Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23-08-2021

MONDAY 23rd August, 2021

' No.106462

Guyana’s new oil marketer to be named this week

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Distribution of $7.8B flood relief starts in Reg. 6 03 PAGE

–– over $1 billion to be disbursed to 5,000 farmers, households within the region

Exercise held to boost fire-fighting efforts 08

Kenneth Arthur, a rice farmer of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) receives his flood relief in the form of a cheque from Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC, at Friends Primary School in Sisters Village, on Sunday (Richard Bhainie photo)

Reg.1 police to enforce COVID-19 vaccination card requirement on public transportation operators 05 PAGE

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In an effort to boost their fire-fighting skills, over 80 ranks of the Guyana Fire Service, on Sunday, participated in an extensive exercise to boost their emergency response and test newly acquired equipment. In this Carl Croker photo, a rank can be seen testing a new hydraulic platform

Teenager stabbed to death during drunken brawl in Soesdyke 13 PAGE

Dead: Roy Boston

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Guyana’s new oil marketer to be named this week –– Minister Bharrat reveals

GUYANA is currently on the hunt for a company qualified and capable of marketing the government’s share of the light sweet crude being extracted by the ExxonMobil-operated Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).

So far, 15 top oil-trading companies from all across the world have submitted their bids to fill the position as Guyana’s next oil marketer, and according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, the successful bidder will be named during the course of this week.

An article published by S&P Global Platts indicate that “the London-registered oil trader for China’s Sinochem submitted the lowest bid price of 0.02 cent,” while “the highest big was submitted by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago and Heritage Petroleum for 0.26 cent.”

As it is, officials are examining the bids, section by section, to ensure there are no hidden costs that “could alter the actual bid price.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources had made it clear that it was looking for companies that not only had sufficient experiences in the marketing of crude oil, but one that has been involved in the oil-trading business for at least a decade.

The successful company is also required to have experience in “crude oil trading and marketing volumes by geography over the last three years with verifiable similar services with national oil companies and governments as well as crude oil trading and marketing volumes of no less than 20 million barrels within the last year,” the article posited.

It indicated too that “Hess Corporation, which is a stakeholder in the ExxonMobil-led consortium in the prolific Stabroek Block, has bid to be the oil marketer at a price of 0.07 cents.”

It should be noted that it was Hess Corporation that sold Guyana’s fourth lift, 998,629 barrels, in December 2020, which earned the country approximately US$61,090,968 (G$13 billion).

Since then, Guyana has

had three other oil lifts, recently receiving payments for its seventh, to the tune of US$79,617,561.87 - the largest single oil payment the country has received to date. This was payment for 1,047,820 barrels of oil, which were also extracted from the Liza Destiny.

This brought the country’s oil extractions to a grand total of 7,056,262 barrels, and accumulative earnings of US$388,777,840.

The Natural Resources Minister recently informed the 31st Sitting of the National Assembly that this amount, plus royalties, put the total in the Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) to US$436 million, which remains untouched.

As he stood to defend the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, Minister Bharrat recommitted the intention of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to be transparent in relation to the use and management of the oil funds.

Minister Bharrat further assured the House that he and his colleagues in government “intend to ensure there is strong parliamentary oversight” of

So far, 15 companies are in the running to become Guyana’s next oil marketer

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat the country’s oil revenues, especially as the earnings from the country’s petroleum sector alone could very well surpass US$500 million by the end of the year.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had pledged the government’s commitment to even strengthening the existing systems that govern the use of Guyana’s oil revenues.

“We committed, during the campaign, that there will be no secrecy in revenues received by the country from our natural resources, especially oil and gas, and we have stuck to that commitment,” President Ali told reporters during a recent press conference.

He said that, in doing so, the government has always ensured that the public was notified of all the monies deposited into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF). The oil earnings, the President related, are also gazetted. Even further, Dr. Ali said that the oil revenues will also be documented online.

“We are moving a step further in creating a balance sheet that persons can examine, online, and be kept abreast of reve-

nues and expenditure,” the Head of State said. He reasoned that the NRF, also a Sovereign Wealth Fund, is critical to safeguarding resources for future generations of Guyanese, President Ali said.

He noted, however, that such coincides with the fact that the country has “immediate needs” that have to be financed.

Dr. Ali had affirmed that even if the government decides to dip into the NRF, mechanisms are in place to ensure that any and every withdrawal has to receive the requisite approval from the National Assembly.

“Any projects to be financed from these funds must be approved by the National Assembly,” President Ali stressed.

Added to that, the Head of State had said that efforts were underway to craft a new legislative framework to govern the important Natural Resources Fund. He related that even though the PPP/C Government would have liked for the legislation to have been presented to Parliament before it went into recess, the document was still being finalised.

Dr. Ali had previously indicated that once all goes well, the significant pieces of legislation could possibly be presented to the House by the end of this year.

Currently, even with oil prices on a global rise, Guyana has still been reaping the benefits of a burgeoning petroleum sector.

Guyana sold its first one million barrels of crude on February 19, 2020, raking in nearly US$55 million.

In its second million-barrel sale, the country received US$35 million, and another US$46 million as proceeds from the sale of its third million-barrel of crude, and US$49.3 million from its fourth oil lift.

Further, it earned in excess of US$60 million from the sale of its sixth oil lift, and received US$13.9 million in royalties during the first quarter of this year.

Nonetheless, the other companies that are competing to become Guyana’s next oil marketer include Shell, Saudi Aramco, Trafigura, Chevron, CNOOC, Petraco Oil, Vitol, Energy, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Lukoil, BB Energy and Mercuria.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Distribution of $7.8B flood relief starts in Reg. 6 –– over $1 billion to be disbursed to 5,000 farmers and households within the region

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur and Richard Bhainie

SIXTY-YEAR-OLD Chetram (correct and only name), a rice and cattle farmer, was among hundreds of persons who turned up to receive the Government of Guyana’s flood-relief cash grant in Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne) on Sunday; it is intended to provide financial assistance to persons ranging from those with kitchen gardens to massive rice farms who had been affected by the recent floods.

Chetram of Black Bush Polder was overwhelmed with emotion when he collected his cheque for $1.4 million. He told the Guyana Chronicle when the flood hit, it completely destroyed his 300 acres of rice land that were prepared for cultivation. He also lost a large number of cattle which were stuck in the savannah that was heavily inundated.

This loss caused him many sleepless nights and he was stressed because he had debts and had no clue as to how he would return to the lands. This government relief, he noted, will help him tremendously and had eased some of his emotional and financial burdens.

“When I watched my losses, I say ‘wha meh go do next?’ Especially how I tek things on credit. I am thankful I get this money.

I will repay my credits that I take to start up the rice cultivation and then I can begin preparing to farm again,” Chetram expressed.

He noted that his farm-

means to resume his trade after the flood hit him; but with the grant, he is now elated and showered praises on the government.

“With the pandemic, things were already tough, but when the flood hit, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. But after I hear the government giving grant, I thought I woulda get some seeds and I would try to start back but with this money, I have some help I need to get back to farming and supplying the Chinese restaurant with white stem,” Giddens told this newspaper.

Meanwhile, Minister of

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, speaking at Mibicuri Primary School, on Sunday, during the flood-relief distribution exercise lands were flooded in the past but he never received assistance from the government at that time.

“I must say thank you to President Ali and the Agriculture Minister and the government because I don’t know how else I would a get a start again.”

The distribution of the cash grant was announced

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 1, 2021, who noted that approximately 52,000 households across 300 communities had been affected by the unprecedented level of floodwaters.

Meanwhile, Zaffiel YuSome of the farmers who turned up to receive their suff, a cash crop farmer of in Sisters Village (Richard Bhainie photo) Chesney Housing Scheme, “After the flood, I lost said the cash grant will everything cause I had Agriculture, Zulfikar Muprovide a fresh start for just invested in plants and stapha, while addressing him to continue his farmexpand the cultivation. recipients at the Mibicuri ing. The floods damaged As soon as I change this Primary School, Black his tomatoes, boulanger cheque, I will buy drugs Bush Polder, highlighted and bora plants. He said and spray out the place and that the grant was essential the money from the govstart preparing and buy for the preservation of the ernment will be used to some seed to start set.” agricultural sector which purchase pesticides and Oliver Giddens, also was in decline when the other chemicals in addition from Chesney Housing Irfaan Ali-led government to fertilizers so that he can Scheme, was a large scale took office. commence farming again. pakchoi calaloo farmHe explained that of He received a cheque for er, who did not have the the $7.6B funds allocated $50,000.

nationally, approximately $1B was being distributed to Region Six alone.

