Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28-06-2021

MONDAY 28th June, 2021

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Gas-to-shore project likely to last 25 years No.106405

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Elderly 15 woman gets free house lot PAGE

President provides update on Special Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security 05 PAGE

Woman dies in motorcycle accident; friend flees scene 11 PAGE

Dead: Kizzre Cave

India to offer GDF ranks first-ever 04 military scholarships PAGE

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (right), hands over the document for the free house lot to Rochel Esther Cuvilje (left), in the presence of Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva (standing)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

GuySuCo mulls establishment of white-sugar factory

By Rehana Ahamad

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is currently engaging stakeholders for the establishment of a factory to produce industrial grade white sugar, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sasenarine Singh, who told this newspaper that the entity, once up and running, could possibly serve the entire Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“It makes sense,” Singh said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday last.

He explained that such a facility could help to reduce the already high food importation bill for the CARICOM region which already imports at least 200,000 tonnes of white, industrial grade sugar to supply its beverage manufacturers and the food industries.

According to Singh, Guyana itself, “imports 20,000 tonnes of industrial grade

white sugar for our beverage manufacturers to make the soft drinks and so.”

He reasoned that with the Common External Tariff (CET) already in place for CARICOM, Guyana stands to gain from lucrative sales arrangements with at least 14 other CARICOM member states.

“Because of the CET, which is 40 per cent, all white sugar coming from outside of the CARICOM region, it makes the entire idea of a white sugar plant a proposition worth considering, the GuySUCo CEO argued.

“They would love to buy it from Guyana because it would be cheaper,” Singh highlighted.

The CET is a single tariff rate which has been agreed to by all members of CARICOM in relation to the importation of products from outside of the region.

Singh hinted that such as facility could possibly be launched at Skeldon, East-Berbice, Corentyne.

He was quick to point out, however, that GuySuCo would not be pursuing such a venture on its own. “It has to be a public-private partnership,” Singh related.

As a matter of fact, the corporation has already issued an Expression of Interest for the white sugar plant. As a result, GuySuCo is currently in talks with at least 10 private sector companies that signalled their interest in being part of the project.

“Those conversations are happening,” Singh related.

It is unclear whether any of the consulted companies have given any concrete commitments towards the venture, but Singh reminded that even outside of a white sugar plant, the government, being the primary shareholder of GuySuCo, wants to encourage private investments in all areas of the sugar industry.

“We are trying to seek out public-private partnerships for some or even all of the estates.”

He said GuySuCo has

The CARICOM region imports at least 200,000 tonnes of white, industrial grade sugar to supply its beverage manufacturers and the food industry

GuySuCo CEO, Sasenarine Singh

commenced working with members of the local private sector “to understand if they have an appetite for sugar and energy-related projects that they could do with sugar estates that could protect investments and create value across the sugar belt.”

“GuySuCo is open for business,” Singh asserted, noting that the corporation would be delighted if “a private investor comes in and says ‘we are ready to build a sugar refinery, or we are ready to support the expansion of the agro energy facility, or we are ready to support the cultivation and the grinding of cane, or the export of white sugar to the Caribbean’.”

As part of its mission to restructure and become more self-sufficient, GuySuCo has crafted a five-year strategic plan which focuses heavily on diversification of crops and ownership of the corporation and its six estates.

It was only in January that the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, emphasised the importance of the

private sector in propelling both GuySuCo and the local sugar industry.

“With the plans we have for the sector and where we hope to take it, we are cognisant of the fact that government alone cannot fund the industry,” the minister had said.

The public-private partnership model has been heavily touted as best way to fully revitalise and revamp the ailing sugar industry, which was further affected by the ill-planned closures of four sugar estates.

In a study released recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of the United Nations (UN) said that the closure of the estates at Wales, Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon was “bad from any perspective.”

In its recommendations, the report stressed the need for GuySuCo to diversify its operations and expand ownership. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had previously

expressed the government’s commitment towards implementing the ILO’s recommendations wherever possible.

“The sugar industry still has an important contribution to make to Guyana. Our government is committed to the revitalisation and restructuring of the sugar industry to support a diversified and modernised sector so as to ensure its sustainability and economic viability,” Dr Singh had noted.

He pointed to the fact that government’s efforts to bring back the sugar industry can be reflected in the 2020 and 2021 national budgets, which saw GuySuCo benefitting from injections of $7 billion and $2 billion, respectively.

Added to that, a recently approved supplementary budget has allocated $1.5B to assist GuySuCo in recovering from the devastating floods, as well as repairs required for the reopening of three of the four sugar estates.

Gas-to-shore project likely to last 25 years GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

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-Construction aspect to create more than 600 jobs

By Rehana Ahamad ONCE operational, the heavily-touted gas-to-shore project will have a duration of approximately 25 years, according to ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

In a project summary recently submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the oil company said that the US$900 million project will be executed in several phases - engineering, construction, commissioning, operations and decommissioning.

“The engineering phase will include design, frontend engineering and design (FEED), and detailed engineering. The construction phase will include procure-

NGL Plant will drop the pressure of the gas, dehydrate the gas, separate out propane, butane and pentanes+, and treat the gas to the specification to be received by a planned power plant.”

The gas-to-shore project will be established at Wales, West Bank Demerara, the document reminded.

“A comprehensive site evaluation process was conducted…20 sites were evaluated based on a number of criteria, including topography/elevation, soil conditions, biodiversity, socioeconomic factors, site access, and pipeline routing,” the EPA was told.

The oil company said that of all the sites assessed, the plot at Wales was determined to be most most suitable, based on construc-

In its outline to the EPA, the oil company also pointed to a preliminary workforce estimate which projected that the construction phase of the initiative alone would create at least 600 jobs.

Additionally, the document informed that there will be a comparatively smaller number of personnel who will be tasked with providing shorebase and logistical support on shore.

“The onshore staff will be expected to ramp-up gradually through the mobilisation and installation stage, until reaching a maximum level during the construction and installation activities, and then diminishing during operations.

“The onshore staff is expected to increase again briefly during decommissioning. Logistical support is

sion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity.

This is especially important, since Guyana is said to have one of the highest cost of power generation in the world, a factor which has discouraged many businesses from investing here.

In recently reaffirming

the viability of the project, former President and current Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, highlighted that the initiative could see Guyana saving approximately US$150 million on power generation annually.

“What this brings is long term stability to the price, so we are immune from future

market fluctuations, especially the upward movement of the cost of the bunker and other fossil fuels,” Jagdeo told a recent press conference.

O n c e re a l i s e d , t h e project could also mean less blackouts and a more reliable supply of power across the country.

A diagram highlighting how the gas-to-shore project is intended to work (taken from the project summary document submitted to the EPA

ment, fabrication and construction, installation, commissioning and start-up,” the document, as seen by this newspaper, outlined.

It explained that the operations aspect will be the longest phase of the project, with a duration of at least two and a half decades.

“Startup of the facilities is expected to occur in 2024,” the summary indicated. The ground-breaking project will include the construction and operation of a pipeline from the Liza Phase 1 and Liza Phase 2 Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to an onshore natural gas liquid (NGL) and natural gas processing (NGP) plant.

“The pipeline will transport up to approximately 50 million standard cubic feet per day (MSCFD) of dry gas to the NGL Plant,” the document informed.

It related too that, “the

tability, environmental, socioeconomic, and biodiversity perspectives.

Added to that, the oil company also has plans to utilise the plot of land just adjacent to the intended project site. The area, which accounts for mainly abandoned sugarcane fields, is owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“The site is generally of low value to wildlife. No critical biodiversity (plant or animal) is expected to occur at the site. There is no human habitation at the site…there are no known cultural sites or traditional uses within the site,” the company justified.

Once established, the power plant will be owned and operated by Government of Guyana until alternative ownership options are considered.

EMPLOYMENT

expected to be shared among all of EEPGL’s activities,” the document indicated.

It noted too that prior to the end of the project’s life, a decommissioning programme will be submitted for approval by the government. EEPGL said that it will then select, in consultation with the appropriate Guyanese agencies, the final decommissioning strategy based on a comparative assessment, which is designed to evaluate the potential safety, environmental, technical, and economic impacts, and associated mitigation measures in order to finalise the decommissioning programme.

The gas-to-shore project forms a major part of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government’s plan to reduce the cost of energy by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix, which includes the conver-

The project is intended to bring gas directly from the off-shore vessels, to a processing plant

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Commander Watts condemns use of excessive force by ranks

REGIONAL Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Errol Watts, has emphasised that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) does not tolerate the use of excessive force by ranks in the execution of their duties.

In this regard, the police commander has highlighted that a rank attached to the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who was caught on video dragging a man into a cell, will be dealt with condignly once a thorough investigation into the matter is concluded.

