Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26-08-2021

THURSDAY 26th August, 2021

No. 106465

$150M ‘‘pumped pumped’’ into Linden ― as construction commences on first set of ‘young professional’ houses at Amelia’s Ward ― 8,000 acres of land to be developed for housing next year

SEE PAGE

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$233M sea defence at Anna Catherina to be completed by month end SEE PAGE

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Vaccination of children commences today SEE PAGE

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When the photo above was taken, sea defences on the West Coast of Demerara were not able to stave off the mighty tides, resulting in dozens of homes being exposed to flooding.

To guard against this, the new government has rolled out a series of upgrades totalling $620 million (Adrian Narine photos)

GWI mulls expansion of water distribution network in Region One SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Vaccination of children commences today ― Health Minister says Guyana has enough jabs to inoculate all eligible children

THE inoculation of children between the ages of 12 and 18 years with the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine will commence today, Thursday, according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

“We will start rolling out the programmes; we’ll have an initial programme at Saint Stanislaus College… where we’ll do, between the two ministries – Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, a sensitisation session, then we’ll do some vaccinations for students,” Dr. Anthony said during Wednesday’s edition of the daily COVID-19 update.

He said that today’s session will also see the unveiling of the vaccination schedule, outlining the locations, dates and times for the administering of Pfizer, the first coronavirus vaccine to receive full approval from the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dr. Anthony said that outside of the existing vaccination sites, the government will also be setting up vaccination booths at certain schools across the country.

The Pfizer vaccines, given to Guyana, is part of a donation of 5.5 million dos-

es by the United States government to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in an effort to lend support to the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

awaiting the Emergency Use Authorisation, which would pave the way for Pfizer to be administered to children below the age of 12, particularly between the

Administering of the Pfizer vaccines for children will begin today at Saint Stanislaus College

It was only on Tuesday that Guyana received its first batch of the vaccines, which contained 146,250 jabs. Importantly, Dr. Anthony said that the allocation to Guyana, will have enough jabs to inoculate the country’s entire eligible young population, that is, persons below the age of 18, and up to 12.

Moreover, the Health Minister said that Guyana is also expecting the arrival of additional batches of Pfizer in the coming months.

Dr. Anthony said too that Guyana is anxiously

ages of five and 11 years.

“I think that it is scheduled for some time in September,” Dr. Anthony said.

He said that once the Emergency Use Authorisation is given, Guyana too will examine the possibility of immunising younger children against the deadly novel coronavirus.

The rolling out of the Pfizer vaccine is also slated to begin in several other CARICOM territories. It was in May that US President, Joe Biden, announced that he will share 80 million Pfizer jabs with the rest of

the world.

Last month, he disclosed that of the first 25 million doses to be sent overseas, seven million would be directed to Latin America and

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

the Caribbean. The White House had stated that the initial 25 million doses will be shipped from existing federal stockpiles of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

It was only on Monday that Guyana received its first batch of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which has been earmarked for persons residing in the hinterland regions.

The arrival of the Pfizer vaccine coincides with its FDA approval. A research from a 2000-plus sample size in 2020 had shown

that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is almost 100 per cent effective in staving off the harmful effects of COVID-19 in children ages 12 through 15 years. In late 2020, the FDA allowed emergency use of the vaccine from age 16. This year, the vaccine was given to children in the US from ages 12 to 15 years.

As it is, of the 24,000plus COVID-19 cases in Guyana, almost 1,600 have been children under the age of 14.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is hopeful that improved and increased vaccinations among teachers, and now, children, will pave the way for the safe reopening of schools in September.

The government is hopeful that parents will recognise the importance of having their children inoculated, and give their consent for the jabs to be administered. The distribution of consent letters has begun, and so far, some 4,000 persons have already given their consent.

“If they agree then they really don’t have to do anything, but if they disagree, then they would fill the form and send it back to

the school [which would indicate] that they don’t want their child getting the vaccine, and the ministry will have to respect those wishes,” Dr. Anthony said previously.

For parents, who do not wish to have their children vaccinated, Minister Anthony said the Ministry of Education will have to explore alternatives, so that those children can continue learning.

Dr. Anthony related that the vaccines are safe for the children to take as the relevant clinical trials have been conducted.

Referencing the vaccination of children in the US, Minister Anthony said that a large number of children have already been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and that there have not been reports of any significant issues.

The minister also cautioned parents that once the vaccine is administered, children might experience some of the common side effects like fever and aches, which are often associated with all vaccines. The authorities are optimistic that the FDA’s seal of approval would see a significant uptake in the Pfizer vaccines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

$150M ‘pumped ‘pumped’’ into Linden ― as construction commences on first set of ‘young professional’ houses at Amelia’s Ward ― 8,000 acres of land to be developed for housing next year

THE Linden economy has been abuzz with activities as a result the Young Professional Housing Project, which started recently with the laying of the foundation for 20 single-elevated two-bedroom houses at Amelia’s Ward.

This project is being executed by CB Housing Development Inc., which is utilising a workforce of some 150 skilled Lindeners for the construction of those houses.

Specifically, construction of the first 20 houses, which cost roughly $150 million, commenced on Friday under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Wednesday, visited the work site and engaged the contractors and workers, as they forged ahead with works.

According to the Housing Minister, this project is aimed at transforming lives, raising the standard of living and fostering economic growth within Linden and by extension, Region 10 (Upper Demerara - UpperBerbice).

“This project is testament of the President’s promise to this region. It will translate into jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, and all the building and construction material will be sourced from hardware stores around Linden,” he said.

Also, block makers in the region will be engaged under the ministry’s Community Based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP) to supply blocks.

“The spin-off benefits will be remarkable and it reflects the government’s commitment to reviving economic activities in Region 10… the government’s aggressive housing drive is aimed at creating jobs and this is testament of this commitment,” Minister Croal reasoned.

Over the coming weeks, as works progresses at the site, the number of persons being employed will increase. This project is

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, and a technical team from the ministry at the construction site in Amelia’s Ward

The foundation being laid as part of the construction of ‘young professional’ houses at Amelia’s Ward

expected to be completed within another four months.

Even before this phase of the project wraps up, Minister Croal said the construction of another 20 houses will commence.

As construction of houses in the region continues, the Ministry of Housing and Water is engaging the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission for the acquisition of lands for allocations.

“The government’s aggressive housing programme is aimed at providing housing options, in the form of built units and lands,” Minister Croal said.

Included in the second half of the ministry’s 2021 work programme is a plan to inject a further $40 million into the region, in the forms of road rehabilitation and upgrades at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc.

Further, under the 2022 work programme, some $100 million will be expended to install the necessary infrastructure at virgin lands, which were recently acquired by the ministry for new housing development. Some 8,000 acres of lands will be outfitted with roads, access bridges, water and electrical network.

It was reported that lands are also being sought for housing development to meet the housing demands in Kwakwani.

On January 14, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had announced a plan for the construction of 1,000 houses in the mining town of Linden.

President Ali and members of his cabinet visited the mining town where he announced an aggressive plan for job creation in the region.

He noted that the intention is to tap into the skills of residents as well as to source the building materials from the community. The President also highlighted several other areas for development which will create employment opportunities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Delta Airline to add $200 monthly health insurance charge for unvaccinated staff

(Reuters) - DELTA Air Lines (DAL.N), on Wednesday, said employees will have to pay $200 more every month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan if they choose to not vaccinate against COVID-19.

The move to add a surcharge to health insurance contributions is the latest tactic by corporate America to push employees to get the shots to fight the pandemic.

A number of U.S. companies, including Delta competitor, United Airlines (UAL.O), have mandated shots for their employees to protect their operations from the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has hit parts of the country with lower vaccination levels.

President Joe Biden has also urged private businesses to require employees to be vaccinated.

In a staff memo, Chief Executive, Ed Bastian, said the monthly surcharge would

take effect on November 1.

Bastian said the surcharge is necessary to address the financial risk the Atlanta-based airline faces from the decision to not vaccinate.

A Delta Air spokesperson said the average hospital stay for COVID-19 has cost the company $40,000 per person.

The surcharge would apply to the entire workforce and a proof or documentation of vaccination will be needed to avoid it, the spokesperson said.

Chris Riggins, spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association at Delta, said the union does not intend to oppose the proposed surcharge because it would not affect the healthcare plan it has negotiated with the airline for its members.

But since most of the pilots are not covered by the union-negotiated plan, Riggins said they would see an increase in their healthcare costs if they decide to remain unvaccinated.

In the memo, Bastian

said 75 per cent of Delta Air’s workforce has been vaccinated. However, all the employees who have been

hospitalised with COVID-19 in recent weeks were not fully vaccinated, he said.

While Delta had refrained

from making the shots mandatory for its staff, its latest move was in sharp contrast to the policy being pursued by

Delta Air Lines passenger planes are seen parked due to flight reductions made to slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. March 25, 2020 (REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo)

rivals such as American Airlines (AAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), which are “strongly encouraging” their employees to get vaccinated.

American Airlines is offering vaccinated employees an additional day off in 2022 and $50 through its employee recognition platform.

Bastian said unvaccinated Delta employees will be required to wear masks in all indoor settings, effective immediately.

Any employee in the United States who is not fully vaccinated will be required to take a COVID-19 test every week. The mandatory testing will start on September 12.

Those who test positive for the virus will be required to isolate and remain out of the workplace, Bastian said.

The company will offer COVID-19 pay protection starting September 30 only to fully vaccinated employees who are experiencing a breakthrough infection, he said.

Zambia’s new president vows to cut ‘unsustainable’ public debt (Reuters) - NEW President, Hakainde Hichilema, pledged on Tuesday to tackle Zambia’s “unsustainable” debt, lamenting that the national budget was overwhelmed by the cost of servicing it.

Hichilema spoke during his swearing-in as the southern African country’s seventh president, after a landslide election victory earlier this month over incumbent Edgar Lungu.

It marked Zambia’s third

peaceful change of power to an opposition party since independence from Britain in 1964.