“We have made tremendous investments in the agriculture sector; we have seen increased budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector because we have seen the sector in decline when we took government in 2020 and today, although we would have suffered that devastating flood, this sector is once again on its rise,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Additionally, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, was also in the Region to overlook

ing again. We want you with your flocks back in place. We want to see your produce reaching the markets. We want to see your produce reaching the final consumers and we want to see you generating an income from the relief that is being provided today,” Dr. Singh said.

Over at the Friends Primary School in Sisters Village and the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre, hundreds of persons turned up where the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., visited to kickstart the distribution exercise.

flood relief on Sunday at the Friends Primary School

the distribution process.

While at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School in Port Mourant, he noted the initiative was aimed at bringing immediate relief to people and to ensure they were able to return to productive activity.

“Kindly ensure you use it [the money] for the intended purpose because we want to see you plant-

As part of the distribution exercise, farmers within the context of a homestead (farm, ranch, estate) would receive $100,000 each; those with kitchen gardens will receive $50,000 each, and households excluding homestead and kitchen gardens will receive See page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Distribution of $7.8B flood ...

From page 3

Monday, 23 August, 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs

50,000 each.

The rains also had a significant impact on the rice sector, with approximately 50,000 acres and 2,000 farmers being directly affected. As a result, $80,000 in cash per acre was being given to those farmers; for rice sown and lost in the autumn crop, those farmers will receive $65,000

Dian Leitch-Hinds, a farmer of Sandfort Village, West Canje, Berbice benefited from the flood-relief (Richard Bhainie photo)

per acre; and for land that was completely prepared but was not sown, $45,000 in cash per acre would be given to those farmers.

Meanwhile, in excess of 2,000 livestock farmers had also been affected, and so, an aggregate of $600 million in direct transfers will be made available to subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers.

Nandlall told residents that the distribution exercise was a manifestation of the government’s promise being unfolded, despite the country being severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which had shaken the world’s economy.

“The world is not producing as it was a year ago; if you go into the hardware stores and you go into supermarkets, you’re going to see scarcity of goods and you will see the price consequently increasing; you go to the market, you will see the price of vegetables and fruits are skyrocketing.

“Why? Because you have this global pandemic

and then we had the floodwaters, but the government has been able to find ways and means of handing back to the population these cash transfers to help you to cope with the difficulties that are presented to you on an everyday basis,” he added.

The money allocated to each beneficiary is calculated based on the losses they suffered. A list with names was prepared for the money to be distributed, and those who are not on the list, will receive their grants within two weeks once clarifications are made.

“So don’t be angry and annoyed and disappointed if you don’t get your cheques today, you will get it very shortly,” Nandlall told residents.

One of the beneficiaries, Dian Leitch-Hinds, of Sandfort Village, West Canje, Berbice, said she engages in rice, cash crop and livestock farming for her sustenance and to support her family.

Leitch-Hinds explained that she suffered tremen-

Sixty-year-old Chetram, a rice and cattle farmer, suffered millions of dollars in losses due to the massive flooding dous losses during the floods but was very much “relieved” when she heard about the flood-relief exercise because at least she was “getting back something, instead of nothing at all” and she intended to use the grant to restart her production.

Kenneth Arthur, of Vryheid Village, West Canje, Berbice, told this newspaper that his over10 acres of rice lands were damaged; he explained he had to dive into his savings to sustain his family, so he “feels good” that he was about to get back “at least something.”

The flood-relief grants are an additional measure to the $25,000 COVID-19 relief cash grant which was distributed to each Guyanese household and the $19,000 ‘Because we care’ back to school cash grant which the government has distributed since taking office in August 2020.

Further, on August 16, 2021, President Ali announced three additional measures which will provide cash incentives totalling $2.6 billion, specifically targeting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those who rely on public assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Reg.1 police to enforce COVID-19 vaccination card requirement on public transportation operators

MINIBUS operators, conductors and hire car drivers, at the Kumaka Waterfront, Market Area, Mabaruma, North West District, were, on Friday, told by ranks from the Mabaruma Police Station Traffic Department that they will be required to produce a COVID-19 vaccination card on request by a police officer.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud, said during a meeting held with the public transportation providers. Other topics discussed included speeding, defensive driving, untidy drivers, and the soliciting of passengers at airports.

Further, he emphasised that “all drivers must produce a COVID-19 vaccination card on request by a police officer, hereafter 2021-09-03, as stipulated in the COVID-19 Emergency Measures No.2, sub-paragraph 2(a).”

Additionally, the commander and his administrative team also held a community outreach on COVID-19 sensitisation where business personnel and residents were reminded of the COVID-19 curfew of 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

The commander also urged residents to report any act of criminal activities or traffic lawlessness.

“Several questions, is-

sues and concerns were raised, where the appropriate answers were given and appropriate actions will be taken.

Among the issues raised were: the immigrants that are dwelling at the Amerindian Hostel and the boat landing at Kumaka Waterfront, which cause the business personnel to feel discomfort or unsafe,” the commander told this publication.

Additionally, on Friday, Regional Chairman, Region one, Brentnol Ashley, donated one Samsung cellular phone to the Mabaruma Police Station to be used exclusively at the Operations Room for reporting purpose.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud (centre), flanked by police ranks and drivers during the meeting at Kumaka Water Front Market Area, Mabaruma.

Divisional Commander, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud, receives the cell phone from Regional Chairman Region one, Brentnol Ashley. Also pictured are Mayor Chris Phang and Deputy Mayor, Mrs. Carolyn Robinson

According to the Commander Persaud, the phone will be programmed to accept WhatsApp calls including the sharing of

pictures and videos and audio recordings of evidentiary value.

The commander thanked the regional

chairman for his generosity in aiding the fight against crime and supporting preventative measures.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Silence is deafening THE APNU+AFC politicians recently took part in an anti-government rally and demonstration in Brooklyn, New York.

The APNU+AFC politicians used the opportunity to spread several lies and misconceptions about racism here. After all, the opposition politicians knew the rally was live on Facebook, other social media platforms, the local and traditional media.

So, they used the opportunity to race-bait, denigrate the PPP and make racially insensitive comments. It was clear to see their focus was on giving the watching world the impression that the Dr Irfaan Ali Government was, allegedly, blatantly committing racism against Afro-Guyanese and openly discriminating against people at home.

The politicians urged the unsuspecting crowd to fight, struggle, and do battle in Guyana. But, soon after, the Dr Irfaan Ali Government fired back, pointing out that the claims of racism and discrimination were untrue. It

defended itself against the hypocrisy of the opposition and turned the focus back to them.

Again, the APNU+AFC Coalition politicians got off scot-free. No political party or force had the testicular ability or the moral conviction to comment on the accusations made by the politicians. They have all been silent when they know the truth. Furthermore, not even the private sector agencies stood up against the allegations. The Red Thread, the unions, the Guyana Human Rights Association, NGOs and Transparency International, all stayed quiet. Similarly, the Ethnic Relations Commission said and did nothing to this day.

Now, there could be a variety of reasons that led to the silence. Whatever they are, we disagree, respectfully, because they are not justifiable.

The organisation mentioned and other organisations must be brave enough to stand up to the opposition politicians by condemning

the hatred and disunity spread through the racist statements made at the rally. They must ask the opposition politicians to show the evidence and cases where this administration has allegedly been racist against Afro-Guyanese. No politics, just facts. Surely, the APNU+AFC politicians could do a statistical analysis of racism shown allegedly in this administration towards the various ethnicities.

