Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 24-07-2021

SATURDAY 24thJuly, 2021

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Amaila Falls project to recommence 03

No.106431

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_ gov’t seeking proposals for initiative, in pursuit of 2025 completion

The government is moving ahead to restart the Amaila Falls hydropower project, as promised, and on Friday evening, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to Design, Build and Finance the initiative

Guyana’s Chelsea advances to next round at Olympics 21 PAGE

Menu of measures being considered

_ to further help Guyanese, says President Ali _ gov’t will work to cushion the increase of cost of living 02 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

Menu of measures being considered -- to further help Guyanese, says President Ali -- government will work to cushion the increase of cost of living

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, said his government is monitoring the increase in the cost of living due to the pandemic and the destruction caused by the recent floods and will devise ways to further help Guyanese, especially those who have been affected by the floods.

President Ali said that a “menu of measures” are being considered to bolster plans already in place or in the pipeline, but that they will be dependent on revenue flow and the position of the economy.

“I want to assure the Guyanese people that once the fiscal space is found, that we have no hesitation in

bringing more help.”

The President, who was speaking to the media after a Guyana Defence Force Instruments of Commission and State Warrants presentation ceremony at State House on Thursday afternoon, said that the flood assessment is almost completed. He noted that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) team has done its assessment and that the government will also try to get a socio-economic impact assessment done.

The scale of the flooding was described as enormous and the President reminded that it did not only severely affect Guyana, but Suriname

and parts of Brazil also.

“In terms of the damage to the crops, the damage to livelihood, the damage to the household, I think just the magnitude and scale in terms of economic loss and financial loss has been enormous. And that is what you will see glaring in the report.”

The Head of State noted that his government is trying to cushion the economic impact on Guyanese through its social programmes.

He made reference to his government’s ‘Because We Care’ and the uniform and supplies cash grants currently being distributed to parents of public-school students and stated that an

assessment is being done on the possibility of extending the grants to students of private schools.

According to the President, his government will continue to work to cushion the effects of the flooding, which he said has affected a “great quantum” of the country’s productive capacity in the agricultural sector and in food production.

In addition to this, the government is also vaccinating Guyanese against the deadly COVID-19 virus to save lives, while manoeuvring around the economic difficulties caused by the pandemic. (Public Information and Press Services Unit)

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Six motorcycle bandits rob woman of $2M SIX unidentifiable men on three XR motorcycles on Friday afternoon robbed a 39-year-old woman of $2M at Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Police said that the suspects, two of whom were armed with handguns, are still at large.

Reports indicate that at about 14:38hrs on Friday, the victim uplifted the $2M from the head office of her place of work to pay workers at a Caneview Avenue location.

Upon arrival at Caneview Avenue, the victim reportedly parked her motorcar and was waiting to pay the workers as she usually does, when she noticed the suspects approaching.

Police said two of the

pillion riders dismounted the cycles and approached her with firearms drawn, and demanded that she hand over the money, which she refused to do.

At that, the suspects forced open the door on her side of the vehicle, pulled her out and began to cuff her in the stomach and face.

While that was going on, one of the six suspects reached into the vehicle and picked up the money, which was in an envelope, while another discharged three rounds, one in the air, and two in the direction of the car, before they all made good their escape.

Police are investigating the matter.

Amaila Falls project to recommence GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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_ gov’t seeking proposals for initiative, in pursuit of 2025 completion

By Rehana Ahamad THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is moving ahead to restart the Amaila Falls hydro-power project.

On Friday evening, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design, build and finance the project.

In a notice published Online, the government expressed its desire to begin construction of the hydro-power plant by the second half of 2022, in pursuit of a 2025 completion and commissioning deadline.

According to the RFP, the government is seeking submissions on two fronts, the first of which is to Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT), which will cover the period starting from Commercial Operations Date. This, the notice explains, will “include all of the costs of the project to commissioning date being borne by the developer, and the project reverting to the government at the end of the BOOT period, at no cost.” Further, it specifies that “All appropriate assumptions including cost of capital, equity, debt, and operating costs should be stated” in the submissions.

Secondly, the submitted proposals will have to contain details relating to the Design-Build-Finance (D-B-F) of the project.

This will require an outline of the cost/kilowatt per hour [and equivalent annual payment] for power delivered to Sophia, Georgetown, if the developer executes the Design-Build-Finance (D-B-F) model.

“Design-Build-Finance contract, with all of the financing being fund-

ed by the developer, on the condition that GoG [Government of Guyana] will take over the project and financing

to 2025 projects the total capacity required in 2025 as 465 megawatt and energy of 2,900 gigawatt hours.

Heavy Fuel Oil, and renewables such as hydro, wind and solar.

As a matter of fact,

sion-free” electricity sector is via the development of Guyana’s hydro-power potential. It was noted, too, that the

An artist’s impression of the proposed Amaila Falls hydropower facility

only repayment obligations, on satisfactory completion of construction and commissioning,” the proposal notice explains, adding: “Financing repayment will only start on successful takeover of the project in accordance with contract terms. The developer should state the project cost, financing details, and all other assumptions including operating costs and debt service.”

The advertisement also pointed to the fact that “Terms such as interest rate, loan tenure, loan conditions, capitalisation of interest during construction, and a draft financing term sheet” would have to be provided.

The government explained that currently, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s Development and Expansion (D&E) plan for 2021

BLOCKED In response to the country’s energy needs, the PPP/C government had conceptualised the Amaila Falls hydropower project, which was set to produce 165 Megawatts of power. The initiative was launched in 2009, but in 2013, it was voted down by the APNU and AFC in the National Assembly, forcing its major investor, Sithe Global Incorporated to withdraw from the initiative.

In 2014, Norway, under its climate partnership with Guyana, transferred some US$80M to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund the project.

When the PPP/C returned to office in August 2020, it recommitted to the project, and went on to propose an energy mix aimed at utilising both natural gas,

during the parliamentary debates on the 2020 National Budget, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn had chided the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) for dismissing the project while in government (20152020).

Benn, who was the Public Works Minister when the project was birthed, pointed to the report prepared by a Norwegian company called Norconsult, which was selected by the then APNU+AFC administration, in 2016, to conduct a financial model review of the high-profile Amaila Falls Project.

EMISSION FREE In 2017, the Stabroek News released some of the findings of the review, which indicated that the only realistic path towards an “emis-

fastest way forward is to maintain the Amaila Falls hydro-power project as the first major step for substituting its current oil-fired generation.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the Amaila Falls hydropower project is expected to cost just under US$1 billion, and will be able to generate 165 megawatts of stable and reliable electricity for 11 solid months of the year, with the additional month during the dry season being used for scheduled maintenance.

Recent checks done by this newspaper determined that the project is still bankable, meaning that the financiers are still open to the idea of funding the project, and that all the technical studies are still relevant.

As a result, the restart timeline is expected to be much shorter than it was before 2015.

Currently, GPL sells electricity to the nation at about US$0.33 per kWh, and this is expected to be reduced by 25 per cent within the first year of the operations of the Amaila Falls project, and by 50 per cent within five years; and by the end of 20 years by as much as 80 per cent.

In the proposal document, the government said that it expects the country’s power demands to be met by 2026.

In moving forward with the project, the government has required that proposals clearly outline the developer's capability and credibility to execute a project of this magnitude, as well as the present capital structure for financing.

Developers are also required to submit details of proposed local content, including sub-contractors, percentage of project costs that will be locally sourced, and supporting details of same. The developers are also being asked to outline a projected timetable with key milestones for Financial Close, Commercial Operations and Commissioning of the project.

Added to that, the notice says that there shall be provision for an international third-party operator, who will operate the facility on behalf of the project company or the government.

More significantly, the project will be executed via a new Special Purpose Company (SPC), and will be issued with all previous permits, licences, and permissions, as previously existed in April 2015, “provided the developer shall have responsibility for any updates as required by law.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

Bezos and Branson not astronauts, says US

In a move that pours cold water on the dreams of a few billionaire space explorers, the US has tightened its definition of the word “astronaut”.

New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules say astronaut hopefuls must be part of the flight crew and make contributions to space flight safety.

That means Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson may not yet be astronauts in the eyes of the US government.

These are the first changes since the FAA wings programme began in 2004.