The new leader, who lost five previous presidency attempts, must now revive an economy weighed down by debt, unpredictable world commodity prices and COVID-19. Zambia became Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign default in November.

“Over the last decade..., the debt situation has become unsustainable, reducing the country’s capacity to invest,” a masked Hichilema told well-wishers packed into a stadium in the capital, Lusaka, after performers danced to loud drum beats in celebration.

“Our national budget has been overwhelmed by debt servicing...We must restore this (previous) situation,” he said.

To do that, the 59-yearold former CEO of an accounting firm faces the unenviable task of striking a deal with a diverse bunch of rival creditors.

Of Zambia’s $12 billion

external debt, some $3 billion is in Eurobonds, $3.5 billion is bilateral debt, $2.1 billion is owed to multilateral lending agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and along with another $2.9 billion of commercial bank debt.

A quarter of the total is held by either China or Chinese entities via deals shrouded in secrecy clauses - which makes negotiations for IMF relief particularly tough.

“Our focus over the next five years will be restoring macroeconomic stability,” Hichilema said.

He added: “We will pay special attention to lowering the fiscal deficit, reducing public debt and restoring market confidence in our country.”

In a sign that confidence in the major copper-mining country may be returning, Zambia’s dollar-denominated sovereign bonds have climbed steadily since Hichilema’s surprise victory, reflecting optimism that its debt crisis can be resolved.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Haiti: Earthquake caused over US$1 billion in damage (CMC) HAITI would need an estimated US$1.2 billion to deal with the initial damage caused by the August 14 earthquake, according to an initial impact assessment report discussed Monday during a technical steering committee meeting chaired

by Prime Minister, Ariel Henry.

The meeting was attended by senior government ministers as well as representatives of the Tripartite Partnership involving the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.

Henry spoke also of the availability of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which is at the forefront, alongside other national and international stakeholders, in the planning

of post-earthquake reconstruction.

ment,” he said, encouraging all local and international

adequate tools to better frame their interventions for the

“We have the firm will to orient reconstruction on the path of sustainable develop-

actors to work rigorously in order to provide the government and its partners with

(CMC) CARIBBEAN countries could benefit from the decision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to put into effect on Monday the largest allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) in its history.

The SDR is an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of its member countries. It is not a currency, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. As such, SDRs can provide a country with liquidity.

will receive about US$21 billion, equivalent to as much as six per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in some cases,” she said.

The IMF official said that the SDR allocation will provide additional liquidity to the global economic system, supplementing countries’ foreign exchange reserves and reducing their reliance on more expensive domestic or external debt.

“Countries can use the space provided by the SDR allocation to support their economies and step up their

and trading – including a follow-up report on the use of SDRs in two years’ time.

“To magnify the benefits of this allocation, the IMF is encouraging voluntary channelling of some SDRs from countries with strong external positions to countries most in need. Over the past 16 months, some members have already pledged to lend US$24 billion, including US$15 billion from their existing SDRs, to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, which provides concessional loans to low-income countries. This is just a

IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, said that the US$650 billion SDR allocation is a significant shot in the arm for the world and if used wisely, is a unique opportunity to combat this unprecedented crisis.

“SDRs are being distributed to countries in proportion to their quota shares in the IMF. This means about US$275 billion is going to emerging and developing countries, of which low-income countries

fight against the crisis,” she added.

Georgieva said to support countries and help ensure transparency and accountability, the IMF is providing a framework for assessing the macroeconomic implications of the new allocation, its statistical treatment and governance, and how it might affect debt sustainability.

She said the IMF will also provide regular updates on all SDR holdings, transactions,

start, and the IMF will continue to work with our members to build on this effort.”

Georgieva said the IMF is also engaging with its member countries on the possibility of a new Resilience and Sustainability Trust, which could use channelled SDRs to help the most vulnerable countries with structural transformation, including confronting climate-related challenges.

Another possibility could be to channel SDRs to support

benefit of the earthquake victims.

The meeting formed part

of the assessment of damage, losses and post-earthquake needs 2021, in the Southern Peninsula (PDNA-2021/Post Disaster Needs Assessment).

The United Nations Deputy Resident Coordinator in Haiti, Maureen Bermingham, said she saw this exercise as an opportunity not only for the physical reconstruction of the country but also for social reconstruction.

The World Bank Resident Representative in Haiti, Msellati Laurent, in his remarks confirmed the readiness of his institution to align with the proposals that will be made by the partners of the United Nations and also the European Union and the IDB. He said that following the first satellite impact as-

sessment, the results showed that the damage caused by the earthquake would require the disbursement of US$1.12 billion.

The technical steering committee has six weeks to finalise the preliminary version of the PDNA, produce the physical and economic reconstruction plan for the southern peninsula and organise the meeting of donors in order to have funds to finance the plan.

“It is essential that each actor has in mind the objectives that we have set for ourselves, along with the six-week deadline to complete the entire process and begin to provide, with serenity and speed, lasting responses to this disaster,” Prime Minister Henry said.

lending by multilateral development banks.

“This SDR allocation is a critical component of the IMF’s broader effort to support countries

through the pandemic, which includes: US$117 billion in new financing for 85 countries; debt service relief for 29 low-income countries; and pol-

icy advice and capacity development support to over 175 countries to help secure a strong and more sustainable recovery,” she added.

Caribbean countries could get largest allocation of ‘Special Drawing Rights’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

No substitute for face-to-face learning THERE are strong indications of a return to normalcy in the delivery of education. According to statements emanating from the Education Ministry, schools are expected to be re-opened on Monday September 6, after a hiatus of over 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the release, studies have shown that the longer schools are closed, the greater will be its adverse impact on learning outcomes.

While the Ministry of Education has been doing an extraordinary job in providing education delivery through distance learning and other delivery modalities, there can be no substitute for direct face-to-face teaching, especially at the elementary level of schooling.

Our teachers, it must be said, have, by and large, risen to the challenges.

They were able to keep the system up and running, despite the novelty of the delivery mode. This is evident from the continuing high attainment rates, especially at the primary and secondary levels. Not to be downplayed also is the role played by parents and guardians in helping to provide that facilitating environment for effective learning outcomes.

The Guyana Government, through the Ministry of Education, must be

commended for the several interventions in support of parents to make it easier for children to attend schools.

The ‘Because we Care’ programme currently being rolled out by the Ministry of Education has provided a welcome relief to parents/guardians, especially those in the lower income bracket. This has proven all the more beneficial in the current COVID-19 environment and the recent floods, both of which have taken a toll on the economic well-being of Guyanese.

Meanwhile, preparations are in place by the Education Ministry to reopen schools in September. According to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, students between the ages of 12 and 18 should be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before returning to school, subject of course to parental approval. In fact, the government has already procured 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, thanks to the generosity of the United States Government. This will be used to vaccinate a particular cohort of the school population. In addition to being vaccinated, the Health Ministry has also advised that students continue to wear masks during school hours to minimise the chances of being affected by the virus. These, in addition to existing measures such as social

distancing and santisation guidelines, if properly adhered to, could help to significantly reduce the likelihood of viral infection.

Teachers are expected to be exemplary in this regard. Apart from imparting the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to those under their charge, they are also role models to students.

Teachers are expected to be fully vaccinated and observe all the guidelines set by the Health Ministry.

The Guyana Government has not made it mandatory for teachers to be fully vaccinated again the COVID-19 virus. Vaccination mandates, however, are becoming more common in several countries, and with good reason. Evidence points to the fact that COVID-19 vaccination uptake can reduce transmission and protect everyone.

In the United States, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently updated its guidelines to advise on a universal masking requirement for students, teachers and staff. This is in addition to the imperative of being fully vaccinated.

Fortunately, a substantial number of teachers in Guyana are already vaccinated against the virus, if not fully, at least partially. It is expected that the unvaccinated will do so as a matter of

urgency, if only out of concern for the health and safety of those entrusted under their charge. According to experts, vaccination has proven to be much more effective in terms of reducing transmission rates and is a preferred option especially for those who interface with members of the public on a regular basis.

The health and safety of our children are paramount. The government is doing everything within its power to return the country to a state of normalcy.

The decision to re-open schools is a move in that direction. Everyone, however, must play their part, especially our educators and those who, in one way or the other, interact with our children.

The fact is that we are still, as it were, not out of the woods. Despite the best efforts of the administration, infection rates still continue to be a matter of concern. The PPP/C administration is doing a commendable job in ensuring that an adequate supply of the vaccine is available to the population. This latest procurement of the Pfizer vaccine for our school children is yet another manifestation of the commitment of the PPP/C administration to the health and well-being of the Guyanese people.

City Hall statutory meetings seem like a comedy club Dear Editor,

I BELIEVE that it is important that the people of Guyana, particularly the citizens of Georgetown, appreciate the enormity of the task faced, and understand the considerable efforts being undertaken by the Local Government Commission as they seek to fix the broken local government system of Guyana.

If one were to just focus on the challenges they face with the Georgetown Municipality, one would have to be extremely grateful for their efforts so far. Georgetown is the textbook definition of a ‘failed city’ just as there are failed states promulgated to around the world.

Georgetown is composed of feeble and flawed departments. Up until the LGC recently appointed a new Town Clerk, the administration barely functioned having lost their capacity and professional independence. Georgetown

suffers from crumbling infrastructure, and an environment of flourishing corruption.

Clearly, the City Council is unable to formulate or implement policies to effectively build infrastructure and deliver proper and necessary municipal services to the citizenry.

Yet, we hear the Mayor and some Councillors trying their level best to have some of those same officers who were removed by the LGC for lack of proficiency returned to their posts to further disintegrate the municipality to the point where they become completely incapable of providing even the most basic of functions and services to the citizenry?

With very short memories, the council seems to have forgotten that the very person(s) they are championing to lead the administration of the council, were subject along with others to some very harsh reproval and denunciation by the Commission of Inquiry

(CoI) that was ordered by the previous Local Government Commission (LGC).

