but with the three matches being played in the space of five days it could be a challenge for him to fit for this series.

Carey was previously a joint vice-captain of the ODI side until the selectors reverted to the traditional model of having one player in the position by naming Pat Cummins as vice-captain across all formats last year.

However, Cummins is not part of this tour so Carey now has the chance to lead his country for the first time having previously captained Australia A, Adelaide Strikers and South Australia.

Alex Carey will be Australia's 26th captain in ODIs. (Getty Images)

"I am deeply honoured to be able to lead the team while Aaron recovers," he said. "To captain Australia is one of the greatest privileges in sport and an honour I am extremely thankful to receive.

"Finchy is our captain and we will welcome him back with open arms when he is fully fit, so for now I hope I can fill the role to his extremely high standards.

"To lead this group against the West Indies in

the West Indies is a great challenge and one I very much look forward to for as long as I have the opportunity."

Carey has previously been suggested as a possible candidate to captain the Test side when Tim Paine retires and his leadership qualities are held in high regard.

"For a long period of time Alex has shown an extremely high level of professionalism and discipline as a fantastic leader within this group," head coach Justin Langer said. "The injury to Finchy gives Alex an opportunity for his first experience as captain. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job with the support of the other senior players."

The absence of Finch will leave Australia with an even more inexperienced side having been stripped of a host of key names for this tour. Carey did not confirm an XI for the opening match but indicated he would be batting in the middle order.

(CRICINFO)

26

Euro 2020 final...

FA announces independent review into Wembley security breaches

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

BCB, Everest to strengthen ties

BCB president, Hilbert Foster (second from right) along with Everest Cricket Club president, Mansoor Nadir (second from left), and their respective club executives during the recent visit

BERBICE Cricket Board (BCB) president, Hilbert Foster, recently paid a courtesy call to the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) at the invitation of that club’s president and Speaker of the National Assembly, Mansoor Nadir.

Foster was accompanied by treasurer of the board Dr. Cecil Beharry and assistant Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), Simon Naidu.

Foster and Nadir dis-

More than 60,000 fans attended the Wembley final

THE Football Association (FA) says it is determined to ensure the "disgraceful scenes" that marred the Euro 2020 final are "never able to be repeated".

An independent review investigating the security breaches is to take place, the FA announced on Monday.

Fans fought with stewards and police as they attempted to break through gates at Wembley on 11 July.

"We are determined to fully understand what happened outside and then inside Wembley Stadium," read an FA statement.

The FA has been hit with four charges by UEFA surrounding the behaviour of fans.

They relate to disturbances caused during the national anthems, invasion of the pitch, the throwing of objects and the lighting of a firework by fans.

In addition, a UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation into events involving supporters that occurred inside and around the stadium.

The FA announced last week it would conduct a full

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review after a "large number of drunken yobs" tried to force their way in to Wembley without tickets.

The FA's statement on Monday said Baroness Casey of Blackstock has been commissioned to report on the facts and circumstances involved.

It added: "We continue to work with the relevant authorities in support of their efforts to identify those responsible and hold them to account."

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham apologised to legitimate fans and said the security team had "never seen anything like it".

He said the FA would work with the police to ban anyone who had forced their way in and to prevent such an event happening again.

Images of seven men being sought in connection with the disorder have been released by police.

England lost to Italy in the final following a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.

(BBC Sport)

cussed several areas of co-operation between the two clubs.

The RHTYSC U-23 team is set to play their Everest counterparts next month in a specially arranged match while several members, along with Mr. Nadir, committed themselves to assisting the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund which would shortly assist less fortunate youths across Guyana with cricket gear, cycles, and school bags.

After being taken on a comprehensive tour of the club’s expansion work, Foster congratulated Nadir and his executives for their outstanding work to promote sports, as the two leaders committed themselves to working together to strengthen the relationship in the future.

The RHTYSC is also set to host a return visit by Everest later in the year, while plans would also be on stream for a Masters match.