Regional Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) of the Guyana Police Force, Errol Watts

“These videos that we are seeing, an investigation has been launched and a report will be submitted by Wednesday and whatever advice we receive as a result of this video will be implemented, because we don’t tolerate excess [sic] use of force in the Guyana Police Force,” Watts told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday.

Watts was particularly upset with the latest video circulating on social media, especially since he visited various police stations in the region last week and conducted training on the use of excessive force.

“I have conducted inspections at all the police stations in Region Three, except Den Amstel and Leonora so far, and one of the topics that I discuss very extensively is the use-offorce continuum and not for us in the force to violate anybody’s rights by using more force than is necessary to deal with the situation,” he said.

“I was most astonished to see that video because my inspections started since last Monday and this is one of the topics that I have discussed; no force that is unnecessary ought to be used in any given situa-

tion, we have to use force that is commensurate with the threat at hand,” he added.

In the video, the rank can be seen placing a ‘handcuff’ on the feet of the man before yanking the ‘cuffs,’ causing the man to abruptly fall to the ground; the rank then dragged the civilian into a cell and locked the door.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the male civilian in the video drove a car into a canal at Wales on Friday night and police officers, while on patrol duty, saw him covered in mud. When they questioned him, he revealed that he was

the driver of the car in the canal.

It was reported that the officers consequently took the man and the vehicle to the Wales Police Station, where the driver was subjected to a breathalyzer test but he refused and became abusive and resistant to the ranks. Further, it was reported that the man was later released from police custody on the same night, after he too was assaulted by the cop.

Watts promised that an official statement will be released by Police Headquarters, but up to press time, none was forthcoming.

India to offer GDF ranks first-ever military scholarships

By Rehana Ahamad

THE Government of India will soon be offering 19 scholarships to the men and women serving in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), according to the country’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa.

The Indian envoy, in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said that this will be

the first time that Guyana, and possibly the entire Caribbean Region, will have access to such scholarships.

“We want to share our expertise in various aspects with the Guyanese defence forces,” Dr. Srinivasa said. He explained that of the 19 slots, 10 will go towards training army officers, while five will cater for the Air Corps and the remaining four will be for

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa members of the Coast Guard.

The scholarships will be for the year 2021 to 2022, and is being offered under the Government of India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme in Defence.

“We are going to fund it completely; we are going to give them the air tickets, we are going to take care of the tuition fee, we

Members of the Guyana Defence Force are set to benefit from 19 scholarships from India are going train them in India; we are going to take care of all their living expenses and everything,” Dr. Srinivasa posited.

He added, “It’s not one set of courses which will start today and finish off together; these

are various courses spread over multiple months; one will be a three months’ course; one will be a six months course; it will start at various time periods.”

Since taking office in August 2020, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Dr. Irfaan Ali has publicly committed to strengthen institutions across Guyana, especially in relation to security.

The need for strengthened security systems have become even more important, as Guyana continues to face threats of territorial incursion.

Only recently, Guyana was the host nation for the 36th iteration of Tradewinds, a 13-country, three-week tactical training which saw the participation of 350 ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and GDF who benefited from training in various military skills, including close-quarters combat.

Local ranks were also trained in marksmanship; emergency medical evacuation; search-andrescue and recovery responses and mechanical and engineering repairs for both air and water transportation, among other areas. Guyana was initially scheduled to host Tradewinds in 2020; however, the exercise was cancelled because of COVID-19.

Additionally, Guyana has also moved to strengthen security of its water spaces, in light of recent incursions. During a recent sitting of the National Assembly, the Irfaan Ali govern-

ment announced the purchase of a brand new, custom-made offshore patrol vessel for the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard. The US$11.5 million vessel is being constructed by a company named United States-based company called Metal Shark.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, told the House earlier in the month that the new vessel, which is slated to arrive in 2022, will assist with patrolling and ensuring the security of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which continues to be threatened, mainly owing to Guyana’s territorial dispute with neighbouring Venezuela.

Teixeira was at the time defending her government’s move to withdraw GY$618 million from the contingency fund to make the initial payment to the ship’s manufacturer.

Aside from persons travelling to India for training, the Indian government will also be sending to Guyana, a fisheries expert, who will be responsible for training fisherfolk and fishing agencies located not only in Guyana, but across all 15 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states.

Added to that, India is also funding a number of massive infrastructural projects being undertaken in Guyana. The country also continues to offer a number of academic scholarships, which could possibly increase in the coming years.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

President provides update on Special Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and a delegation virtually attended the 11th Meeting of The Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) on Friday, where he provided an update on The Special Ministerial Taskforce (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security.

The Head of State reported on the April to June progress of the MTF and recommended that it be further considered at the 42nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government next month.

The Lead for Agriculture in CARICOM urged the committee to prioritise the work of the Ministerial Taskforce and was frank in his opening remarks to say that he will move forward with those who are serious about getting the work done.

To take the CARICOM Agri-Food System Strategy forward, the implementation plans identified priority commodities such as poultry, other meats (beef, pork and mutton), corn, rice, niche vegetables and coconut products. He further stated that CARICOM has the ability to achieve the targets identified to lower these priority commodity imports

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President, Dr Irfaan Ali with members of his Cabinet and senior government officials at the briefing by 2025 and the potential to portal. He also noted that he has engaged the Lead erating a facility for regional munity Rules of Origin, increase coconut exports. the successful hosting of the Head on Transport with a transportation and logistics. Supportive Macro-EcoThe Caribbean Private CARICOM Regional Food view to developing specific Meanwhile, work will con- nomic Policy Environment, Sector Organisation and the Systems Dialogue on May recommendations aimed at tinue to explore incentive Implications of the CCJ MTF led by Guyana’s Ag- 28, 2021, was in preparation incentivising private sector regime to attach investment. Advisory Opinion to the riculture Minister, Zulfikar for the UN Food Systems interest and partnership in Prime Minister Mia opt Out Provisions of The Mustapha, have met and are Summit. transport and logistics rela- Mottley thanked the Presi- Revised Treaty and Protoin agreement with the prioriThe Ministerial Task- tive to the agri-food systems dent for the speed in which col to Amend the Revised ty commodities, focusing on force recognised transport agenda. He further outlined he moved on the Food Pro- Treaty to Allow Enhanced poultry and niche vegetables and logistics as integral to some options, including the duction and Food Security Cooperation, among Memfor the short-term. the effective implementa- formation of an all-purpose Taskforce and urged all ber States.

President Ali reported tion of the CARICOM agri- company, the floating of a Member States to reinforce The delegation includthat resource mobilisation food systems agenda. regional bond, approaching the issue of food security. ed Ministers of Agriculhas begun for the Region“In examining the poten- the private sector window of Other matters discussed ture, Legal Affairs, and al E-Agriculture Strategy, tial and competitiveness of the Caribbean Development included: implementation Foreign Affairs, along and work is in progress the sector as you would have Bank, approaching regional of the CARICOM Sin- with the Foreign Secretary for the development and expected, transportation is commercial institutions, in- gle Market and Economy and Permanent Secretary implementation of both a one of the critical issues that ternational financial institu- (CSME), Update on the of the Ministry of Foreign Business-to-Business (B2B) is linked to food production tions (such as EXIM Bank), Comprehensive Review Affairs. (Public InformaPlatform and a Govern- and for regional trade,” Pres- Expression of Interest for of the Common External tion and Press Services ment-to-Government (G2G) ident Ali stated. To this end, financing, managing and op- Tariff (CET) and Com- Unit)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Operation Tradewinds PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has described the training and tactical exercise conducted by the United States military in collaboration with Guyana and other regional partners a success. According to President Ali, the exercise helps to strengthen the decision-making capabilities of ranks in areas which will allow them to strategise better and, as a consequence, being in a better position to respond to a wide range of scenarios.

As pointed out by the President, the strategies and teamwork executed by the ranks are needed to combat the changing nature of crime not only in Guyana but the region

as a whole.

Operation Tradewinds is a joint, combined exercise conducted in conjunction with partner nations to enhance the collective abilities of defence forces and constabularies to counter transnational organised crime and to conduct humanitarian/disaster relief operations.

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)-sponsored annual Operation Tradewinds Exercise was hosted by Guyana this year. The training programme continues to play a vital role in enhancing regional security synergy and cooperation among the participating nations.

The exercise took place against the background of

a devastating flood situation, the worst experienced by Guyanese in living memory.

Operation Tradewinds dates back to the 1980s and is a multi-dimensional regional security-oriented exercise conducted in air, sea, and cyber domains involving security forces and disaster response agencies.

Prime Minister Mark Philips, in his feature address at the closing ceremony, noted that the shared values such as democracy, economic integration and regional security could culminate in a peaceful hemispheric security environment.

Similar sentiments were expressed by US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, who observed that

the exercise displayed the cohesiveness and synergy between the participating nations which allowed for skills to be shared and enhanced.