These non-NGOs, private sector agencies, and human rights groups must know that their silence is deafening and appalling. Considering the struggle for unity, it is not enough for transparency, accountability, and good governance.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s One Guyana Commission has its work cut out for it. It must work quickly with all stakeholders to reinforce the bond and solidarity between ethnic groups. It must hold a national dialogue on the topic of race and understanding the effects of racial disharmony. It should inves-

tigate each allegation of racism practised by the Administration's policy regiment. What is even more necessary is that all politicians who preach racism should be put before the ERC and police every time to decide their fates.

Finally, it's Guyana that hurts by this constant allegation of racism.

These politicians are being petty and are not using all the avenues for tackling the problem faced with race and discrimination at home.

We do not need to fight or struggle as they suggest. We need to have a conversation whenever or wherever we see racism rearing its ugly head and confront it as a people.

We are strong as a nation. We should not be using racism allegations to score cheap political points against the administration.

Racism and discrimination are used by the APNU/AFC Coalition when they have nothing else to talk about the government.

It must stop in all its forms.

A question for GHK Lall

Dear Editor,

I have taken umbrage at certain comments by a GHK Lall bemoaning "racial discrimination" of Afro Guyanese by the PPP administration and justifying the "Anti PPP Racism Rally" in Brooklyn organised by a Rickford Burke.

Editor, this man (Lall) has shown little to no proof to give any substance to his claims.

I am led to believe that his ramblings are nothing more than political opportunism and attempts to find "material" to publish in his daily missives. One must ask if his ramblings are the result of him being denied to write compositions in school. At that rally, a woman made a bizarre claim that has been making the rounds on social media. A woman cried out that only Indians are receiving "the oil money”. Is Lall really trying to say that these claims are credible? Is GHK Lall seriously endorsing such a claim as fact? I know that the oil monies are being stored in a bank in America. Maybe Lall and this woman know of some secret oil money that they should inform the citizens about.

Further, there were many calls to get rid of Ambassador Lynch, furthering the wild conspiracy theories that foreign powers "ousted" the PNC from power and that these foreign powers "stole" the election from the PNC. There is a video circulating of a man at that same rally calling for Georgetown to be burnt down if the PNC is not put back in office. Clearly, this rally was a cesspool of wild conspiracy theories and sordid falsehoods, and it besmirches Lall's character to try to justify such a rally.

I say this, Mr. Lall should answer more pertinent questions. One such question is: What happened to the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold reserves under his tenure as General Manager of Guyana Gold Board? According to the official gazette in 2020, the gold reserves were depleted from $15 billion to $715 million.

I posit Mr. Lall to answer that question.

Yours faithfully, Suresh Kissoon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Constitutional developments in colonial British Guiana –– from Dutch-inherited system to Crown colony government

THE former Dutch colonies of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice were finally ceded to the British through conquest in 1803.

Formal cession was effected by the 1814 Treaty of Paris and in 1831 the three colonies were united into the “Colony of British Guiana” with Sir Benjamin Durban as its first Governor.

As a consequence the British inherited the Dutch system of government --- a system which was to remain in force for a very long time. Such a situation was allowed to persist largely through Article One of the 1803 Capitulation Treaty which stated that the colonists were to retain existing laws, customs and political institutions. This in effect meant that the ‘the laws and usages of the Colony shall remain in force and be respected, the mode of taxation be adhered to and that no new establishments should be introduced without the consent of the Court of Policy as the Legislature of the Colony.’

A rather strict interpretation of this peculiar provision leads to the conclusion that the Crown had precluded itself from exercising any right, which under English law she was entitled to exercise, in relation to conquered territories, and that the Crown had no authority to legislate for Guyana. No doubt it was the very nature of the inheritance that assured planter class dominance of political power and which led to our constitution being referred to as ‘ unique in the Empire.’

For the most part, only minor amendments were made and these came mainly through various Orders-in-Council. It was not until 1891 that some significant change was made to the constitution of British Guiana.

GOVERNMENT The main governmental institutions which were in existence during almost the entire nineteenth century were as follows; (a) The Court of Policy; this was the oldest political institution in the colony and was made up of both official and unofficial members and presided over by the Governor. The official members were the Chief Justice, Attorney- General, Colonial Receiver’s General, Government Secretary and the Immigration Agent-General. There were five unofficials and these came from the plantocracy through indirect elections. (b) The College of Electors or Keizers; this body consisted of seven members who were elected for life. It was dominated by the planter class due to the very high property qualification for voting. The principal objective was to nominate members to fill vacancies in the Court of Policy. (c) The College of Financial Representatives; this body was elected by direct ballot every two years. Its primary function was to raise taxes in conjunction with the Court of Policy to meet the annual estimates and to examine the accounts of the Colonial Receiver’s General for the preceding year. (d) The Combined Court; This institution exercised control over the finances of the colony and it comprised members of the College of Financial Representatives and the Court of Policy.

With planter power firmly established in the College of Financial Representatives and

the College of Keizers, it clearly meant that the plantocracy of the day had over-whelming majority in the Combined Court.. Hence one could obviously realise the extent of influence this prestigious group exercised over colonial affairs. Our late and distinguished historian, Dr. Walter Rodney, highlighted that fact when he aptly described the Combined Court as the ‘political fulcrum of planter power.’

The high degree of power enjoyed by the plantocracy inevitably led to abuses, controversies and political stalemate in the nineteenth century and all of these contributed to the numerous calls for constitutional reforms.

REFORM BILL In the end the Reform Bill of 1891 entitled ‘Ordinance Number One of 1891 --- An Ordinance to Alter and Amend the Political Constitution of the Colony’ was read and passed for the final time on February 3, 1891.

This reform had come at long last and was the result of an intense and prolonged struggle.

In particular pro-reform Governors in Henry Irving and William Gormanston and a number of complementary factors including a tolerant and responsive Colonial Office, a depressed sugar industry, economic diversification, village development, a keen and vibrant reform group, a demanding and sympathetic public, a growing middle class, a somewhat radical professional and commercial class, an adventurous group of prospectors and a partly encouraging press all contributed to constitutional change in 1891.

In the main some of the material changes which were embodied in the 1891 Constitutional Bill were the enlargement of the Court of Policy, the abolition of the College of Electors or Kiezers, direct election of the unofficial section of the Court of Policy in the respective constituencies, the widening of the franchise, an additional property qualification for electives of the Court of Policy, the right of the Governor to dissolve the Court of Policy at any time and a specified quorum.

These reforms marked a definite turning point in Guyanese constitutional history. They laid the groundwork for the inclusion in the system of government of the new urban middle class group consisting primarily of mixed and African professionals and Portuguese businessmen.

POST 1891 YEARS The post -1891 years witnessed a growing political consciousness among the populace and in particular the middle class.

At the same time there was some manifestation of the decline of planter class power at the 1892 elections. For example, of the fourteen elected members of the Court of Policy, a classification shows seven planters, five merchants and two barristers. That development was of considerable importance as it indicated that interest groups other than that of the plantocracy were gradually entering the political arena at the highest level ---- a far cry from that of earlier decades in the nineteenth century..

The introduction of a system of secret ballot in 1896 further enhanced the situation.

This was very evident in the 1897 election

when black and coloured sections of the community were able to capture a considerable portion of the elective seats of both the Court of Policy and the Combined Court and in effect altered the political balance from a previous almost exclusively white domination.

This was the start of a progressive transfer of power from Europeans to the natural leaders of the people.

At the turn of the twentieth century defects in the constitution continued to surface.

Moreover, there was a gradual exclusion of the elected members from participating in executive functions. The financial system was also clouded in controversy and elected members of the Combined Court could impose their will on matters of taxation and expenditure.

Commenting on the latter situation Cecil Clementi, Colonial Secretary of British Guiana between 1913 and 1922, was of the view that an executive which could not command a majority in the chief body politic “might reign but could not rule “ This view was supported by Professor Hume Wrong when he stated “ it is not a satisfactory solution of the problem of government, for responsibility is openly and obviously separated from power in the realm of finance.”

MAJOR WOOD’S REPORT There was a major review of the constitutional system when Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the colonies, Major E.F.L. Wood, visited in 1922, as part of his wider investigation of Government of the British West Indies.

