Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-09-2021

MONDAY 27th September, 2021

' No.106497

‘Investors don’t have to secure meetings to submit proposals’ - Jagdeo

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Massive scale-up of rice 03 production slated for Reg. 3 PAGE

–– increase of one million bags of paddy projected by 2025

‘A fresh start’

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12 – new programme to target reform of prisoners

Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot (right), shows the British High Commissioner to Guyana (second, right), Jane Miller, one of the model houses that was designed by prisoners. Also in the photo is Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Toussaint Thomas (Elvin Croker photo)

Investors ‘hungry’ to invest in 04 new city – Pres. Ali PAGE

Hiring of Guyanese

by Aurora Gold Mines increased by over 400% 05 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Gov’t assessing alternatives for students, staff of fire-ravaged North West Sec. School

–– cause of blaze still unknown EVEN as the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) continues its investigation into the cause of Friday night’s fire that destroyed a huge section of the North West Secondary School at Mabaruma, Region One, a high-level team from the Ministry of Education (MoE) has already begun working on alternative arrangements for the approximately 600 students and the staff.

About 60 per cent of the school building is said to have been destroyed by the fire of unknown origin, which occurred at 22:00hrs.

In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, noted that everything was being done to look at alternative accommodation for the school’s students and staff.

“We are going to work non-stop to find out how we can cater and deliver education effectively to all of these students. That is what we are currently engaged in doing and we won’t stop until we are satisfied that we have a solution while we rebuild the school,” Manickchand said.

Up to Sunday, a MoE team which included Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson; Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) for

Amerindian and Hinterland Development, Marti DeSouza; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Inspectorate), Saddam Hussain, and the Director of School Boards, was still on the ground in Region One working along with regional officials to assess alternatives.

“As we speak they are on the ground trying to find the most effective way forward for the students there,” Manickchand noted on Sunday.

The ministry will have some time to work out a plan, as secondary schools in Guyana have not yet reopened face-to-face learning pending the completion of the current ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign across the country for adolescents 12 – 17-years-old.

No one was said to be in the building when Mark Knights, the guard on duty heard three loud explosions, which he said emanated from a room located on the second floor of the eastern side of the building. Upon investigating, he saw the room engulfed in flames.

The two-storey building consisted of an auditorium, six classrooms, and a Home Economics Department – all of which had an undisclosed amount of stationery, desks and benches, chalk boards, computers, laboratory equip-

ment, kitchen utensils and other items.

This fire occurred just months after a large portion of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School located in Georgetown was destroyed by a fire. Given this new occurrence, Manickchand noted that the ministry will be working on a plan to guard against future fires at public schools across the country.

“It is something that we have begun to look at. But, we have to first look at what happened here to know what it is we need to work on, but, yes, the discussion has begun about what it is that we need, be it more early fire warning systems or better firefighting capacity et cetera,” Manickchand noted.

Also visiting the location on Saturday was a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), which included the subject minister, Robeson Benn; Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo, and other GFS personnel, as well as ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Benn said that the MoHA has been in continual contact with the MoE, and the two ministries are working together to get to the bottom of the cause of the fire. They are also looking at how to move

An aerial shot of the school following the fire forward with preventing such on Sunday. in there by the third week of occurrences in the future.

Benn added that the fire October,” Benn noted.

“We have to make sure came just as the GFS was Notwithstanding the lack that the proper steps are putting measures in place to of firefighting equipment, taken to make sure that get the Mabaruma Fire Sta- Benn praised the auxiliary we don’t have a repeat at tion up and running. fire fighters and police offiother schools. We have to With the building already cers in the region whose asensure proper safeguard- completed and staff already sistance helped to somewhat ing after hours and proper trained, the MoHA has been contain the fire. storage of anything that working to have the facility “The means to fight the could cause a fire, along equipped with the necessary fire were fairly limited so with securing electrical fixtures. we have to thank the auxilappliances; having smoke “Unfortunately this fire iary fire fighters who were detectors in the building has come shortly before the there in the region, and and fire extinguishers at scheduled opening of the new also the police and citizens hand for proper response,” fire station there. The equip- for the efforts to fight and Benn noted in an inter- ment, furnishing and a new constrain the spread of the view with this publication fire tender are supposed to be fire,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

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Massive scale up of rice production slated for Reg. 3 _ increase of one million bags of paddy projected by 2025

By Rehana Ahamad AS Guyana prepares to become a global powerhouse in energy and food production, the government is looking to significantly expand rice production, particularly in Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara. According to a document provided by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, authorities are eying a massive increase of one million bags of paddy, at least by 2025.

This scale up, according to the minister, is being accommodated by way of a number of investments, which have already come on stream, and have begun to bear fruit. These include the reduction in ferry charges to transport paddy from the island of Wakenaam to Parika from $550 to $80 per bag; allowing transportation payments on credit terms; ensuring that farmers transporting paddy from Parika to Leguan island can return for free; increased seed paddy availability to farmers from 1,636 bags to 2,067 bags; the introduction of new paddy varieties, such as the GRBD 16 which currently occupies 21 per cent of the region’s rice acreage; as well as the construction of a drying floor at Wakenaam, among others.

The region, according to Minister Mustapha’s document, has also benefitted from a bio-fortified trial done at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara; the cleaning of most drainage and irrigation canals, the expansion of the Guyana Rice Development Board’s

(GRDB) sub office at Crane, also on the West Coast of Demerara; decentralised seed growers, which increased from 38 acres to 71, as well as the provision of key machinery such as excavators.

Within the coming years, the Agriculture Ministry, via the GRDB is hoping to see significant increases in the overall rice production in Region Three. In addition to the onemillion-bag scale up, the rice board projects that by 2025, the GRDB 16 variety would be occupying approximately 70 per cent of the region’s rice acreage, and that yields would increase to approximately 6.4 tonnes per hectare.

It hopes too to complete mapping of all rice cultivation areas in the region; improve rice data man-

construct all-weather roads in all major rice producing areas within the region; establish a seed-cleaning facili-

to minimise possibilities of flooding. Additionally, the ministry wants to advance its usage of drones for

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, speaking with reporters during a recent floodrelief distribution at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice

US$123,023,868 (G$25.7 billion) from the export of paddy, rice and rice by-products between January and June 2021, alone.

Minister Mustapha had said that these earnings, which resulted from the production of 280,878 tonnes of paddy, represent an improvement when compared to the corresponding period last year, which saw the exportation of 242,000 tonnes of paddy, rice and rice by-products, resulting in earnings that totalled US$99 million.

For the entire 2020, the rice industry raked in US$236.2 million (G$51 billion), as a result of exportation of 574,312 tonnes of paddy, rice, and its by-products Even as Guyana looks to double its rice production, the events of 2021, particularly the devastat-

The Ministry of Agriculture is working to double the country’s rice production within the coming years agement system by providing real time data to farmers; ensuring that all farmers adopt improved agronomic practice;

ty to enhance quality seed; construct drying floor; develop a main canal to connect the conservancy to the Atlantic Ocean, so as

pest management.

As it is, Guyana’s rice industry remains among the leading income earners, raking in some

ing April-May floods, pose a minor challenge. However, Minister Mustapha had said that significant efforts have gone into

minimising losses and ensuring that farmers are able to return to their fields and get back into production.

The most impactful of these efforts has been the distribution of flood relief grants which have already seen thousands of farmers in all sectors benefitting from $7.8 billion in direct financial injections.

With the majority of rice farmers having returned to the fields, Minister Mustapha had said that he was not expecting any substantial dip in the industry. He noted, however, “We still have to wait and see at the end of it all.”

Harvesting has already commenced in some areas, more notably, Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam, and once this wraps up, the Agriculture Ministry would be able to ascertain whether the impacts of this year’s floods would have caused any considerable losses for the industry.

Rice Farmers in Regions Five (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have borne the brunt of the floods which lasted for more than 60 days in some areas.

Nonetheless, as far as this year goes, Guyana is still hoping to be able to export some 649,480 tonnes of paddy, rice and its by-products, to the value of close to US$257.3 million.