Guyana and the United States have had a long and well-established relation. This relationship deepened after the restoration of democratic rule to the country on October 5, 1992 following the intervention of the United States and the Carter Center, which was instrumental in electoral reforms that culminated in the holding of free and fair elections after over two decades of undemocratic rule.

Overall, relations between Guyana and the United States have been good. Under successive

PPP governments, relations between Guyana and the United States continue to improve. The Guyana Government has committed itself to democracy, good governance and a free-market economy and has pursued a path of sustainable development.

Guyana, over the years, has benefitted substantially from United States assistance both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The continuing role played by the United States in the preservation and consolidation of democratic rule in the country cannot be overemphasized. Indeed, were it not for the vigilance and strong advocacy for upholding democratic norms and the rule of law on the part of the United

States and other democratic nations, the country could have lost its democratic status during the aftermath of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

President Irfaan Ali has re-committed Guyana’s desire to deepening relations with the United States of America. At a joint statement with the then US Secretary of State, in September 2020, the two countries agreed to undertake maritime patrols aimed at drug interdiction as well as enhancing security within the context of Guyana’s territorial and maritime space and the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

It is time opposition begins to play a meaningful role in Guyana’s development

Dear Editor

NAGAMOOTOO’S vacuous, venomous and vindictive insinuations of ‘vaccines, vultures and victims’ will never gain traction again. His true identity has been laid bare for the world to behold. The Coalition had spun this corruption mantra to perfection and the gullible had swallowed it. Guyanese will never fall for this again when for five years they witnessed not only what real corruption was, but what real rigging is under the Coalition. Young Guyanese had a taste of Burnhamism in action! And to those who had forgotten, their memories were jolted!

Guyanese must never forget that Coalition politics destroyed

this country on two occasions and this should never be permitted to happen again. Nagamootoo knows this too well.

When one analyzes what took place in the Coalition of 1964 and that of 2015, one can discern stark and compelling similarities to support this proposition.

Let me refresh Nagamootoo’s memory. General Elections were held in Guyana (then British Guiana) on 7th December, 1964, which saw the PPP, despite winning a majority of 24 seats, saw the beginning of dirty coalition politics in Guyanabetween the PNC and the UF. The interests of the people were not of any importance and this unholy, engineered alliance served both foreign interests and that of Burnham and the PNC. In 2015 again, the Coalition was

never about the people, but to gain power in order to feather their nests. This Coalition had marked also the beginning of a most ruthless reign of the Burnham dictatorship, which saw the rapid decline of our socio-economic structure. History would repeat itself in 2015 when in just within five years, the Treasury became empty, the reserves were depleted and the country facing bankruptcy, unemployment rose and the standard of living plummeted.

The economic decline began to gain traction in 1966, just two years into government. Agriculture became the prime target of the PNC as it was after 2015.

The Coalition government was deliberately applying policies that were detrimental to the agricultural sector. Similar to

the promises made during the 2015 election campaign, during the 1964 election campaign, the farmers were promised 30 acres of land with good drainage and irrigation; they would get good markets and fair prices. They had also promised that rice farmers will get $10 more per bag from the Cuban rice market.

In 2015 they were promised $9,000 dollars per bag. However, it was not only agriculture, but the other sectors began a rapid decline as well. The balance of trade which was favourable up to 1964 became increasingly unfavourable, showing an increasing deficit each year (1965 it was $4.3 million and 1966 by $4.3 million and by the first half of 1967 it was a staggering $26 million). Over 4,250 workers were retrenched, this

included 1,000 sugar workers and 1,500 bauxite workers and the unemployment statistic rose to 23 per cent. It must be noted that this exact scenario played out when the Coalition assumed power in 2015.

It is ironical that during this period of ruthless dictatorship and corruption, Nagamootoo had written and spoken volumes and was one of the prime targets of the , but the return of the PNC dictatorship in 2015 which he supported, saw him hearing and seeing no evil. He was himself utterly consumed by the same corrupt practices which he had vociferously condemned.

Just as in 2015 the promises were not kept and things fall apart rapidly. In fact, hunger and suffering began to stalk the land. The Coalition was simply a

ruse to oust the PPP and get into power. It’s just startling how the PNC can fool Guyanese with the same promises twice. This time this unholy alliance was spearheaded and orchestrated by Nagamootoo, the self-acclaimed disciple of Dr Jagan and the anointed one.

The disastrous effect of the 1964 Coalition lasted for 28 years. It must be recalled that under the PNC dictatorship the entire socio-economic structure collapsed and it became criminal to even put certain foods on the table, such as potato, flour, onion, garlic, flour and sardines, etc. Moreover, during these horrific years, the PNC, apart from completely bankrupting the economy, sold off many of our valuable assets for

Continued on page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

It is time...

From page 6

next to nothing, enriching families and friends and those who could have provided lucrative kickbacks. This was more pronounced just before the 1992 Elections.

Fortunately, in 1992 and until 2015, the PPP/C under the leadership of the late Dr Jagan and then Dr Jagdeo, propelled Guyana into an upward progressive trajectory which moved Guyana from a poor, low- in-

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come country to a middle-income country with a per capita income in excess of US$5,000.

Even before they coalesced in 2015, the AFC had joined hands with the PNC to frustrate and destabilise the PPP/C Government. This became more pronounced from 2011 when Nagamootoo became the ‘scissors man’ for the PNC. This man saw an opportunity to fulfil his political ambitions, so he moved a no-confidence motion to remove the PPP/C Govern-

ment. This was achieved and the elections in 2015 saw the return of an infamous alliance and he became the ‘siren’ prime minister. The Coalition in 1964 was re-enacted but with a difference. The AFC was the perfect partner in crime. Ironically, the no- confidence motion in 2018 was the precursor to the eventual toppling of the fledgling PNC/ AFC dictatorship in 2020. This was poetic justice!

Unlike Peter D’Aguiar, the AFC’s leadership in 2015 saw an opportunity for self-aggrandizement and enrichment. The APNU+AFC had squandered and mismanaged our economy through corrupt practices to the

extent that they spent more than $1.3 trillion dollars with nothing to show; in fact, Guyanese have been overtaxed with an additional annual average of $80 billion more than under the PPP/C. It is equally alarming that they spent more than $600 billion than what the previous PPP/C government spent in their last four years in office! Where has the money gone when it is considered that more Guyanese were unemployed than ever before and that four sugar estates have been closed and the factories, the infrastructures and the cultivation completely annihilated.

In fact, the AFC’s leadership referred to GuySuCo as the ‘black

hole’ and likened subsidies to ‘raping of the Treasury.’ The ‘sugar champion’ had deserted the sugar workers. Fortunately, this government has once again come to the rescue of the entity which from all indications will once again be brought back to its glorious days. Luckily, Dr Jagdeo’s leadership ensured that Guyanese do not have to wait for another 28 years!

Now the PPP/C Government is once again in government and rapidly building the socio-economic structures despite inheriting an empty Treasury and depleted reserves and despite being faced with two disasters of

gigantic proportions. And what is the opposition Coalition doing? They are hell bent on derailing the progress, crying corruption and attempting once again to deceive and fool the people, shouting ‘fake vaccines and corruption’! Coalition has always served those in power rather than the people and it is time the opposition makes some meaningful contribution to the development of our country.

ing in my writings) in all the publications. Other readers also penned comments about the many errors that appear in print. It is best to put away your writing for a period of time and then read it – easier to identify errors which can then be addressed. Also, ask others to review and edit your article before sending it to the publication.

Of the three categories of writers Lomarsh identified, I am not a natural, born writer.

In fact, I hated writing when I was in high school. But I took to writing around 1976 because I was tasked with getting out the important message to the public of the anti-dictatorial movement to which I belonged. And five years earlier I penned articles on the performance of my cricket team in Ankerville; I was the captain of the youth team, terrific with bat and ball, outperforming others, and the team wanted our performance recorded in the papers. We felt great seeing names and achievements in publications.

But I was a poor writer in my early years (and probably still am in the eyes of many some 50 years later). In order to be a good writer, one must read a lot. Ideas, correct use of language or words, sentence structure, etc are learned from and improves with reading.

Like Dr. Lomarsh, I hardly read in high school except the required books. But in primary school during my Common Entrance year (1971-72), I read a lot of novels written for youngsters. In college, I was a voracious reader on all subjects and devoured countless newspapers from all parts of the globe; I worked part-time in a library for several years and had access to unlimited publications from all over the world.

As I stacked publications, I would browse through many.

So I read more than the average person and in the process improved my comprehension and knowledge of events. My writing skills also improved.

In the first year of college in 1977/78, I penned articles for our Indian club’s newsletter about Guyana. And I contributed articles (features, news reports, reviews of plays and movies, etc.) to the college’s student newspapers (three of them funded by student fees).

My confidence in writing grew.