Elected members of the Court of Policy in particular highlighted a number of issues including the Governor’s casting vote, the filling of vacancies among elected members of the Court of Policy, the exclusion of elected members from the Executive Council and the right of unofficials to initiate agenda.

In his report Major Wood explained; “The Constitution of British Guiana is unique in the Empire. It provides for a bare official majority in matters of legislation, but in questions involving finance there is an elected majority....This constitution is founded upon the articles of capitulation ...”

The constitution was the subject of further discussion in the late 1920’s. There was a great deal of friction between elected members of the legislature on the one hand and the Colonial Government and the Executive Council on the other. The elected members of the Legislature were by this time predominantly “professionals and businessmen of African, Indian, Portuguese, Chinese and Mixed descent, while the Executive Council was dominated by planters of European descent.”

In October 1926, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. L.S. Amery appointed a Parliamentary Commission to visit British Guiana and “ to consider and to report on the economic position of the colony, the causes which have hitherto retarded and the measures which could be taken to promote development and any facts which they may consider to have a bearing on the above matters.”

The eventual Snell--Wilson Report offered a critique of the general constitutional issue and made some important suggestions on reform. It contended “Under the new order the

Sir Benjamin Durban (Wikipedia image) practical difficulty of working the old constitution is increased. The Government of British Guiana has never been able to govern.......It is a moral and necessary feature of the political system that power, in the last resort, should reside in the Governor under the control and direction of the Secretary of State.”

Of added significance, the Report criticised the division of the Legislature into the Court of Policy and the Combined Court thus: “This peculiar constitution is the result of the accident of history and not of logic or sound theory. There seemed nothing to be gained by the existence of two classes of elected members, one of which is precluded from dealing with all matters not relating to taxation and expenditure. The mere existence of this distinction constitutes in itself a potential source of friction and there is much to be said for merging the functions of the two bodies into a single Legislative Council.”

It was obviously clear that further constitutional change was in the making.

THE 1928 REFORM A local Commission was subsequently appointed to examine the existing constitution. It made several recommendations which became the basis of the 1928 Constitution. In particular, it recommended the abolition of the existing Court of Policy and Combined Court and the substitution of a single legislative body.

On March 28, 1928 the British Parliament proceeded to enact the British Guiana Act, 1928. Under this Act the British Guiana [Constitution] Order- in -Council came into being. With effect from July 18, 1928, the Order-in-Council abolished the old Dutch - inherited Court of Policy and Combined Court and introduced a Legislative Council as well as an Executive Council.

It would seem that the 1928 Constitution achieved what it set out to do. It was “an advanced form of Crown Colony government.”

It transferred all power from the hands of elected members to the Governor and the Colonial Office.

It reversed the trend of greater political democracy that had started with the 1891 reforms. It tended towards the consolidation of Imperial Government as an effective instrument of stability and political control over its colony, the then British Guiana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Exercise held to boost firefighting efforts, test new equipment

THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS), on Sunday morning, held its ‘Get Ready’ exercise to better prepare and boost their firefighting efforts in the capital city of Georgetown.

The exercise was conducted along the route stretching from John Fernandes Wharf to Robb Street and saw over 80 ranks and officers testing new firefighting equipment.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, who was present and observed the operation, said the aim of the ‘Get Ready’ exercise was to test out the readiness and functionality of the new equipment and to evaluate the man power of the fire service.

“The Guyana fire service is testing out its operational assets, the preparedness

and systems in relation to the sudden possibilities of fires in Georgetown and so the effort is to test both the readiness and functionality of the equipment but also the engagement of the crews and their management,” Minister Benn said.

Deputy Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham, later added that the exercise was also aimed at testing and ensuring the effectiveness of both trainee and regular firefighters in the event of a major fire in a commercial area.

“We are just testing out some of the appliances that we would have acquired through the Government of Guyana initiative which will boost our strength, our resolve [and] help us to be better prepared for any eventuality.”

The exercise saw a total

of 86 personnel, including nine officers, two sub-officers, eight section leaders, eleven leading firemen and women and fifty-six firefighters making use of specialized equipment including one fire boat, one hydraulic platform, one hose layer and six water tenders which conveyed water from the river at John Fernandes Wharf to Wellington and Robb Streets, Georgetown, covering a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers.

The fire service earlier this month received five new fire tenders. The new trucks will be dispatched to Lethem in Region Nine, Mabaruma in Region One, Mahdia in Region Eight, Region Two and the fire station that is under construction at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, observing the ‘Get Ready’ exercise (Carl Croker photo)

Ranks of the Guyana Fire Service testing out a new firehose (Carl Croker photo)

Pageant delegates giving back to communities with STEM projects AS a pageant contestant and titleholder, one has a responsibility to lead and use one’s talents to instigate change.

It is for these reasons that community service projects are an important part of a pageant queen’s platform.

For this year’s Miss Emancipation pageant, the five stunning and effervescent women vying for the crown have embarked on a series of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) projects within their See page 9

The delegates of this year’s Miss Emancipation pageant. In the top row are Oneisha Mc Rae and Kieana Greene. In the bottom row are Shania Baird, Shonetta Lowe and Kristie Duff

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Pageant delegates giving back to communities...

From page 8

respective communities.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Gabrielle Cummings, pageant director and the 2018 Miss Emancipation Queen, stated that, in keeping with the pageant’s theme “Healing, Education Post Pandemic”, the coordinators of the event organised a community-based project to promote virtual learning amidst the pandemic.

“This year, the STEM project is meted out to the community rather than something that the girls will just learn for their own personal gain.

It is more community based,” she said.

The women were tasked with identifying and working along with a child or children in their community to help them adjust to virtual learning.

“So, each of the delegates was tasked with identifying a child or children in their community that need assistance with school work and virtual classes,” Cummings said, adding: “Each delegate used their own unique way to involve their students.

So for example, one delegate developed a computer hub in her community [and] another delegate decided to teach students how to build websites.”

Straying away from the stereotypical norm of what a pageant is, Cummings said that the Miss Emancipation pageant showcases more than just what meets the eyes and ears.

“The first emancipation pageant that happened sometime in 2013, the organizers at the time decided that they would stray from the norm of the girls just dressing up,” Cummings said.

She further noted that contestants are required to take part in a series of

educational trainings to push self-development.

“We planned to find a way to educate our girls and make sure that when

they leave the pageant they leave with an experience. Aside from their STEM project, they will be doing their African

history classes… we offered financial literacy courses, public speaking courses, so all of these things would have been

done via zoom.”

On the last Saturday of the month, the finalists will showcase their community projects.

Expected to be dressed in their finest, the women will display their evening gowns and thereafter a queen will be crowned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Step-parenting children

THERE are families of every kind in every town or village, street and home across Guyana. Nuclear families, single-parent families, blended families, extended families, joint families, foster families, adopted families and stepfamilies.

Stepparents are created when a lone parent marries or brings a partner to live with their family. If the partner

brings their children along too, then the children become stepbrothers and stepsisters.

Step-parenting can be difficult for partners who have no idea how to bond with stepchildren and especially hard for those who have no intention of bonding with them at all.

Natalie says, ‘Our stepmother met our dad when my younger sister and I were

5 and 6 years old; we still have pictures she took of the four of us together as a happy family. Our dad is a quiet man of few words but disciplined; he can ‘beat’ when we get out of hand, so we were always well-behaved and polite towards her. We had no choice but to accept her into our family.

One minute she wasn’t there; the next, she was; without

prior discussion or a proper introduction, our stepmother came into our lives.

On occasions, she would say, ‘it’s just alya father I’m interested in, not alya’. It came to pass that she was telling the truth. She moved in, pregnant, sometime later, and before we knew, she was engaged to dad with a wedding pending. They didn’t talk to us about future plans or how we would live as a family unit. There were no boundaries, ground rules, understanding or expectations, other than the obvious, which was, my sister and I had to do as we were told.

We were 11 and 12 years old when the big day came around. Wearing our new shoes and dresses to the wedding, we were excited by the proceedings. However, we were not included in the wedding photos. It didn’t matter to us at the time, but later on, we realised what this exclusion implied.

