Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28-12-2020

MONDAY 28th December, 2020

' No.106226

UAE investors eyeing local livestock industry SEE PAGE 03

–– almost 500 local farmers turn to poultry in last four months

Elderly man burnt to death in house

Mother, daughter brutally murdered

SEE PAGE 05

PAGE

08

Dead: Larissa Singh

Roy Rajbanse’s charred remains were discovered after the house was completely razed

AG Chambers paying some lawyers in elections fiasco

PAGE

04

Tara Krishnaran and the suspect in happier times (Photos provided by relatives)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Special audit of 2019 SLED programme underway -following discovery of incomplete applications, absence of criteria

By Tamica Garnett A SPECIAL audit of the 2019 Sustainable Livelihoods Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme has commenced and a separate report is expected to be issued by the Audit Office, after it was discovered that several beneficiaries did not complete applications forms and that criteria were not utilised for approval of the grants.

Some $250 million had been allocated to the programme in the 2019 national budget. It has been said that sums totalling $249.997 million were expended by the end of 2019 and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) received more than half of the allotment.

However, according to the Auditor General’s 2019 Report “it was difficult to ascertain the reasons for granting approval to the respective beneficiaries.”

“Audit examination of a sample of beneficiaries’ files revealed that no application forms were completed, despite it being a requirement

as stated in the notice inviting applications published in the newspapers. In addition, there was [sic] no criteria or checklist seen as utilised for the appraisal and approval of this grant,” the report stated.

An initiative geared at business and job creation in communities across the country, the SLED programme was set up in 2015 after the coalition government had taken up office, and has since seen $760 million invested over the years. The programme provided funding to persons and organisations for the support of entrepreneurial activities.

Some $115 million was allocated in its first year, while it received further allotments of $40 million, $100 million and $150 million in respective successive years. Over the years the programme had placed emphasis on support of businesses in hinterland communities.

Last year, the community of Hiawa, located in Central Rupununi, Region Nine, benefitted from an agricultural initiative which included sheep- rearing at a

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

cost of $6 million and an $8 million multipurpose building. More than 150 cooperatives comprising women and youths were said to have been among the beneficiaries from last year.

It was under this programme that former Director of Sport Christopher Jones controversially received $4.8 million in equipment for a barbershop he never built.

The police in August seized pieces of equipment that were being stored at Jones’s home after an audit revealed that while the then Ministry of Social Protection had approved the disbursement of $4.8M, almost $1M in items were not physically delivered, but were instead being stored at Jones’s home, and neither had the project been executed.

When it commenced, the programme was overseen by the then Ministry of Communities and was later moved to the Ministry of Social Protection; the two ministries no longer exist. Under the current administration, the programme is being administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and was allotted a further $105 million in the 2020 Budget.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, confirmed that the beneficiaries of the 2020 grants have already been selected and the ministry is currently working with them to have their business ventures implemented.

“We have applicants where projects have already started to be acted upon.

We have already closed off the applications. The beneficiaries have already been identified and they are in the process of getting the resources to have the projects implemented. They are all small and vulnerable busi-

ness people at a micro level, not at the big commercial level,” the minister related.

The minister could not at the time recall the number of beneficiaries or the business ventures involved.

Questioned about the improved steps taken to better monitor and manage the programme going forward, Minister Dharamlall said: “As part of the implementation modalities as well, we have put in place some sustainability criteria. We have established implementation modalities that deal with the entire process from applications, identification of the prospective beneficiaries, to monitoring implementation of the project and finally ensuring we do an assessment of the impact of how the project has impacted the lives that benefitted from it.”

He emphasised that the current programme is placing emphasis on businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and loss of business in the past five months.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

UAE investors eyeing local livestock industry

–– almost 500 local farmers turn to poultry in last four months

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA’S livestock industry has been a key component of this country’s agricultural sector, satisfying local demand and generating revenue from regional and foreign markets, but there is scope for further development and advancement, and this potential has piqued the interest of investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Agriculture in Guyana accounts for approximately 50 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, generates about 20.6 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs approximately 40 per cent of the labour force.

The livestock sub?sector contributes approximately 13.6 per cent of the agricultural GDP and 2.8 per cent of the total GDP. Livestock is commonly defined as domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labour and commodities

A local chicken farm

such as meat, eggs and milk, among other things.

Guyana, with a large expanse of land for advancement in livestock production and a business-friendly environment, has attracted investors from the UAE who have indicated their interest to invest here.

“I have spoken to investors who want to come and invest in livestock…I did a presentation recently to the Dubai [UAE] team that came to Guyana and I think they are very interested in coming to invest in the poultry and livestock industry, especially the goat industry in our country,” Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

This willingness to invest in livestock, as said by the minister, was initially expressed by members of the eight-member delegation from the UAE, which visited Guyana in November this year. The team led by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed

Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai, met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and senior government officials, and held discussions on oil and gas; infrastructure and agriculture.

The UAE, as reported by international media, has a significant wealth of livestock. The total number of camels in the country is estimated at 450,000, while sheep and goat herds are estimated at about five million, thus, constituting an important component of both food security and the national economy.

The Government of Guyana had announced recently that in order to ensure that all inputs into agriculture and livestock production are made affordable, there will be no Value Added Tax (VAT) on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides and key inputs in the poultry sector including poultry feed, building materials and packaging.

The government also gave the poultry industry zero-rated VAT status.

This has since served as an impetus for investors, both local and foreign, who are interested in “setting up shop.”

“We are seeing more large-scale farmers coming on stream in poultry…a number of small farmers are also coming on board,” Minister Mustapha said.

Based on available information, the poultry industry has recorded a stark increase over the past four months, with about 500 new farmers getting into the industry.

This increased interest in the industry augurs well for Guyana, Minister Mustapha said, adding that it will supplement the growth stemming from the country’s oil-and-gas sector.

“Over the next few years we will see development and increase in this sector…with oil and gas coming on board, we will have more opportunities to market our produce.

There are already plans to set up state-of-the-art abattoirs across the country, starting with Wales and West Coast

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha

Berbice,” the minister said.

In 2018, production of poultry meat in Guyana was 46,322 tonnes. Production of poultry meat of Guyana increased from 5,500 tonnes in 1969 to 46,322 tonnes in 2018 growing at an average annual rate of 7.22 per cent.

In this region, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has predicted that the demand for food will increase 50 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050. And, according to the FAO, livestock production constitutes a very important component of the agricultural economy of developing countries, a contribution that goes beyond direct food production to include multipurpose uses, such as skins, fibre, fertiliser and fuel, as well as capital accumulation.

Furthermore, livestock are closely linked to the social and cultural lives of several million resource-poor farmers, for whom animal ownership ensures varying degrees of sustainable farming and economic stability.

All categories of livestock have increased in number over the years, with a much greater increase for monogastric animals (pigs and poultry) than for ruminants, said the FAO. Ruminant populations have grown at about half the rate of the human population, while

small ruminant populations (sheep and goats) have increased only in developing countries.

The pig and poultry populations, however, have grown about one-and-a-half to two times that of the human population, and are three to four times greater in developing countries than they are in developed countries.

“The world population is expected to increase from 5.4 billion to at least 7.2 billion within the next two decades, mainly in developing countries. This increase in human population, with the resulting increase in pressure on land and changes in composition of the livestock population, will have a major effect on both available natural resources and future demand for commodities, and this will consequently determine the type of livestock feeding and production systems to be adopted,” the FAO said.