Indeed, the Mayor and City Council should be made to answer why a few hand-picked officers were consistently given special funding and grants for prodigious amounts to undertake special courses for their personal upliftment and empowerment, whilst other staff in dire need of assistance for medical attention, for family emergencies etc. were callously denied.

Discrimination of the highest order is practiced at City Hall.

Sitting in at their statutory meetings, seems like being at a comedy club. The Mayor and Councillors seem much more interested in attacking, assaulting and demeaning a young woman trying to make a difference and to do a job that she was legitimately appointed to execute, rather than fixing the many woes of the city.

Seemingly unaware that the regulations that govern the Georgetown Municipality which dictate that the signatories to their bank accounts must be the City Treasurer and the Town Clerk, they inanely proceeded to appoint ‘Tom, Dick and Harrylall’ at their last statutory meeting, as the new signatories to their account. A drollery at best.

The Local Government Commission must move resolutely to further their task of saving the sinking ship of City Hall, by making other much needed appointments, by dismantling the systems of nepotism and cronyism so endemic at City Hall and by ensuring that there is justice and fair play at the council. I say to the LGC ‘Slow fire ah boil hard cow-heel’.

Yours sincerely, Debra Gibson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Small farmers are the key to food security Dear Editor,

THE recent presentation made by Honorable Zulfikar Mustapha in a round-table discussion on the role of farmers and rural communities in the sustainability of agrifood systems, organised by the Council of the Americas and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), is evidence of the minister’s hands-on approach to the managing of the agriculture sector. He has garnered so much first-hand information is less than a year in that capacity.

The minister reminded those present that, ‘We must

improve the conditions of food producers, who are the true generators of wealth’. He made it abundantly clear that the establishment of infrastructure for the processing of crops in rural areas will add value and which in turn will increase the profitability of the farming activities. The thousand who attended his numerous outreaches will know that this is what he continuously reiterated and what he assiduously worked towards achieving. The numerous challenges which the agriculture sector has had to endure have never been greater in any time in our history but with every challenge a speedy resolution was put in place.

The devastating effects of

climate change will no doubt cause the sector to face even more challenges in the future but it is a heartening relief to note that the government’s agrarian policies are geared to mitigate those disastrous effects. The recent flood wreaked havoc in the sector and the government worked non-stop to ensure that the negative effects of the flood are minimised. It deployed all its resources in not only giving immediate relief with food supplies and other necessities but give monetary relief to the thousands of cattle farmers, rice farmers and cash crop farmers. The amount allocated is $7.8 billion and this may very well have to be amended

Teachers union should encourage teachers to get vaccinated Dear Editor,

ON an APNU+AFC Facebook live programme on the night of Tuesday August 24, 2021, APNU+AFC MP and General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Coretta Mc Donald, complained that the Ministry of Education was giving Grade Six teachers extra time for their holiday because they had taught through the holiday period.

She described this as a bad idea that was not properly thought out.

Are you shocked? Yes me too. Where else in the world does a union leader

who cares about her teachers complain about extra time given to make up for the time the teachers spent teaching?

She wanted to make a point here and actually said so, that the Ministry of Education did not properly think out that announcement. I am a grade six teacher and I speak for myself and all other grade six teachers when I say we are deeply grateful that the minister listened to us and gave what we requested of her. Yes. That right. We asked for this.

And we got it. Yet our union “leader” is trying to take it away from us. Imagine that.

Coretta took her vaccine but says teachers don’t need

to. Clearly having taken it herself, she knows its value but never once has she spent any time explaining to teachers the life-saving nature of the vaccine. This union head seems more taken up with the politics of her party than genuinely looking out for the interests of teachers.

In this period, especially, teachers should not depend on Coretta Mc Donald for guidance. She is not a union leader. She is permanently wearing her political hat and would hurt us all to gain political points.

Truly yours, Adron Pires

What does the APNU+AFC know about the rights of people?

Dear Editor, DON’T you just love irony?

The United Kingdom has a newspaper called “The Sun”, a Georgetown Marriage Counsellor files for divorce after a year of marriage, and then we have the APNU+AFC on the frontlines of a protest demonstration championing the rights of people.

What does the APNU+AFC know about the rights of people? Surely, this must be a newfound obsession, because the world saw them try to shanghai an election. Rights were grimacing under their blades and now they proclaim to be the summi salvatoris of the people. Irony, dear Editor.

Many APNU+AFC parliamentarians were part of a protest action earlier this month in Linden condemning government’s mandatory vaccination policy for specific sections of society. While I strongly agree that taking any vaccine must be a choice, it is the trivialising of that choice that bothers me. As one Journalist so eloquently put it: “It’s not the same as choosing fried rice over chowmein

at Pagoda. It’s more than that.”

Has the government been able to identify the root cause of vaccine hesitancy in regions that have been consistently recording low vaccine uptake?

APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, David Patterson said that low vaccine uptake is a result of people not trusting the government, but that is humorous as it is tragic. COVID-19 is not only present in Guyana.

For more than a year, we saw it wreak havoc around the world. So, while people may not trust the government, they can definitely agree that this virus is not to be trifled with.

Do people trust the government enough to collect cash grants, Mr Patterson?

I personally do not think that our people are well informed about the vaccines, and to say that the government is doing enough to keep people educated may not be entirely true, with the evidence being the exhibited pushback. A lot is not necessarily enough.

The government may want to get to the bottom of the vaccine hesitancy by doing surveys and providing incentives to those who wish to

get vaccinated. Mandating that people stay home the day they take a jab, may not be a bad idea. While that may not help with vaccine hesitancy, it will allow citizens to get time off to take a vaccine and return to their homes so they can recover from any adverse side effects. Imagine a mason having to take a vaccine and then return to work minutes later to lay blocks. Another suggestion is to deploy more mobile vaccination sites and information teams to communities to answer frequently asked questions regarding vaccination.

Editor, the minister said today, August 24, 2021, that a ‘large’ number of the persons hospitalised with COVID-19 is unvaccinated. While people have a right to choose vaccination, don’t we also have a right to say that our taxpayers’ dollars should not be spent to treat persons who callously throw caution to the wind by refusing a vaccine? Which right takes precedence?

Yours sincerely, M. Hope

as more assessment is being done. This is the largest compensation package ever to be handed out and this shows the policy of this government to ‘improve the conditions of food producers’ and mitigate the fallouts of the flood. This will motivate farmers to produce without fear of similar situations in the future and encourage more persons to take up farming. I could recall the Coalition’s Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder in response to rice farmers’ plea for assistance, said that the government had no responsibility to the farmers, that the rice industry was privately-owned.

Would the Coalition have given the farmers any relief if they were still in government? NO is the answer!

The compensation relief grant will certainly enable these farmers to have cash available to restart their respective farming ventures without borrowing or utilising savings.

The farmers who collected the grant were loud in praise for the government and many described it in glowing terms.

It brought great relief and it is a great initiative. The small man is beginning to feel like the real man as this government continues to roll out the good life to each and every one of

its citizens. It was a shame to read what some of the GOAR presenters at the Brooklyn rally spoke and racism, injustice and marginalisation practiced by this government against Afro-Guyanese.

There is no doubt that indeed the small farmers hold the key to food security not only in Guyana but in the region as was highlighted by Minister Mustapha, and as the government continues to roll out its policies there is no doubt that this will be achieved.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Major strides made at revamping criminal justice sector

By Richard Bhainie

SIGNIFICANT strides have been made in the attempt to overhaul and improve Guyana’s criminal justice system through revamping the country’s archaic legal infrastructure by implementing a gamut of initiatives aimed at modernising the sector and creating an environment conducive to the efficient and effective management of the sector.

The initiatives are being implemented as part of the US$8 million Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) Programme, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and is implemented by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and seeks to help tackle prison overcrowding, by reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures.

The programme is divided into two components: the first seeks to reduce the use of pre-trial detention, especially

for individuals accused of minor offences, by providing better legal assistance to individuals accused of non-violent offences, improve the prosecutors’ ability to handle cases according to the seriousness of the offence, strengthen the judiciary, and design and implement a restorative justice programme.

The second component seeks to increase the use of alternative sentencing by the criminal justice system in Guyana which includes strengthening the country’s legal drafting functions, modernising probation services and implementing a pilot project at the magistrate court level to apply alternatives to imprisonment to non-violent offenders.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., and SCJS Project Manager, Indira Anandjit, pronounced on some of the major achievements made under the programme since its launch in 2017 at the programme’s 2021 mid-year review on

Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

One of the most significant outcomes of the Support for the Justice System Programme thus far has been the establishment of Guyana’s first Law Reform Commission, the members of whom were sworn in on August 11, 2021 before President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and will assume their duties on September 1, 2021.

HAD TO BE AMENDED The Law Reform Commission Act 2016 was enacted by the former administration, but was significantly flawed in relation to the appointment of Commissioners. That Act was eventually amended by the Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2021; the amendment of the Act caters for diversity and inclusivity to be reflected as part of the commission.

“The appointment process in the principal Act was not encouraging, not liberal, not what we would like to be in a law reform commission … we feel that a law reform

commission must be generated from society itself and must bear a close relationship with important stakeholders’ organisations in that society,” Nandlall said.

“Law reform must capture the aspirations of the people in the society, the dynamism of the society; law reform must capture that and make that part of the laws so that our laws can continue to have a realistic connection with the aspirations of our people, or else our legal system will become obsolete and our people’s vision will be far ahead and when that happens, you have social and other problems,” he added.

uals at almost every magistrate court in the country, who will undergo a prosecutorial training programme at UG. The syllabus of that programme is being wrapped up and the programme is expected to commence in 2022, Nandlall said.

A Mental Health Act, a Bail Act and Sentencing Guidelines are also in the works, which are intended to significantly help to achieve the objectives set out by the SCJS programme. The Bail Bill seeks to have more consistent and uniform application of granting of bail while the sentencing guidelines will seek to have uniform

to derive methods conducive to deterring others from committing similar offences other than harsh archaic penalties and allow for re-integration of offenders into society.