Our stepmother didn’t care about us. She tolerated us while creating a family life for our dad and herself; we were the spare wheels to the coach. We received just enough attention, food, and guidance to sustain a relationship, but not an ounce of affection, care or love. When she cursed and shouted at us or ordered us to do things, our father said nothing.

Our teenage lives consisted of chores, homework and looking after our baby sisters. We were not allowed to go places or do things for our fun or enjoyment. On the odd occasion when someone begged for us to go somewhere, our stepmother made sure we had extra work to complete before we left.

My sister and I are in our

mid-twenties now and no longer live at home. I recognise my stepmother’s toxic mindset for what it is - mentally abusive. She can also kill your self-esteem if you take her words to heart. How we managed to achieve a reasonable education against the odds is beyond me.

It was not because of her guidance, consideration, or kindness; or because our father was attentively understanding and interested in our happiness and peace of mind. However, despite our stepmother’s hostile behaviour and our uninvolved father, we are determined to succeed’.

Here are some tips for would-be step parents to consider.

1. Stepparents should first build a friendship with their stepchildren individually.

Bonding with children takes time and might have its highs and lows. Don’t worry if success does not come overnight. Children may have emotions, opinions, doubts and anxieties they need to work through; they need understanding adults to whom they can talk and relate.

2. Involve children in decision-making, let them know what is going on.

Adults constantly make plans without discussing them with children, or spring things on them, expecting children to fall in line like inanimate objects.

3. Give children time and space to get used to new lifestyles, people and experiences. Don’t force relationships between stepparents and children or use gifts and treats to win children over.

Allow connections to develop naturally.

4. Adults must agree on

the ‘role’ a new stepparent will play beforehand. It is essential to know what is expected and allowed from the get-go, so lines are not crossed, leading to confusion in a relationship. E.g. some stepparents leave the disciplining of children to the biological parents rather than scold or reprimand their stepchildren.

5. Allow children to be themselves around stepparents without fear of ridicule or resentment. Children need to feel accepted and appreciated by the adults who care for them. Disparaging comments to a child from a stepparent could damage a relationship.

6. Stepparents should keep children at the centre of the relationship. Find shared activities that they enjoy, such as baking, board games, football and gardening. Spend quality time with them.

7. Stepparents should never talk negatively about a child’s estranged mother or father or question a stepchild about same. Neither should a step parent try to take the place of an absent parent.

Successful step parenting starts in a place of love and understanding, where willing and open-minded people make the necessary adjustments to create a worthwhile family experience.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Unidentified man found dead on Vreed-en-Hoop public road

THE police are seeking the identity of an East Indian man, whose body was discovered lying motionless at a bus stop on the Vreeden-Hoop New Road, early Sunday morning.

The body, which was clad in a brown short-sleeved jersey, long blue jeans and white

sneakers, was discovered at approximately 07:30 hrs by police ranks, who visited the scene after receiving a report from an unknown caller.

The man’s body was examined and no marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts, a statement from the Guyana Police Force

noted.

The man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was officially pronounced dead and subsequently taken to the hospital’s mortuary where the body awaits identification and a post mortem examination.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Mother-Daughter duo launches laundry business

By Jared Liddell

BECOMING an entrepreneur can be a difficult and scary challenge but mother and daughter duo, Alyia Yusuf and Sophia Ally are utilising their joint strengths to build their brand and expand their business.

The two launched “Sparkle Laundromat” on July 30th, 2021, at the newly opened Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The business is opened from 10:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs daily. The business offers two types of services, the premium and normal washing, and a drying and folding service. Customers are offered a range of soaps, laundry detergents, and fabric softener based on the service type.

Yusuf told the Guyana Chronicle that the business operates based on weight, meaning that the charges are made based on the number of pounds each bundle has.

She related that she and her daughter initially came up with the idea for a business in 2019 and began brainstorming possible business ventures that they could go into as a team. She noted that after spending some time deciding on the venture that was the most viable, they both agreed to provide the much-needed laundry service.

She noted that one of the most notable issues Guyanese face is the change in weather which sometimes prevents some persons from being able to wash their clothes and have them dried on time. This, she noted, has been one of the factors pushing more Guyanese to utilise laundromat services.

She further noted that she believes that with the business being located on the East Bank Demerara corridor, it is at a strategic point to serve the people on the East Bank and its surrounding environs.

“We are on the East Bank and there isn’t this service offered there. The nearest one is on Durban Street in Georgetown, so we can cater our services to people who are staying at Princess Hotel, the people in the new housing schemes up there on the East Bank and even the cricket teams when they come to play at the stadium.

It's easily accessible,” said Yusuf.

She noted that the business has seen several challenges, the most major being

Alyia Yusuf

Sophia Ally

the COVID-19 pandemic which had put a halt to all construction on the business space at the Amazonian Mall. The duo said that they had a signed agreement with the mall since 2019 but plans were put on hold for almost two years owing to the pandemic.

The business owner said even through the pandemic she remained resilient and patiently waited for the time when the country would return to normalcy and she could finally watch the dream that she and her daughter conceptualised finally become reality.

She stated that business aims to ease the burden of “washing clothes” for those busy Guyanese. The business will also compliment Guyana’s growing oil and gas sector and will afford persons who will enter the country access to a level of service familiarity while they invest in the country, she said.

“This service would come in handy especially at Christmas time when people don’t have time to wash curtains, clothes, and stuff especially when they have small children because they are busy preparing, trying to bake, buy presents and even still working. And we also thought too it could cater to people who are coming from the oil and gas sector and we have an advantage too because Haliburton is close by and those employees there would be able to access these services easily,” Yusuf added.

Yusaf’s daughter who is the brain behind the marketing of the business told the Chronicle that while business is sometimes challenging, having her mother as a partner has strengthened her on those hard days.

She noted that working together has allowed her to draw from her mother’s resilience and make the best of the challenges she would face with running the business.

Ally said that since she is currently a university student reading for her bachelor degree, she is unable to be present at the mall but this does not stop her from brainstorming innovative ideas to boost the image and clientele of the business.

She informed this publication that she currently wears several hats at Sparkle inclusive of public relations officer, graphics designer, and interior decorator.

LIFE SAVINGS The mother and daugh-

ter duo made a major step in following their dream of owning their own business, investing all of their life savings to bring their vision to life.

They estimated that the entire expenditure for the initial opening of the business cost them a little over $5 million.

Ally noted that apart from the machines and other equipment that are necessary for the daily operations, the majority of the money was expended on perfecting the aesthetic of the business to provide customers with the most welcoming environment.

When asked what piece of advice they would give to other persons going into business as a family, the duo noted that collaboration is one of the most important and necessary attributes that are needed to ensure each person’s strengths are used for the betterment of the business.

“I would say it's not an easy road but if you are determined to overcome the

The newly opened Sparkle Laundromat at the Amazonia Mall obstacles you have a greater chance to overcome them.

Even if you had a bad day yesterday, when you wake up the next day, wake up with a fresh new attitude that you’re going to make it the next day.

“Our personalities are on different ends of the spectrum and I think that’s what makes us work so

well together; we complement one another, we rely on each other’s strengths and we utilise that to ensure that all aspects of the business are looked at and addressed.

So, I would say the most important thing to do is assess everyone’s strengths and utilise them,” said Ally.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Wakenaam man is Digicel’s second ‘Summa Rush’ winner

THE second Digicel Guyana customer to drive off in one of the three Toyota Rush Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) up for grabs as part of the company’s massive “Summa Rush” promotion hung up the phone the first time he was contacted to be informed of his victory.

Mahase Budram from the island of Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) secured the second Toyota Rush following the second drawing of the promotion at MovieTowne Guyana on Saturday.

The heated promotion enables Digicel’s prepaid customers to have a chance of driving off with one of the three brand new SUVs, once they top up with $1,000 or more (scratch cards or electronically), to collect the letters to spell the word R-U-S-H. Once the top-up is successful, the customer will receive a text message with an electronic letter; customers can keep track of their letters collected by texting ‘SUMMA’ to short code 1441.

Speaking with the Guy-

Mahase Budram, the second Digicel Guyana customer to win one of the Toyota Rush Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) as part of the company’s massive “Summa Rush” promotion

ana Chronicle after the drawing, Budram explained that he did not pay any mind to the promotion even though he was aware of it and had no idea he was a winner until he was contacted by Digicel.