T&T held by Guatemala, Coach Angus Eve ‘disappointed’ FRISCO, Texas, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s quest to end their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign on a high note ended in disappointment, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Guatemala here Sunday night.

Reon Moore’s early first half-half strike had lifted the hopes of the Trinidadians but they conceded deep in the second half through a clinical finish from Gerardo Gordillo, to settle for a share of the points at Toyota Stadium.

In their previous two games, Trinidad and Tobago drew nil-all in their opener against Mexico before going down 2-0 to El Salvador last Wednesday.

They ended third in Group A on two points, only above the Guatemalans who were bottom with one point.

“I was disappointed tonight because we wanted to be on the front foot,” said T&T’s interim head coach, Angus Eve. “We started that way. I thought we dominated the game first half but when we scored the goal, we never really pushed to get the second goal to kill off the game.

“And then in the second half, I think the fellas went

Trinidad and Tobago’s Reon Moore.

into a shell and tried to keep what they had. We were trying to drive them forward but they just kept dropping back.

“That was never in the plans today and it’s the first time I’ve been disappointed in the group.”

The Caribbean unit notched their first goal of the tournament when Alvin Jones surged into the right side of the box and picked out Moore on the left, the 24-year-old opting for a left-footed finish to beat goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro at the far post.

Navarro saved from Andre Fortune in the 33rd minute as T&T went to the break in control of the contest.

Guatemala gained a foot-

hold in the game following the break, however, increasing their possession and pushing T&T further back into their own half.

Oscar Santis went close in the 59th minute when his shot sailed over the crossbar while Rudy Barrientos, a half-time substitute, forced a low diving save out of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip in the 60th minute.

When Jorge Aparicio drove wide of the uprights in the 71st minute with the T&T defence in chaos, Guatemala were scenting their leveler, and there was no surprise when it arrived minutes later.

Marvin Ceballos put a perfect corner into the box and Gordillo was faster to the ball than Noah Powder, powering his header past Phillip.

Luis Martínez then nearly won it in the 84th but his goalbound shot was brilliantly saved by Phillip.

In Group B, Haiti beat fellow French Caribbean side Martinique 2-1 to collect their first points of the tournament.

Carnejy Antoine put Haiti ahead in the third minute before Kevin Fortune leveled in the 53rd, and Ricardo Adé found the winner eight minutes later.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Tokyo Games village safe, positive COVID-19 cases to be expected - expert

By Karolos Grohmann TOKYO (Reuters) The Tokyo Olympic Games have had their share of positive coronavirus cases before they open, but health expert Brian McCloskey says they were to be expected and are lower than initially imagined at this stage.

U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff tested positive for COVID-19 before her departure. Other athletes have tested positive at the airport after arriving in Japan or once inside the bubble that is the athletes' village.

"What we are seeing is what we expected to see," McCloskey, a leading adviser to the Games, told a news conference on Monday. "We do the tests because they are a way of filtering out (people with COVID-19)."

"We identify them early, taking them apart from other people. It is expected. Each layer of filtering is a reduction of risk. The numbers we are seeing are lower, maybe lower than we were expecting," he said.

McCloskey, who chairs an independent panel of experts advising organisers on COVID-19 mitigation measures, said there was no way of being 100% sure that no athlete would be infected but measures in place were reducing that risk consid-

Health expert Brian McCloskey is a leading adviser to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

erably.

Some critics have said the Games should not go ahead during a pandemic. Many Japanese are also worried the Games could become a super-spreader event.

Just four days before the opening ceremony, 68% of respondents in an Asahi newspaper poll expressed doubt about the ability of Olympic organisers to control coronavirus infections, with 55% saying they were opposed to the Games going ahead.

Asked whether the athletes' village was safe, McCloskey said: "Yes... The longer you stay in the village the less likely it is (for people) to test positive as we are filtering people out."

McCloskey, who in 2012 was in charge of the UK Health Protection Agency's preparations for the London Olympics, said he did not want to put a figure of

how many cases would constitute a successful Games.