Official statistics tend to underestimate the overall contribution of animals, since they generally underestimate or ignore the multipurpose role livestock play in food and agricultural production, as well as in the social life of smallscale farmers in developing countries

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

AG Chambers paying some lawyers in elections fiasco

THE Chambers of the Attorney-General (AG) has commenced paying monies owed to lawyers who represented the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government in the series of legal actions prior and subsequent to the March 2, 2020 elections.

Of the $99.6 million recently disclosed in the Auditor General’s 2019 report that was spent on legal fees by the AG Chambers in 2019, monies are still to be paid to some attorneys who appeared on behalf of the then government.

“Unfortunately, the AG Chambers is still saddled with humongous sums of money owed in legal fees accumulated under the previous administration which were

left unpaid; over the past four months, some payments were made and some are still outstanding,” Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday.

He said the AG Chambers is bound to honour some payments as a result of the contractual obligations the former government inked while in office.

Nandlall further highlighted that attorney-at-law, Patrice Henry, who was hired as a special prosecutor under the former APNU+AFC government, is suing the State for outstanding legal fees amounting to millions of dollars.

The Attorney-General said he will be defending the action brought by Henry,

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

noting that he [Henry] was hired to prosecute politically motivated charges in a capacity which violated the constitution.

Nandlall referred to Article 187 of the constitution, which states clearly that the prosecution of criminal charges is vested exclusively

with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP); the Attorney General has no such power or authority.

“Basil Williams [former AG], in violation of the constitution and in abrogation of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers, usurped the functions of the Director of Public Prosecutions and he hired a series of special prosecutors to prosecute politically inspired charges,” Nandlall explained.

Some of the matters Attorney Henry was involved in were against Nandlall, who was charged with larceny; former Head of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington; Ashni Singh, in his capacity as former Finance Minister, and President Irfaan Ali, in his

capacity as former Minister of Housing, who had several fraud charges levied against him. Those charges were recently withdrawn.

It was recently disclosed in the Auditor General’s 2019 report that the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General Chambers, under the stewardship of former Attorney-General Basil Williams, spent a total of $99.650M on legal fees/ retainer agreements in 2019 on external lawyers.

The exorbitant amount was spent to retain foreign lawyers, despite the Ministry having a Solicitor-General, one Deputy Solicitor-General, two Assistant Solicitors-General and six State Counsel in its employ.

Young father dragged to death on D’Urban St.

…after argument with taxi driver over $700

By Alisa Lashley POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 29-year-old Da-

vid Barcley, who was dragged several feet by a moving taxi and slammed into four cars, following an argument with the driver over $700.

Monday December 28, 2020 –– 3:00HRS &13:30 HRS

The incident reportedly occurred on D’Urban Street, Lodge, at around 02:00h on Sunday. A close relative of the deceased told the Guyana Chronicle, on condition of anonymity, that Barcley was driving his own vehicle at the time when he suffered a blowout while he was about three buildings west of the popular Guinness Bar. After realising that he didn’t have his ‘spare’ with him, he asked his ‘children-mother’, who was with him at the time, to stay with the vehicle so he could go home and get it.

Having gotten that settled, he flagged down a vehicle

DEAD: David Barcley

belonging to Conway’s Taxi Service, and asked the driver to take him home to Better Hope, on the East Coast Demerara, so he could collect his spare

wheel.

The relative claims that upon returning to D’Urban Street where his car was, Barcley gave the taxi driver a $5,000 bill to take out the $4,000 he had charged for the drop, but the man said he did not have any change on him. So Barcley decided to offer him the only other money he had on him at the time, which was $3,300, but the taxi driver declined, and an argument ensued between the two men.

According to the relative, the taxi driver, in a fit of rage, slashed Barcley’s car wheel, and attempted to drive away in his own vehicle. But before the man could shut the car door and make good his escape,

Barcley was already on him, and in the ensuing scuffle, Barcley’s clothing got caught in the car door, and the taxi driver hurriedly took off, dragging Barcley for several feet, and slamming him into four cars before coming to a stop. Upon realising what had occurred, the taxi driver reportedly fled the scene, while Barcley was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he died while receiving medical attention.

He died in the presence of his mother and the mother of his children, some hours after his son's birthday. The suspect is currently in police custody.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Cops seeking identity of man who shot himself in head

Guyhoc Park man shot dead A shooting incident, which occurred on Saturday night in an alleyway at Guyhoc Park squatting area, in Georgetown, has resulted in the death of 28-year-old Shawn Robinson.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the incident occurred around 18:36hrs; Robinson is said to be unemployed and resided in the same community, Police said an anonymous caller contacted the East La Penitence Police Station about 18:50hrs and

reported that there was a shooting in an alleyway and that the victim left for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

A party of policemen then went to the GPHC to interview the victim but, at the time, he was seeking medical attention for a gunshot injury to the left side chest.

Police had said Robinson’s condition was regarded as serious. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

Investigations are still ongoing.

Speeding cop on ATV crashes into pedestrian

Police at the scene of the incident

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who reportedly shot himself in the head with a 9mm Glock pistol in the wee hours of Christmas Day on Robb Street, Georgetown.

A police report noted that the incident occurred around

03:30hrs. The victim is only known as “Tricksie”; police found him lying motionless on his back, in a pool of blood, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his temple area. He was clad in a white jersey and a dark coloured three quarter pants.

About 12 inches from his

right shoulder, a 9mm Glock pistol was found with a 9mm ammunition in the breach while a 9mm spent shell was also found at the scene.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The body is presently lying at the said hospital’s mortuary

waiting to be identified and for a post-mortem examination.

According to the police report, CCTV footage from a nearby grocery store captured when the man shot himself. Investigations are ongoing.

Elderly man burnt to death in house

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur THE charred remains of 61-year-old Roy Rajbanse was discovered on Sunday morning at his Jackson Creek, East Berbice-Corentyne, hours after he was last seen imbibing with a friend.

A police report noted that the fire, which also destroyed the flat wooden house, occurred between 20:30hrs on Saturday and 06:30hrs on Sunday. The police said that Rajbanse, who was a known alcoholic and a heavy

smoker, was last seen on Saturday around 16:00hrs in the company of a farmer from Moleson Creek consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Rajbanse and the farmer were imbibing on an old stove in front of the house; sometime later, they both became intoxicated and Rajbanse retired to his residence, while the farmer went to his at Moleson Creek.

On Sunday morning, persons who passed the house

noticed that it was on fire and raised an alarm; the fire service responded promptly and extinguished the blaze, after which they discovered the charred remains of the elderly man among the debris. Rajbanse was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is presently at Bailey’s funeral home awaiting a post-mortem.

Rajbanse lived at the property with his son Christopher Ally, who is currently at sea where he works as a fisherman. A resident of

the area, identified only as ‘Tony’, told this newspaper that after the friend had left, Rajbanse had an argument with two persons at the house who wanted him to leave the property after they claimed ownership.

“Only yesterday [Saturday] I see he, then to see him the next day bun, he was by the step side and his hands, two foot and face bun bad,” Tony told this newspaper.

Police investigations are ongoing.

SHAWN Peters, a 45-year-old resident of Back Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, is nursing injuries to his leg after a police constable, on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), crashed into him on Christmas Day. Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the accident occurred around 17:00hrs on the Den Amstel Public Road. It is alleged that Police Constable (24167) Lyle was proceeding north along the road at a fast rate of speed while the pedestrian was walking on the same side of the road in a southerly

direction.

According to the police report, it is alleged, by the cop, that the ATV developed a problem causing him to lose control; he drove off the road and collided with Peters, who fell on to the roadway and received injuries to his leg.