The Commercial Astronaut Wings programme updates were announced on Tuesday - the same day that Amazon’s Bezos flew aboard a Blue Origin rocket to the edge of space.

To qualify as commercial astronauts, space-goers must travel 50 miles (80km) above the Earth’s surface, which both

have less claim to the coveted title. Ahead of the launch, Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith said that “there’s really nothing for a crew member to do” on the autonomous vehicle.

Those wishing for commercial wings need to be nominated for them as well. An

FAA spokesperson told CNN they are not currently reviewing any submissions.

There are two other ways to earn astronaut wings in the US - through the military or NASA. The wings spotted on Bezos and Sir Richard following their flights were custom-made pins by their own companies.

However, a glimmer of hope remains for Sir Richard, Bezos and any future stargazers hoping to be recognised as astronauts.

The new order notes that honorary awards can be given based on merit - at the discretion of the FAA’s associate administrator.

Astronaut wings were first awarded to astronauts Alan Shepard Jr and Virgil Grissom in the early 1960s for their participation in the Mercury Seven programme.

(BBC)

at Wangzongdian village in Henan province.

The region has seen massive floods because of record rainfall, with at least 51 dead and nearly 400,000 people evacuated from their homes.

Footage of rescue workers saving the baby has gone viral in China. She is believed to be around three or four months old.

“I heard the baby’s voice, and at that moment the rescuers had just arrived and managed to save the child.

She had been flung to a higher spot by her mother,” one family member identified as Zhao told Southern Metropolis Daily.

The baby was rushed to hospital and found to be unharmed.

Her mother’s body was only found on Thursday.

Rescuers told Beijing Youth Daily that when they discovered her body, it was frozen

in a position that seemed like she was lifting something up.

“Just at that crucial moment she had lifted up her child, and that’s why the baby girl lived,” one rescue worker called Yang told reporters.

Local reports did not name the mother or the child.

The rain and floods have wreaked chaos across the province in the last week.

Major roads have been turned into rivers, with cars, debris and even people swept along by fast-moving currents.

In the provincial capital of Zhengzhou, at least 12 people died when floodwaters inundated an underground subway line on Tuesday night. Zhao said rescue work had been difficult as the remote village’s main access bridge had been swept away by floods. Many homes were destroyed by the floods and rain, leaving villagers vulnerable.

“Wangzongdian still has a lot of old people and children, they have very limited ability to save themselves,” said Zhao.

Rescuers on Friday were still trying to reach survivors across the sprawling region, which is home to more than 90 million people. (BBC)

Bezos and the Blue Origin team may not qualify as astronauts (BBC photo)

Bezos and Branson accomplished.

But altitude aside, the agency says would-be astronauts must have also “demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety”.

What exactly counts as such is determined by FAA officials.

In a statement, the FAA said that these changes brought the wings scheme more in line with its role to protect public safety during commercial space flights.

On 11 July, Sir Richard flew on-board Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo to the edge of space as a test before allowing customers aboard next year.

Bezos and the three other crew members who flew on Blue Origin’s spacecraft may

Mother dies after saving baby from China floods Rescuers in China say a woman who flung her baby to safety, just as a mudslide and floods hit their home, has died.

The baby girl was pulled out alive on Wednesday after more than 24 hours buried under rubble.

Reports said heavy rains had triggered the landslide

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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Unrest mars funeral of assassinated Haitian leader

The sound of gunfire has interrupted the funeral of the late Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse, who was shot dead two weeks ago.

The US and other delegations left early after shooting rang out as the event got under way.

Protesters blamed some of those at the service for the leader’s death.

Authorities accuse foreign mercenaries of the killing but questions about the attack remain.

The president’s widow

Martine, who was injured in the attack and treated in hospital in the US, was at the funeral with three of her children.

“Cry for justice. We don’t want revenge, we want justice,” she said, according to Reuters news agency.

The President’s coffin was carried by men in military uniform. It sat on a stage in a Haitian flag, surrounded by white flowers. A Roman Catholic priest blessed it.

But even the funeral could not escape the unrest

Moïse was buried in a coffin draped in the Haitian flag (BBC photo)

suffered by Haiti for so long.

Protesters clashed with

police outside the venue and witnesses smelt tear gas at

the ceremony, but it seems nobody was hurt.

Some officials faced the anger of demonstrators, with police chief Leon Charles accused of being an “assassin”.

Haitian police accuse a group made up of 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans of carrying out the killing. At least 20 were detained, while three were killed by police and five are still on the run.

Moïse, 53, had been President of Haiti, the poorest nation in the

Americas, since 2017. His time in office was rocky as he faced accusations of corruption and there were widespread demonstrations against him earlier this year.

Also this week, a new prime minister, Ariel Henry, was sworn in after a political row with a rival.

He has called for unity and said he would form a temporary government until elections, due in September.

(BBC)

MPs accuse Jamaicans in Diaspora of supporting local criminal outfits TWO leading Members of Parliament (MP) — hailing from both sides of the House of Representatives — have accused Jamaican criminals living in the Diaspora of flooding volatile communities here with weapons and ammunition.

Minister of National Security, Dr Chang, who represents the St James North Western constituency, and Kingston Eastern and Port Royal MP Phillip Paulwell, of the Opposition, called on Jamaicans in the Diaspora, mainly in the United States, to use their money to help develop communities in Jamaica, instead of providing weaponry for the crime arsenal.

The issue was raised when Dr Chang, who is also Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister, addressed a meeting of the joint select committee of Parliament which is summing up its months-long review of the four-year-old Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, which defines the role of the zones of special operations (ZOSOs) in the fight against crime and violence.

Acknowledging that the committee offers parliamentarians an opportunity to have intense dialogue about mutual issues, irrespective of their political affiliation, Chang blamed the “overseas guys” remitting money and weapons to their local enforcers to maintain control of their former home towns.

“It is a big problem; at the same time, our [international] partners are pressuring us when they should be giving us help [to stop it]. They [overseas funders] are really

a kind of source, once they are active, and they have the kind of money to keep recruiting, even despite our best efforts here,” he stated.

Paulwell, for his part, said that he has been studying the problem and he is also convinced that the violence in Jamaica was being funded by operatives abroad.

“I have tried to think about this thing, because I know when there is a socalled war in my communities [with] the amount of gunshots that people report that they are firing and the kind of weaponry,” Paulwell remarked.

He said that he had asked himself whether politicians could be supporting it by funding the gangsters through contracts to do work within the constituency. However, he said that the only kind of contracts to constituents, without intensive procurement activity, would be much too cheap to pay for the kind of weapons and the amount of ammunition in the possession of gangsters.

“For the last five years I have been very careful in terms of [handing out contracts] that we do in the constituency, and, of course, as you know, the Constituency Development Fund is quite minima, so there is nothing

there they can do. Now, do we provide them with any back channel support? When I think about how much money they are spending it must be from a source, and I can only think of overseas sources,” he said. “...You hear things, and I have been pleading to those persons who used to live in the communities who now live overseas: ‘If you want to do something for your community where you used to live, then send some building machine so the people can become engaged in some productive activity and, for heaven’s sake, stop sending guns and bullets to Jamaica.’

I also think that out international partners should be able to assist us,” he added.

“We are definitely on the same wave length across the aisle,” Dr Chang reacted.

“We do not have that kind of resources. The old narrative of contracts has long gone.

Much of the money spent on projects don’t use that routine. It’s only the primary constituency effort that is available. So, this narrative that you are giving out handouts to [political activists] and gangs is ridiculous,” Dr Chang insisted.

He said that, beyond the primary contracts, the only ones available do require procurement procedures, including tendering because they are big projects.

“So the narrative about giving out to [activists] is just foolishness.”

“They [gangsters] are into big business. They are smuggling and scamming, along with the support they get from the overseas people.

We have to find a way to stop the flow. It is unbelievable the amount of money spent,

just on ammunition,” he said.

“It is a real challenge and we just have to keep working on it. It is a serious thing. In Montego Bay, you will have to be there to hear it [for yourself]. I have listened to it. There were times before the SOE (state of emergency) you would hear gunshots right across Montego Bay, and unless you hear it your-

self it would be difficult to appreciate it,” Chang pointed out.