I began contributing dozens of articles in various publications in New York, Trinidad (Sandesh), and around the globe (Caribbean Times, Asian Times, in London, Indo-Caribbean World Toronto, etc.), on events relating to Guyanese and Caribbean communities in NY and on the Indian diaspora.

I was asked to edit several publications in NY and I started sending my articles when Stabroek News came on the scene around 1987. And since then, I have contributed no less than 10,000 articles to various publications, globally.

And even though with enormous experience, I still find errors in my writings when I re-read after publication. Some were sent off hurriedly to the press without detailed review and editing.

There is room for much improvement in my and in any one’s writing. One never stops learning how to write or becoming better.

To be a good or better writer or to improve one’s writing, one should pay heed to Prof. Lomarsh’s simple steps. One can also consult the net on writing or journalistic skills. I never forget the advice given by Sharief Khan in early 1993 when he became editor-in-chief of the Chronicle. He advised – keep your writings short and simple, no need for fan-

cy language (the kind I find in writings these days). My English Language professor, Michael Rosen, at CCNY in 1977 gave the same advice

as other English Professors like James Smith, James DeJongh, Michael Feshbach, among others in succeeding years. Please write and share

your ideas with readers.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

On being a good writer – short and simple Dear Editor, I APPLAUD Prof. Lomarsh Roopnarine for his column on “Simple steps to effective writing” (June 20). It is needed, given the poor quality of writing that has appeared in print in all the publications.

It is a very valuable column.

Those who are weak writers may take offence. I welcome it as a reminder on how to better skills. It will enable contributors and enhance submissions to the media.

Improvement (including my own after 50 years of writing) comes with experience.

I taught writing for a decade when I was teacher of English and Literature, but could not motivate students to write; they hated writing. Throughout my teaching career (in other subjects I taught such as Economics, History, Politics, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) of over 35 years, and must also have been same for Prof. Lomarsh and other educators, I always stressed the importance of being a good writer and taught students “how to write” essays and papers. Students never saw the importance of writing other than meeting the minimum standards for a passing grade. The more one writes, the greater is the confidence in writing, the better the output and the higher the grade. And when one’s writing gets published in the newspapers, especially on a subject close to one’s heart, one is encouraged to write more pieces for the papers; and even experienced writers like me make mistakes that need to be addressed.

Missing in Dr. Lomarsh’s treatise is the editing step to writing to address errors. I find so many errors (grammar, spelling, diction, etc.) in letters and columns (includ-

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

One dose of Sputnik V, AstraZeneca reduces death by 80%

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

–– Argentina’s vaccination programme shows

GLOBALLY, more and more evidenced-based studies are being conducted to support the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines being used in Guyana, including the Sputnik V from Russia.

Late last week, the reputable Reuter’s news agency reported on the findings of a real-world study conducted by health authorities in Argentina; the data shows that a single dose of Russia’s Sputnik V or the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine reduces mortality from COVID-19 by up to 80% in persons aged 60 and over.

According to the international news house, data released on Friday last involved some 450,000 people beyond the age of 60, who have received one or two doses of either vaccine, which are the most widely

used in the Latin American nation.

The country’s Health Minister Carla Vizzotti, a physician, was quoted as saying that the second doses decrease mortality rates by 90 per cent.

“Argentina’s inoculation campaign has been built around the Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines, as well as using Sinopharm and CoviShield shots. The country has vaccinated over 19 million people, of which 3.8 million have received two doses,” the Reuter’s article noted.

It also pointed to the fact that just this week, the country surpassed a coronavirus death toll of 90,000, just as it was trying to recover from its very ‘painful’ second wave of the virus. Argentina currently has one of the highest average daily death tolls in

the world, behind only Brazil, India and Colombia.

Further, Vizzotti was reported as saying that the data supported the country’s immunisation strategy of having a 12-week gap between the first and second shots of the vaccine. This was supposedly done in order to cover as much of the country’s at-risk population as possible, with at least the first doses of the vaccines.

“It was an appropriate decision and the results of this study confirm that high protection has been achieved in the vaccinated population,” the Argentine official said.

Argentina is said to have been the first Latin American country to officially register the Sputnik V vaccine under the emergency-use authorisation procedure, with vaccination kicking off from

Guyana is one of the very few countries that have managed to secure enough “jabs” to immunise its entire adult population December 29, 2020.

The good news relating to the aforementioned vaccines come at a time when the Government of Guyana is battling to address “reckless” and “baseless” information about the vaccines being peddled by members of the main parliamentary opposition, including Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.

Earlier in the month the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) member called for a suspension in the administering of the Sputnik V jabs, claiming that it could be fake. Ironically, Harmon has been fully vaccinated with both doses of the said vaccine.

Harmon’s utterances attracted criticisms from many sections of society, including reputable members of the private sector, medical practitioners and government officials. President Dr. Irfaan Ali had described Harmon’s public disapproval of the vaccine as being “shamelessly reckless” and against the interest of Guyanese.

Although baseless,

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony recognised that Harmon’s claims could potentially endanger the lives of many Guyanese, especially supporters of the APNU+AFC who may have had concerns relating to the “jabs.”

Minister Anthony had repor-ted on several occasions that the vaccines have been working; he specifically pointed to the fact that none of the fully vaccinated persons have developed serious symptoms or have died. As has been internationally established, the vaccines do not guard against the virus, but minimises serious illnesses that can lead to death.

Last week, the Ministry of Health released the findings of a preliminary study which showed that members of the Afro-Guyanese community account for the largest demographic of COVID-19 fatalities, which has been pegged at 36.6 per cent.

Coming a close second at 28.2 per cent is the Amerindian community, fol-

lowed by the Indo-Guyanese community at 23.3 per cent.

Bringing up the rear at a mere 11.4 per cent are those persons classified as mixed race. The foregoing conclusion, the ministry said, was drawn after a preliminary analysis was done on 202 of the 458 persons who have died since the virus hit Guyana in March 2020.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus has been wreaking havoc across the world; with more than 3.92 million lives lost so far, the vaccines have been hailed as the only safe way out of the pandemic.

Fortunately, Guyana is one of the very few countries that have managed to secure enough “jabs” to immunise its entire adult population.

Notwithstanding the opposition’s position, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has pledged to continue its national vaccination efforts, using all of the initially procured vaccines – the Sputnik V, the AstraZeneca and China’ s Sinopharm.

Both doses of either the Sputnik V or AstraZeneca vaccines decrease mortality rates by 90 per cent

‘We are here to serve’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

— new Lions Club President pledges support to flood-affected regions

By Mesha Sealey WITH losses climbing because of recent heavy rainfall and severe flooding, newly installed President of the Lions Club of Bel Air, Lisa Thakurdin, has given her word that the non-profit organisation will do as much as possible to help families rebuild during this difficult time.

The plan is in keeping with the club’s five key focuses, which comprise Hunger, Environment, Diabetes, Vision, and Childhood Cancer. However, the activities of the club are not limited to these five causes.

“What we do is, we try to have our projects focused around those areas, and any other club would also focus on other areas that need attention, such as education and youth development, disaster relief and humanitarian efforts,” Thakurdin explained.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at the Club’s 48th installation ceremony held at their Enachu Street, Section K Campbellville location on Saturday, the young woman noted that while the club had contributed to flood- relief efforts in the past, there is definitely more assistance to come.

“Previously, we would have [sic] donated some items; some hampers for Kwakwani, and also a cash donation, I believe. But [future projects with regards [sic] to flood relief] is something that myself and the incoming board would also have to discuss,” she said.

However, she assured, there is no question as to whether the club will assist in flood-relief efforts.

“The rainy season is expected to last until July/ August. So we may see the flooding worsen, and whenever it recedes, in our recovery efforts we plan to be there to support flooded areas generally, not only Kwakwani. We have seen flooding in areas such as Mazaruni and Mahaicony, as well,” Thakurdin stated.

She added that the club would be carrying out a comprehensive assessment to determine all the areas that require assistance.

“So whether it is through hampers, whether it’s through cleaning supplies, whether it’s through community work; whatever it is that we can provide, and support the community, we will. Whether it’s cloth-

ing, whether it’s rebuilding homes lost in the flood— because many things were damaged— or providing supplies for the home, like mattresses, bed sheets, and all those items that will be needed in the recovery efforts. So yes, we are here, and we are here to serve,” Thakurdin concluded.

Thakurdin, during her ‘Acceptance of Office’ speech also expressed the need for emphasis on education, youth development, humanitarianism and disaster relief. She highlighted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a greater digital divide and unequal access to education across Guyana. As such, she aims, in her duties as President, to work collaboratively with the public and private sectors to provide school supplies needed, especially in areas where there is a large deficiency in access to education.