Peters was picked up in a conscious state by an ambulance and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was treated and sent away. A breathalyzer test showed that the cop tested below the legal limit of alcohol consumption.

Investigations are ongoing.

Philadelphia man drops dead on Boxing Day

THE police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 53-year-old Dhanpaul Ramdai, a cane harvester of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo, who was found dead by his wife on Boxing Day around 21:00hrs.

Police Headquarters in a statement noted that Ramdai returned home the evening after having a few beers and retired to bed; about 21:00hrs, he woke up to use

the washroom and a loud sound was heard by his wife.

Upon checking, the wife discovered Ramdai lying in front the washroom door motionless facing upwards.

He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem; the police said detectives did not find any marks of violence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Progressive Record

GUYANA is a veritable paradise and Dr. Cheddi Jagan had intended to exploit the full potential of this wonderful land for the benefit of its tapestry of nationality. Unfortunately, like the first Garden of Eden, Guyana also had its serpent that poisoned that potential and stunted that growth, eventuating in severe retrogression of its developmental gains under the first Jagan-led government.

The first PPP government, albeit constrained by the yoke of colonialism, had driven, with tremendous dynamism, social development and economic growth in every sector of the country, even in the remote hinterland regions – agriculture (especially with the polders), health, housing, et al; but the political pushback was great.

Fast forward to 5Th October, 1992, when the PPP’s victory at the first free-and-fair elections in decades heralded the dawn of a new era. Dr. Jagan, who had seen the decay of his beloved Guyana and the oppression of the Guyanese people with great anguish, had always struggled to halt that decay and restore democracy in the land, so that its growth patterns could be

stabilised and take an upturn, even during his 28 years in the political wilderness.

Upon his ascent to the highest administrative office in the land, he began, with immediacy, to implement his developmental strategies: implemented during his first term in office as premier under colonial jurisdiction, were formulations for social development and economic growth that had been outlined in the PPP/C’s 1992 elections Manifesto and delineated in the Poverty Reduction Strategy and National Development Strategy that had been piloted by then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo, after nationwide stakeholder consultations. Within these resided the formulation of Dr, Jagan’s vision for Guyana’s development paradigm, both of which he had delegated to the guidance of then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo.

Prior to 1993, every sector was stymied and the former food basket of the Caribbean had become a ‘basket-case’ and a pariah in the Region during that punitive and recessive era, with even the agricultural sector having nose-dived. Farmers deserted their lands in droves; beet sugar

was imported for local consumption from Guatemala and white (chicken-feed) rice from Spain.

The sugar levy had taken its toll on the industry, with re-capitalisation constrained by lack of funds and resources. The debt burden had crippled the economy, driving it to bankruptcy, and there was destruction and stagnation everywhere.

However, Guyana’s indomitable freedom fighter was unfazed and energised. He worked indefatigably, driving his ministers and all those who worked with him to strive for the seemingly impossible in efforts to achieve optimal results from scant resources.

Recognising that he needed the private sector -- which he referred to as “the engine of growth”-- to be restored to vibrancy, he formulated the vision of a trade fair, whereby a free-market system could be catalysed into vibrancy as a driver of the nation’s restored economic viability; thus, under the stewardship of the PPP/Cs first Minister of Trade, the late Michael Shreechand, GuyExpo 1994 was launched..

There was one person who was the real powerhouse behind the success of the first GuyExpo under a

PPP/C administration, and that was Vic Nemdhari.

The Sophia Complex was a microcosm of the country under PNC governance, with every structure crumbling and rotting. The land was swamp and jungle, inhabited by alligators, boa constrictors and other denizens of the wild. The timeframe allocated by Dr. Jagan to get the site in readiness was mere months.

Vic Nemdhari and his team worked night and day and finally the site was ready; but, unfortunately, Vic Nemdhari did not get to participate in the success engendered by his tremendous efforts, because he dropped dead of a heart attack mere days before the launch of GuyExpo ’94 on February 17, 1994.

The first GuyExpo was organised by the newly formed Guyana Export Promotion Council in collaboration with the CARICOM Export Development Project and was launched on February 17, 1994, mere months beyond a year of the first PPP/C administration taking office.

This first public/private partnership facilitated by a PPP/C government saw private firms undertaking to repair and refurbish and even

construct the buildings to display their exhibits. The exhibition and trade fair ran from February 17-21, 1994, and was such a success that private enterprise urged Dr. Jagan to facilitate another one in 1995, although GuyExpo was initially meant to be a bi-annual event.

With successive PPP/C administrations, especially under the stewardship of the Jagans’ successor, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the private sector has grown overwhelmingly, with manufacturing and agro-enterprises being such mammoth revenue-earners that the blinding smile of Dr. Jagan must be projecting his blessings on the continuum of successes that have fructified from his visionary conceptualisation of a trade fair and exposition to act as a rudder, guiding Guyana’s engine of growth to drive the nation’s economic prosperity and social development.

However, the primary facilitator of industry, low-cost energy, which was projected to be provided by the Amaila Falls hydro-project, was stalled and eventually halted by the coalition partners.

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but a cultural one Dear Editor, KWANZAA tends to get lumped together with Hanukkah and Christmas as "the winter holidays," but it is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one. You can celebrate Kwanzaa whether you're Muslim, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, or if you belong to other religions. Since Kwanzaa is a pan-African and African-American holiday, some people incorrectly assume it originated in Africa. In actuality, it has American roots—though people in Africa celebrate it today as well. The year-end event was created a year after the Watts Riots as a way to honour African heritage and bring Black families and communities together. Maulana Karenga, born Ronald McKinley Everett in Parsonsburg, Maryland, founded the holiday in 1966 during the civil rights movement.

Then just 25 years old, Karenga was a Black nationalist and ac-

tivist intent on liberating African Americans from racial oppression, in part by building pride and unity around their cultural origins. Karenga went on to earn two PhDs and is currently chair of the department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

Although celebrated in winter, Kwanzaa is patterned after harvest festivals traditionally celebrated by many African cultures and tribes. The word "Kwanzaa" comes from “matunda ya kwanza,” which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Like other harvest festivals, Kwanzaa includes a feast called Karamu on day six of the holiday. Seven is an important, even mystical, number in many cultures and traditions. In fact, according to Karenga himself, the additional "A" in "Kwanzaa," which comes from the Swahili kwanza, was added so that the name would have the symbolic seven letters! Seven was a central number for the Rosicrucians and ancient

Egyptians; there are seven deadly sins in Catholicism; there are seven days in a week. Seven also features prominently in Kwanzaa. Not only does the holiday last for seven days, December 26 through January 1, but there are also seven symbols, including seven candles to be lit, and seven principles.

The seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa are: mazao (the crops), mkeka (the mat), kinara (the candle holder), muhindi (the corn), mishumaa saba (the seven candles), kikombe cha umaja (the unity cup), and zawadi (the gifts). Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa has a specific principle rooted in the sacred teachings of Asante and Zulu harvest celebrations. Participants are meant to talk about, celebrate, and reflect upon: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (Imani). Seven candles are lit during the seven days

of Kwanzaa, representing the seven key principles of the holiday. The ceremonial lighting of candles is a rite of focus and remembrance in many traditions around the world.