Head of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Kuldip Ragnauth had previously shared the view that rice farmers are incredibly resilient and resourceful people who will be able to weather the storm, and get back up on their feet.

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Investors ‘hungry’ to invest in new city –– says President Ali

By Rehana Ahamad PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali’s concept for a secondary city has captured the attention of international investors.

So much so that the Head of State and his high-level delegation attending the 76th United Nations General As-

sembly were even presented with a conceptual design of what the new city could possibly look like, and what it could entail.

Dr. Ali informed a virtual press conference hosted from New York on Friday last that investors are “hungry to invest in the new city.”

“Sometimes in Guyana,

when I speak about the new city you get the impression from the media that this is a fairy-tale land,” President Ali reflected. He said that even though the city has not yet come to life, its potential has not evaded the attention of international players.

The concept of “Silica City” was first introduced in 2013 by President Ali, while he held the position of Minister of Housing during

Since 2013, the concept of ‘Silica City’ was projected to transform the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway

Monday, 27 September 09:30hrs - 11:00hrs

the previous tenure of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government.

The secondary city was projected to be developed along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. During the hosting of one of its iconic Building Expos, then Minister Ali went as far as to urge all potential investors, bankers, buyers and sellers to register with Silica City.

As an incentive to entice potential homeowners, Ali had announced that all those who had received their acknowledgment letters for house lots, and are willing to accept a house lot along the highway at Silica City, would have had their applications “processed immediately.”

Fast-forward to 2021, a now President Ali remains adamant that ‘Silica City’ is the avenue to ensure sustainable housing and urbanisation in Guyana. As a matter of fact, on the eve of Guyana’s 55th Independence Anniversary, Dr. Ali reiterated his intentions for the new city.

“We need to build new communities further [sic] inland to spread our population…reduce prices for land and housing and cease traffic

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

President Dr. Irfaan Ali speaking virtually to reporters on Friday congestion. We must use the land space with which we have been blessed to create new and improved living conditions, new areas of growth and development and new population centres,” Dr. Ali told the gathering at the Umana Yana.

President Ali has said too that modernisation of the entire East Bank Demerara corridor and the creation of alternative road links, including a massive highway to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, will all feed into the success of the secondary city.

This week, on an international stage, the President expressed satisfaction that his plans to transform Guyana has captured the attention of many. “That is the excitement that is coming to Guyana, and that is the energy that is coming to us, that we have to transform in our thinking and the way we operate locally,” the President said at his Friday press engagement.

He had previously explained that based on feedback from a number of world leaders, investors and other global stakeholders, Guyana’s international profile has “risen tremendously,” to the extent where the country would be gearing up to accommodate an influx of world leaders and international business moguls seeking to strengthen bilateral relations and conduct physical evaluations of potential investment opportunities here.

Currently, Dr. Ali said that “our country is playing on a different stage” and getting “a different level of attention.”

TAMING INVESTMENTS The Head of State admitted that even though Guyana’s petroleum prospects are what have been initially capturing the interest of investors, many were intrigued about other areas of investments, once

properly apprised.

“We have spoken to many of these sophisticated investors about the opportunities in food security, agriculture, the services industry, manufacturing, and of course, the diversification of our energy sector,” President Ali said.

He explained that based on the enormity of positive feedback being received from international partners, his delegation has had to work hard to ‘tame’ the interest of a myriad of sophisticated investors.

“If you give them a chance…they will finance everything. They want to do everything that we have to offer.

They want to finance all the public sector projects; they want to finance all the private sector projects,” Dr. Ali disclosed.

He said that throughout the week-long engagements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he had to re-emphasise the point of local content, which will remain paramount to Guyana’s impending transformational development.

“We have to take the expectation, and make a point to them that there is certain carve out for locals, and the type of investments that we want to see must include locals; it must have a local content component,” Dr. Ali stressed.

He said that his team was also keen on encouraging potential investors to seek partnership with Guyanese businesses and members of the private sector.

“What we have seen from the interest in Guyana is that if they get an opportunity, they will suck up the entire market overnight; from financing projects, housing and construction, and the new city,” President Ali said.

Despite having to ration its foreign investments, President Ali is pleased that Guyana now has a plethora of options.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Hiring of Guyanese by Aurora Gold Mines increased by over 400 per cent

THE number of Guyanese employed at the Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), a subsidiary of the Chinese mining group, Zijin Mining, has increased by more than 400 per cent over the past year.

Having had 186 employees in August 2020, the company now has 896 Guyanese employees.

This was revealed during a recent visit to the AGM’s operation in

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) by a government team that included the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop.

During the visit, the team met with senior management officials of

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the mining company and discussed the company’s investment and production plans.

“The gold mining sector continues to play an important role in the domestic economy and remains one of Guyana’s leading foreign exchange earners. Growth of the industry is expected to create a significant number of jobs for Guyanese workers. The company, to date, has employed

The AGM operation in Region Seven

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh meets with employees of the Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) 896 Guyanese, up from tion at the company was team emphasised to the 186 in August 2020,” Dr. restarted under the new AGM officials the imSingh noted in a Face- management in Novem- portance of maintaining timely completion of book post. ber of that year.

Zijin acquired the The company aims to the investment schedule AGM in August 2020 produce between 95,000 and achievement of proafter purchasing it from and 100,000 ounces of duction targets, while t h e C a n a d i a n - o w n e d gold by the end of this ensuring compliance with the strictest of safeGuyana Goldfields in year.

August 2020 for a total D r . S i n g h n o t e d ty and environmental of US$238M. Produc- that while there, the standards.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat (center); Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh (seventh from right) and Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (sith from right) with AGM officials

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Restoring Our Cultural Heritage

THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, has signed a contract to the tune of $780 million for restoration of the historic City Hall, which for decades has suffered from gross neglect by the Georgetown City Council. This is indeed a significant step in the preservation of our cultural heritage which is so important for our collective sense of dignity and pride.

The contract which was awarded to Fidis Guyana Incorporated is expected to be completed by March 2023.

According to reports, works are expected to commence shortly which would see a restoration of the struc-

ture which has been an outstanding landmark in Georgetown despite its run-down state. The restorative works will be funded jointly by the Government of Guyana and the European Union.

Restoration of the City Hall is yet another of the several promises fulfilled by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. According to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, one of the things the President did at his first meeting of Cabinet was to establish a ministerial task force to oversee development works on behalf of the government within the city of Georgetown.

Our heritage matters and it speaks highly of President Ali not only to recognise the value of our cultural heritage,

but also to take immediate action to preserve one of the most iconic structures in Guyana and, for that matter, the wider Caribbean. This is in sharp contrast to what took place under the previous APNU+AFC administration which, immediately upon its assumption of office in May 2015, sought to take over the Walter Roth Museum building on Main Street and convert it to a government entity. It took robust and sustained protest action by members of civil society, especially from the Amerindian community before that decision was eventually put on hold. The Walter Roth Museum houses a number of artifacts and important documents and has been instrumental in doing research on

several aspects of Amerindian life in particular its culture and history.

A similar attempt was made by the Granger administration to take possession of the building housing the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) which was again met by protest action from several individuals and groups, but it was recourse to the courts by management of the centre that eventually saved the day. It will be recalled too that the then APNU+AFC not only starved the National Archives (renamed the Walter Rodney Archives by the PPP/C administration) of funds, but also out of sheer vindictiveness had re-named the archives to its original name.

The former adminis-

tration had a long history of neglect not only of our national heritage buildings, but also of several important aspects of our national records, many of which were allowed to deteriorate. It is a shame that many bits and pieces of our history has been lost due to neglect which is in a real sense a loss of our institutional memory and to that extent an important component of our history.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for coming to the rescue of the City Hall which had suffered decades of neglect by the Mayor and City Council. The building has been listed on the World Monuments Watch for quite a number of years and historically been the office

of the Mayor and City Council. Built in the late 19th century, in the Gothic Revival style, the building was constructed with local timber, cast iron columns and a hammer-beam roof. It is considered to be one of the best examples of British Victorian design in the Caribbean.