One of the first ventures that the club under new management intends to kick-start is a football project, which is the first of many youth projects yet to come as the Lions Club continues to support community sports groups, sponsorships of athletes, provision of sports gear, and counselling on social issues, among others.

“This is our part of nourishing future leaders in society. We will support other humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts, especially now in areas that are affected by flooding, and of course any other area we can support whilst upholding our motto, ‘We serve’,” Thakurdin shared.

She assured that all projects undertaken during her period of leadership (20212022) would be executed safely, and will adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines, as the club works to strengthen partnerships with the public and private sectors and other civil society groups; and foster stronger relationships with other Lions Clubs and similar organisations in order to achieve their goals.

“Fellow Lions, it is my determination to work in close cooperation and collaboration with all the members by respecting your ideas through accepting diversity. I wish to work on retaining members than recruiting, training and capacity building for the membership. It is my hope that we work together in harmony as we strive to be agents of

as free testing, donation of diabetes testing kits, and the support of other healthcare needs related to the disease will also be rolled out as part of Thakurdin’s mandate.

The Lions Club of Bel Air also has the distinction

New President of the Lions Club of Bel Air, Lisa Thakurdin (Adrian Narine photo) change. Your help, loyalty, and genuine commitment are of great importance to me, especially your attendance [and] punctuality at the meetings and projects,” Thakurdin voiced.

She added, “As I stand before each and every one of you here today, I am prepared to work assiduously towards the global causes of Lions International, which are: Environment, Hunger, Childhood cancer, Vision and Diabetes. I plan to continue with our existing projects, honouring these causes as to implement, develop new and improved projects, as we adapt to the growing needs of society in these areas.”

Thakurdin also enforced her intention to continue the Lions Club’s environmental projects such as a coastal clean-up, tree-planting exercises, and other ventures that help foster environmental sustainability, as Guyana moves forward with the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

The club, under her management, will also continue their feeding programmes to vulnerable groups in society, and work in collaboration with the private and public health sectors to support and assist children suffering from childhood cancer.

Over the years, the Lions Club has completed many successful vision projects, targeting the youths and the elderly, and the new period of leadership will see increased emphasis on eye care, with the growing need for this service in Guyana.

Diabetes projects such

of being rated among the best in the Commonwealth Caribbean, British and U.S, Virgin Islands.

The International Association of Lions Clubs, with Bel Air as one of its Chartered Clubs, is operating within its Centenary of 100

years in over 218 countries, and spending billions of dollars on alleviating the suffering of mankind.

Its junior arm, the Leos Club of Bel Air, is also serving in the same fields with similarly distinguished youths.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Deadly boat explosion: fuel was being pumped without owner’s consent

THREE men are now dead after a fuel transport boat, “the Canada Club,” which was docked at a wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), exploded on Saturday afternoon while they were pumping fuel.

Dead are, 60-year-old Seepersaud Persaud, a boat captain of Beehive Essequibo Coast; Damion Dias, 29, a sailor of Sarah Johanna EBD and Mark Mangal.

According to a police report, the owner of the vessel, Sewsankar (only name give), said no maintenance works were being conducted on the vessel at the time of the explosion.

The police said that the vessel delivered a shipment of motor gasoline (mogas) diesel and gasoline fuel to Guyoil at Adventure on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) on Friday last.

After making the delivery, the boat returned to the wharf at Friendship on Saturday, around 10:30hrs.

Initial investigations indicated that the explosion

Dead: Damion Dias

came from the vessel’s engine room and it was subsequently discovered that a hose was connected to the boat’s fuel pump, which was observed to be partially burnt out. The remains of a yellow plastic bottle were found near the hose.

Further checks revealed that there are control valves in the vicinity of the fuel tank and the only valve which was found to be open was the valve for the gasoline tank.

Sewsankar told the police that all the valves should have been closed and the hose should only be connected to the fuel pump when discharging fuel.

Dead: Boat captain Mark Mangal

Following Sewsankar’s statement, checks were made in the boat captain’s motorcar (# PTT 2965), which revealed five six-gallon bottles and one five-gallon bottle with suspected gasoline in the trunk. The police believe that the men appeared to have been pumping gasoline from the sediment or reserve of the fuel tank.

Samples were taken of the suspected fuel and the bottles were lodged at the Grove Police Station pending further investigations.

The men were escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where they were

Smoke engulfs the Canada Club vessel during the explosion at the Friendship wharf, East Bank Demerara, on Saturday

pronounced dead and were subsequently escorted to the Lyken Funeral Parlour where they are awaiting post-mortems.

Meanwhile, Sheila Dias, the mother of Damion Dias, told this newspaper that she spoke with him just hours before his death and asked him to return home to visit his family in White Water Village, Mabaruma, Region

One, since they have not seen him for a year and seven months.

The distraught mother said her son left the region to pursue a job opportunity in Region Four and has been working ever since.

Dias recalled when she got the devastating news of her son’s passing, saying:“I get the call around six something; one of my

nieces called and asked if I hear anything, and I seh no and they seh you didn’t hear Damian dead?

“But I get shocked so I cut off the call. I didn’t want to believe it, but then later on he brother called and said the boy dead, he get burn up in a boat.”

He leaves to mourn his parents and six siblings.

NY Street co-named after Guyanese pandit

HUNDREDS of Guyanese, Trinidadians and others attended an unveiling ceremony, on Sunday, of a street co-named in New York after a well-known Guyanese pandit, the late Ramlall Way. The street, at the corner of 133rd and Liberty Avenue, is now officially known as ‘Pandit Ramlall Way’; the city’s map will now be so reflected. The ceremony took place a block away under a huge tent on the compound of a vacant lot owned by Pandit Ramlall’s Mandir; he named it the ‘Dr. Cheddi Jagan Square’.

Although ten years his junior, Ramlall was an associate of Dr. Jagan in the independence freedom struggle.

Pandit Ramlall was well known in New York among politicians and Indo-Caribbean community leaders. Pandit Ramlall hailed from Skeldon in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Born in February 1928, he died January 2019.

He was self-taught in Hindi, a subject he taught at the Tagore Memorial School in Berbice. He joined Dr Cheddi Jagan in the struggle for Guyana’s independence and was arrested for defying unjust British laws.

Pandit Ramlall was head

The street, at the corner of 133rd and Liberty Avenue, is now officially known as ‘Pandit Ramlall Way’

of the Arya Samaj movement in Upper Corentyne. He left Guyana in 1974 to study Hindi at a university in India where he received a diploma. He returned to Guyana in 1975 and taught briefly while propagating the Arya Samaj faith. He migrated to the USA in 1979, working at a hospital in Brooklyn. He also served as a trade

unionist, organising workers at the hospital.

In New York, Pandit Ramlall was active in the Arya Samaj movement; he helped found two Arya Samaj Mandirs and played a role in the formation of the Confederation of Arya Samaj Mandirs. He was also closely involved in the launch of the Phagwah parade and Ramayana in the Park.

Pandit Ramlall was an accredited pandit and performed or officiated at wedding ceremonies of many Guyanese, Trinidadians, and nationals from India.

Fellow Berbician, Ashook Ramsaran, led the campaign to co-name the street after Pandit Ramlall; he prepared a detailed petition and proposal that was presented by Councilwoman for the District, Adrienne Adams. Fellow Guyanese, Patricia Jordon-Langford and Naro Balli contributed to the petition.

Pandit Ramlall, though Guyanese, was a multi-nationalist, respected in several countries for his contributions to Hindi, Hinduism, and the Ramayana. Several individuals delivered tributes at the ceremony, including family members, associates, politicians and heads of organisations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Woman dies in motorcycle accident; friend flees scene

TWENTY-TWO-YEAROLD Kizzre Cave of Cane Street, Meadow Bank, Georgetown, succumbed to her injuries on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) hours after she was involved in a motorcycle accident on Saturday night.

Cave was the pillion rider and her male friend – the motorcyclist – fled the scene immediately after the accident, leaving an injured and bleeding Cave on the Brickdam roadway.

A report from the Guyana Police Force noted that the accident occurred around 21:15hrs between motor-

car #PWW 2903 driven by 30-year-old Tameshwar Persaud of First Street Herstelling, East Bank Demerara and motorcycle #CK 9077, driven by an unidentified male.

It is alleged that the car was proceeding east along the northern side of Brickdam, while the motorcycle was proceeding north along the western side of Brummel Place.

As both vehicles approached the intersection of Brickdam and Brummel Place -- which is controlled by a traffic light signal that was not working at the time -- they failed to stop and continued proceeding in their respective directions.

The front of the car collided with the left side portion of the motorcycle, which caused Cave and her male friend to fall off. It is alleged that the unidentified motorcyclist then got up and ran away.

Cave was subsequently picked up in an unconscious state by an ambulance and taken to the GPHC where she was seen and examined by a doctor on duty. She was admitted as a patient suffering from broken legs, a fractured left arm and concussion to the head; however, she later succumbed to her injuries around 05:30hrs on Sunday.