When he was contacted by the Digicel representative recently and informed he collected all the letters to spell the word ‘RUSH’, Budram instinctively hung up the phone as he thought it was a telemarketer or a scam.

He was contacted for a second time and was then clearly told that he qualified for the promotion and his name will be part of the drawing.

Even though a customer

might receive the four letters required to spell ‘RUSH’, he/she is only qualified to win a prize but not exactly the SUV; a customer only wins the SUV when his/ her name is drawn from the cylinder.

There are three qualifying periods for the promotion: July 16 – August 5; August 6 – August 19; and August 20 – September 2.

A top up of $1,000 will constitute one entry and the customer will receive a letter; if the customer tops up $5,000 all at once he/she will still receive one letter, but if he/she tops up $1,000 five times, he/she will receive five letters.

The three Toyota Rush SUVs on display at MovieTowne Guyana during the first drawing of the “Summa Rush” promotion

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

‘We are here to support all Guyanese’ – Minister Persaud tells Region 10 residents

IN her latest outreach to communities across Region 10 (Upper Demerara –Upper Berbice), on Friday last, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, assured residents that her ministry was constantly working to improve the services being offered, and will stop at nothing to ensure that access is made easy to them.

your community,” she added.

Making her first stop at a village called Old England, Minister Persaud and her team engaged with residents, sensitising and updating them on the numerous programmes being offered by the ministry, including for persons living with disabilities, public assistance, foster care, among others.

As the team was in the process of distributing ham-

solve and tell you all about the good programmes that are ahead,” Minister Persaud told residents in the company of Linden Childcare and Protection officer, Huette Moore, Senior Training officer of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Sanjay Pooran, Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bissesar, and other officers.

By taking the ministry’s

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, hands over relief supplies to residents of Region 10

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, meets residents of Region 10

At Coomacka, one of the areas visited, Minister Persaud emphasised, “Each one of you is to be supported, provided for. The entire team is here to ensure that you not only know of the services we offer but that you are able to access the services right in

pers, several persons signed up for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme and benefitted from one-on-one interactions with Minister Persaud.

“We, my team and I, are here to troubleshoot, problem

services to Region 10, residents were able to benefit from the ministry’s spectacles programme of free eye tests, get their questions about the vaccine answered, sign up for several programmes, and iron out issues that have had an impact

on their receiving certain services.

Training was also done with the Local Boards of Guardians during which members were trained on public assistance programmes and how cases should be handled.

“Government has been focused on development across the country. The President and all of the ministers have been addressing every sector and today I am focused on the human services sector,” Minister Persaud told residents.

She pointed out how the ministry has shortened the time for providing pension

‘Teen’ stabbed to death during drunken brawl in Soesdyke A NIGHT of drinking between family and friends, on Saturday, ended deadly when 18-year-old Roy Boston was stabbed at a shop in Swan Village on the Soesdyke Linden Highway.

According to a police report, Boston, who was a labourer, was stabbed to his left side chest; he also sustained a cut on his right thumb after a

scuffle ensued between him and a friend, who currently remains at large.

Boston of Lot 5 Swan Village was taken to the Diamond Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 02:30hrs; his body now lies at the Memorial Gardens awaiting an autopsy.

Police said the incident occurred at 22:15hrs during

a heated argument.

“It is alleged that [Boston] pulled out a knife and dealt one of the males a stab to his left side waist and left side back. [Boston] then began to curse up everyone that was there and thereafter, he and the suspect had a scuffle,” the police reported.

Police continue their search for the suspect.

books, how pensioners can now present their life certificates via WhatsApp if they cannot go to an office, how alternative venues for payment have been established, and how the banking system for delivery was made possible.

All of these new systems, Minister noted, were put in place to cater for the issues that pensioners have been having.

“I have always been concerned about the long lines at the post offices, so this triggered me to push all of this,” she reflected, as she encouraged residents to get to know the members on

the Board of Guardians and share concerns with them.

“If we are doing all of this in one year, you can be assured that there’s so much more to come. We want you to keep abreast with what we’re doing and take advantage of the opportunities,” Minister Persaud urged.

She also outlined the recent measures announced by the President that will benefit pensioners, those receiving public assistance and living with disabilities at each of the stops including Three Friends, the final stop in the visit. (Ministry of Human Services and Social Security press release)

Boy, 13, robbed at gunpoint while walking home from lessons

Dead: Roy Boston

POLICE are on the hunt for two bandits who robbed a 13-year-old boy at gunpoint at Westminster, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, on Saturday afternoon.

According to a police report, the child was walking home from lessons at around 16:30hrs when he was accosted by the bandits on an XR motorcycle.

One of the men jumped off the motorcycle and pointed a black metal gun to the victim's head and relieved him of an LG cell phone valued at $35,000 and $500 in cash.

They escaped and the police were summoned.

A search for the suspects was futile.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Three more die from COVID-19, 112 new cases recorded

THREE more persons have died after contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19), taking Guyana’s overall death toll since March 2020 to 594.

A 75-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man, both from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), along with a 62-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) are the latest fatalities.

The Ministry of Health reported that the patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms and died while receiving care at medical insti-

tutions. Meanwhile, 112 new cases were recorded, taking the total number of positive cases to 24,336.

The new cases were recorded in Regions Two (Pomeron-Supenaam) with 12 cases; Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) with 15 new cases; Four (Demerara-Mahaica) with 59 cases; Five (Mahaica-Berbice) with three new cases; Six (East Corentyne-Berbice) with 21 additional cases and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) with two new cases.

Sixteen persons are in the

COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 102 are in institutional isolation and 1,260 persons are in home isolation. To date, some 22,364 persons have recovered from the virus.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the covid-19 emergency measures, which are in effect until August 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from oth-

ers; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying

any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the

COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 IMMEDIATELY or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Three ‘teens’ injured in late night accidents TWO teenagers are hospitalised at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after the motorcycle they were on was hit by a bus on Saturday night, on the New Amsterdam Main Road in Berbice.

In a separate accident on Saturday night, another youth was hospitalised after a car reportedly veered into the path of the motorcycle he was riding on the Tuschen Public Road on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE).

The injured have been identified as 18-year-old Maroldo Marvin and 14-year-old Tony Crandon, both of North Road New Amsterdam, and 24-year-old Semaul Welcome of Tuschen, EBE. According to a police report, the Berbice accident occurred at 22:00hrs when the motorcycle, CE 9855, being driven by Marvin, was hit by a silver minibus with dealer plates MP#1; Crandon was a pillion rider at the time.

Police said the minibus was reportedly speeding east on Pitt Street and turned North into the Main Road without stopping when it crashed into the motorcycle which was proceeding north along the western drive lane.

The MP#1 minibus involved in the accident at New Amsterdam “As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist and the pillion rider were thrown off of the motorcycle and landed onto the road surface where they received injuries about their bodies. They were picked up in a conscious condition by public-spirited citizens and placed in the said motor vehicle MP#1 which took them to New Amsterdam Public Hospital for medical attention and the said vehicle went away,” a police report noted.

The young men were admitted to the hospital with cuts and brusies about their bodies. The minibus was later located parked in a yard at Bristol Street, East Canje Berbice. However neither the owner nor the driver has been identified as yet; the police said investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Welcome, from the accident in Tuschen, is a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) nursing a fractured hip and left foot, along with lacerations to his neck, chest, lip and stomach.

The accident occurred at 22:30hrs, and involved motorcar PMM 153, which was being driven by 23-year-old Joel Sugrim of Zeelugt North, EBE. Police said Sugrim was driving west along the southern side of the road when he turned north into the path of Welcome’s motorcycle, CH5103, which was heading east on the northern carriageway.

Welcome was picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens, placed into a car and initially taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital before being transferred to the WDRH. Sugrim was placed into custody and tested negative for alcohol in his system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Mani to meet Imran Khan over PCB chairmanship (ESPNCRICINFO) Amid growing speculation around his future as PCB chairman, Ehsan Mani is set to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.