NOT LEFT BEHIND With the digital revolution overtaking every sector, Guyana’s legal sector will not be left behind. The SCJS has contracted Synergy International Solutions and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to develop and implement a case management system network which will connect key justice system institutions and allow them to access and

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

In alignment with the component of the programme which seeks to improve the country’s prosecutorial apparatus at the magistracy level, an initiative whereby Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduates from the University of Guyana and other recognised universities, will be able to become prosecutors at the magistracy level is being pursued.

From time immemorial, police prosecutors have been prosecuting every type of offence at the magistracy level, regardless of whether or not they are qualified. Nandlall opined that while these police prosecutors have done an exceptional job while going up against seasoned lawyers, the system must be reformed to represent the best interest of the State.

NOT A ONE WAY STREET “Justice is not a one way street … the public interest must also be taken into account and that scale of justice must be balanced … and we have to ensure that while we continue to improve fair trials for the accused … at the same time we need to improve the State’s capacity to protect the public interest and the victims of crimes,” Nandlall said.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs has already established contact with over 80 LLB holders, enough to place one of these individ-

and proportionate sentences being administered by the courts.

A legal aid clinic was established in January 2020 as part of the SCJS Programme following consultations for a state-owned programme which focuses on minor, non-violent offences to provide legal representation for these defendants who are parties to such cases. The clinic provides representation for ‘walk-ins’ as well as for inmates in pre-trial detention.

Since its establishment, the clinic has dealt with 122 cases of which 77 were completed and the 45 are pending. The clinic saw significant successes with 57 cases being dismissed, with 47 per cent of cases being dismissed by the third court hearing.

In relation to the restorative justice aspect of the programme, 140 persons received restorative justice training, 30 of whom were toshaos; of the 130 persons, 12 persons were trained as certified restorative justice practitioners by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP).

Nandlall explained that through restorative justice, the background of the offender will be scrutinised to enlighten on the cause of the crime and tackle the issue at the root in an attempt to prevent a repetition of the offence by the offender and

input data, share information and generate reports.

In terms of institutional strengthening, the SCJS has refurbished the Georgetown Probation Office and its satellite offices in Regions One, Seven and Eight. The SCJS also provided a gamut of equipment to the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions Office in an effort to promote a comfortable and efficient work environment.

In an effort to build upon the current capacity of the justice sector, the SCJS has trained 50 Senior Justice Practitioners in Leadership Development while the training of probation officers was also undertaken in an attempt to develop a cadre of specially trained probation officers.

However, the programme has not been without its challenges. Of the four pieces of legislation slated for review and revision under the SCJS, only two have been completed thus far due to lengthy delays in completing the stakeholder review process.

In addition, despite sensitisation of key stakeholders, the general public is still largely unaware of the project and its direct benefits in relation to accessing justice such as legal aid and restorative justice.

Also present at the midyear review was IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen, who hailed the project as making substantial progress.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

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Attorney-General supports common firearm legislation for Caribbean

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Joann Bond meeting with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Project Coordinator for the Caribbean, Global Firearms Programme, Roberto Codesal and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Regional Crime and Security Strategy Coordinator, Callixtus Joseph on Wednesday

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., is supportive of a common legislation governing firearms use for the Caribbean which will enable co-operation and effectiveness in addressing the use, possession and trafficking of illicit firearms in the region.

These were the sentiments shared by Nandlall during a meeting with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Project Coordinator for the Caribbean, Global Firearms Programme, Roberto Codesal and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Regional Crime and Security Strategy Coordinator, Callixtus Joseph on Wednesday.

Codesal and Callixtus are currently in Guyana on a three-day visit to conduct a needs assessment in relation to combatting unlawful firearms use and trafficking in Guyana, with a view to synergise efforts in the Caribbean, South and Central America.

The visit is part of the UNODC “Support to the implementation of the crime prevention and criminal justice component of the Caribbean Roadmap to counter illicit firearms trafficking and misuse across the Caribbean in a sustainable manner by 2030” project

which was launched on March 1, 2021 and covers the Caribbean region.

During the meeting, the Attorney-General alluded to the realistic challenges Guyana is facing due to the country’s vast, porous borders which enables trafficking of unlawful firearms, among other firearm-related issues as he welcomed the assistance on the issue.

Nandlall reminded that Guyana’s principal firearms legislation was passed since 1940 and while it has been updated on several occasions, but maintained that new legislation is needed for firearm-related offences to be properly addressed.

He highlighted that most violent crimes in the country involves the use of illegal firearms and ammunition and pledged the government’s unwavering commitment, to confront all forms of violence in the country, including the use of illicit firearms.

The UNODC project is designed to address the scourge of armed violence in the region by enhancing the capacity of criminal justice systems to counter illicit proliferation and misuse of firearms, through the detection, investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of illicit firearms trafficking cases and related offences.

The project has received financial support from Germany, in co-oper-

ation with the CARICOM IMPACS, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), and in line with the Caribbean Roadmap.

The project will address capacity building, legislative assistance, promote international cooperation, enhance the tracing of firearms and seek to establish national firearms focal points in each CARICOM country and promote the creation of a firearms network.

Currently, UNODC, IMPACS and UNLIREC are planning a legislative review of Guyana’s laws relating to firearms to determine any gaps and loopholes. Training is also slated for the detection of firearms by air, land and sea and the prosecution of firearms offences.

The Attorney-General indicated that Guyana is willing to partner with UNODC, IMPACS and UNLIREC on this initiative as he emphasised that Guyana has signed on to all international instruments relevant to the use and trade of illicit firearms, including the Arms Trade Treaty and the United Nations Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and Ammunition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

US Congress informed about coalition-supported ‘race-baiting’ at Brooklyn rally

By Rehana Ahamad MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has written to members of the United States Congress, as well as Guyana’s other international partners and members of the local diplomatic corps in relation to the “misinformation and race-baiting” that characterised the Opposition-led August 15, 2021 rally in Brooklyn, New York, United States.

The event, attended mostly by members and supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), saw some persons accusing the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government of being prejudice against Guyanese of African descent. The utterances have already been rubbished by many, including President

Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.

In a more formal manner, however, Teixeira

dominated APNU+AFC Coalition is in tatters. Race is the last desperate thing that they have in opposition to hold on to. This

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira

sought to zero in on some of the misinformation that she said is being peddled to the Diaspora, particularly

by APNU+AFC Members of Parliament, as well as the party’s supporters and sympathisers.

Teixeira, in her missive, said that “The PNC-

they have used to divide the nation and increase ethnic insecurities at each stage of Guyana’s history for the last 29 years whenever there is a chance, an opportunity for the country and the people to move forward and thrive,” the minister said.

She added, “Their history

of destruction, obstruction, anti-nationalism, and division has not changed.”

The PPP/C Chief Whip also accused the Opposition of peddling “these untruths on a daily basis with the objectives of causing division and strife and to destabilise the government’s “Plan for Prosperity” which is rapidly unfolding before our people’s eyes.”

Teixeira also accused the David Granger-led Coalition government of having carried out the “most blatant racist policy experienced since the Burnham era” of the 1970s and 80s.

PREJUDICIAL AND DISCRIMINATORY The correspondence penned by Teixeira also documented several instances where the A P N U + A F C ’s a c t i o n s could have been defined as prejudicial and discriminatory. “Within one month of taking office, the Grangerled administration fired 1, 972 Amerindian (Indigenous) Community Service Officers working in the interior of the country.

This one act removed over $700M from the Amerindian village economies and increased poverty for over 10,000 dependents,” Teixeira highlighted.

She pointed to the fact that even though Amerindians represent almost 11 per cent of the population and own 14 per cent of Guyana’s land mass by communal and absolute land rights, based on principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent, “the Granger government did not issue one communal land grant in the five years, as his government said the Amerindians were “avaricious” and “had too much land”.

Added to that, Teixeira also outlined how more than 2,000 public servants were fired from their post, as they were thought to be supporters of the PPP/C based on their ethnicity and or suspected political affiliation. “Promotions were held back for public servants who were thought to not be supporters of the

government based on ethnicity,” the minister stated in her correspondence.

She said, too, that “the Coalition Government hired and created an overbloated government sector with 10,000 new employees in the public service, mainly supporters of the APNU+AFC and their families, [the] majority [being of] one ethnic group, AfroGuyanese.”

Teixeira also accused the Coalition of discriminating against contractors and businesses in government procurement, mainly based on ethnicity, giving the majority of the contracts “to their electoral financiers and supporters”.

“In 2016, the Coalition closed one sugar estate and, in the second year, two more, throwing 7,000 sugar workers (the majority of whom were IndoGuyanese) out of work and impacting over a quarter of the population and reducing foreign currency earnings for the country.”

Furthermore, Teixeira told the members of the U.S. Congress that the APNU+AFC Coalition “terminated 99 per cent of Guyana’s representatives at our foreign missions; terminated Chief Executive Officers and high-level managers in all state corporations; and terminated 99 per cent of all Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers.”

POLITICAL HARASSMENT Added to that, she said that the previous government used the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as political tools to hound down PPP/C leaders. Teixeira said that the Coalition also prematurely aborted the International Commission of Inquiry into the assassination of Dr. Water Rodney, and voted on two occasions in Parliament against adopting the findings and recommendations of the report.

Further, Teixeira said that local authority councils that were won by the

PPP/C in the last two local government elections were bypassed for infrastructural works by the government.

She also accused the Coalition of being involved in mismanagement, the crafting of poor policies, the introduction of high taxes, and the loss of 30,000 jobs, thereby increasing poverty and hardships among Guyanese.

Teixeira also informed the international community that the previous government failed to address the “astounding levels of corruption, which led to several ministers [of government] and Chief Executive Officers of state corporations being charged and before the courts post August 2020.”

In addition to the actions of the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition during its term in office, Teixeira detailed the Coalition’s acts during the March 2020 Elections debacle, and said that since August 2, 2021, the party’s actions have been largely “anti-national and divisive”.

