Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 29-01-2022

SATURDAY 29th JANUARY, 2022

' No.106619

Big ease in financial burden, suffering PAGE

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Dialysis patient Abigail Yong

–– dialysis patients praise government’s support programme –– programme will see each patient receive $600,000 per annum for treatment

Atlantic Reader series launched PAGE

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Rama Krishna Primary students (from left) Shanna Reid, Akayla Hope and Anthony Caboose go through one of the Atlantic Reader books (Delano Williams photo)

Former dialysis patient Wanda Dillon

Harris receives Pro Chancellor’s Award PAGE

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Six families receive ‘proper’ $2,000 note to Fire caused by lit candle roofs over their heads 15 be introduced 08 PAGE

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leaves 12 homeless

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Atlantic Reader series launched

By Tamica Garnett

IN what has been described as a “historic” and “significant” development in Guyana’s education sector, the Ministry of Education (MoE), on Friday at the Redeemer Primary School, officially launched the Atlantic Reader Books One - Six series of reading and

workbooks.

The series, which will be used at primary schools across Guyana from grades one to six, includes a re-edited version of Atlantic Reader, Books One to Three, the completion of the Atlantic Workbooks One to Three, and the completion of the Atlantic Reader and Workbooks Four to Six.

The books were first conceptualised in 2012 by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, to avoid the high cost of importing such books at a time when many third world countries were disadvantaged in education due to the extraordinarily high prices for such textbooks.

“In 2011 when I assumed office as Minister of Edu-

cation, we were faced with two challenges: one, we were using readers that were not as relevant to our children because they were prepared for other countries and two, we didn’t have enough of those readers for one per child,” Minister Manickchand explained when she delivered the feature address at the launch.

“We couldn’t continue to have books that were not enough or as relevant to our children and watching year after year poor results that evidenced poor literacy skills,” she said.

The A tlantic Reader Books one to three were first launched in early 2015, with the accompanying workbooks, as well as readers and work books four to six expected to follow shortly after. However, when the government was changed in May 2015, continuation of work on the project was completely stalled and no progress was made.

Produced in full colour, the Atlantic Reader books were created to aid in the development of reading skills, written with Guyanese culture in mind, with characters, pictorial representations and scenarios and is focused on a

–– in the pipeline for Region Two, with plans to declare re-

Rama Krishna Primary students (from left) Shanna Reid, Akayla Hope and Anthony Caboose take a look through one of the Atlantic Reader books (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (Delano Williams photo) “The system must demand transform the literacy landand the nation is owed an scape of Guyana. answer to what happened at “If our students are not Nursery Year One and Two; able to read at the initial stagGrades One, Two and Three es in life, it becomes very levels. Where was the super- problematic for them to advision at that level?” Manick- vance. Failure to obtain neceschand said. sary literacy skills in the early “This is a call to the teach- grades undermines children’s ers of this country to hold ability to success in school yourself accountable to a and life as they move into higher standard. If the chil- the later grades,” Dr. Hutson dren have to be reading by pointed out.

Grade Four, there are particAlso making remarks at ular things you have to fin- the event, Head of the Learnish. You have to bring to the ing Resources and Develsupervisor’s attention when opment Unit, Myra Moore,

Some of the Atlantic Reader books on display at the launch (Delano Williams photo) balanced approach of reading skills at the various grade levels.

Completion of the books is considered a pivotal part of the ministry’s wider vision to have all public school pupils be literate by Grade Four, which requires a book to read and a workbook to record their understanding of what they have read.

HELD ACCOUNTABLE Minister Manickchand charged teachers to align their work plans with this goal in mind, as those in the school system have to be held accountable for pupils who cannot read at the Grade Four level.

children need further work.

Let’s make a plan,” she urged.

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson, and Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy), Samantha Williams, who were involved in the initial research and creation of the series in 2012, also delivered remarks at the launch.

“The series will undoubtedly help us to combat the challenges of poor literacy acquisition. We celebrate history today,” Williams noted.

In his remarks, Dr. Hutson pointed out how critical the development of reading skills at an early age is, and called for greater collaboration between parents, teachers and education officers to help to

pointed out that the lack of completion of the reading series contributed to the widening of the gap between the education level of the hinterland and coastal pupils.

Representatives from several of Guyana’s international partners were also virtually present at the launch and delivered congratulatory messages on the achievement of the milestone.