They are placed in a candle-holder called a kinara. There are three green candles, three red, and one black. The black candle—representing the people, collectively—is lit each day, then an additional candle that coincides with that day's specific principle. The green candles and green parts of the Kwanzaa flag stand for hope and the future, two appropriate and universal themes for the end of the year. The red candles and the red in the Kwanzaa flag represent the struggle of the people. During the Karamu, or Karamu Ya Imani (feast of feasts), everyone present drinks from the unity cup. After everyone has a sip of water, juice, or wine from the cup, the oldest person at the celebration asks for a blessing from God or from the ancestors of those who are present. At large feasts,

rather than family dinners, people may sip from their own small cups, but at the same time. This is also a time to honour the elders in the family. On the last day of the holiday, people exchange gifts. In line with the principle of creativity, Kwanzaa gifts are traditionally homemade.

But families also buy creative gifts such as books, music, and art.

Meaningful gifts (zawadi), are given to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement, and success. The exchange of gifts with members of our immediate family, especially the children, is to promote or reward accomplishments and commitments kept. Accepting a gift implies a moral obligation to fulfil the promise of the gift; it obliges the recipient to follow the training of the host. The gift cements social relationships, allowing the receiver to share the duties and the rights of a family member. Accepting a gift makes the receiver part of the family and promotes Umoja.

TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Progressive Record GUYANA is a veritable paradise and Dr. Cheddi Jagan had intended to exploit the full potential of this wonderful land for the benefit of its tapestry of nationality. Unfortunately, like the first Garden of Eden, Guyana also had its serpent that poisoned that potential and stunted that growth, eventuating in severe retrogression of its developmental gains under the first Jagan-led government.

The first PPP government, albeit constrained by the yoke of colonialism, had driven, with tremendous dynamism, social development and economic growth in every sector of the country, even in the remote hinterland regions – agriculture (especially with the polders), health, housing, et al; but the political pushback was great.

Fast forward to 5Th October, 1992, when the PPP’s victory at the first free-andfair elections in decades heralded the dawn of a new era. Dr. Jagan, who had seen the decay of his beloved Guyana and the oppression of the Guyanese people with great anguish, had always struggled to halt that decay and restore democracy in the land, so that its growth patterns could be stabilised and take an upturn, even during his 28 years in the political wilderness.

Upon his ascent to the

highest administrative office in the land, he began, with immediacy, to implement his developmental strategies: implemented during his first term in office as premier under colonial jurisdiction, were formulations for social development and economic growth that had been outlined in the PPP/C’s 1992 elections Manifesto and delineated in the Poverty Reduction Strategy and National Development Strategy that had been piloted by then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo, after nationwide stakeholder consultations.

Within these resided the formulation of Dr, Jagan’s vision for Guyana’s development paradigm, both of which he had delegated to the guidance of then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo.

Prior to 1993, every sector was stymied and the former food basket of the Caribbean had become a ‘basket-case’ and a pariah in the Region during that punitive and recessive era, with even the agricultural sector having nose-dived.

Farmers deserted their lands in droves; beet sugar was imported for local consumption from Guatemala and white (chicken-feed) rice from Spain.

The sugar levy had taken its toll on the industry, with re-capitalisation constrained by lack of funds and resources. The debt burden

had crippled the economy, driving it to bankruptcy, and there was destruction and stagnation everywhere.

However, Guyana’s indomitable freedom fighter was unfazed and energised.

He worked indefatigably, driving his ministers and all those who worked with him to strive for the seemingly impossible in efforts to achieve optimal results from scant resources.

Recognising that he needed the private sector -- which he referred to as “the engine of growth”-to be restored to vibrancy, he formulated the vision of a trade fair, whereby a free-market system could be catalysed into vibrancy as a driver of the nation’s restored economic viability; thus, under the stewardship of the PPP/Cs first Minister of Trade, the late Michael Shreechand, GuyExpo 1994 was launched..

There was one person who was the real powerhouse behind the success of the first GuyExpo under a PPP/C administration, and that was Vic Nemdhari.

The Sophia Complex was a microcosm of the country under PNC governance, with every structure crumbling and rotting. The land was swamp and jungle, inhabited by alligators, boa constrictors and other denizens of the wild. The timeframe allocated by Dr. Jagan

to get the site in readiness was mere months. Vic Nemdhari and his team worked night and day and finally the site was ready; but, unfortunately, Vic Nemdhari did not get to participate in the success engendered by his tremendous efforts, because he dropped dead of a heart attack mere days before the launch of GuyExpo ’94 on February 17, 1994.

The first GuyExpo was organised by the newly formed Guyana Export Promotion Council in collaboration with the CARICOM Export Development Project and was launched on February 17, 1994, mere months beyond a year of the first PPP/C administration taking office.

This first public/private partnership facilitated by a PPP/C government saw private firms undertaking to repair and refurbish and even construct the buildings to display their exhibits.

The exhibition and trade fair ran from February 17-21, 1994, and was such a success that private enterprise urged Dr.

Jagan to facilitate another one in 1995, although GuyExpo was initially meant to be a bi-annual event.

With successive PPP/C administrations, especially under the stewardship of the Jagans’ successor, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the private sector has grown overwhelmingly, with manufacturing and agro-enterprises being such mammoth revenue-earners that the blinding smile of Dr. Jagan must be projecting his blessings on the continuum of successes that have fructified from his visionary conceptualisation of a trade fair and exposition to act as a rudder, guiding Guyana’s engine of growth to drive the nation’s economic prosperity and social development.

However, the primary facilitator of industry, low-cost energy, which was projected to be provided by the Amaila Falls hydro-project, was stalled and eventually halted by the coalition partners.

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Kwanzaa is not...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” “All progress is contingent upon struggle," says Dr. Carter Jackson. "The abolition of slavery, the right to vote, and even the end of Jim Crow was not inevitable.

People actively resisted and fought against oppression for change to come. Hope is not a strategy on its own. I'm always encouraged for the future when I see people taking a stand for what is right and pushing to make it happen." Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was easier to celebrate these principles with dance performances, parades and other in-person community events. But now, virtual zoom meetings are the norm as the substitute and lighting a candle for each principle during the weeklong holiday and embracing the principles of Kwanzaa in the new year, is the way going forward. Celebrities who have been known to celebrate Kwanzaa every year include Barack Obama, Oprah, Maya Angelou, rapper Chuck D, Angelina Jolie, and artist Synthia Saint James (who designed the first Kwanzaa postage stamp).

Do have a happy and safe Kwanzaa.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Mother, daughter brutally murdered –– police hunting alleged killer

By Vishani Ragobeer POLICE are on the hunt for a man who allegedly beat his reputed wife to death with a hammer and slashed her 11-year-old daughter’s throat with a knife. Their bloodied bodies were discovered on Saturday night at their Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown residence by the woman’s father who also resides there.

Dead are Tara Krishnaran, 34, who was a salesgirl, and Larissa Singh, 11.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the murders occurred sometime between 20:00hrs on December 25th (Christmas Day) and 21:00hrs on December 26th (Boxing Day).

After receiving the report of the murders on Saturday night, investigators visited the scene and discovered the mother and daughter in a bedroom.

The police said that the woman was discovered with a wound to the back of the

head, left side temple and left side of the face. Her daughter, however, had a wound, about six inches in length, to her neck and what appeared to be blood on her private parts. The suspected murder weapons - a blood stained hammer and knife were also retrieved.

The bodies were taken to the Lyken's Funeral Home, awaiting post-mortem. Detectives are making efforts to arrest the alleged killer - a man for whom the woman worked and who is a Cuban national.

According to the police report, the woman’s father said that the couple had an argument on Christmas Day and since such arguments were common, he went to bed. On Boxing day, he did not check on them as he thought the woman went to work and took her daughter along with her.

Later that night, however, the elderly man realised that he was locked inside the house and went into the room of the victims when

he made the gruesome discovery; his granddaughter was lying on the ground and his daughter was lying on the bed.