T h e re s t o r a t i o n works on the City Hall was long overdue and full credit must be given to President Ali and his PPP/C administration for the initiative taken to make the restoration works possible. This is expected to be a boost to the tourism sector, apart from bringing an end to a culture of structural decadence which, over the decades, had permeated the chambers of the City Hall.

The Coalition should not be hurt because the President advocated for reparative justice for descendants of African slaves Dear Editor, THE APNU+AFC is embarrassed that the President, His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, advocated for reparative justice for the descendants of slaves on an international platform such as the United Nation.

As such, they have resorted to infantile attacks against the President. This is typical behaviour on their be-

half and comes as no surprise to any of us right-thinking Guyanese. Nevertheless, their actions should be condemned as they are distasteful.

The PPP/C Government’s advocacy on the issue of reparative justice puts the entire Coalition to shame and runs contrary to the racist narrative that they have been peddling. As a result, they

are now clutching at straws and desperately trying to paint the government in a bad light. But, even as they attempt to do so, everyone can see their desperation and how it reflects back unto them.

It is also another clear example of how they failed the very people who voted for them in the 2015 General and Regional Elections. In fact, whilst in govern-

ment, they neglected the ordinary Guyanese, particularly those who supported them in favour of their corrupt business cronies.

The PPP/C is currently serving in the interest of all Guyanese and their actions reflect that even on the world stage. From my vantage point, it can be said that the government is showing the Coalition up, hence their resort

to these sorts of attacks against the President.

We can expect more of this sort of behaviour from the APNU+AFC and their shills as their conjured racist narrative fails to produce the sort of results they are hoping for. What they fail to realise is the harder they try to attack the President with these inconsequential things, the more they are setting themselves

up for more failure.

As Guyanese, we are smart enough to recognise how disruptive and obstructionist the APNU+AFC cabal is at the moment, especially after hearing the President’s speech and seeing all the post-UN engagements with the President and his delegation.

Yours respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

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Perspective: An Assessment of President Ali’s US trip

DR. IRFAAN Ali kicked off his first visit to the U.S as President with a warm welcome everywhere. He impressed Guyanese and others with his plans for Guyana and relations with the diaspora. The enthusiasm, coverage, the hype, and the critique from the opposition that Ali’s trip to the US generated were enormous. Regardless of the actual policy accomplishments, the trip is regarded as a success. The trip and its several engagements allowed the President to meet individuals important for Guyana’s future as well as to lay down the stage for the country’s position on global issues future policies. The trip also allows the diaspora to get to know the President although there were limited exchanges because of COVID-19 protocol restrictions.

The President’s trip in America was a busy one.

He had bilateral engagements with leaders of other countries and multi-lateral summits with leaders of selected nations. He also had

a meeting with UN officials, addressed the UN General Assembly, paid tribute to victims at Ground Zero, interacted with spiritual leaders from the Guyanese diaspora in Queens, parleyed with Christian heads of churches from Brooklyn, held discussions with business people (including CEOs and COOs of companies) on investment in Guyana, fielded questions from the press, conversed with influential members (community leaders, politicians, police officers, among others) of the diaspora, and hosted the Lieutenant Governor (a Guyanese American) of New York before wrapping up his public appearances. The proceedings or take away from these multiple discourses, summits, exchanges, interchanges, assemblies, conversations, confabulations, and conferences will no doubt help to shape his government, in addition to his party’s manifesto commitment, over the next year.

President Ali discussed a range of issues, including

counter-terrorism, vaccine apartheid (non-recognition of certain vaccines by the developed countries), trade, climate co-operation, etc. in his public appearances. In his exchange with the diaspora, he discussed election rigging, Venezuela, foreign policy, economic development, oil and gas, Exxon, local content, vaccines, investment, role of diaspora, technology, crime, co-operation with police and law enforcement bodies as well as local governments (New York City and Schenectady) in New York State. His dialogue with the diaspora and the media conference were open. There was a no holds barred exchange with the diaspora including addressing the shooting incident in Essequibo, ethnic issues, and employment opportunities including retaining and hiring supporters of the political opposition.

The President said as far as he and the government are concerned there is no border conflict with Venezuela. “All of Guyana’s territory belongs

Dear Editor, TODAY I write to you to express my gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, for his representation of the interests of developing countries during his address to the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I also want to commend all the other individuals who participated in the engagements at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, as they have all made Guyana proud.

The President and his delegation were involved in a multitude of bilateral engagements which undoubtedly will bear tremendous bene-

fits for Guyana. These engagements would allow Guyana to improve significantly and for that reason, I call on every Guyanese to commend His Excellency and the others for a job well done. In addition, it is clear that the President and his delegation which included the internationally respected Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has restored Guyana’s international profile which was severely damaged by the APNU+AFC’s incompetent, corrupt management of the country, as well as by their transparent attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 elections, an act that received in-

ternational condemnation.

Guyana has not seen this amount of interest before at the level of the United Nations and as such, efforts should be made in every regard to lend support to our leaders as they continue to work in our interest. We are positioned for much success and to become a global powerhouse. President Ali’s speech alone at the UN shows that we are a strong nation with our priorities in check. I think it is time for us to work along with our government, so that Guyana can be all that we want it to be.

Guyana has not seen this amount of interest before at the level of the United Nations

Your sincerely, Erin Northe

to us,” he declared. He also made poignantly clear that no PPP Government has ever discriminated against anyone. “It is not our policy.”

The President was advised by the UN not to have large diaspora events as in previous visits to the US by Guyanese presidents, as part of COVID-19 measures.

But almost all of his events were broadcast live or aired delayed tape.

The President’s trip has generated a lot of buzz in the Queens-based diaspora as I travelled around in the greater Richmond Hill area.

His remarks were much talked about by the diaspora. As recent incidents and events have shown, Guyanese, especially government supporters and the elite in the diaspora who are most likely to influence public opinion, are prickly about their country’s honour and pride. The diaspora and the homeland like the idea of the President being proactive and an advocate of Guyana abroad. The President was heard loud and clear. Deference and

respect were accorded to the President by the international community at various global parleys.

T h e Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t , Bharrat Jagdeo, also spoke at diaspora exchanges and he, like Ali, drew loud applauses. The Foreign Minister (Hugh Todd) was also present at some meetings as was the Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud. The VP and the Foreign Minister were very clear on the country’s foreign policy and foreign relations. The President laid the groundwork for closer ties with all countries. Prior to his arrival in the US, the President met with Latin American leaders in Mexico City that hosted a CELAC summit, impressing them with Guyana’s willingness to work closely with countries in the region. The President noted that he would be visiting the Middle East in November and the VP will visit Ghana in October and will lead a delegation to the Climate Summit in November in Scotland. The President of Kenya is expected to visit

Guyana.

The VP and President were also clear on economic and development vision.

They expressed a strong belief in Guyana’s future prospects. As the VP noted, when the PPP inherited the economy in 1992, per capita was just US$300. The PPP grew it to $5,000 when it was removed from office in 2015. The PPP government is looking to grow the per capita to US$30K by the end of this decade.

Both the President and VP stressed the fact that the country will not depend on oil and gas to develop but resources from them will fuel other sectors for a sustainable development.

There will be no oil resource curse for Guyana under their watch. They both marketed the country as attractive for investment.

Sincerely, Dr. Vishnu Bisram Political analyst and educator

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Humanitarian Mission Guyana continues to provide empowerment opportunities to Berbicians

WITH a mandate to educate, empower and elevate, the Humanitarian Mission Guyana (HMG), since its establishment in 2005, has been blazing the trail in providing a range of services and vocational training to the residents of Berbice.

Situated in Babu Jaan in Ankerville, Port Mou-

many.

He told this publication that, over the past five years, they have been making tremendous inroads as more than 4,000 persons had benefitted from different types of skills training, with many becoming entrepreneurs in their communities and others becoming more marketable and were earn-

Sugrim, partnership was the key to really making a difference.