The meeting has, it is understood, been convened on Khan’s wishes, and could be seen as significant to Mani’s future within the board.

Mani’s current term is due to end on August 25, two days after the meeting, though he has recently said he intends to continue in the post.

Whether he does or does not, however, has become the subject of intense speculation in recent days in which the name of Rameez Raja, the commentator and former Pakistan captain, has cropped up as a potential successor.

The Prime Minister is also patron of the PCB and the constitutional authority who, via the two nominees he appoints to the PCB board of governors, has a say in who becomes board chairperson.

The ten-member governing board also includes

Ehsan Mani addresses a press conference AFP four independent members, three provisional cricket association heads, and the chief executive officer. While all nine existing board members are eligible to contest the elections, historically only one of the two individuals directly nominated by the Prime Minister has become the PCB chairman.

Though the two nominees are yet to be named,

the patron’s office has already named a former supreme court judge, Justice (retired) Sheikh Azmat, as the commissioner to carry out the election of the PCB chairperson. Mani was previously the only candidate to have submitted his nomination papers for the post, and all members of the Board of Governors unanimously voted for him to head the PCB. He had replaced Najam Sethi, who had resigned when Imran’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), came to power in the federal government.

In case the patron extends Mani’s tenure, he will have to go through another process for his re-election as, according to the PCB constitution, a chairperson’s total tenure “shall in no case exceed a period of six years”. Mani has only completed three years so far.

No agenda has been revealed for the meeting with the Prime Minister, but the performance and the highlights over Mani’s three years as chairman are likely to be discussed.

During his term, Mani revamped the functioning of the PCB, redrafting the board’s constitution to bring it in line with the practices of corporate governance. Until 2019, the PCB chairperson could also act as CEO, which gave them the power to implement whichever of the board’s policies they thought were fit. This has since been curbed by introducing the position of a chief executive officer.

The PCB under Mani also brought in enormous changes in the domestic structure, dismantling the previous mix of departmental and regional cricket and implementing the provincial-team mod-

el at Imran’s insistence.

The change sparked country-wide outrage with the new system costing several players their livelihoods, but the PCB eventually created jobs for all veteran cricketers at the association level, offering them opportunities on various scales ranging from administrative jobs to field jobs.

Mani has also put in place a through review of Pakistan cricket’s biggest revenue-generating product, the Pakistan Super League, and faces a time crunch to revise the financial model of the league. The PSL is set to reassess the value of its assets this year before selling its commercial and broadcasting rights.

The last three-year cycle for the TV and digital streaming rights, worth approximately USD 36 million, has come to an end this year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday August 23, 2021) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Courtney Walsh-26 wickets (22 ODIs) (2) Mutiah Muralitharan-34 wickets (27 ODIs)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What are the best ODI bowling figures by a WI versus SL to date?

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

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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13:25 hrs Eagle Court 13:55 hrs Safran 14:25 hrs Out Of Sight 14:55 hrs Mr Trevor AMERICAN RACING TIPS Delaware Race 1 Maliciosa Race 2 Tate Race 3 Flat Out Flying Race 4 Moon Boss Race 5 Insightful Race 6 Jardini Race 7 Maryland Brando Race 8 Alejandros Team CANADIAN RACING TIPS Fort Erie Race 1 Martina’s Gals Race 2 Petal Race 3 No Exit Race 4 Naked In The Woods Race 5 Easy Access Race 6 Play It Smart Race 7 Zoological Race 9 Big Time Louie

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Jamaica conclude U-20 championships with women’s gold (SportsMax) - Jamaica had a medal-filled final day of the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday capped by a gold-medal run in world-record time by the

won by Tina Clayton in the 100m and Ackera Nugent in the 100m hurdles.

Earlier, Jaydon Hibbert jumped a personal best 16.05m to win the silver medal in the triple jump competition won by Swe-

ver after he too ran a personal best of 49.62 with the gold going to Turkey’s Berke Akcam whose winning time of 49.38 was a national U-20 record.

Jamaica mined three additional silver medals in

The team of Serena Cole, Tina Clayton, Kerrica Hill and Tina Clayton Women 4x100m team.

Jamaica won seven medals on the final day and 11 medals overall that included two gold medals.

The team of Serena Cole, Tia Clayton, Kerrica Hill and Tina Clayton, clocked a world-record 42.94 to win by about 10m over a fast-finishing Namibian team that ran 43.76 for the silver medal.

Interestingly, Namibia’s anchor, Christine Mboma, clocked an astonishing 9.86s on the anchor leg.

Nigeria ran a season-best 43.90 for the bronze medal.

Jamaica’s winning time broke the previous world record of 43.27 set by Germany in 2017. The time also erased the championship record of 43.40 set by Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Aneisha McLaughlin and Simone Facey when the championships were held in Kingston in 2002.

It was Jamaica’s third gold medal of the championships following those

den’s Gabriel Wallmark with a mark of 16.43m; a Swedish national U-20 record.

Frenchman Simon Gore jumped a personal best 15.85m for the bronze medal.

Jamaica also won a silver medal in the discus in the form of Ralford Mullings who threw a personal best 66.68m to finish behind the now two-time champion Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania who won with a new championship record of 69.81m.

Raman Khartanovich threw a personal best 62.19m for the bronze medal.

Devontie Archer was an unexpected medalist in the 400m hurdles after he finished fourth in a new personal best of 49.78.

However, Sweden’s Oskar Edlund, who crossed the finish line first was disqualified which meant that Archer was promoted to third and a medal.

Neutral athlete Denis Novoseletsen won the sil-

the relays as the 4x100m team of Alexavier Monfries, Bryan Levell, Andrew Gillips and Sandrey Davison clocked an area record 38.61 behind South Africa World U-20 record of 38.51.

Poland was third in 38.90, which is a new area record as well.

The final two medals came in the 4x400m relays in which the teams delivered strong performances. The girls ran 3:36.57 to claim silver behind Nigeria’s winning time of 3:31.46.

Italy was the other team on the podium clocking 3:37.18.

The boys clocked 3:05.76 in a valiant effort to finish second to Botswana, who took the gold medal in 3:05.22. Kenya clocked 3:05.94 for the bronze medal.

Overall, Jamaica finished fifth on the medal table with three gold, six silver and two bronze medals at the championships.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Lukaku unplayable as Chelsea thump Arsenal (BBC) - It was a move seven years in the making and 10 years since he last wore the shirt, but Chelsea proudly declared on their website earlier this month that Romelu Lukaku had “come home”.

His second debut, against Arsenal on Sunday, turned into a dream afternoon as Lukaku opened the scoring in an “unplayable” performance which the player himself described as “dominant”.

His strike was his first goal for the club, having failed to hit the net in his three years and previous 15 appearances at Stamford Bridge between 2011 and 2014, when he was a peripheral figure and never given a Premier League start.

European champions Chelsea coasted to a 2-0 victory over their well-beaten

London rivals and the early signs are Thomas Tuchel’s side will take some stopping this season with Lukaku on board.

‘What a start for Lukaku’ Belgium international Lukaku returned to “the club he supported as a kid” for a second spell after moves to Everton, Manchester United and most recently Inter Milan, to whom the Blues paid a handsome £97.5m.

That fee made Lukaku, 28, the Premier League’s second most expensive player of all time, after Manchester City’s £100m Jack Grealish.

Against Arsenal he did not disappoint, showing the kind of form that saw him rebuild his reputation in Italy - scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances and helping Inter Milan to a first title since 2010 - after a difficult time

at Manchester United.

Lukaku began in perfect fashion, tapping in after just 14 minutes with his third touch of the game and celebrated by putting his finger to his lips. Only a superb save from Bernd Leno denied him a second, touching Lukaku’s diving header onto the bar.

Overall, he completed 19 of his 20 passes against the Gunners and contested 15 duels, more than any other player.

Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea: Lukaku looked dangerous Tuchel praises Chelsea’s new signing “What a start for Lukaku,” boss Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. “In the beginning he struggled to touch the ball a little bit. Then he was very well integrated.

“He proved his value for the squad already. He

West Indies in deep trouble ...

From page 22 exclusion from the national side with his fourth hundred this year. He had come back on after retiring hurt on the first day, and following the flurry of wickets at the other end, realised it was time to kick on.