On Sunday, when the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene, the frail father was still in a state of shock.

A relative of the deceased woman and child, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the elderly man has difficulties moving around and is usually confined to his chair all day.

But, after realising that he had not heard from his daughter nor granddaughter all day, he became worried, so he checked to see if they were resting. After pulling the curtain hanging over their bedroom’s door, he first saw the grand-daughter lying on the floor. After he nudged her and she was unresponsive, he hurriedly phoned other relatives. He also told them to come with tools to break open the locks.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the woman,

Dead: Larissa Singh

her daughter and the alleged killer lived in the house, which belongs to the woman’ father, for about eight months. The woman met the Cuban national at the store where she worked and they were in a relationship for more than a year.

Reports indicate that the man would accompany Krishnaran to family functions but relatives noted that he appeared to be a jealous individual.

“We would be together (at a family function) and a boy could walk in, even

Tara Krishnaran and the suspect in happier times (Photo provided by relatives)

if it was my brothers… if they just looked at her, he would get angry about it,”

the relative said. Police investigations into the double murder are ongoing.

Moruca man chops drunk son-in-law in face TWENTY-NINE-YEAROLD Clive Benn is nursing a chop wound to his face

following an altercation with his 55-year-old fatherin-law on Christmas Day.

Police Headquarters in a statement noted that the incident occurred at Marihaba

Village, Moruca, North West District. The police revealed that Benn left his father-inlaw’s Marihaba Village house around 16:00hrs to attend a ‘que-que’ celebration where he consumed alcohol.

About 21:00hrs, Benn returned to the house “highly intoxicated and started

to behave in a disorderly manner.” It is alleged that the suspect tried to talk to him about his behavior, but Benn got annoyed and armed himself with two knives and approached the suspect.

Police said the suspect then grabbed his cutlass which was nearby, and dealt

Benn a chop to his face; Benn ran away and public-spirited citizens took him to the Waramuri Health Centre.

He was treated and discharged the following day; the suspect is in police custody.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

11 years on …

Mother still awaits answers for daughters' death

By Jeune Van Keric IT was just after daybreak on Valentine’s Day, 2009, when June Joseph hurriedly made her way to her Smythfield home where detectives were waiting to get access into the house, where the lifeless body of her only daughter, Nekeshia Rouse, was seen in a blood-spattered kitchen.

Her intended daughterin-law Alexis George, was also found dead in the yard, about 200 yards away from their home.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, June said she is still waiting for answers surrounding the young women’s demise.

On Christmas Day, her daughter, a hairstylist and make-up artist, would ensure that she is well groomed.

“My daughter was filled with joy. Always happy.

She nor Alexis deserve such a horrible death. More so, no one was ever charged. I need an awakening of this case. With social media, I am sure that someone can reveal something that can result in the successful prosecution of the killer,” the mother said.

Nekeshia’s children, Omatoya Rouse called “Christina” and Crystal Stephenson have no memory of their mother, except what is told to them by their elders.

The incident, which had rocked the township of New Amsterdam, remains etched in the memory of June, who is left to care for Nekeshia’s daughter, Crystal, 16. She was just four years old when the incident snatched her mother away from her.

She simply smiles as she repeats her mother’s name, “Nekeshia! Nekeshia!”

But for June, the details on her kitchen wall and blood-spattered floor will always be remembered.

On that fateful day, ranks from the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam had responded to reports that there was a body of an identifiable woman, clad in her underwear, in a yard approximately 200 yards from her

home.

It was about 05:40hrs and the woman was identified as Alexis George, 17, mother of a one- year-old daughter.

The police moved across to her home which Alexis shared with Nekeshia, but attempts to gain entry into the building proved unsuc-

Guyana Police Force.

It is believed that the killer may have entered the house probably through the verandah door which was improperly secured, or could have gained access after an occupant had opened the door, as there was no sign of forced entry.

Nekeshia’s jugular veins

Nekeshia Rouse

June Joseph and her grand-daughter, Crystal Stephenson

cessful.

As a result, a telephone call was made to June, the mother of Nekeshia, who was on duty as a security guard at the Gaffoor hardware outlet at Fort Canje.

On Joseph’s arrival, she opened the door, aided with a key, and discovered the lifeless body of her only daughter.

Rouse’s body was found in a slouching position in the kitchen with blood spattered across the walls. The footprints of the killer were impressed by the blood which lined the floor.

Eyewitnesses said the 25-year-old woman had earlier returned home around 04: 00hrs from a party, in the company of a rank of the

were punctured in the brutal attack.

Alexis, who was awakened by the commotion, apparently attempted to be the peacemaker, or had identified the killer, and in the process was stabbed in the neck.

In an attempt to escape from the scene, she fled down a flight of stairs, ran on to the roadway, before entering a neighbour’s yard, two house lots away, before collapsing.

As the women lay lifeless, cries of Omatoya and Crystal were heard some distance away, alerting observers. Little did they know that they will never see their mother again.

Alexis George with her then one-year-old daughter, Omatoya Rouse

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

4 minutes 4 change – For Your Information FOR several years the Childcare and Protection Agency, (CPA) Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, has used this column to reach the public as part of a public awareness campaign. It takes only four minutes to read this article, and during that time, we hope, the reader would become enlightened enough to initiate some positive change. If not personally, then by sharing the information with others who might benefit.

The overall objective is to prevent child abuse and to change people’s negative attitudes towards children. We have used various methods to do this, such as short stories, real-life accounts, sharing events and statistics and highlighting favourable and incorrect parental practices.

Today when you relax, why not take four minutes to try our quiz. It is yet another way of informing the public about aspects of child abuse related to our society, hoping

that constant information will prompt positive behavioural change toward children.

1) Increased services and assistance are needed for children during the pandemic because: a) The internet does not provide enough distraction b) Parents are under stress, economic uncertainty and anxiety c) Children are young and naïve 2) For the year 2020 reports of child abuse have: a) Decreased by 26.5% compared to 2019 b) Risen by 20% due to coronavirus c) Stayed about level with last year when 3,757 cases were reported 3) The highest rate of child abuse is in: a) Region 1, followed by Regions Three and Seven b) Region Four followed

by Regions 10 and Five

c) Region Six, followed

by Regions Four and One

the best environment for a child’s development

4) The most common form of child abuse is: a) Physical abuse followed by verbal abuse b) Sexual abuse followed by abandonment c) Neglect followed by sexual abuse

7) A child is taken into local authority care, only if: a) He/she is an orphan with no living relative b) It is in the child’s best interest and there are no alternatives c) The CPA is interested in sorting out the family

5) The biggest time constraint for Child Protection Officers is: a) The amount of time they spend in the field with families b) Their sizeable caseloads and administrative duties c) The time spent dealing with uncooperative parents 6) CPA officers work to support children and families in need because: a) They want to monitor everything families do b) They need the data to write their reports c) Families can provide

8) Since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, staff at the CPA have: a) Been working from home with a minimum workload b) Stepped up the pace because they are essential workers c) Slowed down their programmes but continue to provide services 9) When CPA officers face challenges, (like people do in many jobs) they: a) Ask their superiors to sort out the problem for them b) Try to develop strategies to deal with the challenges c) Turn to Google for a solution 10) Even adults with poor parenting skills can: a) Benefit from identifying and building on their weak points b) Work with CPA officers to admonish their children c)Rest assured that they are doing a good job

11) This year the CPA responded to how many calls on their hotline numbers (227 0979) a) Over 1,000 b) Approximately 450 c) Approximately 859 12) Foster care is when a child lives temporarily with a family. In Guyana we have: a) Over 300 children in Foster Care b) 120 children in Foster Care c) 220 Children in Foster Care Answers: 1 (b) Some parents do not realise that recreational drugs and alcohol are short-term solutions to their problems. They must put their children’s welfare first during this time of uncertainty. 2 (a) This decline does not mean there is less abuse. Children are confined to the home and abuse may be under-reported due to COVID 19. 3 (a) Child abuse can be sexual, physical, verbal and consist of abandonment and neglect. 4 (c) Neglect is the most common abuse, which leads to several others, e.g. malnourishment, incest. 5 (b) CPA Officers have to make evaluations, recommendations, reunifications etc. all linked to their case load. 6 (c) Children strive better in a family setting. CPA work with parents to strengthen families and to keep them together. 7 (b) Children belong with families and/or

adults who can care for them adequately. They are only taken into care as a last resort.