"We don't put a figure on it. It is impossible to predict. What we need to do is (ensure) that the number is as low as possible. No matter what the number is, it's important how quickly we try to find them," he said.

Organisers not only need to find those infected but also have to take out of circulation all those who have been in contact with an infected individual and ensure they are isolated and tested prior to competitions.

He did not rule out that contact with infected people could potentially lead to Olympic exclusion but said "all the measures in place.... will reduce the risk of anybody spreading it."

California to Guyana Basketball Foundation supports YBG

Some of the items the YBG received from the California to Guyana Basketball Foundation.

YOUTH Basketball Guyana (YBG) received a large quantity of basketball shoes and socks, among other items, from the California to Guyana Basketball Foundation – a non-profit organisation based in the United States.

Just last year at the height of the pandemic, the same group donated 60,000 3-ply face masks which were distributed amongst YBG members and partners.

“This latest donation is further evidence of how little things can make a big difference, as many youth at the grassroots will no doubt benefit with the aid of a pair of basketball shoes. We would like to thank Brad and his team, and all those who donated to this effort, for continuing to look out for our youth,” YBG said in a release.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr, and Melissa

Tucker, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, came in for high praises from YBG for facilitating exemption on Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes.

“We also want to thank John Fernandes Limited for waving storage costs,” YBG said.

Meanwhile, YBG made a presentation to the Boys of Bosco Orphanage, where they donated football cleats and basketball sneakers.

Boxer Keevin Allicock (left) and his coach/trainer Sebert Blake ahead of their departure from Russia to Japan.

St Clair set for Australia Boxing Hall-of-Fame induction

Allicock departs Russia for Tokyo

…Blake in ‘awe’ of boxer’s focus and commitment

By Rawle Toney FOCUSED, committed, exited; some of the words used by Coach Sebert Blake to describe boxer, Keevin Allicock, after the pair wrapped up their almost three weeks training Camp in Russia, and departed yesterday for Japan.

Allicock, Guyana’s 2017 Com-

monwealth Youth Games silver medallist, will step into the ring on July 24 against some of the best featherweights at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 22-year-old is Guyana’s first representative at the Olympic Games in the sport of boxing since John Douglas’ 1996 showing at the games in Atlanta, USA. According to Blake, who has

been working with the Caribbean bantamweight champion for a number of years, Allicock is in the best shape of his life and his time in Russia was beneficial to their goal of medalling in Tokyo.

Allicock held sparring sessions with several top boxers and it was his first time having elite partners in TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Chelsea Edghill will be ready!

– Coach Idi Lewis

Getting it right! Coach Idi Lewis and Chelsea Edghill during their first training session at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Guyana's Gairy St Clair will go down in history as one of the most decorated Guyanese fighters.

FORMER World Champion, Guyana’s Gairy St Clair, will be inducted into Australia’s Boxing Hallof-Fame.

At the end of his illustrious career where he’s one of the country’s most decorated fighters, St Clair’s record stood at 45 wins (18 by knockout), 12 losses, two draws.

St Clair turned pro after he represented Guyana at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in British Columbia, Canada, and made his debut at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a win over Nigel Boston.

In 1998, after fighting unbeaten for four years, St Clair fought the legendary Diego Corrales, but despite a good showing, the American exited the ring with a unanimous decision win.

However, St Clair returned to Guyana to claim the country’s National super

featherweight title by beating Vincent Howard at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in 1999.

But unanimous decision defeats to Vivian Harris in 1999 and Leonard Dorin in 2000, certainly didn’t hold St Clair back.

During his unbeaten run from 2001 – 2006, St Clair picked up the International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific Super Featherweight title and World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental Featherweight title, both of which he successfully defended.

In 2006, St Clair capped a superb showing in the ring by beating South African Cassius Baloyi in South Africa to take the IBF World Super Featherweight and IBO World Super Featherweight World Titles.

In St Clair’s last fight, in 2013, he won via unanimous decision against Roberto Oyan.

Pollard wants smooth transition as ODIs return Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021