“The men in Granville start a barrage of shots and by the time Granville goes off it comes across to Mount Salem, and one side of Mount Salem goes off, then the next side goes off, too. Then there is Rose Heights, followed by part

of Salt Spring and Glendevon, and Glendevon is followed by Flankers. Then it goes back the other way for another two or three rounds. It is unbelievable the amount of money spent just on ammunition. It’s crazy,” the National Security Minister told the committee. (Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

Foreign Direct Investment GUYANA has topped the CARICOM region in terms of Direct Foreign Investment (FDI), second only to the Dominican Republic in this hemisphere, a recent release by United Nations Conference on Trade and development (UNCTAD) indicated. According to the release, Guyana received US$ 1.834 billion last year, which is an improvement from the previous year, when it received US$ 1.695 billion.

According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report (2020), FDI inflows to Guyana have shown a significant increase. Total FDI stock was estimated at 6.3 billion in 2019, with the United States of America (USA) being the largest investor partner.

Traditionally, trans-

portation, communications, mining and agriculture have been among the largest foreign direct investment, but with the emergence of oil and gas in commercial quantities, there is now a shift in the investment portfolio to reflect that new and changing dispensation.

This is good news for the country, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic environment, where there is a global economic slowdown, and a consequential drying up of developmental assistance. And even though there is still some work to be done in terms of the creation of an ideal investment environment, there can be no doubt that significant steps have been taken by the current PPP/C administration to

create an investor-friendly environment.

Guyana is forging ahead, in terms of its standing as an investor-friendly country. The World Bank, in its 2020 report, ranked Guyana 134 out of 190 countries for its business environment, but this is likely to see significant improvement, with the slew of measures taken by the government to provide investment incentives, and remove bottlenecks regarding the ease of doing business in the country. The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) has issued clear investment guidelines, which will further assist in terms of investment opportunities in the country. Guyana, as the gateway to Latin America, is

uniquely poised to attract investments in a variety of ways, including the tourism sector, which is still in its fledgling stages.

For the country to optimise its investment potential, it is imperative that there exists a stable political environment, buttressed by a strong culture of democracy and the rule of law. That is why it is so important to strengthen our democratic and judicial institutions, including the Guyana Elections Commission.

No less important is the need for a strong and predictable regulatory framework to protect investors, both local and foreign, from the vicissitudes of political changes.

As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana is

strategically located, and offers access to key markets, and everything will be done to create an enabling environment for business to do well and prosper. Investors, the President assured, can be assured of a macro-economic framework that will guarantee stability and asset protection. Investors can expect fiscal incentives to attract investments and greater competitiveness. They can look forward to improvements in the ease of doing business, and respect for property rights and the rule of law.

The importance of Foreign Direct Investment for Guyana’s development cannot be overemphasised.

Through large investments, the economy can

become more competitive, through transfer of financial resources, knowledge, skills and technology in addition to job creation. Making hasty and at times ill-informed comments against investors can be counterproductive, and a disincentive to current and prospective investors. In the final analysis, it is the country and its people that will suffer from any loss of investment capital. And while there is nothing wrong in advocating for due diligence and a fair share of the proceeds of our natural resources, such advocacy must be done within the framework of our laws, and with the greater good of the society in mind.

No-confidence motions against Granger likely to backfire against those behind it

Dear Editor,

THE motions of no confidence against the leader of the PNCR and the Coalition, Mr. David Granger, are likely to backfire in a big and ugly way, because those who have tabled the motions and are seeking to run for office are part of the failings and failed leadership of the party. It is not only the leader who has failed,

but also the entire leadership; they must bear collective responsibility for the mess they have all created, and for what they put this country through for months. Theref o re , n o n e a m o n g them have any moral standing to table those motions.

The entire Central Executive Committee must go; they have failed the people. They attempted to rig and

then put the country through five months of uncertainty. It cannot be right for them to now gang up against one man, when, in fact, they are the problem. Now they appear like knights in shining armour, pretending to want to save the party from the path of destruction they set it upon. They should resign en bloc; the entire pack should go.

In any case, what gives those who are

challenging Mr. Granger for leadership the idea that they are better than he, or can actually do a better job than he did over the last decade? They must tell the people of this country. And if Granger is removed, which one of those challenging him can take the place of leadership. We have seen how some of them performed in ministerial positions: Miserably poor. Others are indisci-

plined. The current Party Chairman has shown a pattern of mistakes, yet they want Guyanese to show confidence in their unknown abilities to lead a formidable opposition, and work with the government in a way that would benefit all. I believe that they are basically delusionary.

Finally, any move by individual aspirants of leadership to oust Granger that is

not in keeping with the party’s Constitution will be discredited, fail and blow right back in the faces of those who are involved. More importantly, they should tell us what does the party’s Constitution say about such matters of no-confidence motions, and public vilification of the leader.

Yours sincerely, Anthony Subner

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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GECOM Chairperson must assert herself Dear Editor,

IT is most opportune for the commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission, along with the Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, to assert themselves and fully discuss the ‘notorious’ three fraudsters who are before the courts and dismiss them.

This nation must not accept any further delays, and GECOM must get rid of all the suspects and un-wanted elements who are employed at the Commission. The Commission took a decision to send the ‘trio’ on leave.

Further, it was agreed that the motion moved against them by Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Manoj Narine at a statuary meeting of the Commissioners will be fully discussed and bring the matter to conclusion. The actions by several GECOM staff members, particularly the ‘trio’, is a matter of serious concern, because the nation has lost faith and trust in the organisation.

It is indeed totally disrespectful and very bad for the Opposition members of the Commission to walk out of a statuary meeting, as they continue to frustrate the work of the Commission in an effort

to delay natural justice. The issue of a ‘Quorum’ must be dealt with by the Chairperson, as the laws provide for such issues. Article 226 (5) of the Guyana Constitution makes provision for the absence of that quorum. While the PNC commissioners can continue to attempt to delay the process, Article (5) (b) provides that if, at any stage of a duly summoned meeting, a quorum is not present, due to the absence of members without just cause, such just cause being determined by the Chairman, the meeting shall stand adjourned to a day not later than two calendar days; the meeting shall stand adjourned to the following day, at the same time and place, and notice of such adjournment shall be given to the absent members. And if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present, the members then present, being not less than four, including the Chairman, shall be deemed to constitute a quorum, and any decision made at that or any such meeting shall be valid in law and binding.

Local Government Elections must take place this year. GECOM is allocated a substantial amount of money to run off the Elections. Hence, GECOM must

cleanse itself of the “riggers”, and proceed with the preparation for the LGEs this year.

While Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo are on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the decision by GECOM on the motions seeking the dismissal of the ‘trio’, it is imperative that the Chairperson do what is expected, and make sure we get free and fair LGEs. Lowenfield’s open defiance of Court Orders in his deliberate attempts to fraudulently declare the APNU+AFC Coalition as winners of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections must not be condoned. The several deliberate attempts and disrespect showed by Lowenfield to the Commission, and the Chairperson in particular, are enough for his immediate dismissal. As for the Deputy CEO, Myers, she was disrespectful to Commissioner Sase Gunraj and others.

As for Mingo, mere words cannot adequately describe his atrocious behaviour. However, we must not forget that he resides in Region Five, and he is a permanent staff of GECOM, who was catapulted to Region Four as the Returning Officer.

All eyes are on

Courts launches AKT Motorcycles COURTS Guyana, on Friday, added AKT Motorcycles to its product line.

AKT Motorcycles is a Colombian brand that has been around since April 2004.

Unicomer has sold over 1, 300,000 of the motorcycles since it started selling them in Nicaragua in December 2012. Aside from Guyana, the motorcycles are available in eight other markets.

During a brief ceremony, Courts’ Managing Director, Clyde De Haas, stated that the company is extending its product assortment to the top-quality motorcycle brand.

“We are very proud to introduce this to you today and look forward to seeing it in all of our branches, all over Guyana.”

Sharing the specifics of the motorcycles, De Haas said, “They come in different models and of very high quality. We have the GT Model for daily riding around the city and it’s a great messenger bike. We have the TT for customers who are more

adventure oriented and like to go a bit out of town. …for the sportier customers who want to ride around town, we have the CS3.”

“As you can see, we are going full throttle …these motorcycles are very competitively priced and for the quality that you are getting it is excellent value.”