Making remarks were World Bank Education Specialist, Ingrid Bjerke; UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar; and CARICOM Human Resource Development Programme Manager, Dr. Laurette Bristol.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Big ease in financial burden, suffering –– dialysis patients praise government’s support programme

–– programme will see each patient receive $600,000 per annum for treatment

By Tamica Garnett THE hundreds of Guyanese currently suffering from end-stage renal disease or ‘kidney failure’ and needing the life-saving weekly dialysis treatment are breathing a sigh of relief with the government’s announcement of the Dialysis Support Programme, which will give each patient up to $600,000 per annum.

A long-time advocate of government support for dialysis patients, Faye Abigail Yong, is praising the government for hearing the cries of the people and coming to their assistance in Budget 2022.

“Personally, I’m very appreciative and grateful. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment and we cannot be on it without money, so without money we die. The government and President [Dr Irfaan] Ali are giving us a great assist from the burden of our everyday existence,” Yong expressed.

“I’m happy that the government has listened to the plight of the dialysis patients. I’ve been lobbying for two years for relief from the Dr Kishore Persaud, GPHC Head of burden of this astronomical treatment cost,” Department, Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery she said.

For persons suffering from kidney failure, For BioMed, the new government initiative dialysis works as an artificial kidney. means more of their patients can now be able In human beings the kidney plays a crit- to do more for their health. ical function of filtering out extremely toxic “Some patients can only afford one fluid, electrolytes and wastes produced by the treatment a week, when it’s recommended body that can build up in the body and will they do three treatments per week. Some lead to death if not removed; as such, losing patients travel long distances too, that is kidney function is considered a dire medical another financial burden on them, medicondition. cation is also a financial problem patients Many patients suffering from kidney have to buy when not available at the failure need between two to three dialysis ses- public hospital,” BioMed Chief Executive sions per week; however with dialysis costing Officer Olive Sinclair, shared of some of between$12,000 to $15,000 per session, the the challenges facing many of the facility’s cost to patients ranges between $1.248 million patients. to $2.34 million per year.

Yong, 46, has been on dialysis for the past SIGNIFICANT HELP five years. She currently does her treatment at Georgetown Public Hospital Corpothe BioMed Energy and Dialysis Inc located ration (GPHC) Head of the Multi-Organ at the Woodlands Hospital, where it costs $15, Trans-plant and Vascular Access Surgery 000 per session.

Department, Dr Kishore Persaud, is also BioMed treats some 66 patients monthly. happy to see the new measure come on

Dialysis patient Abigail Yong stream, because of what it means for the lives of hundreds of suffering Guyanese.

“This will be a significant reduction in the economic burden they face, as it will help to keep them healthier until they can achieve a transplant,” Dr Persaud commented.

It has been a week with much major positive development for Guyanese with kidney failure, as the announcement of the Dialysis Support Programme came just a few days after the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Bill 2021 was passed in the National Assembly.

Implementation of the new legislation will mean that persons in need of organ donations would no longer be at the mercy of just relatives and friends, who may or may not be matched, as they would also stand the chance of being saved by organs extracted from a ‘brain-dead’ patient.

The law is expected to result in many lives being saved, especially considering the growing number of persons in Guyana awaiting

Former dialysis patient Wanda Dillon organ transplants; more prominently, patients suffering from kidney failure who rely largely on dialysis as a life-saving mechanism.

Dialysis patients would not need the treatment anymore if they are given a new kidney via a transplant. This is the case for 57-yearold Wanda Dillon, who finally underwent her transplant last month at GPHC, after being a dialysis patient for the past three-and-a-halfyears.

Though she is glad to receive her transplant and no longer be in need of the costly dialysis, she is happy knowing that her colleagues who are still taking treatment will now be better off.

“It’s a great help, I must say, because dialysis is so expensive to upkeep, sometimes you sell everything, all of your property. I know people who sell their house, car, everything, but then the money runs out and they still die. It’s a great improvement,” she said.

Harris receives Pro Chancellor’s Award EDUCATION Minister, Priya Manickchand, on Friday afternoon, presented Rea Cilicia Harris, the University of Guyana’s best graduating Law student for 2022 with the Pro Chancellor’s Award.

The simple ceremony was done at the Minister’s 26 Brickdam Office, a release said. Present were Harris’ sister; Director, Department of Events, Conferences and Communication, Janarine Deonauth, along with members of his team and University of Guyana Head Usher, Karen Roberts-Luke.