The driver of the car was tested negative for alcohol in his system.

Dead: Kizzre Cave

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Woman beaten, stabbed by partner A 26-year-old woman is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was beaten and stabbed multiple times by her 49-year-old boyfriend on Sunday.

Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred around 12:30hrs at the woman’s Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home; police are now hunting for the suspect, whose car was found abandoned at Canal Number One conservancy, WBD. Police said that the suspect visited the woman’s house during which an argument ensued; it escalated and the man reportedly cuffed and stabbed her multiple times, causing the knife to be stuck in her abdomen.

The man escaped while neighbours were alerted.

The woman was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in an unconscious state and later transferred to the GPHC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

103 new COVID-19 cases GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

EVEN as the fight against the COVID-19 virus continues, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased after 103 more people tested positive for the virus, while the Ministry of Health indicated that no new COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.

There are currently 1,739 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, while 34 more persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 17,681. The 103 newly confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10. Fifty-four of the newly confirmed cases were females with the remaining 49 being males.

Region Four accounted for 41 of the new cases; Re-

gions One and 10 recorded six new cases; Region Three recorded 10 new cases; Regions Five recorded four new cases; and Region Six recorded 14 new cases, while Region Nine recorded 22 new cases.

It was reported that the 103 new cases were recorded from a total of 896 tests.

The country has now recorded a total of 19,877 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Fifteen persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Currently, there are 89 persons in institutional isolation; 1,630 are in home isolation and five persons are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected

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with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from June 1, 2021, until June 30, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The current curfew time is from 22:30 hrs to 04:00 hrs.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

Countrywide community engagements planned to propel ‘spotlight initiative’

AS work continues to progress on the ‘spotlight initiative’ in Guyana, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, along with representatives of the European Union and United Nations, on Friday last interacted with various groups and community members for feedback on the programme.

As part of the initiative, a series of community engagements are planned across the country. The process has already started and the latest interaction took place during Minister Persaud’s outreach to the Grove/Diamond, East Bank Demerara communities.

The representatives were able to share key information with residents, all geared towards eradicating violence

The spotlight initiative was signed by the Government of Guyana, the EU and the UN, in October last year, and is a three-year programme funded by the EU. Guyana is one of six Caribbean countries to

The visiting team was able to receive feedback on issues peculiar to the communities

against women and girls. The team shared some of Guyana’s statistics that show how one in two women would have experienced some level of violence in their lifetime; 55 per cent of women experienced such at some point in their lives.

Minister Persaud made a presentation, along with UN Resident Coordinator, Mikiko

Tanaka, the representative of the EU and other officers based at the UN Mission in Guyana. Persons were not only provided the relevant information through the exercise, but were able to benefit from interactive sessions afterwards, thus providing feedback to the team of issues peculiar to each community.

benefit from the initiative and Minister Persaud had said that the initiative will open doors for a multi-sectoral approach.

“We will investigate every report of sexual and domestic abuse against

women and girls and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) will be doing everything to end this scourge. I urge the public to not hesitate to report cases of abuse,” she had urged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Elderly woman gets free house lot GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

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– as CH&PA wraps up ‘Dream Realised’ in Essequibo MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Saturday last, wrapped up the two-day ‘Dream Realised’ initiative in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) by presenting elderly Charity resident, Rochel Esther Cuvilje, with a free house lot.

Minister Croal explained that the woman, who currently resides at the Amerindian Hostel, had approached him earlier in the year for assistance. He immediately initiated the allocation process.

Consequently, on behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Minister Croal said he was happy to present the document to the woman.

Speaking on the outcome of the two-day event, he said the Ministry – Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) - delivered on its target of providing over 350 house lots to residents in the Charity Housing Scheme.

Several titles and transports were also handed over.

“We have had a successful event. I am happy with

Residents during the Dream Realised initiative in Region Two

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and his team meet with a resident during the Dream Realised initiative in Region Two

the outcome. We have been able to fulfil our target which we set out, and that was the allocation of 350 intact. We surpass it by five so its 355 and so I am glad for that and certainly Essequibians are

happy.”

Minister Croal said the focus will now be to complete the necessary infrastructure, including drainage, roads, bridges and water distribution networks in the

All Boards of Guardians to benefit from training

PERSONS who constitute the Boards of Guardians, on the East Bank of Demerara, recently benefited from a training programme organised by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security The training, undertaken

by Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar, was part of a country wide exercise that the ministry has embarked upon; moving week by week throughout the country and training a number of persons who sit on the local boards.

Such training will continue until all the members of boards are trained.

“And this is a very key exercise,” subject minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has observed. The boards deal with public assistance, which is applied for at the ministry’s offices across the country. The application goes to the Boards of Guardians for consideration and once the persons satisfy the criteria specified by the legislation, they can benefit from the service.

If they do not qualify, however, the matter can be appealed at the Poor Law Commission. Chairperson of that Commission, Amanda

The training was undertaken by Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar

Richards, was on hand Friday to interact with persons who attended the exercise.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud also took the opportunity during her outreach to meet with members of newly formed women’s groups.

“This was a very good interaction because these groups are new and they’re interested in how they can benefit from the Ministry’s programmes, so they were able to ask questions and raise their concerns,” Minister Persaud said.

One programme in particular that caught their interest was the recently launched Women’s Innovation and

Investment Network (WIIN).

They were especially interested in learning how they would be able to use the skills they would’ve garnered through the programme.

The women, of Golden Grove, were of varying ages, backgrounds, and levels of skills.

M i n i s t e r P e r s a u d ’s meeting with them all formed part of the Ministry’s efforts on gender streamlining in the country.

In fact, recently, the Ministry’s Gender Affairs Bureau has been hosting a series of men’s forums across the country to address the same issue.

Buxton/St. Joseph scheme which will cost $872 million; Charity Squatting Area $628 million and Onderneeming Phase IV, $1.7 billion.

Additionally, the ministry is addressing many housing

issues within the Region, including double allocation, persons occupying lands that weren’t allocated to them and fraud.

“These are the sort of issues that we are resolving promptly. We have a dedicated team that will be here throughout the week because they require investigation and based on the report we will reallocate persons,” he said.

M e a n w h i l e , C H & PA Chief Executive Officer,

Sherwyn Greaves, said several of those issues were resolved, including those involving persons who have paid for lands and have not received an allocation. He said the ministry will also continue to process and distribute land titles and transports to residents.

This is the second housing drive being held in Region Two for 2021. Approximately 700 house lots have been allotted thus far. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Police body cameras could increase convictions, professionalism

RANKS of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have started wearing cameras affixed to their uniforms as part of plans to increase accountability and improve public trust.

The use of cameras is among several measures the GPF has adopted to capture evidence at crime scenes as part of a wider plan to increase its professionalism. The initiative was first introduced in 2015 and has been expanded to all 12 police divisions.

Head of GPF’s Infor-

mation Technology Department, Superintendent Jermaine Johnson, said body cameras would increase the safety of both police and civilians. Information from the cameras would also be used for training.

Superintendent Johnson said there is a standard operating procedure for the use of the body cameras.

Technical staff are stationed in all divisional regions to ensure the cameras are operational before a rank is issued with a body camera.

This means that the date and

time on the camera must be correct, and the storage clear and fully functional.

The Superintendent said ranks are also required to keep the cameras turned on from the time they are issued. If an incident occurs during the rank’s time on duty, the footage will be reviewed for evidential value. The footage will also be archived for a period in the event a report is made against the officer.

Recently, there have been several incidents between police and civilians,

A traffic rank with a body camera attached to his uniform

which have revealed civilians either attacking or verbally abusing officers. Video footage captured during these officer-community interactions will provide better documentation of the nature of events and support accounts articulated by both officers and civilians.

“After every operation, we will use the footage to review for quality assurance, meaning that if the rank performed the duty in a professional way, if the civilians who we have to serve abuse the police; also, we use it for training to look to see what we do and how we can improve on it.

“If within the view, something happened and he takes off his body cam, there is reason to believe he is guilty of something. So, you would want your body camera to be on at all times when you are executing your duty because the only thing the body camera can do, is to show your superior how well you have been performing your duties,” Superintendent Johnson said.

The Superintendent said cameras could ensure quality of evidence captured from incidents, and speed up justice for victims.

“For the civilians, when you see the police with a body cam on, you can speak straight into that body cam and you will get transparency in what you may have indicated to the police, a robbery, someone may have gone into your house…

“The back and forth in who said what, the body cam would be able to deter-

mine and give a true picture of what happened at that time,” he explained.

Emphasising the effectiveness of the body cameras, Superintendent Johnson detailed an incident where,

Superintendent Jermaine Johnson

if it were not for the camera, he could have been found afoul of the law.