The motorcycles have a one-year warranty. However, customers can opt to buy an additional two-year warranty.

“I want to invite everybody to go to your nearest store. We are going to have them first. We will have them at the Giftland Mall and we will have them at our Main Street store and it will also be available at Lucky Dollar in Regent Street,” he said, adding: “By next month we will start to roll out to the other branches in Linden, New Amsterdam and Richmond, Essequibo.”

Clyde De Haas, Managing Director of Courts, test rides one of the motorcycles (Adrian Narine photos)

GECOM, and expectations are high that the Madam Chairperson will assert her good office, and bring an

early end to the impasse at the GECOM next statuary meeting. Dismiss the ‘trio’, now!

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

Improved water supply for River’s View GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) will be working to improve the water supply for residents of River’s View, a village located on the border of Region 10.

Village Toshao, Melena Pollard, wrote the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, earlier in July seeking his intervention.

Therefore, he led a team which visited the village on July 20, 2021, to meet with the villagers and their leader to discuss the situation at hand.

The Toshao explained that the village, which has about 220 households, currently only has one well in operation, a GWI release said. This well, which is equipped with a submersible pump, is solar powered and serves a section of the community.

In another section of the village, exists a second well which is currently out of operation. This drilled well

is only equipped with a hand pump and does not have a submersible pump. The area also has pipelines which were laid by the community through a grant from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

According to Baksh, this year, GWI will be working to activate the well which has the potential to serve approximately 40 households. This would include transitioning the well from being hand-pump driven to solar powered. To this end, the community will work to do the necessary fabrication to accommodate solar panels, he said.

Erecting a trestle equipped with water tanks as a part of the water supply system will also be explored.

Further, GWI will conduct an assessment of the existing distribution network to determine what additional works are needed. The possibility of setting up stand pipes at strategic locations

Boy playing with matches set Mahaicony house ablaze

A SIX-YEAR-old boy, who was playing with a box of matches, caused a two-story wooden and concrete home to go up in flames on Thursday at Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Police said the fire occurred at around 09:00 hours and 33-year-old victim, Odessa Limerick, said she left her six-year-old son with her reputed husband at home at around 06:00 hours and went to work.

Around 09:30 hours, the woman said she received a phone call from her aunt, who said that her house was on fire. When she arrived, the woman was met with her house completely engulfed in flames.

Fire tenders from the Mahaica Fire Station were summoned to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze.

Police said that the lad, who was questioned in the presence of his parent, stated that he went over to his aunt’s house and picked up a box of matches and took it home.

He then used it to light the mattress in the backroom of the upper flat of the building. The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the blaze.

Because of the distance, this area requires its own well and distribution network which would serve approximately 80 households.

GWI’s CEO, Shaik Baksh and team engage the Toshao and several River’s View residents

will be explored in order for residents to access water until individual service connections can be installed.

River’s View is approximately 13 miles long and the population resides mainly along the river. One of the

far-flung areas, called Falmouth, is located about three miles away from the central location in the village.

GWI will be conducting a feasibility study for the drilling of the well in order to have it included in its 2022 programme.

The River’s View toshao took the opportunity to express her gratitude to GWI for their timely response to her letter.

“I’m very pleased with the visit. I’m pleased with the timely response to my letter which is good because my village councillors they were asking when we’re going to get a response from you guys and this is really timely and I really appreciate it,” she stated.

She added that it is her view that the community and GWI can work together to achieve improved water access.

Agreements signed for salary increases for 150 GTT workers

FOLLOWING discussions, the Ministry of Labour, the Guyana Telegraph and Telephone Company (GTT) and Guyana Postal and Communications Workers Union (GPTWU) on Friday signed an agreement for a four per cent increase in wages and salaries for GTT workers for the year 2021.

Another agreement was signed for a six per cent increase in wages and salaries for the year 2022.

Speaking at the simple ceremony held in the ministry’s boardroom, GPTWU President, Harold Shepard told media operatives that the two entities were able to come to an agreement

GTT’s representative, Mark Singh; Chief Labour Officer, Michelle Baburam, and GPTWU President, Harold Shepard during the signing ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

during bilateral discussions.

“We would have commenced this process, whereby, during bilateral discussions, we were able to meet a resolution,” Shepard said, adding: “At the very first meeting, we were able to

reach a position where we were able to agree on four per cent increase on the basic salary for the GTT united members for the period October 1, 2020, to September 20, 2021, and a six per cent increase from October 2021 to October 2022.”

He further disclosed that in the agreement, there is a clause that will give way for the company to review a further increase after a few months.

“There is an additional clause. By now and February 1, 2022, we will be able to do a review to see if it is possible to move the six per cent upwards, because we are all aware that cost of living has skyrocketed over the last few months.”

Shepard further disclosed that 150 workers will benefit from the salary increases, and that the union took the company’s chal-

lenges into consideration.

“We understand the challenges faced by the telephone and telegraph company, moreso in a liberalised environment. We at the union are prepared to work with the new chief executive officer and his team for the betterment of its team and its company,” Shepard said.

He added that with the salary increases, customers can now expect a better quality of service.

“We believe that under the new management structure at the GTT, that customers will see a far more improved service. You have happy employees; you have happy customers.”

In brief remarks during the signing ceremony, Acting Chief Labour Officer, Michelle Baburam expressed satisfaction with the agreement made with the two entities.

“I’m happy that between GTT and the union, they can foster good relations in having a resolution to bring this curtain down, and, hopefully, in six months, they can see some improvements so that they can move the six per cent to a higher percentage.”

She assured those at the ceremony that the ministry is dedicated to ensuring that good relations in the work environment continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

25 Riverview residents join women’s empowerment programme

THE Riverview community in Georgetown – generally thought of as depressed community where lack of employment and a low standard of living prevails – was visited on Friday by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud.

“This was an area that kept coming up as needing help and so we reached out,” Minister Persaud noted as her reason for choosing this community to visit. She and her team have been conducting this level of outreach to most of the regions across the country, with just a few remaining.

The Riverview residents welcomed Minister Persaud and team with open arms and expressed gratitude that she took time out to remember and visit them.

In keeping with her usual style of one-on-one interactions with residents, Minister Persaud listened to concerns affecting the residents and committed to helping wherever she could. She promised,

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud during the outreach to Riverview on Friday

for instance, that she would forward their concerns of drainage and flooding after heavy rainfall to the relevant government ministers.

Where the services of her ministry were concerned, all heads of programmes were on board, along with representatives of every key agency that is associated with the ministry.

The Childcare and Protection Agency was on hand to educate on child abuse and

talk about parenting; officers from the Probation Department spoke about domestic violence and cases of elder abuse; the Counter-Trafficking in Person Unit was also present, along with officers to deal with pensions and public assistance.

One boy who keeps topping his class due to the diligent efforts he exerts towards his studies was promised help

by Minister Persaud in the

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Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud interacting with residents from Riverview

form of a device that would make his work load easier.

Another high point of the visit was the enrollment of 25 residents on the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme that was recently launched. Minister Persaud was extremely happy when the women expressed a desire not to merely depend on handouts but to become independent.

“This was very encouraging. Having 25 women saying they want to do something for themselves was very good,” Minister Persaud said, noting that she will arrange for a venue close to the area where the residents can easily access the WIIN classes. She is also looking to see how the class sizes can be increased to accommodate more interested persons.

Minister Persaud also took the opportunity to spread the message behind the 914 hotline which she has been doing across the country in an effort to get people into the culture of reporting the wrongs they witness.

The visit also saw the distribution of hampers, hygiene kits for the women and baby bags with pampers, etc.

New Amsterdam centenarian, ‘Aunty Rhoda’, dies

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

JUST three months after celebrating her 100th birthday, Rhoda Jean Bourne Warren, popularly referred to as “Aunty Rhoda”, died peacefully, shortly after having a light lunch and a bath, said her caregiver, Nikeish Scipio.

‘Aunt Rhoda’ became unresponsive at her home at Lot 45 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and was pronounced dead on Thursday afternoon, after she was examined by medical practitioners at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

“As she lived, she died; in peace,” said Scipio, an adoptive daughter who had lived with Warren for many years.

At her birthday celebrations on April 22 last, the centenarian had told the Guyana Chronicle that all she needed was “a spoonful of rum, and I gon be alright”.