A flick off the wrists that

brought him four broke the shackles, and he found himself inching towards three figures. A pull to midwicket took him to the landmark, and as the dressing room rose as one, Fawad raised his bat; he had overseen a Pakistan fightback in the session and ensured they ended the innings on their terms.

After tea, he kicked on in

an entertaining 35-run stand with a cavalier Shaheen Afridi, and when the number 10 batter fell, Babar called his players back in. It felt only right that Fawad went in undefeated and, ever the team man, might have set Pakistan up for a remarkable series-salvaging win in the time that remains.

scoreboard

PAKISTAN 1st innings (overnight 212 for four) Abid Ali c Blackwood b Roach 1 Imran Butt c wkp Da Silva b Seales 1 Azhar Ali c wkp Da Silva b Roach 0 Babar Azam c Holder b Roach 75 Fawad Alam not out 124 Mohammad Rizwan lbw b Holder 31 Faheem Ashraf lbw b Seales 26 Nauman Ali c wkp Da Silva b Holder 0 Hasan Ali run out 0 Shaheen Shah Afridi c Powell b Seales 19 Mohammad Abbas not out 0 Extras (b1, lb9, nb6) 16 TOTAL (9 wkts decl., 110 overs) 302 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Abid Ali), 2-2 (Azhar Ali), 3-2 (Imran Butt), 4-168 (Babar Azam), 5-218 (Faheem Ashraf), 6-231 (Mohammad Rizwan), 7-231 (Nauman Ali), 8-267 (Hasan Ali), 9-302 (Shaheen Shah Afridi) Bowling: Roach 27-9-68-3 (nb2), Seales 15-4-31-3, Joseph 18-1-75-0, Holder 23-9-46-2, Mayers 17-5-34-0 (nb2), Chase 8-0-32-0, Bonner 1-0-6-0 (nb2), Brathwaite 1-1-0-0.

WEST INDIES 1st Innings *K Brathwaite b Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 K Powell lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi 5 N Bonner not out 18 R Chase b Faheem Ashraf 10 A Joseph not out 0 Extras (w1, nb1) 2 TOTAL (3 wkts, 18 overs) 39 To bat: J Blackwood, K Mayers, J Holder, +J Da Silva, K Roach, J Seales.

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Powell), 2-9 (Brathwaite), 3-34 (Chase) Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 6-1-17-0, Shaheen Shah Afridi 6-4-13-2 (w1), Hasan Ali 3-1-8-0, Faheem Ashraf 2-2-0-1, Nauman Ali 1-0-1-0 (nb1) Position: West Indies trail by 263 runs with seven first innings wickets remaining.

Lukaku gave Arsenal defender Pablo Mari a particularly torrid afternoon linked really well with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz up front and gave something to the game that we did not have already.”

Asked about his perfor-

mance, Lukaku told Sky Sports: “Dominant, I would say. I try to improve every time. I have a long way to go but today was good to win.

“I worked hard

throughout the week. We knew it was a big game and we did well. As an individual, I want to help the team and I want to continue doing that.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

West Indies in deep trouble after Alam’s century; Afridi and Abbas pace (ESPNCRICINFO) - Pakistan find themselves on top at the end of day three thanks to Fawad Alam’s unbeaten 124, but they have both the opposition and time if they are to level this series.

Things went reasonably enough to plan for Babar Azam’s men in the 53.2 overs that were possible, with West Indies’ top order desperately engaged in damage limitation against Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Afridi at twilight. The openers and Roston Chase were already back in the pavilion, with the hosts trailing by a further 263 runs with two days to go.

The West Indies innings might have spanned merely 18 overs on Sunday, but felt like it would be the defining period.

Pakistan had to press the issue as they look to level the series, and a solid passage of play here for the hosts might well have dealt a decisive blow to those hopes.

Kieran Powell has been out of form for a while now, and when he offered his front pad to a Shaheen Afridi delivery that looked like it had been programmed to hit middle stump, it was little surprise. Kraigg Brathwaite’s dismissal felt like a bigger moment, the West Indies captain playing all around a textbook left-arm inswinger that crashed into his stumps. West Indies were down two wickets for nine, and there was still an hour to go.

These are dream bowling conditions for Moham-

Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and coach Misbah ul Haq walk off after play was suspended due to a wet patch, (West Indies vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Jamaica, 3rd day, August 22, 2021 © Getty Images) mad Abbas, and a blank wickets column should not detract from his devastating ability. The subtle seam movement that threatens both edges of the bat was on full display; at times the batters looked as at sea about the direction of travel as they might to a well-disguised googly.

There were thick edges through the slips, stifled lbw appeals, and just brilliant intensity when he had ball in hand.

That Chase and Nkrumah Bonner found a way to hang on seemed like it

might be vital, but Abbas had softened Chase up for Faheem Ashraf. It was the sort of dismissal Abbas might be proud of, with a length ball shaping back in off the seam, keeping a shade low and ripping past a bat Chase could not get down in time. Under rapidly deteriorating light, Alzarri Joseph was sent out to be the night-watchman, and managed to stave off further damage to his side.

Despite bright sunshine on a day when 98 overs were originally scheduled to be bowled, only eight

balls were possible before lunch had to be taken.

A wet patch around the bowler’s run-up at the Michael Holding end was the culprit, with Jason Holder bowling only two balls from that end before asking for the umpires to get involved. Lengthy discussions that involved the captains, coaches, umpires and match referee followed, before officials decided to break for lunch early.

The middle session was at times as soporific as the weather delays

over the past four sessions had been, with just six runs scored in the day’s first ten overs. Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf eventually brought up the 50-run partnership, but were, in truth, going nowhere, even though Pakistan needed to force a result. Much of that was thanks to regimentally disciplined bowling, with the quick bowlers allowing few run-scoring opportunities.

Those wicket-to-wicket lines paid off, with both men dismissed lbw. Fa-

heem was the first to go, leaving a gap between bat and pad that Seales hones in on, while Rizwan moved too far across to Holder and caught himself stuck in front. Nauman Ali was dispatched for a first ball duck, and suddenly Holder found himself on a hat-trick, while West Indies sniffed a collapse.

The man of the day for Pakistan, though, is indisputably Alam, who continues to make a mockery of his decade-long See page 21

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 23, 2021

Fazli is new Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman (ESPNCRICINFO) - Azizullah Fazli is the new chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

His appointment is the first major cricketing development in the country since the Taliban’s takeover of the political reins following the withdrawal of western troops and the collapse of the elected government.

Fazli has already served one term as

ACB chairman, from his appointment in September 2018 - following the resignation of Atif Mashal - until July 2019, when he was replaced by Farhan Yusufzai following Afghanistan’s bottom-place finish at the 2019 World Cup in England.

Fazli’s return to the chairman’s post came after the Taliban held a meeting with ACB officials on Sunday. Fazli has been associated with Afghanistan cricket for

close to two decades, and was among the early group of players who established the game in the country. He has also served as the ACB’s vice-chairman and adviser in the past, and has been involved in running the country’s domestic and regional set-up.

Fazli’s immediate task will be to see that Afghanistan’s upcoming ODI series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka goes ahead in the face of numerous hurdles. With

commercial flights from the Kabul airport yet to resume following the Taliban’s takeover, the ACB’s contingency plan for Afghanistan’s players is for them to travel by road to Pakistan and fly out to Sri Lanka from there. he series could also be affected by the 10-day lockdown that has been imposed all across Sri Lanka in the face of rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

New ACB chairman, Azizullah Fazli (left), shakes hands with CEO Hamid Shinwari of Afghanistan Cricket Board

Shaheen Afridi holds arms aloft after his quick strikes up front, West Indies vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Jamaica, 3rd day, August 22, 2021 © Getty Images

West Indies in deep trouble see story after Alam’s century; on page 22 Afridi and Abbas pace

Fawad Alam’s century carried Pakistan (AFP/Getty Images)

Match referee Richie Richardson discusses the ground condition with umpires Joel Wilson and Gregory Brathwaite (West Indies vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Jamaica, 3rd day, August 22, 2021 © Getty Images)

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MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021