“I personally had a case where my vehicle registered number plate was being used by a next vehicle and because of a body cam, the evidence was picked up and the perpetrator was prosecuted,” he said.

The officer said the incident was coincidental, but it led to the perpetrator paying a hefty fine.

He noted, however, that the body cameras are offline, meaning the video footage cannot be accessed until it is uploaded manually. To ensure there is optimal use of the devices, the GPF will soon be receiving advanced body cameras which will be online and linked to the command centre. A total of 500 body cameras have already been

catered for in Budget 2021.

Since taking office, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn have been calling for the restructuring of the GPF. President Ali at the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast in December 2020 said enhanced professionalism within the GPF will improve the way citizens view the police. “For you who serve in the Police Force, professionalism is the embodiment of everything you do. And I’m not asking for anything beyond that, beyond that professionalism that would see a remarkable improvement in the way the population views you, views your uniform, and the government.”

Additionally, in his address at the GPF’s Annual Conference in March, the President said change is a systematic process and that it was important for the lawmen to understand their current position, against where they ought to be. He said there is need to identify the gaps in the Force, both external and internal.

“In doing this, we then have to do a realistic assessment of our capability, our weaknesses, our strength, the opportunities that are there, the direction in which the country is going, and the Force is going, and the requirement and the future demands of the Force.”

Some $15.3 billion was earmarked in the 2021 budget for the Force to enhance its capacity.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

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South Africa level series with win in second T20I

(ESPNCRICINFO) -South Africa earned their first T20I victory under new white-ball captain Temba Bavuma and successfully defended a score under 170 for just the third time since the 2016 World T20 to level the five-match series against West Indies 1-1.

W h i l e K a g i s o Rabada took wickets at the start and end of the innings, South Africa had their spinners, George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi, to thank for the win. Between them, Linde and Shamsi bowled eight overs, conceded 35 runs and took three wickets to take West Indies from 62 for 2 in the ninth over to 70 for 5 in the 11th, in pursuit of 167.

Despite late cameos from Jason Holder and Fabian Allen, the required rate proved too high. Both teams will be concerned with the performances of their middle orders, who failed to build on promising starts. No South African batter outside the top three scored more than 11 while West Indies’ No. 3-6 batters were all dismissed in single figures.

Positive in the Powerplay With as many as five potential opening batters in their squad, South Africa have several combinations to choose from but stuck with Reeza Hendricks and

Quinton de Kock for the second successive match.

After posting just 33 in 3.4 overs on Saturday, the pair came good with 73 in 6.4 overs in this match.

They scored 69 runs in the Powerplay including seven fours and three sixes and were aggressive against the opening spin pair and the seamers that followed.

De Kock took 14 runs off Holder’s opening over, including the first six of the innings as he cleared midwicket. At the other end, Hendricks plundered 14 off Allen, and hit him back over his head for six before hitting two fours off the next three balls and then being gifted four leg-byes. South Africa have only scored more runs in a Powerplay three times - 88 for 0 and 83 for 0 against England in 2016, and 78 for 0 against Zimbabwe in 2010. In the end, it set them up for a match-winning total.

Ultra-Edge fails...

Hendricks was well set to score the sixth fifty of his T20I career but two balls after the halfway mark was beaten as he attempted a reverse-sweep off Kevin Sinclair. He was given out on-field and reviewed after consultation with his captain, Bavuma.

A cutaway of the players was shown but Ultra-Edge was not available and the television umpire, Joel Wilson, eventually had to

make his call based on the split-screen. There was a clear gap between bat and ball and ball-tracking upheld the on-field call, with the ball clipping off stump, so had to go. South Africa were 96 for 2, with 200 still well within sight. ...and so does South Africa’s middle-order South Africa’s topheavy squad has left them with a soft middle-order and that showed after the Powerplay and particularly in the second half of their innings. They lost 7 for 97 between the 7th and 20th over, adding only 21 for the loss of three wickets in the last four overs.

Left-arm seamer Obed McCoy was the standout performer at the death.

After his first over cost 10 runs in the Powerplay, he conceded only 15 runs in his next three and claimed the wickets of David Miller, caught at deep midwicket, Linde, lbw on review, and Heinrich Klaasen, holing out in the last over.

Dwayne Bravo bowled the penultimate over and gave away just six runs to build on the start Sinclair had given West Indies. He opened the bowling and finished with 2 for 23 in his four overs, the most economical West Indian return and his own career-best.

South African spin Linde and Shamsi bowled six overs in tandem

Rassie van der Dussen is cleaned up by Andre Russell, West Indies vs South Africa, 2nd T20I, St George’s, June 27, 2021

after the Powerplay and gave away just 23 runs between. Importantly, they picked up three wickets in that period to put South Africa in a winning position.

After the seventh and eighth over yielded just eight runs between them, Nicholas Pooran, batting at No. 4, felt he needed to do something; he tried to hit Linde over long-on but played for turn when there wasn’t any and skied the ball to Miller on the boundary. Pooran has been dismissed in single figures in eight out of his last 10 T20 innings.

In the next over, Kieron Pollard attempted a slogsweep off a Shamsi legbreak and found a diving Hendricks at midwicket.

Four balls later, Andre Russell did not get hold of a leg-side heave off Linde, whom he tried to dispatch over deep midwicket.

Klaasen negotiated between staring into the sun and losing the ball in the shadows and ended up taking the catch of the match to leave West Indies 70 for 4.

How’s that?

We all know the old trick when the fielding side appeal for caught behind when the ball has drifted down the leg side to avoid having the umpire call wide, don’t we? Well, South Africa did that at the start of the 17th over when Allen missed a pull off Anrich Nortje, which was called

wide. For once, it worked: de Kock convinced Bavuma to review but a working Ultra-Edge showed no contact between bat, or glove, and ball - though the wide was reversed, with the ball flicking the thigh pad.

In the event, the next ball brought a wicket: Allen drove Nortje to Bavuma at extra cover, whose quick pick-up and release back to Nortje allowed him to catch Holder short of his crease coming back for two, all but ending West Indies’ chances of a successful chase. Allen hit the expensive Lungi Ngidi for three sixes in the final over, but by then the game was lost.

Batting flop between overs 7-12 cost West Indies the match, says Pollard West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has indicated that the collapse between overs 7-12 in the run chase of 167 was the reason they lost by 16 runs to South Africa in the second Twenty20 International in Grenada on Sunday.

With the win, South Africa levelled the five-match

series 1-1 after a thumping on Saturday in the first match.

“It is okay to be aggressive but when you go against your natural strength of hitting the ball straight, there the problem lies. I think Pooran and myself gave it away when we needed to bat a few overs for the team and set it up, and I think that is where we lost

the game”, the skipper stated at the post-match presser.

Between overs 7-12, West Indies scored 23 runs and lost three key wickets (Nicholas Pooran, Pollard and Andre Russell), and according to Pollard, it is important they look to minimize such in the future.

Spinners George Linde

and Tabraiz Shamsi had 2-19 and 1-16 respectively which stifled the West Indies.

“We can see it happening in the future as well, but it is to try and minimize how many times it happens to us because you see the firepower, we have all the way down. I don’t want to take away the natural instinct of

the individuals but they are also individuals that is posted with responsibilities to do certain things for the team.”

The skipper said he is impressed with the composure of Kevin Sinclair and Obed McKoy, both of whom had career-best bowling performances, and highlighted that the senior players are offering

tangible advice to the young players, who at times are out-performing their seniors.

Sinclair took 2-23 while McKoy had 3-25 as they played a key role in restricting South Africa to 166-7.

Pollard said they will rest and regroup ahead of the third match on Tuesday from 14:00h

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Walsh eyeing consistency, all-round performances from WI Women

West Indies Women Head Coach, Courtney Walsh has set winning the Twenty20 and One-Day International series against Pakistan in Antigua as top priority but also has a keen interest in the level of consistency from the Caribbean ladies.

Walsh, speaking on Saturday’s virtual media brief, expressed that consistency in performances and improvements in all departments are what he will be using as his yardstick to judge the success of the series.

Since being appointed as Head Coach in October last, the team’s management has

hosted numerous camps in Antigua to keep the women active in the void of regional cricket due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am looking for allround performances in all departments. England tour has been a while and we have had two camps since then to try and put some things together. [We are] focussing on awareness and consistency, especially in this camp and the Pakistan tour in a couple of days to see how we have improved and get ready for international cricket again”, Walsh expressed.

The Pakistan tour will

West Indies Women Head Coach, Courtney Walsh

consist of three T20I from June 30 – July 4 followed by five ODIs (July 7 – 18).

West Indies Women has not played a T20I since they lost 0-5 in England last September and One-Days since

the Indian tour in November 2019.

The coach said he will expect some “rustiness” but reassured the focus will be on consistency and seeing players have self-belief and execute.