Despite this significant milestone, the centenarian had told well-wishers, among them her great nieces and nephews, that she was just 90, for fear that death would stalk her if her true age was revealed.

“Aunty Rhoda” was born at Number Nine Village, West Coast Berbice. She was brought to East Berbice by her brother-in-law, Noel Liddell,

Rhoda Jean Bourne Warren

a bicycle mechanic, who at the time was pursuing a relationship with her older sister, Florence.

Initially, they’d lived at Lightown Village, East Bank Berbice, before moving to Lot 48, Stanleytown, and later Lot 45, Stanleytown, one of the many cross streets in the New Amsterdam township.

She has a biological daughter, Maureen, who lives overseas with her family.

Even though she was advanced in age, the slim-built centenarian had a knack for taste, and would so advise her companions whenever the meals were lacking an essential ingredient.

For her birth anniversary, she’d requested black cake, mauby, chowmein, and macaroni and cheese. The items were prepared by her greatniece, Claudette Liddell-Allen. As soon as the cake and the mauby were brought, she requested a taste, and with closed eyes, she savoured the goodies. It pleased her palate.

She smiled while nodding her head. The black cake and mauby lacked nothing. “It good; it taste so good,” she muttered under her breath.

Though experiencing memory lapses during the interview with this publication, she was able to recount that as a young woman, she’d sold cassava pone and other baked items at Providence Market, East Bank Berbice, and later worked as a hairstylist at Mavis New Year’s Beauty Parlour.

Her recollection of the earlier part of her life was vague. She recalled that she had 10 siblings, and that her family raised cows and sold milk, while her father operated a boat along the Berbice River.

All in all, ‘Aunty Rhoda’ had been grateful for life.

She was also thankful that God had given her so many years, for which she had no regret.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission visits Region Nine

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinane, toured the St. Ignatius Secondary School and donated 200 school kits, including backpacks and school supplies on behalf of the US Embassy during a recent visit to Region Nine.

According to a release, during the visit to Lethem and St. Ignatius, Region Nine, Cullinane met with the Regional Chairman, Guyana Police Force leadership, the Regional Health Officer, the Lethem Town Clerk, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce, and village leaders.

“It was a great pleasure to visit Region Nine and understand the priorities and

concerns of local officials and business leaders, as well as experience the beauty of the region and the warmth of Rupununi hospitality,” said the Deputy Chief of Mission.

The visit underscores

the US Embassy’s commitment to help build capacity in remote areas, strengthen border security, and support youth education across the country, the release from the Embassy said.

$18M placed in pockets of Amelia’s Ward parents MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Thursday, spearheaded the distribution of over $18 million to parents and guardians of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

This is part of the Government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant programme and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant, which gives back $19,000 cash to each child in the public school system.

Thursday’s distribution took place at the Amelia’s

Deputy Chief of Mission donates school supplies at St. Ignatius Secondary School

Mother of three, Vanilla Morison

Ward Primary and Nursery Schools, which have a registration of 948 pupils.

Minister Indar told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that “COVID-19 is tough. Everybody here is facing tough times. People need a little bit of extra help in whatever form.

“I believe that what should be said is that we keep our promises. We make a promise, we keep it. We focus on it to make sure that we deliver it and that is what we are doing today. We are

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar

delivering to the people of Region 10.”

Minister Indar, who was impressed by the turnout at the school, believes that the vaccination programme is critical to the reopening of schools. He added that there would be a level of assurance if parents knew that the teachers were fully-vaccinated and vice versa.

“The next challenge, apart from the cash grant and people receiving it and putting it to use, is to get school reopened, and to get schools reopened we need to ensure that the adult population is vaccinated,” Minister Indar said.

Meanwhile, DPI spoke to beneficiaries of the cash grant to understand what it means for them.

Charles Mansfield, a father of five, explained how difficult it has been to secure a job in this pandemic. However, with the government’s cash grant, he said he would be able to provide for his children.

“We have started making preparations for the school term; buy school clothes and books for the children that they need. To turn out back to school. We are very grateful and we thank the government for this little cash grant that we have received.”

Mother of four, Vanilla Morison, also shared a story of financial challenges she has faced due to the pandemic.

“Well, unfortunately with the pandemic, my small busi-

Charles Mansfield, a father of five

ness that I have has been closed now for a year and something because it is a shop in the school. My husband alone has been providing and it has been very challenging for me financially.

With the cash grant, basically if school reopens, I will use it concerning supplies for the children.”

The government is investing some $3.2 billion for the cash grant programme, with approximately 72, 000 children in the public school system to benefit.

Woman accused of setting lover on fire granted bail

SAMANTHA Dey, who allegedly threw a flammable substance on the father of her children and set him on fire, on Friday, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was placed on $50,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Dey denied that on December 8, 2020, at William Street, Kitty, she unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Jermain Robertson with intent to maim, disfigure or disable

him.

According to the prosecution, Dey and Robertson share two children and were living together prior to the incident. On the day the incident occurred, Robertson returned home, placed his phone to charge and went to bed.

He later noticed his phone missing and enquired about its location from Dey. Dey informed Robertson that she was in possession of it and this resulted in an

argument.

The argument escalated when Dey threw methylated spirits on Robertson. She then threw a lit lighter on him. Robertson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted and discharged on December 19, 2020.

The matter was reported and Dey was arrested and later charged for the offence.

The matter was adjourned until August 6, 2021.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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Minister Manickchand pleads with Lindeners to get vaccinated

WHILE in Linden on Thursday to launch the Government of Guyana’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant programme at the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, urged residents to take the COVID-19 vaccine so that schools can safely reopen physically.

Minister Manickchand explained to parents that the COVID-19 vaccination rate is closely related to the possibility of schools reopening to physical teaching/learning.

She said that despite the many interventions by the Ministry of Education and its teachers to keep children engaged, students’ performance has dropped. She said that studies show that the longer school doors remain closed, children will suffer

from learning loss and more students will drop out.

Minister Manickchand reported that when the first mock examination was written for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), 2,600 Grade Six pupils did not write the examination

NINE young Guyanese, aged 15 to 18, will be representing Guyana in the virtual five-week Youth Ambassadors Programme from Monday, July 26 to Friday, August 27, 2021.

According to a release from the US Embassy in Georgetown, representing Guyana this year are Anjalita Palaniandi, Rachel Chesney, Krystal McLean, Victor Nandlall, Juel Johnson, Ayushi Nandalall, Divya Nandalall, Kanye Blades and Jahnavi Tuluram.

André Romaldho, an alumnus of the Youth Ambassadors Programme, 2018 will serve as mentor for the 2021 cohort.

The virtual programme brings together outstanding young people between the ages of 15 and 18 from across the Americas for an enrichment

programme to explore themes such as civic education, leadership, cross-cultural connections, community service, and youth and social transformation through experiential learning activities, leadership training, civic participation at the community level, and mentoring by community, business, and NGO leaders; engaging with host families, and volunteering.

The youths were shortlisted from a large pool of applicants after going through an interview process. They join a cadre of 56 youth leaders and 10 adult mentors who have been part of the Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP) since September 2012, the release said.

Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch met with the 2021 cohort

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand interacting with a nurse during Thursday’s exercise (DPI photo)

and that the results from the examination were worrying.

She told parents that it is known that children are not receiving the same level of education at home as they would if they were in the classroom. She said that the results of the last mock

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand delivering remarks during the launch of the programme at the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (DPI photo)

examination was better but still not what it should be and that more children wrote the examination due to the ministry going in search of those children who missed the first.

The Education Minister stressed the importance of the

reopening of schools to physical engagements and pleaded with parents present to go and take their COVID-19 vaccine.

“If you don’t take this vaccine, I can’t open schools and if we don’t open schools

your children will suffer. All these dreams we had of what they will be when they grow up will be affected. It is one of the realities of the times we’re living. You are their only shield,” she said.

She told parents that if they don’t vaccinate themselves, they are exposing their children in a major way.

Further, she said that the Government of Guyana will be importing vaccines approved for children from ages 12 to 17. Minister Manickchand encouraged parents that when the doses arrive, to ensure their children are vaccinated against COVID-19.

She said: “It is not a mandatory thing, but I’m begging you to consider it and to take this vaccine. Do this for our children. It’s a plea, I’m begging you.”