The minister, in the 28page document, emphasised that despite the misinformation being peddled, the PPP/C Government is legitimate, and operates on behalf of all the people.

“The international bodies of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, the European Union, the Organization of American States, the CARICOM and individual nations have recognised the PPP/C as the legitimate government,” Teixeira argued.

She said that the final declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 vote made it clear that “Guyanese drew a distinct line in the sand; one that marked the difference between a path of social, economic and political development and a path of regression.”

Teixeira reiterated that the PPP/C administration remains committed to realising the goal of a ‘One Guyana’ and a modern, transformed, developed nation for the benefit of all Guyanese.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Five suspects in murder of miners remanded to prison

CITY Magistrate, Dylon Bess, on Wednesday, remanded five miners, including four Venezuelans, in connection with the alleged murder of two men during a robbery at a mining camp located at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River.

Nicholas Ceaser called ‘Wild buck’, 22, of Yarrowkabra Village, Linden Soesdyke Highway was charged jointly with Venezuelans Juan Oscar Calderon Lopez called ‘Gordo’,25; Jose Ra-

mon Tovar called ‘Bashein’, 24; Luis Miguel Monrroy, 35 and Jhonny Gonzalvez called ‘Sankey Pankey’, 47.

The men appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the capital offence of murder.

They were not required to plead to the charge which alleged that between August 4 and 5, 2021, they murdered Suresh Bachan and Steven Niles during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Magistrate Bess remand-

ed the men to prison until September 20. The matter was transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court, where the preliminary inquiry will be conducted.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that 62-year-old Suresh Bachan, and 31-yearold Steven Niles, were killed during a brutal robbery at their Blackwater Backdam mining camp.

According to investigators, the men are believed to have been killed between

52,000 farmers to benefit from flood relief programme THE distribution of the government’s flood relief grant, which began last week, is expected to benefit some 52,000 farmers countrywide.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said Wednesday that the flood relief packages are aimed at assisting farmers to restart cultivation as soon as possible.

The distribution exercise started in Region Six and will continue in other regions during the course of this week.

Minister Mustapha said that persons selected for the grants were assessed by the various agencies which fall under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, on a case-by-case basis.

“This assessment was done by the various agencies, the GLDA, NAREI, Guyana Rice Development Board. Those three agencies were responsible. We have hundreds of extension officers across the country, they went to various locations and they generated a list of those persons who were affected severely,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister noted that persons must meet certain criteria to receive the grants.

“A number of persons turned up feeling that this thing is for everybody but this is not for everybody.

This is for farmers who would have lost and where the assessment was done and we’re giving it in various categories,” Minister Mustapha clarified.

a comprehensive package but I want to clear the misconception that not every household will receive it or every family will receive it… This package is for persons who have lost and their losses were assessed by the extension officers in these categories,” the min-

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

The flood relief grants fall under various categories such as household, livestock and the rice sector.

Minister Mustapha said the government has also allocated funds for other materials including 60,000 bags of seed paddy, planting materials and other genetic supplies to further assist farmers in getting back to their lands.

“So, all in all, there is

ister related.

He said the government is catering to the needs of all citizens. So, persons living in interior communities, who do not have access to banks, will receive their grants in cash, rather than cheques.

He said the Auditor General’s office and other agencies will be scrutinising the process to ensure there is transparency. (DPI)

the night of August 4, around 18:00 hours, and the morning of August 5, around 06:00 hours.

On the morning of August 5, when the General Manager of the mining camp and sev-

eral of his workers turned up to work, they discovered both Niles and Bachan motionless.

The robbers reportedly made off with an AR 15 firearm and the top mat from the sluice box. A post

mortem examination done on the body of the two men revealed that they both died from blunt force trauma to their heads, while Niles also suffered a fractured spine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Bartica residents get timely support ― as Minister Persaud returns to the town to deliver on promises made

FOLLOWING up on a recent outreach to Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, returned to the town on Monday to deliver on some of her promises.

According to a press statement from the ministry, Yvonne Braithwaite, a resident of Bartica, could not believe her eyes when she tried on her new pair of spectacles and found that she was now seeing clearly and brightly.

She was among the hundreds who tested their eyes on the last occasion and was now receiving their spectacles.

Braithwaite said she was happy that the ministry returned with her glasses because she couldn’t afford to get them privately.

“I just tried them on and

they’re perfect,” she said, noting that it will be handy for her when she starts sewing classes offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Minister Persaud told residents that she was extremely pleased to be able to present spectacles to over 200 persons in the region; this represents one of the largest deliveries under the ministry’s programme.

The minister also presented walking canes and wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities, who are in need. She visited homes to enquire about the efficacy of the ministry’s shutin and assistance programmes.

Dr. Persaud interacted with residents and updated them on various programmes by her ministry and how they could access them.

Special attention was placed on the modality of de-

livery by the ministry on the measures announced by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, that will benefit pensioners, public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities.

Further, Minister Persaud explained why women should look at starting up their own businesses, why they should network with others in doing so, and how the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) training programme and newly-launched business incubator and advertising app could prove useful to them.

She also highlighted that several groups will be formed with men and women in the regions and that more training opportunities will be opened through those groups.

Senior officer from the Gender Affairs Bureau, Lagan (only name given), was on

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presented a wheelchair to Hamwattie Sankar from the Byderabo area, located on the outskirts of Bartica

hand to provide pointers on the group’s formation. Groups will benefit from valuable training on combatting social ills.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud, last Friday, visited the Coomacka, Three Friends and Old England villages in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where she 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.

She related that the ministry has shortened the time for providing pension 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 banks were enlisted for the delivery of pensions.

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

Kwakwani’s sport, recreational facilities assessed for upgrades

A TEAM of officials have conducted an assessment of several recreational and sport facilities in Kwakwani with a view to ensuring the necessary upgrades are made, for the benefit of the residents.

Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Kwame McCoy, joined by Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Mohamed and others, on Wednesday, visited the football field, the basketball court, the Kwakwani Recreational Centre, the State House, the clubhouse and the swimming pools.

Minister McCoy noted that the assessment of the facilities will determine what works are needed for inclusion in the Recreational and Ground Enhancement Programme.

“So that we could prepare this community to be able to bring its best potential to the fore and be able to produce the best athletes and sports personalities, like we want to do in every other community across this country and you have seen us invest already in many communities across Guyana.”

The minister noted that the 2021 budget, which caters for initiatives like synthetic tracts, mini stadiums and other initiatives, gives sportsmen and women a better chance to succeed.

Ann Gordon, a resident of Kwakwani, said there are many youths in the community who stand to benefit from the upgrade of these facilities.

“It would be very beneficial to the young people, especially through sports in the area because Kwakwani has been producing top qual-

ity level of sportsmen and sportswomen for a number of years now, and one of the things that we definitely need is infrastructure, things improved, because we can’t be going back or stagnated, we need to go forward,” the resident said.

are in excellent condition; the football field, like most other fields in the country, after the rains and everything, needs some work and we are getting an opportunity to see and assess everything that has to be done, with the football field, with the swimming

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport (ag), Kwame McCoy with others during his visit to Kwakwani on Wednesday (DPI photo)

The Sports Commission Chairman expressed similar views, noting that the ministry is in support of improving the community.

“Kwakwani is one of the places that we really wanted to visit because they have produced real top-class athletes throughout the years; the basketball court, they are the champions with basketball at the school level and they continue to produce really, really outstanding players,” he highlighted.

Following the assessment, he pointed out that some of the facilities are in relatively good condition.

“Some of the buildings

pools and with the basketball court; we will take it back, get to the drawing boards and do stuff.”

Additionally, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle noted that since the ministry has been given responsibility for the club house and the State House, the assessment will determine which facilities need to be catered for in the 2022 budget.

The upgrade of sport and other facilities is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s commitment to advance sport development in the country, through the necessary investments. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

GWI mulls expansion of water distribution network in Region One ―plans to examine potential of Hosororo spring A recent assessment of the water systems in Mabaruma and surrounding villages in Region One (Barima-Waini), has highlighted the need for an expansion of the distribution network and hours of supply so as to increase the water supply in the region.

The assessment was conducted during a twoday visit to the region, on August 17 and 18, by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, and a team of technical officers.

and possibly upgrading the solar panels to extend the pumping capacity to farther areas, including the migrants’ settlement.

GWI, with support from UNICEF and UNDP, is also looking at repairing an existing hand pump in the settlement area. The village currently depends on a rain water harvesting system that was set up by UNICEF under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.

The team also visited the community health post in Yarakita and committed to rectifying its line

entrance of the building.

To t h i s e n d , B a k s h pointed to the need for programmes targetting the monitoring and maintenance of the systems.

GWI has also organised a training seminar for CSOs to operate and regulate the system. This forms part of a partnership between GWI and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

“I’m not satisfied that we’re there as yet and whilst we have done some training already, it has to be more intense and we intend to return to ensure that training is delivered to all these

Rain water harvesting station erected by UNICEF

GWI’ CEO, Shaik Baksh, his technical team and Community Service Officers at the Hosororo water catchment area, in Region One

According to a press release from GWI, the team visited Yarakita, Kamwatta, White Water, Hosororo Falls and Khan’s Hill.

In Yarakita, GWI committed to increasing their water coverage to 95 per cent, as opposed to the current 70 per cent. This entails inspecting the well

network, since the health worker there complained of receiving inconsistent water supply. This was due to internal plumbing issues as well as a lack of monitoring of the water supply system on the part of the Community Service Officers (CSOs).

GWI also promised to place a hand washing sink at the

communities so that the systems are properly maintained. If not, the level of service would decline and it would not be in the best interest of the residents”, the CEO said.

This training will benefit Yarakita and Kamwatta and is being facilitated by GWI’s officer in charge of

Region One, Richard Robinson.

According to Robinson, the wells are producing at their maximum capacity, but inconsistent weather patterns affect the functionality of the solar panels, thus resulting in an intermittent water supply to residents.