“Rural Guyana is home to far too many persons suffering from gender-based violence, low aspirations, single parenthood, orphans, drug abuse, domestic violence and mental challenges.

Government resources alone are unable to ade-

President of the Humanitarian Mission Guyana, Suresh Sugrim, hands over a certificate to a graduate at a recently held graduation ceremony

rant, East Berbice-Corentyne, the HMG has, over the years, stood the test of time and rose above many other non-profit and non-governmental organisations.

President and founder of the HMG, Suresh Sugrim, told the Guyana Chronicle, during a recent interview, that it had been a very challenging but rewarding experience thus far.

He reminisced that had it not been for the patience and benevolence of the donors who were mainly from the diaspora, and the support of some local stakeholders, the organisation’s doors would have been closed a long time ago.

Sugrim said that he was happy that he stuck it out, adding that he had been able to see the difference the work of the HMG had made to the lives of

ing more to support their families.

Having seen what their peers were able to achieve, more people had been flocking to the HMG headquarters to sign up for vocational classes.

“The response has been overwhelming and… there are 10 classes running presently that are filled for this semester with several registered and are waiting for the next semester/ class”, said Sugrim.

This demand, he posited, was due to the fact that the target audience was mainly school dropouts who were looking for a second chance in life.

Given the overwhelming response, the HMG was looking to spread its wings so as to help even more Berbicians.

It was seeking to partner with the government or any other major stakeholder, as, according to

quately reach the countryside. The result is that the rural poor suffer in silence or violence. This

focus been on life skills, education and preparing our young, youths and adults to become marketable,” he said.

He added that the organisation was focusing now on giving empowerment opportunities to more people.

“Our present vision is a bold one to extend opportunities to many more per-

ing partnership with the government. Partnership to bring the much needed skills training opportunities to the community.

Partnership to help educate, empower and elevate the assets of our nation.

By doing so, we will not only help an individual, but the ripple effect will be felt in their family, the community and Guyana

nity to change their station in life.”

Sugrim and the HMG aim to provide the environment and tools to assist those in need to make the first step towards a progressive path in life, especially those who have seemingly lost hope. He called on all and sundry to come on board to make this possible.

Participants of a baking (cake decorating) class showcasing what they had learnt

sons in a wider territory. at large.”

Our aim is to teach them Sugrim highlighted life skills that will help that many of the classes sustain them financially as were filled with girls, single mothers and women in general but the HMG has started to focus on targetting more males, because he believed they were often neglected.

“In the near future we will be focusing heavily on boys and men because we have come to realise there is little or no programme for boys and men.

They are felt unwanted in society because of not having an education, because of their past failure…but we want to say to them there is always a better day and time that is coming for our boys and men. Too many of our A sewing class in session boys and men are in jail must change. Since 2005, well as give them a sense for committing different the Humanitarian Mission of self-respect and worth,” offences and we want to Guyana Inc. has helped Sugrim said. talk to them, we want to thousands of persons in Moreover, he empha- work with them, we want need. And from 2015, our sised that, “We are seek- to give them that opportu-

Some of the classes offered are electrical repairs/ installation, electronics, cooking, baking and sewing at both the basic and advanced levels, information technology, cosmetology, food handling, among others.

Additionally, the organisation partners with doctors and regularly hosts health outreaches, is involved in food hamper distribution, provides counselling and hosts workshops which aim to combat social ills.

Even though it is based in the Lower Corentyne, residents of Region 5 and Upper Corentyne are also benefitting from the training sessions. The classes are being offered at a minimal cost which covers the expense of the materials used and provides a stipend for the facilitator/lecturer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

‘Investors don’t have to secure meetings to submit proposals’ –– Jagdeo says that expectation is irksome VICE President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo believes that it is irksome for potential investors to always expect a physical meeting before submitting their proposals for investments, especially within the context of a global pandemic.

“We’re not thinking about physical offices, but more services to people,” Dr. Jagdeo told a press conference hosted in New York on Friday last.

Appearing alongside President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, Jagdeo sought to respond to a concern raised by a member of the diaspora that an overseas-based Guyanese businessman did not submit his investment proposal due to the fact that he was unable to meet with the Head of Guyana’s Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Peter

Ramsaroop.

The Vice President rubbished the excuse that the lack of a physical meeting should prevent persons from submitting their proposals.

As a matter of fact, he described the expectation as being irksome.

“How can a person, because he doesn’t meet the head of an office, not even deposit his proposal and say, ‘Here is what I want to do, can you advise me,” the Vice President questioned. He said pointedly, too, that people who wish to submit proposals to invest in Guyana’s development need not meet with Mr. Ramsaroop before doing so.

“If you have an office, you don’t have to meet the head of the office every time, because he is busy too. You

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, in the presence of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, addressing a press conference in New York on Friday last deposit your proposal; say they go through that mechaI’m interested. You have nism.” staff there. You meet with the He explained that the staff,” Dr. Jagdeo said. intention is to ensure that the He added, “The foreign- continuation of important ers can come and do this ev- services do not rely on the ery day and they are moving presence of people, but by the ahead with their projects, and efficient functioning of sys-

THE government has delivered a minibus to the village of Fairview, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), eliminating the transportation woes of students who are enrolled at the Bina Hill Secondary School in Region Nine.

This is yet another fulfilment of a promise made by the government to the community during the 2020 hustings. The community had complained that many students of Bina Hill Secondary are not attending school regularly, as transportation from Fairview in Region Eight, to Annai in Region Nine was costly.

In response, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and a team from the ministry took the challenging journey from Georgetown to Fairview on the Linden-Lethem trail to

hand over the bus. Minister Sukhai said the government was investing heavily in education during the pandemic, especially in Amerindian communities.

“Today (September 25), you would see a spanking new minibus parked just outside the school. It means that the PPP/C Government has now delivered to the students and the community, the commitment that was made since then and this delivery is going to assist students.

“They will not have an excuse or parents will not have an excuse that they could not take their children to the school, including bringing them back home on weekends or on occasions that they have to bring them home. So, the objective is for us to support education to ensure that

Fairview brings out from this village, qualified young people and not dropouts.”

Minister Sukhai said the government continues to address the challenges faced by citizens, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that children, including those from the hinterland, achieve their academic dreams. She noted that the bus can be used for other purposes in the village, but its priority was for the transport of the students.

There are 16 students in the village who attend Bina Hill Secondary, and who usually pay $3,000 to travel from Fairview to the school.

That price is doubled as the parents must accompany the child whenever he or she enters or leaves the school.

But, now with the village acquiring a bus from the government, that financial

tems. “Sometimes, our people, they need personalised attention,” Jagdeo surmised.

He indicated that the need and expectation for physical attention might not be wise, since Guyana is working to strengthen its service delivery systems to ensure that it is not reliant on just a few persons.

“What we are trying to do is to make the system work so persons do not need to seek individuals to get help; you can get help from the system. That is the only way it becomes sustainable in the long run,” Jagdeo said.

Currently, the advent of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a technological shift in the way services are provided to Guyanese at home and abroad. Many of the services that once required long, physical lines, have

now been modernised and can be accessed online.

Dr. Jagdeo also pointed to the fact that people, particularly the diaspora community, have to co-operate with the status quo and make better attempts to utilise the systems that have been carefully designed to serve.

“I hear sometimes more complaints than an attempt to use the system that is already there and others are using it to their advantage who come from the rest of the world,” Jagdeo posited.

The Vice President also encouraged Guyanese, especially those in the diaspora, to ensure that they do not allow a culture of complaining and making excuses to distract them from the billions of dollars worth of opportunities available for them to invest in.

Gov’t provides bus to take Fairview children to school

The tractor and bus delivered to Fairview Village, Region Eight

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, during the simple handing over ceremony in Fairview, Region Eight burden has been eliminated. because before that it was so better the village economy.