8 (c) As essential workers CPA officers work to protect the children of Guyana. Programmes have continued via Zoom where possible and other inventive ways keep work flowing at a reasonable pace.

9 (b) Challenges are there to be overcome. It is part of a CPA officer’s job to create strategies to suit. 10 (a) CPA officers help families to identify and work on their weakest points while giving support where needed. 11(c) The CPA Hotline received 859 calls so far for this year (2020). 12 (c) While there are 220 children in Foster Care, there are over 150 in our Care Centres and Children homes, some of whom can be Adopted or Fostered. If you are interested call the CPA (225 1257) and ask for the Adoption or Foster Care Unit.

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

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Conservation group pushes for environmental education in schools

By Rehana Ahamad THE South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) believes that it is necessary for all Guyanese, especially children, to be taught the importance of the environment and how to protect and sustain it.

“Environmental Education is so important, especially in Guyana where we have such rich and pristine biodiversity,” said Neal Millar, Programme Coordinator of the SRCS. Armed with the belief that good practices are best inculcated young, the Non-Governmental Organisation plans to develop a more holistic partnership with the Ministry of Education.

“We would like to find a way to see our environmental education curriculum, which we hope to implement to 16 schools in the Rupununi and over 1500 students by 2023, into the national (school) curriculum, Millar said during an interview with this newspaper.

He noted that the SRCS is currently delivering its programmes to a few schools in the South Rupununi district.

“We implement it in Kumu Primary, Shulinab Primary, Sand Creek Secondary and Shea Primary,” Millar noted.

The SRCS recently shot to international recognition, having been able to successfully establish Guyana’s first Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBBA). The area was designated a “safe zone” for

the endangered Red Siskin.

Other groups across Guyana are also working to address the threat of extinction to other species of birds.

Millar has confirmed that Guyana’s “bird-caging” traditions have had some effects on the sustainability of Guyana’s impressive bird population.

Even though the bird-caging and trading traditions are not illegal, it is frowned upon by almost all environmentalists and conservationists. While the caging and trading of birds is a hobby for some, it is even more important to many others.

“Personally, SRCS believes that it can continue, as we know people depend on it for their livelihoods; although, we wish it would stop as we don't think any wildlife should be caged,” Millar said.

The programme coordinator believes that many persons

can work to create alternative job opportunities, instead of relying on the bird industry.

For those who refuse to do so, Millar is encouraging them to abide by the regulations and guidelines established in the 2016 Guyana Wildlife Act. “It is not illegal to trade the birds. However, anyone who wishes to trap and trade these birds must secure a licence from the Guyana Wildlife Commission,” Millar said.

He is encouraging Guyanese to “ensure that you source your birds from someone who has a permit to trade and also ensure that the bird was not trapped during the closed season.”

Additionally, Millar said that persons are allowed to trap only certain species of birds during "open seasons which are designed to ensure that the populations can keep reproduced and remain at a

Programme Coordinator Neal Millar engages South Rupununi students on the importance of the environment

South Rupununi students participate in a hands-on learning exercise

healthy population.”

“For many of the species that are caught for bird-caging such as the Towa Towa (Chestnut bellied seed finch), there are rules included in the 2016 Guyana Wildlife Act to protect them,” Millar said.

He lamented the fact that many of the regulations set out in the Act are not being properly observed, especially in the South Rupununi area.

“As such, we are seeing a serious decline in the number of the species and many community members frequently tell us that they are noticing the decline over the years,” Millar noted.

“Recently, we have intercepted more and more instances of the Red Siskin

being trapped. This is different as it is illegal to do this,” he posited.

With the IBBA being successfully established, the SRCS plans to work with local communities in the South Rupununi to first assess wildlife populations and then protect those that are threatened. The organisation is also pursuing the possibility of having rangers deputised, “so that they can help enforce the laws of the 2016 Guyana Wildlife Act.” Millar pointed out that “this creates jobs and will always protect our precious wildlife.” Nonetheless, in light of its IBA success, the SRCS has plans to travel to other areas of Guyana to share

the knowledge and experience gained from the IBBA process.

“This is to help safeguard our beautiful country...ideally, we would want to encourage persons not keep birds at all.

Instead, come visit them in their natural habitat where they are wild and free,” Millar advised.

The Executive Committee of the SRCS comprises its President Leroy Ignacio; Vice President Angelbert Johnny; Treasurer Erin Earl; Secretary Kimmy Spencer; and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Elian Gray.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Two more die from COVID-19 –– four new cases

TWO more persons who tested positive for the

virus, COVID-19, have died, taking the total num-

ber of deaths locally to 164, according to the Ministry of Health.

The latest deaths are a 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, both from Region Five. The Ministry said they died while receiving care at a medical facility. Currently, however, this region has recorded 95 cases of COVID-19, the lowest number of recorded cases by region, locally.

Additionally, Guyana has now recorded 6,293 cases of coronavirus after only four new cases were recorded from 152 new tests, according to the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 Dashboard for December 27.

The Ministry’s daily COVID-19 dashboard reflected that there are currently 459 active cases. Six of these active cases are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown; 13 are in institutional isolation; 430 are in home isolation and 10 are in institutional quarantine.

All four of the new cases recorded were men, while

they were distributed in Regions Four (three cases) and 10 (one case). So far, 5,680 infected persons have recovered. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, exhibiting no symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Nine) are in force from December 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020. 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 these 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 is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

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

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Local businesses need to strategise & pivot

15

…says Head of HR company

By Vishani Ragobeer AS 2020 nears its end, many businesses would have reported suffering great financial and productivity losses but that has not necessarily been the case for Strategic Recruitment Solutions Guyana Inc. (SRSGY).

SRSGY is a 100 per cent Guyanese recruitment Consultancy Company, which provides services in the oil and gas industry. Its capacity development is focused on appraising recruited persons, and training and certifying all potential workers in professional management areas and technical skills training to work.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of SRSGY, Kerri Gravesande-Bart, in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle, highlighted that since June 2018, the company has trained 203 individuals in oil and gas related fields. Of that number, 114 were able to get jobs within the industry.

But, in 2020, the pandemic constrained the training the company usually offers. With training as a key component of this company’s operations, one could understand how or why the company would have ‘lost steam’. Except, it didn’t.

“While 2020 has been a really challenging year for everyone, we have gained some strides when it comes to certification in the industry,” Gravesande-Bart said.

In July, the company completed its TRACE certification for due diligence; this a heavily benchmarked and comprehensive due-diligence review, analysis and approval process that establishes an individual or organisation has been thoroughly vetted, trained and certified by TRACE, the world’s leading anti-bribery standard-setting organisation.