He explained, however, that with the training of the CSOs and regular monitoring of the systems, their hours of service would improve significantly.

Robinson also highlighted plans for the extension of the distribution network in parts of Mabaruma, to supply water to areas that never benefitted from this utility before.

Meanwhile, over at

Khan’s Hill, Robinson noted a resistivity logging exercise was recently conducted, paving the way for a new well to be drilled to supply the area for the first time.

He also said: “Preparation is being made to possibly restore a well found in the Arakuru, White Water area. If the technical team deems it fit, residents should be able to receive water later this year.”

At the Hosororo spring, GWI is eyeing a water source that can supply Central Mabaruma.

In speaking about the potential that exists at the Hosororo spring, Baksh said: “Since 2013, when I was CEO at GWI, I looked at that and I was optimistic

it could be tapped. However, work has to be done to ensure the sustainability of the water source and the idea is to bring the water up through the solar systems or other means…to supply the whole of Mabaruma.”

Robinson followed up by saying that the water systems are interconnected, so at one point in the future, they are looking to have a redundancy to ensure that the service is never disrupted.

The study to determine the water volume and sustainability of the Hosororo spring would entail a collaboration between GWI and the Hydromet Office to monitor the flow of water for six to nine months.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

$233M sea defence at Anna Catherina to be completed by month end ― similar projects at Uitvlugt, Zeelugt also on course to completion

By Tamica Garnett

THE $233 million riprap sea defence at Anna Catherina, on the West Coast of Demerara, is 98 per cent completed, with the full conclusion

of this project expected by the end of this month.

Similar projects at Uitvlugt and Zeelugt are moving apace and are also expected to be completed within the established deadline.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and engineers from that ministry, observed the progress of those projects during a visit to the sites, on Wednesday

Severe flooding along the West Coast of Demerara necessitated the upgrading and, in some cases, the construction of sea defence to protect communities.

“We recently came off of a massive flood in the country, so this sea defence is critical to ensuring that we protect against the severity of floods that we experience. I visited this area here a few months ago, there was some heavy overtopping and all of the houses were flooded out. So, we put this in our budget,” Minister Indar said after inspecting the work at Anna Catherina.

get a on-the-ground look at the works ongoing, to personally ensure citizens are getting value for money.

“It’s an expensive venture and an elaborate riprap, and when taxpayers are spending their money, as representatives in government, we have to make sure that when we spend money, we see the reality of that spending on the ground,” Indar related.

Together, the three projects cost $619.45 million and cover a total of 800m of shoreline across the West Coast of Demerara.

The Anna Catherina works cover 300 metres,

At Zeelugt, over 4,000 residents, who were involved in subsistence farming, suffered significant losses to their produce and livestock during the floods.

Considering the impact of floods on those and other residents, the Ministry of Public Works has budgeted $5 billion for sea defence works across the country.

Minister Indar said that it is important for the government to ensure that breaches to the sea defence are quickly remedied, since the cost to fix breaches increase exponentially once the damage is left unat-

Minister of Public Works, Deodat Indar, (left) on site at the construction of a riprap sea defence, along the West Coast of Demerara (Adrian Narine photos)

Stockpiled stones being used to build the riprap sea defence on the West Coast of Demerara

The minister said he is pleased with the ongoing work on the new riprap, which, when fully completed, will be 19.5 metres high and will cater for excessively high tides.

“We are happy with the work we see completed here.

The work is near complete and we wanted to come on the ground so that when we say the job is closed, there is a good assessment, because in parliament we had to justify these expenses,” Indar said.

The minister also thought it best to visit the location and

while the Uitvlugt project, which costs $226 million, covers 300 metres, and the Zeelugt project, which costs $159 million, covers 200 metres.

The Uitvlugt and Anna Catherina projects are being done by Puran Bros Disposal Inc., while the Zeelugt project is being built

by Platinum Investment Inc. The Uitvlugt project is scheduled for completion in October, while the Zeelugt project is schedule for completion by the end of September.

tended.

“The entire sea defence on the shoreline is vulnerable, and there are spots that keep opening up as the high tides come in. So, you have to make sure you remedy it quick. A breach starts small but it will continue to open and open.

And the longer you take to respond to that breach, the more expensive that repair will be… so that is why you have rapid response when you have breach to any shoreline,” he related.

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Persons found with forged vaccination cards will face the law ― Health Minister warns HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that unvaccinated persons caught with forged COVID-19 vaccination cards will face the full force of the law.

“If you steal one of those cards then you can be charged for larceny, and there are specific penalties for that, jail terms and of course fines and so forth.

And then if you change the information that is on the card, that is considered to be forgery…we have had a number of cases that have been reported to us and we have called in the police to investigate those cases,” Minister Anthony said on Wednesday.

The minister said that the ministry is working to have the issue addressed. He said there can be a lot of problems if unvaccinated persons become ill, since they are not protected.

“We are very serious

about this because if somebody is unvaccinated and they pay for a card, then that can lead to separate problems

because if they get sick, and they present that card, we’ll have to go back and check to see whether or not they were

An authentic COVID-19 vaccination card (DPI photo)

More police stationed at National Psychiatric Hospital ― following two fires at the facility this year

The damaged caused by a fire at the National Psychiatric Hospital at Canje, in June, this year

MEASURES are being put in place to ensure there is no future incidents of fires and other disasters at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Canje, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

This assurance was given

by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, whose comment comes on the heels of two recent fires at the institution.

On August 7, a fire of unknown origin broke out at the hospital in New Amsterdam, during which several patients escaped, but were later apprehended.

Another fire occurred in

June, following an altercation between three male patients.

Several patients had also escaped, but were recaptured.

In wake of those incidents, Dr. Anthony said that the ministry is “beefing up” security at the institution.

“We have been in contact with the police and so, we have a stronger police presence now at the facility. Especially where we are holding those persons whose cases are still in court,” he said.

The minister noted that in both instances, the fires were started by patients.

“The buildings that were

burnt, were burnt by persons who are inside of those buildings. They set the building on fire, and they did that so that the doors can be opened and some of them can escape,” Dr. Anthony said.

Only recently, Minister Anthony announced that some $26 million has been invested for the restoration of the hospital, to provide better living conditions for patients.

The regional mental health institution is the only one of its kind, which provides services to persons diagnosed with mental illnesses. (DPI)

actually vaccinated… now if you are not vaccinated, why would you want to get a card? You’re only fooling yourself because you’re not going to be protected,” Dr. Anthony related.

The minister added that unvaccinated persons could endanger the lives of those

who have received the vaccine. He said the ministry will continue to investigate reports of forged vaccination cards and persons involved in the racket will face the law.

“We can’t tolerate this kind of behavior-- forgery and stealing of cards and

so forth. They’ll be dealt with by the police and the courts,” Dr. Anthony asserted.

The minister urged unvaccinated persons to desist from purchasing forged cards as they have a choice whether or not to be vaccinated. (DPI)

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COVID-19 death toll rises to 602

– 207 new cases recorded within 24 hours THE death of a 58-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has taken the COVID-19 death toll to 602.

According to the Ministry of Health, the man, who is the latest victim of the dreaded disease, died while receiving treatment at a local medical facility.

The report of the man’s death was accompanied by the latest information on COVID-19, which showed that 207 new cases were recorded from 1,810 tests. The new cases took the overall number of confirmed cases to 24,713.

New cases were recorded in Region One (two new

cases), Region Two (20 new cases), Region Three (31 new cases), Region Four (119 new cases), Region Five (four new cases), Region Seven (seven new cases), Region Nine (19 new cases) and Region 10 (five new cases).

Some 53 new recoveries were also recorded.

Up to press time, 23 patients were in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, 108 were in institutional isolation, 1,465 were in home isolation and there were five persons in institutional quarantine.

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 others; 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.

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Serena opts out of U.S. open (BBC) - Six-time champion Serena Williams has become the latest highprofile player to pull out of next week’s U.S Open.

In a post on social media, the 39-year-old American great said she needed time to allow her body to “heal completely” from a torn hamstring.

Williams joins defending men’s champion Dominic Thiem, plus Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in pulling out of this year’s final Grand Slam.

The tournament, at Flushing Meadows in New York, begins on August 30.

Williams wrote on Instagram: “After careful consideration and following the advice of my doctors and medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the U.S. Open to allow my body to heal completely from a torn hamstring.

Williams’ last U.S. Open women’s title came in 2014 against Caroline Wozniacki

“New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and one of my favourite places to play - I’ll miss seeing the fans but will be cheering on from afar.

“Thank you for your continued love and support.

I’ll see you soon.”

Williams suffered the injury to her hamstring during her first-

round exit at Wimbledon in June, when the seven-time champion was forced to retire against Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

She pulled out of last week’s Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati in order to focus on her rehabilitation.

Serena still chasing Grand Slam record

The U.S. Open presented Williams with another chance at a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title - after she claimed her 23rd major at the Australian Open in 2017. She has been unable to get over the line with four unsuccessful final appearances since.

Williams lifted her first major trophy at Flushing Meadows in 1999, defeating Swiss player Martina Hingis to become the first African American woman since Althea Gibson in 1958 - and the first in the Open Era - to win a Grand Slam honour.

After equalling Chris Evert’s record of six titles in New York in 2014, Williams reached the final again four years later, but was beaten by Japanese rising star Naomi Osaka - a now three-time Grand Slam winner - in a controversial ending to the

women’s tournament.

Since giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2018, Williams has reached four Grand Slam finals - two at Wimbledon and two at the US Open - in her quest to draw alongside Australian legend Margaret Court, but has been runner-up in each one.

In January 2020, she won her first championship in three years - and 73rd WTA title overall - with victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic.

In the men’s event, Austrian Thiem has withdrawn with a wrist injury, 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer is preparing to have further knee surgery, while world number-five Nadal is out because of an injury to his left foot.

Hetmyer appointed vice-captain of Amazon Warriors PUGNACIOUS batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been appointed vice-captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team for this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which gets underway today, at Warner Park, St Kitts.