Toshao of Fairview, difficult for me to carry my Fairview is one of 137 vilBradford Allicock, not- children and I have to catch lages that will be receiving ed that the minibus was a a private bus to go there. So, a tractor in 2021. blessing to the village. He therefore, I’m very thankful Toshao Allicock said, said the economic strain had for the bus so it won’t be so “the tractor too is very imbeen lifted from villagers. hard for me to transport our portant to us and again I Allicock said not only children from here to Bina would want to thank the will the children benefit, but Hill.”

Minister and the Governpensioners as well who have Treasurer of the Fair- ment of Guyana and the to travel to look after their view Village Council, Sa- President himself for enpension in either Annai or mantha Andres, also high- abling us to have this tractor Lethem. Like the Toshao, lighted the PPP/C Gov- to do our agriculture, and the villagers were also over- ernment’s commitment to also to assist us in our logjoyed that the government helping the village. Andres ging project. had fulfilled its promise. expressed gratitude to PresAgain, it’s very importAnnie Felix, who has ident Irfaan Ali for keeping ant, it helps to generate three children attending his promise, noting that the more income for the comBina Hill secondary and PPP/C Government has munity by using it as a hire would usually pay $12,000 always supported Fairview. or using it into the forestry to take them to school, told Meanwhile, Minister fields of doing logging and DPI that a huge burden had Sukhai also handed over a so with it.” been lifted off her shoul- tractor to the village counThe tractor also has ders. cil. She noted that the ve- a plough and a chipper “It is really nice; I am hicle, that has a hydraulic to help in the agriculture really thankful for it [bus] dump was to be used to sector. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Sexual abuse on your doorstep

YOU can turn a blind eye to it or bury your head in the sand, but child sexual abuse is real and happening in your community.

It is concealed and hardly noticeable when you visit households, but that’s because it is shrouded in secrecy, and children are too ashamed or frightened to tell.

Sometimes there are clues or indications that something is not quite right.

A child may seem withdrawn and behave unusually quiet or, on the other hand, may exhibit loud attention-seeking behaviour.

These could or could not be signs that something is wrong. The average person is not trained to recognise child sexual abuse, but most people, trained or untrained, can sense when something is amiss where children are concerned.

Child sexual abuse is when adults force or make children indulge in anything of a sexual nature. It could be physical, such as fon-

dling, touching or rubbing private parts, to penetration actual sexual intercourse.

Watching explicit porn or X-rated movies with children is also child sexual abuse and punishable by law.

Many children feel guilty once they’ve experienced abuse – as if it is their fault. So they do not tell anyone; they internalise the abusive episode. If a child does not confide in an adult the first time abuse occurs, it is harder to speak up on subsequent occasions.

A trusted family friend, a neighbour, an uncle or a football coach may tell the child, ‘it’s just our little secret, you hear? Don’t tell anyone’. And a confused, innocent child will comply.

Child sex offenders look the same as everyone else.

They are hard to identify; they mingle in society like ordinary people and strike when they’ve snared an innocent victim. Some perpetrators may be charged and prosecuted under the Sexual

Offences Act (2010) but do not spend decades in jail, which means there is not a strong enough deterrent to prevent offenders from sexually abusing children.

Some perpetrators cleverly ‘groom’ children by getting into their minds over time until they become a part of the child. The child could be 5 or 18 years old, it makes no difference; once fooled, the child is trapped in a sordid world and manipulated and used for gratification. Some children feel compelled to indulge, out of a warped sense of loyalty – totally unaware the offender is taking advantage of their naivety.

When we hear about child sexual abuse, our first thoughts turn to big worthless men abusing girl children. But children as young as 22 months, boys and girls, have suffered abuse. Women and older girls abuse younger girls too. Boys are abused by older boys, men and women also. Therefore, child sexual

abuse can take many forms regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, background or social standing.

Most adults would ask the question, ‘why does the victim keep going back to the offender? Why not stay out of his way? Or why doesn’t the victim scream and run for help or tell their mother or father? The truth is, children, feel physically and psychologically trapped by sexual abuse. It is a perplexing intrusion to their childhood.

Sometimes the abuser is someone they have known all their lives, someone whom they love and trust.

It may be a pleasant family friend (man or woman) who behaves normally around others but violates the child once they’re alone. Most children are not empowered to speak out about abuse or attempted abuse, and others know adults will not believe them or feel they would be blamed (instead of the perpetrator). Children will not disclose their fate unless they have a trusted, level-headed, non-judgmental adult in whom they can confide.

Dysfunctional house-

holds where adults are negligent towards their children’s needs are breeding grounds for child sexual abuse. If sexual abuse occurs, it is unlikely that the parents will seek justice or counselling on the child’s behalf.

They would more likely cover up the violation or accept payment to hush up the abuse. Parents may dismiss the traumatic episode as bad luck, particularly if either parent suffered sexual abuse during his/her upbringing.

Scarred children become damaged adults who suffer the ramification of sexual abuse for the rest of their lives.

Older siblings may take advantage of their younger sibling’s sexual innocence in households with distinct differences in ages, and trick them into incestuous behaviour. The abuse might occur during the context of play, and the younger sibling, unaware that he/she is a victim, may even find these occasions enjoyable, although they are wrong and against the laws of Guyana.

In such cases, children fail to identify themselves as victims of sibling incest.

Some families foster incestuous behaviour subtly.

Everyone knows what is going on, but no one talks about it or reveals the secret to people outside their household. Mothers ignore the tell-tale signs, and even if the child complains, the mother shrugs it off, changes the subject or chases the child away.

It can be a brutal world for sexually abused children. Unless someone reports their dilemma to people who can help, a dismal ‘adult existence’ awaits them. If you suspect or know that a child is suffering from sexual or other abuse, call the CPA hotline to make a report on the number below.

You can remain anonymous if you choose, but please find it in your heart to help a child today.

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Do not use sanitiser as body spray against COVID-19

By Vanessa Cort

NO matter how ‘fed up’ we may be, it is now more important than ever that we adhere to the safety protocols recommended by health professionals for our safety.

We should continue to wear face masks, particularly when we are in proximity to others, because the purpose of a mask is to prevent possibly infectious particles from our mouths from getting into the atmosphere.

This means that people not wearing masks are endangering those around them and could therefore be contributing to the spread of the virus. I travel in minibuses and ‘short drop’ cars every day and I am heartened to see that the majority of my fellow passengers wear masks, though I would still like to see everyone do so. For not only are we close to one another, but we are in a relatively confined space, with limited ventilation for the duration of our journey.

And given the highly infectious nature of this variant we should definitely continue to practise social distancing whenever possible. It seems, however, that with the return to ‘business as usual’ people are once more socialising in large numbers at clubs and other such venues, where masks are neither required nor worn.

At the Stabroek Market Square too – a hub of activity on any given day – there are still those who congregate, move about and even sell without wearing masks, seemingly oblivious to the deadly virus stalking this country and others across the globe.

Nutritionists emphasise that we eat a balanced diet consisting of plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and warn us against overcooking vegetables as this destroys their nutritional content It seems that some of us erroneously tell ourselves, “it can’t happen to me.” You are wrong. It can.

Since the start of this pandemic we have also been advised to wash our hands regularly with soap and water and use hand sanitisers with a high percentage of alcohol. However, some people are now reportedly using these sanitisers as a body spray in the mistaken belief that they will not contract COVID-l9 by so doing.

Wrong again. As the name suggests these sanitisers

are intended for the thorough cleansing of your hands and as a further safeguard against passing on bacteria.

A practice said to be widely employed by some and now spreading far and wide is the inhalation of steam.

However, doctors warn that the use of steam will not prevent the virus, but can ease the nasal congestion caused by it.

They further caution people against putting additives in the hot water being used, advising that it is best to simply use plain hot water.

We have been encouraged to use foods that boost our immune system. Certain fruits such as avocado pear and grapes come highly recommended and some people blend a combination of fruits and vegetables to make a shake which they drink daily.