(DPI)

Nine Guyanese chosen for youth ambassadors programme

Ambassador Lynch with the 2021 cohort of the Youth Ambassadors Programme (US Embassy photo)

on Thursday, July 22, 2021. During the meeting, the participants shared their aspirations to address issues affecting youth within their respective communities. Ambassador Lynch congratulated the group and highlighted the importance of engaging and networking with other youth across the Caribbean during the programme, as this will develop their leadership skills as active and engaged citizens through service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

GNBS certification positively impacts Gafsons Industries

“WE can’t make enough blocks; we’re always running out of stock,” Factory Manager of Gafsons Industries Limited, Bharath Rampersad said, as he explained that certification of the company’s four-inch concrete hollow blocks has led to increased customer confidence followed by an overwhelming demand for the product.

Gafsons Industries Limited was established over 15 years ago. It is one of the largest manufacturers of quality hardware items and heavy construction materials in Guyana.

In 2018, the company decided to pursue certification of its four-inch concrete hollow blocks to the Guyana Standard GYS 215:2003 Specification for Load Bearing Masonry Concrete Units (Reapproved 2018).

Factory Manager of Gafsons Industries Limited, Bharath Rampersad said this move was influenced by the company’s drive to ensure customer satisfaction and to be the best in the business.

According to a release, with some concrete hollow blocks on the local market failing to meet the required strength for large-scale construction, Rampersad said the company also felt the need to be distinguished from others by attaining the requisite documentation to go with its product.

“People were doing ‘sand blocks’ and there was no real

An employee of Gafsons Industries Limited in the process of assembling concrete hollow blocks

documentation available for foreigners coming into Guyana or even Guyanese to justify that the product they are purchasing from a manufacturer, is being made to required specifications… and that drove us to get certified.

“This was enhanced by the fact that more persons are coming into the country, maybe because of oil also, and want to be confident that they are paying for products which are sturdy or ‘the real deal’,” he explained.

The company also did its

research in other CARICOM countries where it was found that people opt for more durable construction materials supported by certification.

Rampersad described the process towards getting certified as challenging, but noted that the company continually worked until it was successful in eliminating every non-conformity to the standard.

“We had a steady process and were meeting the requirements according to the standard which we were surprised that the bureau

already had in place to be utilised,” the Factory Manager said.

After all of the hard work put in by the management and staff of the company, Gafsons Industries Limited received its certification in June 07, 2019 under the GNBS Product Certification Programme, the release said.

Upon receiving its certificate, Rampersad noted that the demand for the concrete hollow blocks have increased by 100 per cent.

“We can’t make enough blocks; we’re always run-

ning out of stock and I think that is because of the certification. People like the strength and the quality of our blocks which we have been maintaining over the years,” he proudly stated.

The certificate is valid for one year and the company has been successful in attaining recertification in 2020 and 2021.

In fact, Gafsons was awarded a plaque from the GNBS on July 12, 2021 for ensuring its blocks continuously meet the requirements of the Guyana Stan-

dard Specification for Load Bearing Masonry Concrete Units (GYS 215:2018).

In addition, the company has acquired its own compression testing equipment to test its concrete hollow blocks intermittently to maintain consistency of its end product.

Rampersad encouraged other businesses to join the GNBS Product Certification Programme.

“Don’t be scared of the process. Once you start, it will become less difficult and you will get there,” he said.

The GNBS provides certification to local manufacturers and block makers who would like to continually demonstrate that their hollow blocks are meeting standard requirements.

The bureau also offers testing of concrete hollow blocks at its Flat 15, Sophia Exhibition Complex, Georgetown location for compressive strength, dimension, water absorption and moisture content.

Gafsons’ sister company, Plastic Products Limited have also certified its PVC pipes to the Guyana Standard Specification for poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastic pipe (GYS 99:2010) and GYS 107:2010, ‘Specification for (PVC) pressure-rated pipes (SDR)’.

Product certification is valid for one year. The company is also looking to certify its black water tanks.

Teens raped in separate Teen driver died from incidents, alleged multiple injuries – autopsy perpetrators arrested

N I N E T E E N - y e a r- o l d Chandramala Singh, who lost her life on Tuesday last, died of multiple injuries to the body, according to an autopsy done on Friday.

The body was handed over to relatives for cremation. The teen had lost control of her vehicle and slammed it into a signboard and a utility pole near the Content Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police said Singh, of Lot 13 Novar Mahaicony, ECD lost control of her vehicle at around 20:15 hours while proceeding east along the northern side of the public

Dead: Chandramala Singh

road, at a fast rate.

Enquires disclosed that as the teen was negotiating a left turn, she suddenly lost control and ended up on the southern side of the road parapet and collided with an erected signboard which is owned by the Ministry of Public Works. The vehicle then crashed into a utility pole on the said side of the roadway.

She was taken out of the vehicle by public-spirited citizens and rushed to Mahaicony Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A THIRTY-TWO-yearold man was arrested in Region One on Thursday following allegations of sexual assault and rape of a 15-year-old.

“Enquiries revealed that on the abovementioned date... the suspect allegedly committed the act. The suspect was contacted, told of the allegation, arrested and placed in custody. Investigations are in progress,” police said.

Meanwhile, in a separate

incident, another teen was raped and a 25-year-old man was arrested in Region Seven where the incident occurred.

Police said that rape of the 16-year-old girl occurred in April last and the incident was only reported on Thursday to the police at around 13:00 hours.

The teenager claimed that the rape was committed during April 2021 at a local store where the suspect demanded sex from her and she refused.

The suspect persisted and committed the act before escaping. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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Rape accused found not ‘Demon’ appeals 18-year guilty following retrial sentence for raping girl

THE retrial of Stephen McCurdy called “Jaganie” for the alleged rape committed on a woman in 2017, ended on Thursday with a not guilty verdict.

McCurdy, also known as Shermon Jackson, was on trial before Justice JoAnn Barlow at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court, Georgetown, for allegedly raping a woman on November 19, 2017.

The jury, on Thursday, returned with a not guilty verdict acquitting McCurdy of the indictment.

McCurdy was represented by attorney Latoya

Roberts, while prosecutors Sarah Martin, Nafeeza Baig, Cecilia Corbin and Latifah Elliot presented the state’s case.

Justice Barlow, after the unanimous verdict from the jury, told McCurdy that he was free to go.

In February 2020, McCurdy was first tired for the offence before Justice Barlow but the jury was unable to reach a verdict. This resulted in a retrial.

According to the case presented to the state, the victim was known to McCurdy and during November she was staying with

his family.

It is alleged that on the day in question, McCurdy came home drunk. He began banging on the door of the room that the woman was in since his wardrobe was inside.

The woman eventually opened the door and McCurdy changed his clothes and left. He later returned and reportedly begged the victim to have sex with him. She refused his request and he allegedly raped her.

The matter was reported to the police and he was arrested.

TAXI driver, Damon Assanah, called “Demon,” who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2015, has moved to the Appeal Court to have his conviction and sentence overturned.

In June, Assanah, 33, was, sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court after a jury found him guilty of engaging in sexual penetration with the victim during the month of November 2015.

However, he was found not guilty on two counts of rape committed on the child during the months of January and October 2015.

In his appeal documents,

Damon Assanah, called “Demon”

the convict claimed that the trial judge erred in law. He is contending that the sentencing was excessive and too severe. As such, he is asking the court to reserve and/or set aside his conviction and sentence.

According to reports, Assanah is known to the victim and her family. During the

month of January 2015, he lured her out of her home and allegedly raped her near a “fowl-pen.” Some nine months later while returning home after being sent on an errand by her mother, Assanah grabbed the child and threw her into his motorcar.

He took her to his home where he raped her.

On December 7, 2015, while at school she began vomiting. Several tests later confirmed that she was seven weeks pregnant.

At that point, the teen told her mother what had transpired and a report was made to the police. Assanah was later arrested and charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

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$1.8M to repair Verstappen damage – Horner MAX Verstappen’s crash with Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix cost Red Bull at least $1.8M (£1.3M), team principal Christian Horner says.

The figure is more than one percent of the team’s total budget this season, following the introduction of Formula 1’s budget cap at $145M this year.

Horner said that the loss “has massive ramifications” for this season.