The Guyanese, who has been with the franchise since 2016, will act as deputy for Nicholas Pooran, who would have recently led West Indies to 4-1 series success over Australia in St Lucia.

The other members of Amazon Warriors’ management are:

Lead coach, Rayon Griffith; Strength and Conditioning coach, Clinton Jeremiah; Trainer, Dr Jason Pilgrim, and Team Operations Manager, Omar Khan.

The five-time finalists will play in the tournament’s opening match, against defending

champions Trinbago Knight Riders from 10:00hrs.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (cice-captain), Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ul-Haq, Romario

Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.

RACING TIPS American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Let Her Inspire Race 2 Outrageous Bet Race 3 Orchestration Race 4 Quality Stones Race 5 Rattle N Roll Race 6 Lady Scarlet Race 7 Montauk Summer Race 8 Thoughtfully Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Son Of My Father Race 2 Linda Loves Lace Race 3 Stormy Vision Race 4 Elite Princess Race 5 Sky Of Dreams Race 6 Silent Runner Race 7 Beat The Rush Race 8 Benlion South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:40 hrs Super Agra 09:15 hrs Informative 09:45 hrs Just As Rich

10:20 hrs Belle Of Belize 10:55 hrs Florida Keys

14:20 hrs Kensington Art 14:50 hrs Getaway Jewel

English Racing Tips Chelmsford 08:45 hrs Miss Harmony 09:20 hrs Silver Bubble 09:55 hrs Thunder Flash 10:30 hrs Alphonso Karr 11:00 hrs Murhib 11:32 hrs At A Pinch 12:05 hrs Tilworth Rose

Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 11:15 hrs Ardluasa 11:50 hrs History

Carlisle 09:10 hrs Detective 09:40 hrs Rambuso Creek 10:15 hrs Glinbury 10:50 hrs Matty Too 11:25 hrs Royal Prospect 12:00 hrs Noble Crusade 12:32 hrs Hildenley Lingfield 11:45 hrs October Storm 12:20 hrs El Borracho 12:50 hrs Do No Wrong 13:50 hrs Socks Off

12:25 hrs Speak In Colours 13:00 hrs Pretty Gorgeous 13:30 hrs Urban Beat 14:00 hrs Cool Leader 14:30 hrs She’s Good Company 15:00 hrs Duck And Vanish

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 22, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jeff Dujon-20 dismissals (18 catches; 2 stumping – 10 ODIs) (2) Romesh Kaluwitharana-20 dismissals (14 catches; 6 stumpings- 22 ODIs)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who are the defending CPL champions?

(2) Who are the losing finalist of CPL 2020?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 26, 2021

Vintage Anderson tears through India

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Almost as if to make up for their horror final day at Lord’s, England had the first day of their fantasies at Headingley.

James Anderson cast a swing-bowling spell over the top order, reducing India to 21 for 3 in the 11th over to immediately send the opposition into defence mode.

Although Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane threatened, briefly, to rebuild, the supporting England seamers then came in and wiped out the last seven India wickets for 22 runs, to have them 78 all out - the thirdlowest total India have ever made after choosing to bat first.

When England bowled, conditions seemed exceedingly seamer-friendly, the pitch and the atmosphere allowing the ball to move just enough and late enough to get new batters nicking, rather than missing.

But then when India’s quicks had the ball, the surface appeared half-decent - even good - to bat on. Rohit - India’s top-scorer batted out 105 balls for his 19;

James Anderson is pumped up after dismissing Virat Kohli once again. (Getty Images) Haseeb Hameed needed only 43 deliveries to get to the same score. Hameed later progressed to a half-century off his 110th delivery, before finishing on 60 not out. Rory Burns made an unbeaten 52.

England finished the day with the match firmly in their grip. They had ten first-innings wickets still in hand, and were 42 runs ahead.

Although Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Sam Curran, and the two England openers, imposed themselves at various points

in the day, it was the maestro, Anderson, who set the tone.

A dusting of grey hairs at his temple, and yet evermore skilful, he laid traps for KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara, which both batters could not resist.

He bowled a string of inswingers at Rahul, all slightly short of a length, to get the batter play back slightly, defending balls in front of his stumps. Then he snuck in a full delivery outside off, which seamed slightly away off the seam, to take Rahul’s

edge as he reached for it.

A similar ploy worked for Pujara too. Although Pujara’s was a poke rather than a big drive, the dismissal - edging an away seamer to the wicketkeeper was the same.

For Kohli, Anderson plugged away in the channel, and then delivered a wobble-seam ball that pitched just outside off and moved away - Kohli venturing a big drive only to also be caught

by Jos Buttler. He was out for 7 off 17, leaving India reeling while Rohit was attempting his best cave hermit impression - leaving, blocking, and deadbatting.

Rohit and Rahane then threatened to right India’s innings, batting out 15 overs together and putting on 35, but Rahane edging Robinson behind on the penultimate ball, before lunch ended what turned out to be India’s best partnership by far.

After lunch, India careened into a chasm. Pant was out to Robinson - again nicking behind (this was Buttler’s fifth

catch out of five). A few overs later, Rohit’s patience ran out and he tried to pull a short ball from Overton over the leg side, but managed only to bunt it to a catching mid-on. Next ball, Mohammed Shami was squared up, and he sent a catch to third slip.

The following over, bowled by Curran, brought another double strike - Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah both out lbw, both pretty plumb. India lost four wickets while the score was 67, and were all out soon after, having slipped from 56 for 3.

Perhaps India felt their bowlers would be able to replicate England’s success in such conditions, particularly after their heroics on the final day at Lord’s, but they began with far less discipline than the England attack had shown.

Ishant Sharma, who opened the bowling ahead of Mohammed Siraj and Shami, was especially wayward, frequently straying into the batters’ pads, and rarely finding movement on a line outside off stump. Bumrah was much better, and even drew an edge at one point that fell short, but was not especially menacing

either.

Hameed and Burns did not have to be particularly patient through the early overs, getting frequent enough deliveries that could be scored off, but were nevertheless solid when the good balls came as well. They were not beaten as often as India’s batters were with the new ball. And they were more confident with their scoring strokes.

Hameed was particularly severe on errors of line, dusting off an excellent cut shot repeatedly.

Later, Burns hit the most memorable shot however, thumping Siraj over deep square leg for the day’s only six.

Hameed got to his half-century with an edge through the outstretched hand of Rohit at second slip - the fielder getting some flesh to the tough chance, but unable to hold on. Burns got to the milestone in the penultimate over of the day, punching the 123rd ball he faced through mid-on.

Such was England’s dominance on day one.

India will probably need a dramatic session or several to get themselves back into the match.

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Kane says he will be staying at Tottenham

(BBC) - England captain Harry Kane says he will be “staying at Tottenham this summer” and is “100% focussed on helping the team achieve success”.

Manchester City were keen to sign Kane, who believed he had a gentleman’s agreement with chairman Daniel Levy to leave Spurs this summer.But Levy has refused to enter into negotiations for the striker, 28.

Kane played his first game of the season on Sunday, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Wolves.

“It was incredible to see the reception from the Spurs fans on Sunday and to read some of the messages of support I’ve had in the last few weeks,” he wrote in a social media post yesterday, “I will be staying at Tottenham this summer and will be 100% focussed on helping the team achieve success.”

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo said it was “fantastic news” to see Kane’s immediate future resolved.

“I think since Harry joined us he has been working so this

is what we value. His attitude in training has been excellent,” said the Portuguese.

“It’s finished, Harry is going to be with us.”

Asked whether he was concerned about the word “summer” in Kane’s statement, and if the issue was likely to arise again in the January transfer window, Nuno replied: “I’m not worried at all. It’s day by day.

“He’s an option for tomorrow. This is the only thing and is my only thought, trying to make the best decisions to help the team and Harry is one of the options for tomorrow.”

Tottenham face Pacos de Ferreira in the Europa Conference League play-offs today, looking to overcome a 1-0 away defeat in the first leg last week.

“He is an option. It is great news for everybody,” added Nuno.

“We are all very happy.

(He is) one of the best players in the world. Delighted to have one more option for the season ahead of us.”

Harry Kane has scored 221 goals for Spurs

Real Madrid bid £137M for Mbappe (BBC) - Real Madrid have made a 160M euros (£137M) bid to sign Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

The French World Cup winner, 22, joined PSG in 2017 in a transfer worth £165.7M and his contract expires in June 2022.

RMC Sport.

Mbappe has scored 133 goals in 174 games for PSG and won three Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups.

“If a player wants to leave it must be under our terms. This applies not just to Kylian but to all players,”

Bayern Munich this summer.

However, this summer Sergio Ramos left on a free to PSG, while another high earner, Raphael Varane, was sold to Manchester United for £34M and Martin Odegaard left for Arsenal for around £30M.

Kylian Mbappe only has a year remaining on his current deal PSG sporting director Leonardo said.

Real evidently feel sufLeonardo said the club “If he wants to go, ficiently confident about would “not hold Mbappe we are not going to hold their finances to make an back” but considered Real him back, but it is on our approach for one of the most Madrid’s bid to be “not terms.” highly-rated players in the sufficient”.

Real, who lost 300M world.

“We consider the offer euros in revenue because Leonardo said that as being very far from what of COVID-19, have only PSG had made “two big Kylian is worth today,” he signed defender David Al- offers” to keep Mbappe at told French radio station aba on a free transfer from the club and had seen the

Frenchman as “the centre of the project” at the club.

“Kylian feels like leaving, this seems clear to me - our goal is to extend and keep him,” Leonardo added.

“With him, we talked a lot; he always told us the same things. He always promised he wouldn’t leave the club free.

“It (Real’s bid) is less than we paid for him. But it’s the way Real Madrid does it that we don’t like.”

It is not known how the fee would be structured.

PSG signed Argentina forward Lionel Messi earlier this month after he left Barcelona.