As one expert said, “I would strongly suggest that people use these things… anything that you can do to improve your baseline health is good.” And there is an old saying, “Prevention is better than cure,” which is particularly relevant at this time, because the first line of resistance to any disease is good health.

Nutritionists emphasise that we eat a balanced diet consisting of plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and warn us against overcooking vegetables as this destroys their nutritional content. In fact, it is healthier to eat vegetables raw where possible.

All of these measures are intended to keep us safe and lessen the kind of anxiety and worry we are all experiencing as a result of this pandemic.

As old people, and not so old people, would say, “It is for our own good.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

– new programme to target reform of prisoners –– over 300 trained in various skills

By Richard Bhainie

THE Ministry of Home Affairs is currently devising a programme titled ‘A Fresh Start’ aimed at bolstering the efforts undertaken to rehabilitate prisoners and to provide them with the requisite skills for their reintegration into society when they leave prison.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, at the Guyana Prison Service’s 38th Thanksgiving Anniversary Church Service held on Sunday under the theme ‘working towards improving the image of the Guyana Prison Service’ at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac,

Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Benn explained that the programme is aimed at providing a toolkit with the basic needs to persons who are leaving the prison system to get into a particular trade or profession of their interest such as plumbing, or carpentry.

“What for persons who are suitable, eligible and willing, is to be able to pursue a type of vocation or profession which they want to return to or undertake, we want to give them the toolkits, when they are leaving, to be presented with,” Minister Benn said.

The new programme is expected to be rolled out in the new year. The Home Af-

fairs Minister is adamant that the culture of reform out of the local prison system must be revised to move away from traditional and conventional methods and towards more rehabilitative methods so that inmates are reintegrated and can contribute to society in a meaningful way.

Also sharing brief remarks at the Thanksgiving on Sunday was Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot, who noted that the Prison Service continues to make efforts to consolidate its institutional capacity in order to effectively deliver better quality of service to prisoners, staff, and the public.

In this regard, he said that the service utilises its

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn (sitting centre), and British High Commissioner, Jane Miller (sitting right), relaxing in a chair set that was made by prisoners (Elvin Croker photo) Strategic Development Plan which continues to provide the framework by which the organisation seeks to reposition itself, from the penal system to that of correctional facility.

Elliot shared that some 300 prisoners were trained in Literacy and Numeracy, Behaviour Modification Programmes, Vocational Skills training, as well as Art and Craft as part of the Strategic Development Plan.

This was evident on Sunday as the Thanksgiving Service also featured an exhibition of products created and designed by prisoners ranging from furniture, arts and crafts, agricultural products and even cosmetology products, which can be purchased by contacting the Prison Service.

“I just want the entire public to support the work of the prisons; the prison is not here to ridicule the public but is here to support every single Guyanese and, unfortunately, you only hear about prisons when something bad happen,” Elliot said.

Further, he shared that the Prison Service is currently working to roll out a programme on conflict and anger management by next week at the Lusignan Hold-

ing Bay on the East Coast of Demerara to reduce the cases of conflict among prisoners. This prison has seen its fair share of ruckus over the years, including several cases of stabbing, fighting and escapes.

The Prison Director highlighted that the administration of the Guyana Prison Service is cognisant that the staff plays an important role in the execution of the organisation’s mandate and emphasis has also been placed on ensuring that the Prison Administration is steadfast in the fulfilment of its mandate, relative to the safe custody and the rehabilitation of inmates, as well as the development of the institution.

“As a consequence, greater emphasis has been placed on enhancing the capacity of the staff. The Directorate is particularly enthusiastic about the numerous training opportunities which were provided to staff in the area of Prison Management, Human Rights, Management and Leadership.

“Notably, the Guyana Prison Service collaborated with the University of the Southern Caribbean to provide accredited training programmes for Prison Officers

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Hats and bags made from recycled newspaper by prisoners on display at the exhibition during the Guyana Prison Service 38th Thanksgiving Anniversary Church Service (Elvin Croker photo) at all levels. It is therefore prisoners. The new facility while works at Lusignan is envisioned that the various at Lusignan is expected to be 30 per cent complete. Elliot training programmes would the place where the greatest predicts that the works at the aid junior and senior staff to effort in that regard will be various locations are expectimprove their work perfor- placed,” Minister Benn said. ed to finish around January or mance,” he added.

He disclosed that a new February, 2022.

Prisons expansion facility at the New AmsterMeanwhile, the Prison In terms of the infrastruc- dam Prison, in Region Six, is Head emphasised that the ture of the prisons, Minis- expected and there are plans Support for Criminal Justice ter Benn highlighted that to move female inmates from System (SCJS) programme, the new holding bay being New Amsterdam to Lusignan which aims to tackle prisconstructed at the Lusignan in order to facilitate visita- on overcrowding, is being Prison and the expansion tion. executed “smoothly” with of the Mazaruni Prison, in The expansion of the the assistance of the AttorRegion Seven, will allow for Mazaruni Prison will allow ney-General and the Ministry rehabilitative efforts. for over 200 prisoners to be of Legal Affairs.

“We want that new com- accommodated there while He opined that the plex at Lusignan to have the Lusignan expansion will SCJS programme will have educational and vocational allow for 800 to 1,000 prison- positive long-term impact teachings so that we will ers, the Prison Director said. in helping to reduce the be finally, properly on the Works at Mazaruni is cur- overcrowding of Guyana’s road towards rehabilitating rently 95 per cent complete Prisons.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Guyana records 2.4% mortality rate from COVID-19

EVEN with the country’s COVID-19 death toll continuing to grow daily, Head of Medical Services and Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr., Mahendra Carpen, has disclosed that the country has recorded

a 2.4 percent mortality rate from COVID-19 since the first confirmed case in March 2020.

Dr. Carpen, who made this disclosure during an interview with the News Room and aired on Saturday, indicated that this

number coincides with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimation for normal, expected COVID-19 deaths per state. The WHO, according to Dr. Carpen, estimates that each country would have about three percent

of deaths recorded from its total percentage of positive COVID-19 cases.

“Our mortality rate is pretty much the same as it is across the globe, despite differences in resources, despite differences in treatment protocol, despite all of the other differences. The WHO has recognised that across continents, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is between two to three percent, regardless of where you are, or how your gross national product or gross domestic product is,” Dr. Carpen stated.

As of September 26, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll stood at 762; September has seen 137 people dying thus far -- the highest number of deaths recorded in a single month since March 2020.

Contrary to misconceptions being circulated locally, the renowned cardiologist debunked the idea that persons who are admitted to medical facilities for COVID-19 do not “make it out alive.”

He clarified that while some persons who were admitted to hospitals died, a large number of persons have recovered and were able to restart their lives after testing positive for the virus.

“Every day, even though people, unfortunately, are dying, every day we are discharging patients who are better, having been treated at the hospital. Now, let me make it clear, there are no magic bullets, there is

no cure-alls, but the basic measures that we have in place is what 95 to 98% of countries around the world have.

“A few places may have some tools that we don’t have, but generally, Guyana is on par with more than 95% of the countries in the world,” Dr. Carpen stated.

Persons with comorbidities at higher risk The health official indicated that the Ministry of Health statistics have shown persons with underlying conditions account for a large percentage of the COVID-19 fatalities. The WHO in the earlier stages of the pandemic had indicated that persons with underlying conditions are at greater risk of being affected.

“This is not new data that has been established since in the early days of COVID-19, persons with heart disease, persons with diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, immunosuppression disease, lupus, all of those things, those persons are at higher risk for bad outcomes when they get COVID-19.

“There are your asthmatics as well as sickle cell disease patients. So those persons are at higher risk for really bad outcomes from COVID-19, and I’m talking about admission to hospital, admission to ICU, being put on a ventilator, and unfortunately, sometimes death,” Dr. Carpen explained.

He reminded persons who have been diagnosed with comorbidities to take

Head of Medical Services and Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr., Mahendra Carpen the necessary precautions against the virus, including social distancing, wearing masks, sanitising, and even getting vaccinated.