The 21-year-old began her academic journey at the University of Guyana in

2019 and will be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law with a 3.8 GPA. She is currently enrolled at the Hugh Wooding Law School where she is reading for her Legal Education Certificate.

The first year Hugh Wooding Law School student told Minister Manickchand that she is currently interning with the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, and has a keen interest in Constitutional Law. Minister Manickchand congratulated Harris on her achievements and encouraged her to continue striving for excellence, the release concluded.

Rea Cilicia Harris with Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

APNU+AFC scrambles to elect new Opposition Leader before budget debates

WITH Joseph Harmon resigning as Opposition Leader, last Wednesday, just before Budget 2022 was presented, the political opposition in the National Assembly is pressed to elect a new leader before the commencement of Monday’s budget debates.

During the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) press conference on Friday, the party’s Chairman, Shurwayne Holder, said his party will meet with other political parties in the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.

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The PNC/R is the largest bloc in that coalition.

“In terms of the budget debates commencing next week, we are aware of that and we will resolve this matter as quickly as possible… but let me reiterate, we are discussing; it is a work in progress; and we are looking to have a solution as quickly as possible.

We’ll let you know,” Holder told the media on Friday.

Holder said until a new Opposition Leader is elected to sit in the National Assembly, the Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, will be “captaining

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the ship.” “We will work with that until we arrive at a solution that we think is in the best interest of our party and our coalition partners.”

When asked why there wasn’t a smooth transition of PNC/R Leader, Aubrey Norton, into the role of Opposition Leader, Holder responded that he cannot say what is stalling the process at the moment.

“Mr Harmon is still a member of parliament, and so we are where we are.

There needs to be further discussion so that we can resolve it,” Holder added.

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Now that former President David Granger has stepped aside as Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) paving the way for Norton’s assent to the role, there is still the lingering expectation that Norton should be head of the APNU+AFC list submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as part of the electoral process.

Mr Granger remains head of that list.

The PNC met with its coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), on Friday last.

Meanwhile, the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) has indicated it is not interested in participating in the process of electing a new

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PNC/R Chairman, Shurwayne Holder Opposition Leader.

Although the LJP, led

by Lenox Shuman, is a member of the political opposition in the National Assembly as part of a joinder with A New and United Guyana (ANUG), it is not a member of the APNU+AFC coalition.

Constitutionally, the Opposition Leader is elected through a vote of all the political parties in the National Assembly which are not part of the government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

U.S. Embassy hands over vehicles, equipment to Health Ministry

THE Ministry of Health on Friday received vehicles and medical equipment to the tune of USD$116,000 from the United States Embassy under the Department of Defense Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid Excess Property Programme.

The donation, which included one Nissan pickup truck, one Nissan eight-passenger van, and one Toyota

ambulance, together worth US $71,000 and several examination tables, a physical therapy table, wheelchairs, and blankets, with a combined value of $ USD45,000, are expected to help boost the country’s health sector.

The vehicles and medical equipment were officially handed over during a simple ceremony held at the ministry’s Brickdam headquarters.

In her remarks, U.S. Am-

bassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, reiterated the ongoing commitment that the United States has to Guyana and its people.

The ambassador noted that in addition to the almost US$6.5 million donated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. will continue to support Guyana and its health sector.

“The vehicles we’re handing over today are not

The vehicles that were donated to the Ministry of Health

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony conversing after the handing-over ceremony (Adrian Narine photos) specific to our COVID assis- team, to become even more ing its transportation needs, tance. They are in response efficient than you already since in the past it has had to to requests made by the min- are,” she added. resort to renting vehicles to istry to assist with access to Meanwhile, Health Min- transport equipment. patients. ister Dr Frank Anthony stat“This donation of the We hope that they help ed that the ministry and by ambulance and other vethe government serve the extension the government is hicles are timely, because I people of Guyana with effi- looking forward to continued know the ministry is using ciency,” Ambassador Lynch collaboration with the United the canter trucks, because said.

States. from time to time we have “This is a very important Additionally, he stated to move things around and donation to that will help that the timely donation will before that we had to rent Guyana and the medical assist the ministry in address- vehicles,” he said.