37 balls.

Karan Sharma added 20 from 41 balls and Navam Shah 12 from 37 balls. In the end, the side struggled to reach 124-7 from 30 overs.

Haslim did the damage to the middle order to pick up 2-15 from five overs, while Gavin Singh grabbed 2-22 in six overs.

In his turn in the middle, Haslim exploded with the bat. He belted an unbeaten 100 off just 34 balls at a spanking strike rate of 294.12. In total, he struck seven fours and 10 sixes.

Haslim’s opening partner Freddy Pestano, added 25 runs (2X4s, 1X6) from 15 balls, as Everest/ACS rolled over the target in eight overs.

At Baisley Pond, former Berbice all-rounder, Terrence Madramootoo, produced an all-round effort to lead Liberty to a five-wicket victory in a low-scoring clash against Pak Tigers CC. Tigers won the toss and

batted. Yasir Mushtaq (41 from 20 balls 4X4s, 3X6s) and Farhan Ellahi (35 from 39 balls 1X4, 3X6s) played a few shots early, but Madramootoo dismissed the former, while the latter was bowled and caught by Michael Sultan.

After that, Liberty took control to restrict their opponents for 131 in 29 overs.

Sultan finished with 2-38 from six overs, Dion Choo-wee-nam 2-11 from six overs and Madramootoo 1-17 from six overs.

Liberty looked in trouble early after losing seasoned openers Choo-wee-nam (1) and Azeemuddin Khan (8), but Troy Mars (23 from 21 balls), Altaaf Habibulla (29 from 31 balls) and Madramootoo (31 from 16 balls), brought the side back.

Keron Sewnarine ensured that Liberty reached the target with 19 unbeaten runs from 16 balls at the end, which propelled them to 132-5 from 17 overs.

“Obviously, we are not playing enough cricket is going to take away from your confidence because if you are not playing, you are not sure how you will perform. The camp has helped us come together, have some practice sessions and matches, and some good scenarios to get you a feel, so you are not going to be sort of rusty as beforehand but everyone knows the main test is there in the middle, and when you are competing.”

“Everyone knows, Pakistan is not a walkover team, no team in international cricket is, so it is going to be a good

test for us.”

West Indies is ranked sixth, just above Pakistan in both of the white-ball formats.

Additionally, the legendary fast-bowler indicated the women have looked to address the glaring fitness issues and it is a work in progress.

“The players have bought into because they know all the coaching we do, if they are not fit enough then their skill set is going to suffer. We have had frank discussions and it has stepped up; it is getting better but it is not where we want it to be but the scale is going up.”

Richmond Hill and Everest/ACS continue to dominate NYNCL 30-over competition

GUYANESE sides, Richmond Hill Liberty and Everest/ACS, continued their unbeaten run with their eighth consecutive victories each over the weekend in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) 30-over Saturday tournament.

Liberty are on 16 points, to lead Group A and Everest on 16 points, to lead Group

B.

In their latest win, Everest/ACS surged to a 10-wicket victory against Colombia Cricket Club after former Demerara cricketer, Wasim Haslim, blasted a century.

Colombia batted first at Drew Park, but struggled to put the ball away. Prashanth Masheshwar led the attack with 36 (3X4s, 2X6s) from

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, June 28, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: 225-6158 Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kemar Roach-- 32 wickets (10 Tests) (2) Mutiah Muralitharan-- 82 wickets (12 Tests)

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(2) What are the best innings figures by a Sri Lankan in a Test against the West Indies to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Waslim Haslim scored a hundred for Everest/ACS on Saturday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 28, 2021

Verstappen wins in Styria

(Skysports) - Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Max Verstappen delivered a “masterclass” in his runaway victory at the Styrian Grand Prix for the in-form team’s fourth in succession.

Meanwhile, his Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff, admitted that Sunday represented the “first race really in eight years” where they were “just lacking the pace”.

But the reigning seven-time champions vowed to fight back in what is developing into the sternest sustained challenge to their dominance of F1’s hybrid-turbo engine era.

Verstappen led all 71 laps at Red Bull’s home track on Sunday, with second-placed Hamilton steadily slipping further adrift of the Red Bull.

“The whole team is just

working tremendously well at the moment,” said Horner to Sky Sports F1.

“The only hiccup we had in that race was the pit stop for Checo [Perez] but other than that it was an immaculate performance, particularly by Max who just managed the race so well.

“The one-stop was the quickest route for him. We could see Lewis’ tyres were starting to open up, so we were mindful of that, but the way he controlled the race and built the gap, that was the most dominant win we’ve had so far this year against Mercedes. So that’s very encouraging.”

Verstappen led Hamilton by 17 seconds before the Mercedes headed for the pits for a late ‘free’ pit stop for fresh tyres to go for the fastest lap and attached bonus point,

which he achieved.

Horner said: “Max controlled the race fantastically well. It was a masterclass.”

The 23-year-old Dutchman has now won 14 times in his F1 career - moving him into the top 20 on the all-time list - but, coming on the back of triumphing at Paul Ricard last week, this is the first occasion that Verstappen has been victorious in consecutive events.

“It was very enjoyable to be honest,” said Verstappen, who now leads Hamilton by 18 points in the championship.

“I had really good pace.

Also tyre degradation was very positive for us this weekend, which normally is a strong point for Mercedes. So we can be very satisfied with that.

The gap? I didn’t expect to be that big.”

Mercedes: This is not a fait

accompli despite no upgrades Underlining the scale of their success in the turbo-hybrid engine era, this is the first time since 2013 that Mercedes have gone four races without winning.

Wolff admitted that this particular defeat felt different to others - but still made clear that Mercedes would not be giving up even though they are not developing their 2021 car anymore.

“What’s tough is that it’s been the first race really in eight years where you’re just lacking the pace,” said the Mercedes team principal.

“Where you see that we have stopped developing for this year because we believe that the next years are so important to get it right, and they keep adding bits. There are trucks coming with aero parts

Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Styria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2021 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Dan Istitene Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) and all credit to this strategy, and you feel like they are eeking away.

“The new power unit has been consolidating their performance. We’ve just got to get our heads together and do the best out of the package that we have. This is far from over.”

And Wolff declared: “We are totally fired up. This is not a fait accompli because we were lacking pace today.”

Verstappen says Red Bull will ‘keep pushing’ In what is likely good news for Red Bull given the RB16B’s form this weekend, F1 stays in Austria for a second successive race at the

Spielberg venue this coming week.

Verstappen insisted that gaps were likely to close between the teams as the field puts the learnings of week one into practice for the Austrian GP. But he said that Red Bull, chasing a first world title in eight years, would not be showing any let up in their own pursuit of more performance.

Put to him that he looked at one with the RB16B, Verstappen said: “I was also at one with last year’s car but it wasn’t as fast as this car!

So you drive to the limit of the car.

Hazard carries Belgium into Euro quarter-finals (BBC) - A moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

The Borussia Dortmund winger’s swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey firsthalf and proved enough for Roberto Martinez’s side to set up a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.

Portugal -- who again only introduced Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes from the bench -- will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post.

Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on.

The world’s highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill but again they have showed they possess the grit to complement their undoubted quality.

Portugal endeavour comes too late Martinez punched the air and shouted “yes” on the sound of the final whistle while Ronaldo

crouched and beat the turf in frustration at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja.

The Juventus forward’s side had perhaps shown their best football of the tournament in the second 45 minutes, amassing 15 of a lofty 23 shots on the night.

Jota fired a snap-shot over, Dias warmed the hands of Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois with a point-blank header, Guerreiro found the foot of the post, and substitute Joao Felix dragged a late effort wide.

Manager Fernando Santos may well be asked where such an industrious 45 minutes had been hiding.

That they failed to find top gear at Euro 2020 despite a talent-packed squad is puzzling and whether Ronaldo - now 36 - graces another major tournament will now likely become a focus.

He will undoubtedly at some stage go on to move clear of former Iran striker Ali Daei in the all-time men’s goalscoring ranks, with the pair both on 109 international goals.

His frustration at the final whistle though was tangible as, after the highs of securing a first major honour in 2016, Portugal have flattered to deceive this time around.

Belgium’s midfielder Thorgan Hazard (L) celebrates with Belgium’s forward Eden Hazard after scoring the first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Belgium and Portugal at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville on June 27, 2021. (Photo by Jose Manuel Vidal / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JOSE MANUEL VIDAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa level series with win in second T20I see story on page 21

Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo celebrate, West Indies vs South Africa, 2nd T20I, St George’s, June 27, 2021

Chris Gayle failed to make an impact, West Indies vs South Africa, 2nd T20I, St George’s, June 27, 2021

Left-arm spinner George Linde put the brakes on in the middle overs ©AFP/Getty Images

Batting flop between overs 7-12 cost West Indies the match, see story says Pollard on page 21

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021