The government has been rolling out an aggressive COVID-19 vaccination programme that sees anyone above the age of 12 having the opportunity to receive a vaccine to protect themselves against the virus.

Currently, the government is offering first and second doses of the U.S.-made Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines; the Russian-produced Sputnik V vaccine; the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine; and the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

“I agree with the science, all the authorities that are empowered to evaluate the data and to make statements and issue guidelines are very clear that vaccines do protect you from becoming severely ill; from being admitted to ICU; from being put on a ventilator and from dying. We see that all across the world, and that is true for Guyana as well. We are not different.

We are following the same pattern,” Dr. Carpen stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

Eight more die from COVID-19

–– 241 new cases, 31 in ICU THE Ministry of Health has reported that eight people who were tested positive for the COVID-19 virus died while receiving treatment at a government medical institution.

Of the new deaths, seven were unvaccinated and one was fully vaccinated.

The latest fatalities take the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 762 since March 2020.

The latest fatalities include three females from Region Four (Demerara – Mahaica) – two of whom were unvaccinated, ages 60 and 78, and one who was fully vaccinated, age

73, along with two males, ages 53 and 57, and one female, age 74, from Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice); one male, age 56, from Region Two (Pomeroon – Supenaam) and one male, age 42, from Region Five (Mahaica – Berbice), all of whom were unvaccinated.

In addition to the death toll, the number of new cases of persons who tested positive for the virus continues to increase as well, with an additional 241 new cases detected from some 1,724 tests conducted within the 24hour period.

With the new cases, the

country’s overall number of confirmed cases stands at 31,148. The bulk of new cases was recorded in Region Four, which saw 136 people testing positive.

Region One (Barima – Waini) recorded seven new cases; Region Two recorded 17; Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara), 25 new cases; Region Five, 21 new cases; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two new cases; Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni), one new case; Region Eight (Potaro – Siparuni), four new cases; Region Nine (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo), 21 new cases and Region 10, recorded seven cases.

There are 31 people in

the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital; 166 are in institutional isolation; 3,919 are in home isolation and there are nine people in institutional quarantine.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which are in effect until September 30, 2021.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms as-

sociated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit us at www.health. gov.gy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 27, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

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DeNobrega, Levius undefeated at COTECC/ ITF U-12 championship Nathan DeNobrega and Elwyn Levius were undefeated yesterday against their Barbadian counterparts at the COTECC/ITF U-12 Tennis tournament for Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The tournament is being held in the Dominican

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Republic.

DeNobrega, playing against Dimitri Kirton, won 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted well over two hours.

Meanwhile, Levius made light work of Ethan Warner in straight sets (6-3, 6-4).

Over in the doubles

action, the pair made a clean sweep against Barbados, winning 6-4, 6-2.

The Guyanese players will next face the USVI, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The pair is being coached by renowned tennis coach, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan.

Race 8 Seau English Racing Tips Hamilton 08:10 hrs HI Meh Darling 08:40 hrs Global Humor 09:45 hrs Tilsitt 10:20 hrs Flying Moon 10:50 hrs Temper Trap 11:20 hrs Three Castles 11:50 hrs Mutadel Newton Abbot 09:30 hrs Loved Out 09:37 hrs Docpickedme 10:10 hrs Espinator

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According to information received, the team arrived on the Spanish-speaking Island close to midnight on Saturday after an over five-hours delay from Guyana.

The tournament will conclude on October 2.

Race 8 Adios Asher South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:15 hrs Mr Cobbs 08:55 hrs Gayleatic Star 09:30 hrs Santa Maria 10:05 hrs Jaimala 10:40 hrs Our Prized Jewel 11:15 hrs Amanzimtoti Irish Racing Tips Roscommon 08:20 hrs Trebizono 08:55 hrs General.

Moriviere 09:30 hrs De Lady In Red 10:00 hrs Oskar High 10:35 hrs Bold Enough 11:05 hrs Reine Fee 11:40 hrs Downtown Queen

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, September 27, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-- 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dwayne Bravo --12 (2) Adil Rashid --11 Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best T20 Int’l bowling figures by a West Indian versus England to date?

(2) What are the best T20 Int’l bowling figures by an England player against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Patel hat-trick underscores RCB dominance against Mumbai (ESPNCRICINFO) - In their first two games since the resumption of IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore managed all of five wickets combined in two massive losses. On Sunday, they ran into the defending champions, dearly needing a win to turn around a mid-season slump. And they got it in style.

Virat Kohli struck another half-century, Glenn Maxwell provided middle-overs firepower and key wickets before Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel, state-mates from Haryana, topped off a memorable night with emphatic bowling spells.

Chahal picked up 3 for 11, while Patel bagged a hat-trick (inclusive of the key wickets of Har-

dik Pandya and Kieron Pollard). It consigned Mumbai Indians to their third straight loss in the UAE-leg of the tournament, their title defence hanging by a thread.

Kohli’s milestone in eventful powerplay Dropped on zero by Rahul Chahar at deep square leg, Kohli looked in ominous touch upfront despite the early loss of Devdutt Padikkal. He kept finding boundaries off the pacers, some streaky, others imperious. Jasprit Bumrah was among those who bore the brunt, at one stage being deposited for six towards the short square-leg boundary that made Kohli the first Indian - and just the fifth overall, after Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Shoaib Malik and David Warner - to get to 10,000

T20 runs. The shot of the evening, however, was Kohli’s shovelled-six over long-on off Adam Milne’s fourth-stump half-volley. After five overs, Royal Challengers were well placed at 44 for 1.

Bharat, Maxwell turn on the heat KS Bharat is the latest experiment in what has been a bit of a roulette at No. 3 for RCB, with Rajat Patidar and Shahbaz Ahmed previously tried and benched. After a forgettable first outing, he shredded pressure with some delightfully executed slog sweeps, dispatching Chahar twice over deep square leg.

Bharat fell soon after the second of those hits, lofting to wide long-off for a 24-ball 32, with Chahar giving him a bit of a send-off.

Maxwell’s fifty and Bumrah’s death-overs mastery Maxwell walked in and didn’t let the surface or the lack of pace dictate his thought processes, instead trusting his own game - he had the belief to execute his switch-hits against the spinners, twice peppering the shorter boundary. Before that, Hardik Pandya had let off Kohli on 37, dropping him at point, and then Mumbai burnt a review on Maxwell.

It told you of their desperation. Kohli would bring up his fifty off 40 balls - his scoring rate slowed significantly in the second half of his innings - before falling two balls later.

AB de Villiers tried to offset that loss, swatting Bumrah for six off his second ball even as

Maxwell merrily reverse-scooped and reverse-ramped his way to a 33-ball half-century.

Bumrah then came back to remove both dangerous batters off successive deliveries, with eight balls left in the innings.

Before Bumrah’s 19th over, ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster projected a total of 180 for Royal Challengers. Then, he and Boult delivered two fine overs that meant they finished 15 fewer than that. Bumrah finished with 3 for 36 and, between them, Mumbai’s two premier pacers had combined figures of 8-053-4.

In what could worry the Indian team management, Hardik, who missed the first two games in the UAE, didn’t bowl a single over and, later, looked off colour

with the bat.

Rohit, de Kock in murderous mood Mohammed Siraj breathed fire, touching 147.4kph and swinging it late, in a tight over upfront, but a Kyle Jamieson no-ball proved the signal to change momentum for Mumbai.

Rohit Sharma ticked off three successive boundaries in that 17run over from Jamieson. Royal Challengers could’ve had a wicket in the fourth over, had Siraj managed to effect a direct hit at the bowler’s end to find de Kock short of his ground going for a quick single. de Kock took advantage of that life immediately, dispatching Dan Christian for successive boundaries as Mumbai raced to 51 for 0 in five overs.

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Needing 34 from 21 balls with seven wickets in hand, Chennai Super Kings looked like they may have thrown away a simple chase as Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni all fell within the space of six balls.