The cost could impact on Red Bull’s ability to bring performance upgrades to their car, among other expenses.

The figure is a best early estimate for repairs to the car, and could yet go up - Red Bull are still looking into whether the monocoque can be repaired or will have to be replaced with a new one.

The top teams such as Red Bull are already strug-

Christian Horner says Red Bull and Max Verstappen are determined to try to recover from the damage the crash at Silverstone has caused to their championship bid.

gling to meet the budget cap - the limit is in the region of half the previous annual spend for teams such as Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.

Any extra expense such as this makes it even more of a

‘Sensational’ Chelsea!

Edghill advance to next round at Olympics

By Rawle Toney Chelsea Edghill got off to a dream start at her quest for Olympic glory in Tokyo, Japan, when she defeated Fiji’s Sally Yee, 4 – 1 in the opening match of the Women’s Singles Olympic tournament.

Edghill, Guyana’s first ever athlete in the sport of table tennis at the Olympics, won the first set 11 – 5, but Yee bounced back to claim the second 4 – 11.

However, the former Caribbean U21 Singles Champion upped the tempo and went into full destruction mode to win the remaining sets 11 – 3, 11 – 6, 11 – 8.

Yee was playing at her second Olympic Games, having played at the 2016 event in Rio, while Edghill was the first Guyanese athlete on show.

Meanwhile, Edghill will play South Korea’s Shin Yubin in the next round of the women’s singles Olympic tournament today.

Shin Yubin is South Korea’s youngest ever Table Tennis player at the Olympics. She’s ranked in the top 100 of the sport.

Looking ahead, Andrew Fowler will dive into the pool on July 27, in Heat 2 of the men’s 100 metres freestyle.

Fifteen-year-old Aleka Persaud, the country’s youngest ever Olympian, will be in the pool on Friday July 30 in the women’s 50 metres freestyle.

Jasmine Abrams and Emanuel Archibald will take to the starting blocks in the women’s and men’s 100 metres on Friday, July 30; Aliyah Abrams will make her second appearance at the Olympics in the women’s 400 metres on Tuesday, August 3.

challenge to do so.

Engine partner Honda has sent the power unit back to its base in Sakura, Japan to investigate the extent of the damage.

If it cannot be saved, Ver-

stappen will need a new one and will almost certainly exceed the permitted number of engine parts for the season, in which case he will receive a grid penalty at a race later

Following meetings between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday evening, after earlier discussions with the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Government of Barbados medical officials, CWI is pleased to announce that the CG Insurance One-Day International (ODI) Series will resume on Saturday and conclude on Monday.

The second ODI was suspended on Thursday and will now continue at 14 hours 30 on Saturday, with Australia having won the toss and elected to bat at Kensington Oval.

Ricky Skerritt, CWI President confirmed: “We are happy to be able to announce the restart of the CG Insurance ODI series at Kensington Oval

tomorrow. We want to thank our counterparts at CA for their co-operation in this matter as we look to get the games going again. Special thanks to our CEO Johnny Grave, Chairman of Cricket Australia, Earl Eddings, his CEO Nick Hockley along with our respective medical and operations teams.

I appreciate the crucial role of the BCA and the Government of Barbados for working closely with CWI to ensure everything is in place for resuming the series. It has been a challenging two days and we have worked very swiftly and safely, following all the established medical protocols, to make sure that all necessary precautions are in place to ensure that we can go-ahead to resume play safely, tomorrow. We will continue to monitor

in the season.

However, Honda’s initial inspection suggested it was not as badly damaged as feared. A spokesman said that while a full diagnosis had not been completed, “there may be a possibility that we might be able to bring it back to Hungary (for the next race)”.

He added, however, that if it was taken to Hungary it would likely only be used in Friday practice and that it will “still take a long time” to establish whether the engine can be used in a race again.

Drivers are allowed only three engines per season, so each has to complete in the region of seven races if he is not to receive a grid penalty.

Horner’s revelation came in a column published by Red Bull dealing with the incident and its aftermath.

Hamilton won the British Grand Prix despite being given a 10-second penalty for

being judged by race stewards to be “predominantly to blame” for the incident.

Combined with Verstappen’s retirement, this meant the Mercedes driver cut Verstappen’s championship lead from 32 points before the race to eight.

Horner said the team “felt at the time, and still feel now, that Hamilton was given a light penalty for this type of incident”.

He added that Red Bull were still considering whether to try to take the matter further in an attempt to increase Hamilton’s penalty.

“Given the severity of the incident and the lenient penalty, we are reviewing all data and have the right to request a review,” Horner said. “We are therefore still looking at the evidence and considering all of our sporting options.”

West Indies, Australia to resume today the situation and respond accordingly.”

On Thursday, the second CG Insurance ODI between West Indies and Australia was suspended after the toss, due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a non-playing member of the West Indies squad and discussions between local health officials and the CWI and CA Medical Teams before the start of play.

All members of the West Indies and Australia teams and coaching staff, as well as match officials, event staff and TV production crew were immediately tested for COVID-19 back at the hotel with everyone isolated in their rooms until all 152 persons returned negative results. The CG Insurance ODI Series forms part of the International Cricket Coun-

cil’s (ICC) ODI Super League where both teams are aiming to win points towards securing automatic qualification for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Following the CG Insurance ODI Series, West Indies are scheduled to face Pakistan in five (5) T20 Internationals and two (2) Test Matches. CWI will meet with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the coming days to discuss any necessary changes to the match schedule.

CWI has been working closely with Local Ministries of Health to operate strict bio-secure bubbles successfully during the past year, and will continue to prioritize the health, safety and wellbeing for all concerned.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

India collapse to give Sri Lanka win (ESPNCRICINFO) - Sri Lanka spinners ripped through India’s middle order after a long rain break, taking five wickets in the space of 38 runs, to knock the wind out of India’s innings.

Then, chasing 227 in 47 overs, opener Avishka Fernando compiled a mature 76 off 98 balls to put Sri Lanka on the brink of victory. There were some middle-order jitters, but the 109-run second-wicket partnership Fernando had put on with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who hit 65 off 56, had made enough ground to eventually see the hosts clamber to their second ODI win of the year.

The winning runs were hit with three wickets and 48 balls to spare, earning Sri Lanka 10 valuable ODI Super League points. They move to 11th on the table. Only the first seven teams gain automatic qualification.

India, fielding as many as five debutants, and having made six changes to the side that sealed the series on Tuesday, were, for a change, the team that made the most mistakes. In addition to losing wickets in a heap, there were poor reviews, and at least three dropped catches.

They had had one good

partnership, between Prithvi Shaw and Sanju Samson, which was worth 74, but none of their batsmen hit a half-century in relatively good batting conditions.

With what was essentially a third-string attack on show for India, the bowling lacked the menace the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Deepak Chahar provided earlier in the series.

Although Rahul Chahar’s legspin caused problems late in his spell, precipitating the fall of four Sri Lanka wickets for 26 runs, they were always struggling to derail the chase.

It wasn’t easy for hosts however.

It fell to No. 7 Ramesh Mendis and No. 9 Akila Dananjaya to complete the victory. If Shikhar Dhawan had taken a tough chance off Rajapaksa on 32, or if Shaw at slip had held on to a chance off Mendis first ball, there was a chance panic could have overtaken the Sri Lanka dressing room.

Earlier, India had been scorching a path to a total in the range of 300 when the rains arrived. They had been 147 for 3 after 23 overs, with Suryakumar Yadav quickly warming to his work, Manish Pandey batting alongside him.

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced that all 152 persons tested for COVID-19 on Thursday evening returned negative results.

The testing came after a positive result on Thursday, prompting the suspension the second CG

Insurance One-Day International (ODI) before a ball was bowled at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

All members of the West Indies and Australia teams and coaching staff, as well as match officials, event staff and TV production crew were tested back

Praveen Jayawickrama picked up 3 for 59. (AFP/Getty Images) But Sri Lanka’s spinners suddenly appeared much more threatening after the 100-minute interruption.

Pandey edged debutant Praveen Jayawickrama behind in the 25th over, then Hardik Pandya was given out lbw (upon review) against the same bowler, in the 29th.

Dananjaya then took over, finding purchase with both his off-break and the legbreak. He had Yadav lbw for 40 off 37 then K Gowtham lbw as well,

the batter missing a full toss.