If Real are successful, it could trigger a number of deals before the transfer deadline at 23:00hra BST on Tuesday, August 31.

It is known Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Juventus is uncertain and PSG are thought to be interested in

the Portuguese, which raises the intriguing possibility of a link-up with Messi, his rival for the world’s best player for well over a decade.

Manchester City are among the clubs to have been offered Ronaldo but are not thought to be interested in a deal.

Last week both Ronaldo and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri denied the forward wanted to leave.

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Seales, Holder make significant strides in ICC Test rankings

(CMC) – Teenage fast bowler Jayden Seales and former captain Jason Holder were the only players making significant strides in the most recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Test player rankings announced yesterday.

The 19-year-old Seales picked up three wickets in the first innings of the second Test against Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston to end

the series with 11 scalps, and jump four spots to 54th in the bowling rankings.

He was wicket-less in the second innings as West Indies went on to lose the match by 109 runs on Tuesday’s final day.

Holder, meanwhile, remained unmoved at ninth in the bowling rankings after finishing the second Test with four wickets but his scores of 26 and 47 saw him climb six

places to 37th in the batting rankings.

The 29-year-old was good enough to score a half-century in the first Test last week, also staged at Sabina Park.

There was little else for West Indies to celebrate in the rankings, however.

Vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood moved up one in the batting rankings to 35th following scores of 33 and 25 in the second Test, as he end-

ed the series with 135 runs at an average of nearly 34.

He is the highest-ranked West Indies batsman.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was unmoved at 45th while Nkrumah Bonner (73rd) and Roston Chase (74th) both dropped one place.

Kyle Mayers, who endured a nightmare in the series with ducks in his first three innings before hitting

32 in his last outing, remained unmoved at 77th.

In the bowling, Holder continued as the highest-ranked Caribbean bowler and world’s leading all-rounder, while fast bowler Kemar Roach remained 11th and Shannon Gabriel – who missed the series – was also unmoved at 27th.

Off-spinner Chase slipped two places to 46th while fast bowler Alzarri Joseph

climbed two spots to 64th after taking two wickets in the second innings of the second Test.

Outstanding 21-yearold, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who ended the two-match series with 18 wickets following a 10-wicket match-haul in the second Test, has shot up ten places to eighth in the bowling rankings.

Pakistan head coach Misbah tests positive for COVID-19

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan head coach, has tested positive for COVID-19 in Kingston, where Pakistan completed their series of four T20Is and two Tests against West Indies. Misbah will now stay on and complete his 10-day quarantine before travelling home, even as the rest of the Pakistan contingent leaves for Lahore late yesterday.

In a statement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that Misbah, who is asymptom-

Misbah-ul-Haq will complete his quarantine with a medical specialist looking after him. ( AFP via Getty Images)

atic, “was the only Pakistan squad member who failed two pre-departure PCR tests”.

“The PCB is constantly in touch with Cricket West Indies (CWI) who confirmed that Misbah will be shifted to another hotel for the 10-day quarantine with a medical specialist assigned to look after his health and well-being,” the statement said.

It was a rain-marred but largely successful tour for Pakistan. Their four-match T20I series had three games that

ended in no-results because of the weather, but they won the only completed game, the second, by seven runs to take the series.

Then came the Test series, where West Indies clinched a thriller by one wicket to go 1-0 up, but Shaheen Afridi and Fawad Alam headlined Pakistan’s bounce-back in the second Test to give them a 109-run series-squaring win on Tuesday.

Pakistan are now scheduled to host New Zealand for

three ODIs (in Rawalpindi) and five T20Is (in Lahore) from September 17, with the visitors going across to Pakistan - after their tour of Bangladesh - for the first time in nearly 18 years.

As part of the home season, Pakistan are also expected to host England for two T20Is (before the Men’s T20 World Cup, in October), and Australia early next year.

Throw your support behind hardworking batsmen – Simmons

(CMC) - Head coach Phil Simmons has again bemoaned the lack of situational awareness among the West Indies batting group but has urged the Caribbean to throw their support behind the squad, following the 1-1 series draw against Pakistan here Tuesday.

West Indies pulled off a dramatic one-wicket win in the first Test at Sabina Park last week but crumbled to a 109-run defeat in the second Test at the same venue, after failing to chase down an improbable 329 for victory.

With the pitch offering help to the fast bowlers, the home side’s batsmen

struggled in both innings, dismissed for 150 in the first and 219 in the second, after tottering on 159 for seven at one stage.

“We see that we can bat.

We’re spending 110 balls for 50 runs, but it’s how we read the situation in the game,” Simmons said following Tuesday’s defeat.

“Because we might be batting well like we saw in the first innings and all of a sudden the ball started to swing a little bit more; we’ve got to assess those situations and know how we can handle those situations in order for us to keep growing and getting the big scores.

“I think that is where we are now. We’ve seen a

more controlled approach to the start of everybody’s innings but we’ve just got to work out how we go from the 40s and the 50s, to the hundreds and the 150s.”

He added: “Sometimes they (Pakistan) changed the fields and we are trying to play to the fields that they’ve changed rather than continue playing how we’re playing … but the pressure they built up (on Tuesday) was enormous on all the batsmen. I think that’s a big factor in it.”

The defeat was West Indies’ third in four Tests after being swept aside 2-0 by South Africa in St Lucia last June, following a horrific batting display in both matches.

However, the defeat to South Africa has been their only series loss this year as the Caribbean side beat Bangladesh away and drew with Sri Lanka in the Caribbean.

Simmons said players were working hard to improve, especially in the batting department, and the support of the region would help in this regard.

“The Caribbean has to continue backing us, from the point of view that we’re seeing improvement, we’re seeing the fact that guys are trying to do the things that are necessary for us to be a better Test batting team,” he pointed out.

“The bowling has been exceptional, the bowling

carries its weight, it pulls the team but the batters now have to sit down and work out how to get to the scores we want to get and I think we need the backing.

“The batsmen need the encouragement because they are working hard. We don’t see what’s happening in the background but they are working hard.”

West Indies struggled to contain left-arm seamer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, across both Tests - the 21-year-old claiming an eight-wicket haul in the first and a career-best tenwicket haul in the second to finish the series with 18 wickets and Man-of-theSeries honours.

Simmons conceded Afridi’s

impact had been one of the main factors in the series outcome.

“It had to be difficult (facing him). You can see from watching him there are some big in-swingers and then he has that short ball,” Simmons explained.

“In general, his swing and his consistency and his pace proved difficult. And the wicket was good; so for him to get ten wickets in the match here he must have been doing a lot.

“When he wants to swing it, he’s swinging it to hit the stumps, he’s swinging it to get you lbw and that’s why the length is a little bit fuller than normal.”

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Young Achievers now top of DVA League

YOUNG Achievers are now top of the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) League with six points after defeating Eagles Volleyball Club (EVC) in a thrilling five-set game which was recently held at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown.

EVC started the first set in a 10-point deficit due to their late arrival to the game, and Young Achievers went on to win 25-17. However, EVC came back fighting in the second set to win 25-19, while the third set went to Young Achievers 25-17.

With their backs against the wall, EVC soared in the fourth to win 25-18 and

set up a tantalising fifth set.

The fifth set saw both teams exchange point for point, fighting to claim victory but it was the Young Achievers who edged to a 17-15 triumph.

The top scorers for Achievers Volleyball Club (AVC) were Juan Valesquez with 13 points, Corwyn Richards (11 points) and Ryon Mangrau (nine points).

The next leg of the DVA League will be played tomorrow from 19:00hrs with EVC battling Castrol Strikers Volleyball Club.

Games will be streamed live on the Guyana Volleyball Federation Facebook Page.

Twelve major brands on board for Hero CPL 2021

Cricketer Nial Smith inks six-month deal with Lucozade Guyana LUCOZADE Guyana and Guyana Jaguars fast-bowler Nial Smith have formed a partnership with the two signing a six-month contract recently.

The popular energy drink brand made the announcement yesterday via its official Facebook page.

It stated that Smith is a budding pace bowler who had a solid 2020 season and is one of the cricketers to watch currently. He is part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) squad preparing for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which starts today in St Kitts and Nevis.

It is understood that Smith and Lucozade came to the contractual agreement recently and the Brand Manager of the energy drink, Triston Freeman, described the signing as “noteworthy” for the brand.

Smith noted that it was a “lifelong” dream to work with the Lucozade brand and highlighted that he hopes for a long and successful relationship with the company.

Part of the intense battle between Young Achievers and Eagles Volleyball Club at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

THE Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced that 12 major brands have signed up to be part of the Biggest Party in Sport.

Hero Motorcorp returns as the title sponsor of the tournament for the seventh season and they will be joined by official partners Digicel, El Dorado Rum, Republic Bank, Angostura Chill, Dream XI and Fun88.

The official sponsors of the tournament are Visa, FedEx, Guardian Life, OmegaXL and Unilever’s brands Lifebuoy and Degree.

Jamie Stewart, Hero CPL’s Commerical Director, said: “Hero CPL simply wouldn’t exist without the support of our valued sponsors. We thank them once again for their continued commitment to the tournament through these challenging times, and look forward together to another great edition of the world’s second most popular T20 league.”

In addition the league has partnered with Rario for NFT collectibles and fan cards, and Socios for fan tokens.

The 2021 Hero CPL gets underway on August 26 in St Kitts & Nevis. The opening fixture sees the current Hero CPL champions Trinbago Knight Riders take on their fierce rivals the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Seales, Holder make significant strides in ICC Test rankings See page 30

Fast bowler Jayden Seales

Cricketer Nial Smith inks six-month deal with Lucozade Guyana

Throw your support behind hardworking batsmen – Simmons

Hetmyer appointed vice-captain of Amazon Warriors

Nial Smith is now a Brand Ambassador for Lucozade Guyana

Batsman Kyle Mayers walks off after falling for 32 on Tuesday’s final day of the second Test at Sabina Park

Shimron Hetmyer will be vice-captain for Guyana Amazon Warriors this season

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| THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021