But Super Kings still had one more ace up their sleeve in Ravindra Jadeja, who crushed Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory hopes in the space of a devastating four-ball sequence in the 19th over as Super Kings eventually got over the line on the final ball in a dramatic two-wicket win on Sunday afternoon in Abu Dhabi.

With the equation down to 24 from ten balls, Jadeja left Prasidh Krishna shell-shocked after clocking a pair of sixes over the leg side followed by two fours over point

to swing the pendulum Super Kings’ way. With four required from the final over, Sunil Narine stretched the match to the limit with a valiant effort, dismissing Sam Curran at the start of the over and Jadeja off the penultimate ball before Deepak Chahar ended the teasing thought of a Super Over with a single over midwicket to clinch victory and put Super Kings back on top of the IPL table with 16 points, ahead of Delhi Capitals on net run rate.

Thakur’s sharp spell Super Kings’ bowling performance was topsy-turvy. Curran had a poor day coming into the XI as a replacement for the rested Dwayne Bravo, conceding 0 for 56 before his 4 off four balls late in the chase. But that was made a footnote in the end thanks to the efforts

of Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. The latter took 2 for 20 off his four overs and began the day in style with a wicket-maiden after entering in the sixth over. Venkatesh Iyer was caught behind, but needlessly burnt a review on a straightforward decision in the process, to kick off Thakur’s day.

Thakur continued to keep things tight heading into the death overs and struck an even bigger blow in the 17th. Andre Russell had just clattered Curran for a pair of fours and a six but Thakur managed to wrest back momentum by inducing a drag on to dismiss Russell for 20 off 15 balls, denying Knight Riders their best weapon for a late launch. Dinesh Karthik still managed a superb cameo with 26 off 11 balls before he fell in the final over to Josh Hazlewood,

but much of the damage that could have been possible with Russell at the crease was mitigated by Thakur.

Super Kings’ forty duo Chasing a target of 172 may have looked steep on the same pitch where Rajasthan Royals failed miserably in their reply to Delhi Capitals’ 154 a day earlier. But Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad got the Super Kings off to a phenomenal start with a 74-run opening partnership. du Plessis kept the scoreboard flowing early with a pair of boundaries off Varun Chakravarthy in the fourth over as Gaikwad took time to get his feet wet.

But Gaikwad took on Narine in the fifth over, using his feet expertly to loft a four and six straight down the ground. Two overs later, Gaikwad again cleared the rope

against Narine with a pull before smashing Russell back over his head for a third six in the ninth over.

Gaikwad’s knock finally came to an end one ball later for 40, flicking a leading edge to cover, but he and du Plessis had laid a solid platform for the rest of the Super Kings batters to continue to seize upon.

A head-swivel, seesaw finish To say there were more than a few momentum shifts in the final hour of play would be an understatement. Moeen came to the crease like a house on fire, bashing Lockie Ferguson for four and six over the leg side to end the tenth over before he and du Plessis rocked Russell for a boundary each in the 11th to leave 71 needed from the final 54 balls. But Prasidh induced a catch at deep

cover to remove du Plessis for 43 before Narine came back to defeat Ambati Rayudu’s slog in the 15th. Still, it should have been a canter with 40 needed off the final four overs for Super Kings but Eoin Morgan’s captaincy made them sweat until the final ball.

With Russell off the field injured, Morgan got creative shuffling his remaining bowlers around and nearly rallied his team to an unlikely comeback in the field. Moeen holed out to long-on off Ferguson in the 17th for 32 before Raina was run out coming back for a non-existent second to start the 18th. Two balls later, Varun defeated MS Dhoni with a googly for 1 to cap a six-ball slide of three wickets for 4 runs, leaving the score at 142 for 6.

Last gasp Jadeja gets CSK past KKR

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

23

Richmond Hill Liberty win NYNCL 30-over Saturday title

PRO-Guyanese team, Richmond Hill Liberty, won the final of the New York National Cricket League 30-over Saturday Tournament by 34 runs after an exciting battle against Meeri Peeri on Saturday at Baisley Pond ground.

The eventual winners, led by former Berbice inter-county cricketer, Derick Narine, won the toss and opted to bat. Narine,

Richmond Hill Liberty are the NYNCL Saturday 30-over champions.

who opened the batting, had initial support from the explosive Dion Choo-weenam, but when the latter fell for 22 (1X4, 2X6s) from 15 balls, Narine went into second gear. He was able to register a gamehigh 72 runs (6X4s, 4X6s) from 53 balls before he was caught at the end of the 16th over.

Middle-order batsman, Troy Mars, who also paced his innings well, added 47

runs (5X4s, 1X6) from 37 balls, before former Berbice all-rounder Terrence Madramootoo exploded towards the end to score 52 runs (3X4s, 6X4s) from 23 balls, which helped to push Richmond Hill to 246-6 from their allotted 30-overs.

In reply, Meeri Peeri middle-order showed fight, with Gursewak Singh scoring 58 (2X4s, 4X6s) from 46 balls, but slow batting

from the top order and effective left-arm spin bowling from Choo-wee-nam in the latter stages, swung the pendulum in favour of the eventual winners.

Choo-wee-nam picked up 5-44 from 5.4 overs. Support came from opening bowler, Altaaf Habibulla, who kept his bowling tight early in the innings. He ended his six overs with 2-32.

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP; second placed Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing, and third placed Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari, celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on September 26, 2021 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Yuri Kochetkov - Pool/Getty Images)

F1 win after re-overtaking Carlos Sainz and then leading the majority of the race, even keeping his cool as Hamilton came charging through in the Mercedes after a difficult start of his own.

But as rain started falling with just eight laps to go, then getting increasingly heavier, Norris opted to stay on his slick tyres while Hamilton and the majority of the field changed for intermediates.

The decision turned out to be catastrophic as he could not control his McLaren in the conditions, spinning off into the barriers on Lap 51 of 53.

Hamilton, who also wanted to stay out before being overruled

by Mercedes, was then there to

capitalise.

“I’m unhappy, devastated in a way,” said a tearful Norris after the race. “It was my decision, I thought it was the way to go.”

“Lando did such an amazing job, he had incredible pace,” added Hamilton, who recovered after dropping from fourth to seventh on the first lap.

“It would’ve been tough to get past Lando unless we came up to some traffic or he made a mistake... so then the rain came and it was very opportunistic.”

Hamilton claimed victory, although Verstappen was arguably the big winner as the Dutchman, who was running

seventh before the rain as his early charge through the field from the back faded, changed tyres earlier than many others and finished second.

The end result means Verstappen has lost his title lead - which Red Bull expected with their engine penalty - but Hamilton is only two points clear in the standings.

Sainz completed the podium, finishing ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, another driver to benefit from the rain, and Fernando Alonso.

Norris fell to seventh, although mercifully he avoided a penalty for crossing the white line when finally entering the pits for the wet tyres.

Hamilton wins 100th Grand Prix as rain forces Sochi drama (Skysports) - Lewis Hamilton won a simply astonishing Russian GP after longtime race leader Lando Norris suffered late heartbreak by spinning his McLaren off in heavy rain, with Max Verstappen benefitting to complete his comeback from the back of the grid to an unlikely second.

Following a dramatic and soaking-wet finale, Hamilton took both the championship lead and his 100th Formula 1 victory - but the Sochi race was destined for his young British compatriot who was so close to his very first triumph.

Pole-sitter Norris was heading towards that maiden

DeNobrega, Levius Last gasp Jadeja undefeated at COTECC/ gets CSK past KKR ITF U-12 championship SEE PAGE 21 SEE PAGE 22

Ravindra Jadeja smashed 22 off eight balls (BCCI)

Nathan DeNobrega and Elwyn Levius at the COTECC/ITF U-12 Tennis tournament in The Dominican Republic.

Patel hat-trick underscores RCB dominance against Mumbai SEE PAGE 22

Harshal Patel bamboozled Kieron Pollard with a slower ball, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, Dubai, IPL 2021, September 26, 2021 © BCCI

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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021