And then, in December, SRSGY became certified in ISO 9001:2015; this is a globally recognised quality management standard developed and published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

“I think this whole season of COVID-19 really helped me to sit back and reassess, and strategise. It was a time to pivot and for us we used the time to finally

get TRACE up and going, and ISO up and going,” the CEO noted.

These certifications might sound simplistic but they are part of internationally recognised standards that are a crucial part of heavily regulated sectors such as Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Beyond being crucial parts of the sector, these certifications aren’t just cardboard declarations for show. Getting the certification requires reviewing and bolstering in-house processes, which, Gravesande-Bart affirmed, helps to add value and provide a competitive advantage. “(The ISO certification) has transformed our in-house process, making them more transparent, easier and folks are au fait with our quality standards that we have adapted by way of ISO,” she posited.

Additionally, the processes implemented through this quality management framework has streamlined the work of SRSGY. There is a greater focus on document control and capturing customer feedback to ensure that processes are continuously assessed and pivoted to improve the services offered.

Beyond aiding organisational efficiency, the process of certification required the buy-in from staff. This meant that the Guyanese who are part of this local company had to see the merits of garnering such certification and help management achieve it.

The drive of this company points to the wider impetus of local businesses to improve standards in order to position themselves for success in Guyana’s changing commercial landscape.

The SRSGY CEO affirmed that the changing landscape and impetus for investment could only augur well for Guyana.

“It is job opportunities for the people, and there are a lot of people who want jobs, and it's good for the economy,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SRSGY, Kerri Gravesande-Bart (extreme right), along with some of the company’s staff

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Elgar helps South Africa down Sri Lanka (REUTERS) - OPENER Dean Elgar fell five runs short of a century as South Africa climbed to 317 for four at the close of play on day two of the first test against injury-hit Sri Lanka at Centurion Park on Sunday.

Elgar looked set for his 13th test ton until he offered Sri Lanka seamer Dasun Shanaka a sharp caughtand-bowled chance that was superbly taken.

Faf du Plessis (55 not out) and Temba Bavuma (41 not out) will resume on the third morning after adding 97 runs, hoping to push South Africa past the

visitors’ first innings score of 396 after two free-scoring days that have produced 713 runs at a rollicking rate of 4.24 runs per over.

That would suggest a batting paradise, but the wicket has given assistance to the bowlers, with both sides perhaps guilty of erring in line and length and not taking advantage of the pace and uneven bounce.

“It is one of those wickets where if you apply yourself and simplify your gameplan, you can score runs,” Elgar told SuperSport at the close.

“We have changed the momentum through the day

and potentially have it back in our changeroom after a tough day yesterday.

“We want to only bat once on this wicket and then it is up to the bowlers. We probably need another 200plus runs tomorrow.”

Sri Lanka had already lost all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva for the remainder of the test series after he injured a thigh and retired hurt on 79 on the first day, and they were further hampered when seamer Kasun Rajitha limped off after bowling 2.1 overs in South Africa’s innings.

He is scheduled to have a scan on Sunday and his participation in the rest of the test is yet to be determined, leaving the tourists without a top-six batsman and two of their bowlers.

POSITIVE INTENT South Africa profited as they raced to 141 in the 29th over, with Aiden

Dean Elgar brought up a fluent half-century, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2, Centurion, December 27, 2020 ©Gallo Images/Getty Images Markram (68) and Elgar Bavuma steadied the ship taking the attack to the and handed the initiative bowlers. back to the home side.

But when Markram Sri Lanka had earlier picked out Shanaka in the resumed their first innings gully trying to play a boom- on effectively 340 for seven ing drive off seamer Vishwa following De Silva’s injury, Fernando (1-59), the mo- with Shanaka’s superb camentum was halted. reer-best unbeaten 66 seeing A mini-collapse with the them add 56 runs in 11 overs score on 200 saw them lose before he ran out of partners. three more wickets for the Debutant South Africa addition of only another 20 seamer Lutho Sipamla (4runs, with Rassie van der 76) claimed the remaining Dussen (15) and dangerman three wickets.

Quinton de Kock (18) falling The second and final cheaply. test will be played in JoBut Du Plessis and hannesburg from Jan. 3.

‘‘I miss the racing tracks so much’’, says Ross THE global outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in closure of gyms, stadiums, pool, dance and fitness stadiums, physiotherapy centres, parks, and the horse racing tracks are no different.

While the pandemic has financial repercussions, the overall social life of people has significantly been affected.

One such individual is Colin Ross, a 34-year-old jokey.

Ross, who has been plying his trade for almost 20 years, told Chronicle Sport yesterday of the impact of the deadly disease.

“Look seriously this virus has definitely affected me. I missed the race

tracks and at the same time missed riding at that level, so yea I just hope for a return to the track”, Ross reckoned.

From the lack of competition, social isolation has changed athletes’ daily routine, but for Ross, he takes advantage of the period to learn new skills.

“I still train in the afternoons, but apart from that I used most of my time to learn new things,” Ross who hails from Number 41 Village West Coast Berbice explained.

The outbreak saw the sport been suspended indefinitely, with the annual Boxing Day meet been the latest one.

(Rajiv Bisnauth)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 28, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 6839500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first Guyanese to score a Test match hundred for the West Indies?

(2) Who is the first Berbician to represent the WI in Tests?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

Former Windies keeper backs Simmons despite difficult tours CMC – Former West Indies wicketkeeper, Jackie Hendricks, has thrown his support behind head coach, Phil Simmons, despite the Caribbean side’s recent whitewash on the tour of New Zealand.

West Indies were thrashed by an innings in both Tests in Hamilton and Wellington, with both matches finishing before lunch on the respective fourth day.

The preceding threematch Twenty20 series also failed to produce any good fortune for West Indies as New Zealand came out victors with a 2-0 series win.

While conceding he was bemused by the Windies form, Hendricks said he believed Trinidadian Simmons was the right man to lead the side.

“I am very [disappointed].

I thought we would have done a lot better than the results turned out [to be],” said the former Jamaica Cricket Association president and Cricket West Indies director.

“I really don’t know what the answer to it is. I have every confidence in Phil Simmons as the coach and I think he has the right formula, but I don’t know why things aren’t working out.”

Rahane ton puts India in driver’s seat against Australia (REUTERS) - AJINKYA Rahane defied the weight of the India captaincy and scored, arguably, the most important century of his international career against Australia on Sunday, with his unbeaten knock of 104 drawing praise from regular skipper, Virat Kohli.

Rahane’s performance on the second day of the Boxing Day test in Melbourne was a soothing balm for the tourists, who are still smarting from their thrashing inside three days in the opener in Adelaide where they registered their lowest innings total of 36.

“Another great day for us. Proper test cricket at its best. Absolutely top knock from Jinks,” tweeted Kohli.

With Kohli leaving the wreckage of the Adelaide test behind him as he returned to India for the birth of his first child, Rahane was left to pick up the pieces at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and responded in emphatic style.

In addition to his cultured batting on Sunday, Rahane’s deployment of the leg-slip position to dismiss three home batsmen on Saturday impressed pundits, including former Australia captain, Ricky Ponting.

Looking to shake things up after Adelaide, Rahane made four changes for the second test and

Ajinkya Rahane takes a moment after a hardfought century, Australia vs India, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 2nd day, December 27, 2020 his picks have already Ravindra Jadeja. made significant contribuRahane was dropped tions in the first two days. twice in his knock, which Quick Mohammed brought up his 12th test Siraj claimed two im- century, but it was still portant wickets, while an education for Gill. fellow debutant Shub“This knock was man Gill scored a fluent all about patience,” the 45, opening the innings. 21-year-old said.