Colonels graduate with Masters in National Security Studies

COLONEL Raul Jerrick of the Guyana Defence Force has successfully completed his Master of Arts in National Security Studies with focus on Counterterrorism Policy and Strategy at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, USA. As a course require-

ment, Colonel Jerrick also successfully completed his thesis which examined the radicalisation of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, the Islamic Militant Group in Trinidad and Tobago and explored Guyana’s susceptibility to similar violence.

Colonel Jerrick, who hails from the village of

Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara, has given 28 years of service to the force, to date. He stated that his stay at Naval Postgrad-

uate School has certainly widened his horizon and bolstered his military proficiency.

“I have learnt tremen-

dously and more importantly, established network with the NPS academic community, officers from the United States military and others from around the world, and other international partners.

I am now in a better position to contribute to the operational effectiveness of the force,” he said.

He expressed thanks for the unwavering support of his family, particularly his wife, Dr Nichole Nedd-Jerrick, the Security Cooperation Office at the United States Embassy for extending the invitation for the course to the GDF, the Chief of Staff for recommending him, and more importantly, the Defence Board for its

Colonel Raul Jerrick final approval.

Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess, and senior officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have extended congratulations to Colonel Jerrick.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Strategic Partnerships

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in delivering the feature address at India’s 72nd Republic Day Anniversary celebration, lauded the contribution of India to the growth and development of Guyana in a number of critical areas including human resource development, infrastructure, information and communication technology and transportation, among others. Guyana and India established diplomatic relations on October 6, 1972 and ever since ties between the two countries have always been warm and cordial.

Interaction between the two countries is structured through periodic Joint Commissions, Foreign Office Consultations, Cultural Exchange Programmes and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). As observed

by President Ali, it was through the generosity of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, that Guyana was able to kick-start its COVID-19 immunisation campaign at a time when many countries were struggling to obtain vaccines, an indication of the goodwill and leadership displayed by the Indian Government. Such close relations between Guyana and India continue to grow stronger and stronger with several new development projects coming on stream. And, according to India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa, the Government of India is willing to continue doing business with Guyana, especially in terms of the purchasing of Guyana’s share of oil lift to fuel the country’s massive economic expansion.

India currently imports roughly 85 per cent of its petroleum needs and with oil production picking up momentum in Guyana, interest in Guyana’s oil is high on the business agenda of India.

It is natural for the two countries to forge diplomatic, cultural and economic ties. The majority of Guyana’s population are descendants from Indian indentured labourers who toiled in the sugar plantations to eke out a living and in the process helped to create and shape a new society. Together with the other ethnic groups, especially, Africans and Amerindians whom they came and met, a society was forged, one in which all Guyanese are today proud citizens.

That transition from a slave society, to one of indentureship, colonialism, neo-colonialism and now republican status was never easy, but in the end the spirt of resilience and the will to conquer prevailed.

Guyana, like India, is making waves on the global stage. Guyana is today among the fastest growing economies in the world, thanks to the emerging oil and gas sector, with the country experiencing this year a staggering 47.5 per cent growth rate, the highest in the world.

Much of that high growth rate is attributable also to the generous contributions the country is getting from friendly nations of which India is certainly one.

India also over the years experienced high levels of economic growth which has transformed the country into a global economic powerhouse. With a population of 1.2 billion, India is the world’s largest democracy and over the

past two decades the country has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in some slowing down of its robust economic growth rate, a situation not uncommon to many other countries in the world.

There is much that the two countries can learn from each other as they both seek not only to consolidate, but to accelerate economic growth and development. Indeed, President Ali in his remarks said that Guyana would look to emulate India’s leadership qualities, especially through the country’s expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its current international commitments on environmental management. Guyana, it must be noted, is already playing a lead role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in terms of food security and sustainable agriculture development. In fact, efforts are currently underway to reducing the food import bill of the region by 25 per cent in the next three years.

According to President Ali, Guyana is already following India’s initiative “by expanding access to and use of renewables, by strengthening bilateral relationships, by enhancing the country’s democracy, by fortifying its laws to ensure it reflects the needs and will of the people and by embarking on an aggressive initiative to transform the country’s human resources through training and educational opportunities.”

“Like India, we are also transforming infrastructure landscape, modernising our landscape, making our infrastruc-

ture system, our transportation system more efficient and reliable. Importantly, like India, we are also in the process of rebranding our country.... when Guyana is heard in the international community it must be synonymous with democracy, the rule of law, safe and stable macro-economic environment and more importantly, a people that are willing to contribute our bit to global development.” These are indeed deeply profound and forward-looking thinking on the part of President Ali, who from the time he took over the presidency on August 2020 has been taking all the necessary measures to re-orient the country’s foreign policy to one of forging strategic partnerships with the rest of the world with a view to re-positioning the country as a major economic player on the international stage.