Later in that same over, when Rana sent an outside edge to the keeper, India had been reduced to 195 for 8.

The spinners took three wickets apiece, Dananjaya giving away only 14 runs off his last five overs, after his first five had gone for 30. Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera then came back into the attack to bounce out the tail, and have India all out at the start of the 44th over.

Sri Lanka lost Minod Bhanuka in the sixth over of the chase, but Fernando played a restrained innings, hitting only the bad balls away, and taking few of his usual risks even inside the powerplay. Rajapaksa lived more dangerously, once inside-edging Hardik Pandya past the keeper while on 20, but also produced some beautifully timed boundaries, sometimes making room or coming down the track to blast the spinners.

With Rajapaksa on the attack,

Fernando settled into a rhythm of taking singles and twos into the outfield, gradually advancing his score, and reaching his second half-century of the series off the 53rd ball he faced.

Rajapaksa brought up his maiden ODI fifty with a reverseswept boundary off Chahar in the 20th over. He was out not long after, caught at fine leg off Chetan Sakariya, but had made a valuable - if streaky contribution.

The only other partnership of note in the match had been between Shaw and Samson.

India had set off quickly during the powerplay, and despite the loss of Dhawan, had been 66 for 1 after 10 overs.

Early in the middle overs, the batting pair were intent on putting the spinners under pressure. Shaw, for example, struck three fours in four balls in Jayawickrama’s third ODI over.

Their aggression also contributed to their downfall, however. Shaw was out for a run-a-ball 49 when he missed a leg-side shot against Dasun Shanaka, and Samson came down the track attempting to hit Jayawickrama inside out and was caught at cover for a run-a-ball 46.

Negative COVID Test for West Indies, Australian players at the hotel with everyone being in room isolation since.

Following confirmation from the Ministry of Health officials in Barbados that all the results are negative, CWI will now hold meetings with Cricket Australia (CA), Barbados Cricket

Association, and Government of Barbados officials to agree when the resumption of the CG Insurance ODI Series at Kensington Oval can take place.

On Thursday, the second CG Insurance ODI between West Indies and Australia was suspend-

Boodhu’s half-century in vain as Brampton Gladiators beat Challengers

BRAMPTON Gladiators surged to an exciting seven-wicket win over Challengers when action continued recently in the 2021 Ontario RoundArm Softball Cricket Association T20 roundrobin competition.

Deochan Boodhu, a Canada-based Guyanese left-hander, struck 11 sixes in his flamboyant 91 as Challengers chalked up a respectable 217-9 from their 20 overs.

Boodhu also received good support from former Guyana first-class player Naresh Roopnarine, who made 45 and Lachman Punsammy who added 42.

Mahendra Chautie grabbed 3-31 off his maximum four overs.

When Gladiators batted, Davendra Ramkissoon slammed a blistering 76 (2x4, 6x6) while veteran softball player Bobby Parasnauth contributed a useful 68. Opener Avinash

Sookdeo made 31, while Looknauth Ramsuchit sealed the victory in the last over with an unbeaten 33.

Nick Poonai provided some skills with the ball by claiming 3-41 for the Challengers.

In another fixture, Spartans defeated Aces Cricket Club by seven wickets. Aces made 1696 in their 20 overs while Spartans surpassed the target in the 16th over.

ed after the toss due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a non-playing member of the West Indies squad following discussions between the local health officials and CWI and CA Medical Teams before the start of play.

CWI has been work-

ing closely with Local Ministries of Health to operate strict bio-secure bubbles successfully during the past year, and will continue to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing for all concerned.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday July 24, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Desmond Haynes-2390 runs (65 ODIs) (2) Javed Miandad-1930 runs (64 ODIs)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Deochan Boodhu scored 91 in a losing cause.

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

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

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 24, 2021

23

Ganga raises eyebrows over ‘shocking’ Hetmyer omission from 2nd ODI

AFTER being recalled to the One-Day International (ODI) squad, Shimron Hetmyer was dropped from the starting XI for the second ODI against Australia on Thursday in Barbados.

In the first ODI, the talented Guyanese batsman was pushed to open and made 11 from 12 balls in the sloppy batting display by West Indies who were bowled out for 123 after being 27-6 in the eighth over.

West Indies were in pursuit of 257 in 49 overs and lost by 133 runs (D/L method); captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with 56 while the only other persons to reach double figures were bowlers Hayden Walsh Jr (20) and Alzarri Joseph (17).

But it was Hetmyer who faced the axe when the prolific Shai Hope returned from injury which kept him out of the first match.

Former West Indies opener Daren Ganga

Daren Ganga, the former Trinidad and Tobago captain turned-international-cricket commentator, who is actively part of the ongoing series, expressed dismay over the decision.

Ganga posted Thursday evening: “Now that all precautions have been taken after a COVID -19 test returned positive for a non-playing member of West Indies team,

it’s incredulous that @shetmyer was not named in the WI playing XI today. Please help me comprehend this!

Surely a more ‘egalitarian approach required’.”

During the recently concluded five-match T20I series between the two sides, the pugnacious left-hander made 81 runs in three innings at an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 132.78, with a highest

score of 61 off 36 balls.

The second ODI in Barbados was suspended moments before the first ball was due to be bowled after reports of a positive COVID-19 test emerged. A short while later, a CWI spokesman confirmed the match had been “postponed”, with more details to come.

The toss had already taken place with teams named when the situation began to unfold.

West Indies XI read: Shai Hope (wkp.), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (capt.), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell.

There is no certainty as yet when the series will continue and how it will affect the Pakistan series which is scheduled to start July 27 in Barbados.

Keevin Allicock is ready!

By Rawle Toney

Keevin Allicock will face Alexy de la Cruz today at the Tokyo Olympics and his coach, Sebert Blake told Chronicle Sport, that the Albouystown youth is in the best shape of his life.

According to Blake, Allicock, who spent three weeks in Russia at a preparation camp, is in high spirits. Allicock, Blake said, is ready to represent the ‘Golden Arrowhead’.

Blake noted that, while in camp in Russia, Allicock was more focussed than he has ever been; even more prepared than his 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist triumph.

Ironically, Allicock’s clash with De la Cruz has been in the making since 2019.

At the Pan Am Games qualifiers in Nicaragua, Allicock was disqualified after his quarter-final bout resulted in a loss by walkover.

Allicock had defeated Trinidadian Anthony Joseph and Otoniel Ortiz of the United States Virgin Islands; both by unanimous decision and was slated to fight De La Cruz in the

quarter-finals.

However, the Commonwealth Youth Games Silver medallist was prevented by Technical Delegate (Fight Supervisor) Raphael Vega who claimed that the Guyanese was wearing an inappropriate coloured vest.

Vega deemed the colour of Allicock’s vest inappropriate even though the International Technical Officer (ITO) and referee found nothing wrong with the garment.

Allicock, who was scheduled to box out of the red corner, entered the ring one hour after being cleared by the ITO, but was then challenged by the Technical Delegate and later given one minute to change the red and black vest.

A determined Allicock managed to change but upon his return to the ring lost by walkover.

The Guyana camp in Nicaragua immediately filed a protest but was unsuccessful in getting the ruling overturned.

However, Allicock, following a successful appeal later by president of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle,

was given a place at the Pan Am Games in Peru.

Even at the Pan Am Games, Allicock was again at the centre

of another controversial decision, when the judges awarded his opposition, Lucas Fernández of Uruguay the fight, even with the uproar from the crowd

Hetmyer’s snub for the second One-Day International raised a lot of eyebrows.

…Coach Sebert Blake express delight in boxer’s preparedness in attendance and the commentators of the fight, who thought that Albouystown youth was the clear winner.

But as fate would have it, De La Cruz and Allicock ended up at the same camp in Russia and the two held a combative sparring session.

Keevin Allicock is ready!

See page 23

…Coach Sebert Blake expresses delight in boxer’s preparedness

Guyanese Keevin Allicock

West Indies, Australia to resume today See page 21

Hayden Walsh Jr again troubled Australia, West Indies vs Australia, 1st ODI, Barbados, July 20, 2021

Negative COVID Test for West Indies, Australian players See page 22

Flashback! Australia celebrate Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Barbados, July 20, 2021.

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| SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021