Rahane helped consol“When you play such idate India’s position by high-quality bowling atadding 57 runs with the tack, you sometimes go recalled Rishabh Pant and into a shell and you are took India past Australia’s not able to score. first innings score of 195 “The way he played, with his burgeoning cen- it was such a magnificent tury-plus partnership with knock to watch.”

After being sacked by the previous Dave Cameron-led Cricket West Indies administration in 2016, Simmons was returned for a second stint last year, but has so far won just two of six Tests, seven of 12 One-Day Internationals and five of 12 T20 Internationals.

West Indies struggled in all departments on the recent tour. Only one of their specialist batsmen – Jermaine Blackwood (216) – managed over 110 runs, while fast bowler, Shannon Gabriel, with six wickets, was the leading bowler.

The regional side’s fielding also left a lot to be desired as they dropped Henry Nicholls five times in the second Test as the left-hander rode his luck to a career-best

174.

Hendricks, who turned 87 last week, suggested remedial work be carried out with struggling players especially, in between tours.

“One of my precepts is that practice is a most important thing, and I’ve always been a little bit concerned that after a tour, everybody seems to disappear and there’s no follow up,” he said in a radio interview here.

“People who have not performed up the scratch on the tour, I’ve always felt that the coaches should have them in a special practice facility for a period of time, trying to sort out their shortcomings.

“I don’t think anything beats a good long batting

practice – 10, 15 minutes in the net where people try to hit the ball out of the ground and not playing as if they were in a match [is not constructive].”

Hendricks, who played 20 Tests between 1962 and 1969, also questioned the lack of confidence in the batting group on recent tours.

“I am one of the old-timers. I remember the days of (Michael) Holding and (Sir Andy) Roberts and (Joel) Garner and those fellows, and even up to Curly Ambrose, and if we won the toss we would send in the opposition quite often,” he said.

“But I think we’re doing this now [but] it gives me the impression that we’re not too confident about our batting.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football …

Site visit and meeting held ahead of tomorrow’s opening action

THE first of two nights of football is set to be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, tomorrow, under circumstances never before envisaged.

Covid-19 has changed the way sports is done the world over, so the principals of the Bounce Back Football event are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the environment in and around the Stadium is fully in line with the measures and guidelines that have been put in place by the National Covid-19 Task Force.

Fans would not be allowed to attend the matches as large gatherings are not permitted, but the organisers would be broadcasting the final, on New Year’s night, January 1st,

2021, live via NCN Ch. 11, Enetworks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Facebook page.

Yesterday’s meeting and site visit, which sought to bring all the relevant groups up to speed with plans and to ensure that everyone is singing from the same song sheet, was attended by representatives of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Kashif and Shanghai Organisation (K&S), Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCY&S), Covid-19 Task Force, Film Production Team, Promotional Team, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Sanitisation Team, Private Security and Stadium Management.

GFF president, Wayne Forde, expressed

Hooper still has hopes of a National recall

By Rajiv Bisnauth

EON Hooper has not given up hopes of a return to the national setup, and a chance to revamp his cricket career, the out-of-favour off-spinner said yesterday.

The 29-year-old Berbician played one first-class game, back in 2016, but didn’t do his chances any good when he went wicket- less in the game.

However, with the fierce competition within the Guyana Jaguars spin department, Hooper was dropped thereafter.

“I would love to be back in the national setup, but it will take a lot of work, performance on the field and more so mental strength,” the Rose Hall Town resident said.

Hooper, a slimly built right-arm off-spinner, first made an impression when he was the leading wicket-taker in the first-ever Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament, held in 2016, claiming 44 wickets for Upper Corentyne. He returned an astonishing five, five-wicket hauls in seven games, including a best of 6-46 against Georgetown.

He followed up with a five-wicket haul in the Four-day warm-up game at the Everest ground prior to the selection of the Guyana Jaguars squad to face Jamaica Scorpions that year.

Although he was not in the original

satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting.

“I was thoroughly briefed by the Bounce Back event Operations Team and am very pleased with the pace at which things are falling into place. We will certainly learn quite a lot from these two days of football, which will definitely improve our understanding of how to organise football events amidst a pandemic.”

K&S Director, Kashif Muhammad, said that planning for any event is vital, let alone an event of this nature that has never been undertaken before.

“This meeting was of utmost importance in the scheme of things as we embark on this Bounce Back initiative. We can never do

West Brom equalizes late to draw Liverpool

(BBC) - Semi Ajayi scored a dramatic late equaliser against leaders, Liverpool, to earn struggling West Brom their first point since Sam Allardyce took charge.

Jurgen Klopp’s side looked to be going five points clear at the top of the table when Sadio Mane chested down Joel Matip’s long ball forward and fired past Sam Johnstone.

Liverpool dominated for long periods without adding to their lead but the Baggies improved after the break and equalised in the 83rd minute.

Ajayi leapt high above the home defence to send a header in off the post to spark jubilant celebrations from the away team at Anfield.

West Brom keeper, Johnstone, made a superb save to deny Roberto Firmino a winner near the end.

REDS FRUSTRATED BY BAGGIES There was a deep sense of frustration at full-time from Liverpool’s players after they dropped league points at Anfield for the first time this season.

Klopp, who was booked during the second-half by referee Kevin Friend for

Eon Hooper 13-man squad, Hooper, the cousin of former Guyana and West Indies batsman, Carl Hooper, gained the selectors nod after leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was called up to West Indies duties with the one-day squad for the Tri-Nation series in Zimbabwe.

Hooper, who has been around senior cricket for a number of years, but surprisingly has never represented Guyana at the regional youth level, said he is working overtime at his home club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, and at the gym to remain fit.

enough in terms of planning, so we met and combed through all the areas that need to be touched whilst inspecting the field and other areas at the stadium that would be used over the two days.

It’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but we are all capable in our respective areas to get the job done and present to the fans and supporters an event that they will thoroughly enjoy come New Year’s night, January 1st, 2021.”

All Star teams from East Coast, West Demerara, Linden and the City will collide tomorrow evening with the respective winners from tomorrow set to collide in the final on New Year’s night.

protesting a decision, walked to the Kop to acknowledge the 2,000 fans allowed into the ground as the home team headed for the dressing room knowing they had let two points slip.

It has been a monumental 2020 with the Reds ending a 30-year wait for a league title, but this was not the result they wanted in their final home game of 2020.

Klopp’s side dominated the first half, enjoying 84% possession, but were unable to add to a sumptuous finish by Senegal forward, Mane.

Their dominance was highlighted by captain Jordan Henderson, who completed 39 more passes (85) than West Brom as a team (46) before half-time.

But the visitors were livelier after the break and, after Liverpool lost defender Joel Matip to injury, the hosts allowed West Brom a way back.

Alisson did well to keep out Karlan Grant after the forward had gotten the better of Rhys Williams before Ajayi’s equaliser.

Johnstone’s save to keep out Firmino at the end only added to Liverpool’s frustration, their lead at the top now three points.

Sadio Mane has scored six Premier League goals in 2020-21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 28, 2020

23

GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football …

Site visit and meeting held ahead of tomorrow’s opening action See story on page 22

Representatives of the various bodies seen during yesterday’s meeting at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence

‘‘I miss the racing tracks so much’’, says Ross See story on page 20

Former Windies keeper backs Simmons despite difficult tours See story on page 21

Colin Ross (leading) on track

Phil Simmons and his players ©Getty Images

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020