The fact is that the international environment has changed dramatically since the days of the Cold War when the bigger powers were vying for spheres of influence and developing countries were expected to belong to one or the other of the opposing political and ideological camps.

Guyana is today a free, independent and sovereign nation and its relations with other nations are influenced by the country’s territorial integrity, mutual economic and cultural benefits and the fostering of a climate of world peace and stability. In this regard, Guyana has found a true friend in India, and according to President Ali, the friendship will continue to grow and deepen.

Will they ever get it right?

Dear Editor, ON Wednesday, January 26, 2022 I attended a presentation and reception at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) celebrating India’s 72nd Republic Anniversary.

An otherwise excellent presentation was marred by gross mismanagement of

stage and sound by the staff of the Cultural Centre.

One scene change was more than five minutes long.

It seemed interminable.

The President, senior diplomats and dignitaries were all present. When the curtains opened, and there are now new green curtains to assist with set changes,

the microphone for the singer never came on and, eventually, the artistes apologised for not wanting to waste any more time and exited the stage.

Since 1981, I have produced and stage managed over 100+ productions at the Cultural Centre and almost all productions have suffered from various technical inefficiencies inherent at the centre. Tis

2022, 41 years later for me, and things are still the same.

I enjoyed the comfort of the brand new green seats. Perhaps it’s time to get some brand new technical staff too.

Yours sincerely, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento GEMS Theatre Productions

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Reminiscing on Yesu

IT was with a sense of great loss, that I learnt of the passing of Dr. Yesu Persaud, a Guyanese icon who had achieved very much in his life, and, one in which I could not help but to reminisce as we celebrate his life.

Until his founding of the Institute of Small Enterprise Development (ISED), Yesu was someone I read about in the news, in the latter half of the 1970s, and into the early1980s. He was an executive of great standing in the government-owned enterprises; someone whose name was associated with sugar and rum, Sandbach-Parker and Jessels, and the Guyana Liquor Corporation. Living and working in Linden in the bauxite sector, I did not think then that we would meet.

The latter half of the 1980s was a time of change - change from the era of nationalisation of foreign and locally-owned businesses of any significance, which had been ushered in with the nationalisation of DEMBA bauxite, where I was working, in 1971, until, it was estimated, that 85 per cent of all economic activities was in the hands of the government.

There was from the early 1980s a slow, reluctant returning to the multilateral institutions. The World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – and in time a reversing of previous nationalisations with privatisations and an acceptance and unshackling of private enterprise both foreign and local.

Yesu took a leading role in the reopening of the economy and larger society as a whole, and held the view like a number of other citizens, that there should be a resurgence of local Guyanese private sector, and that this resurgent Guyanese economy should not be dominated by foreign companies.

Two persons working with Yesu in launching ISED, later called IPED, had been friends of mine: Dr. Leslie Chin, who had been a sixth former, when I entered highschool in 1955, was at that time one of the leaders of the GPC (Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation) group; and Mr. Vic Oditt, my link with whom goes back to Mahaicony, and had been at the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) working at various food products with Ms. Vashti Warner.

The launching of ISED/IPED and a number of subsequent meetings which I attended provided me opportunities for my first meetings with Yesu. In apparent coordination,

Stabroek News which itself was launched in those times, carried a daily column commending and giving example of a small business person. ISED/IPED was favourably received by many vendors and other small start-up business entrepreneurs and continues to contribute not only to generating new economic activities and jobs but also a degree of social cohesion, establishing bridges between our various peoples, providing real opportunities for small people to become real big people.

The latter half of the 1980s saw new buildings being erected and new techniques being introduced. The construction of two multi-story buildings in Georgetown, Yesu’s DDL head office in Main Street and the Government-owned GuySuCo’s Head Office in Camp street (completed two decades later as the GRA head office) symbolised for some, the competition between private and stateowned enterprises.

I got to know Yesu more, at the public launch of GUARD (Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy) held around the June 17, 1990. My old high-school friend, Clairmont Lye (of the Coal Pot Restaurant Family and later founder and head of the EAB-Election Assistance Bureau) telephoned, informing me about the intended, same-day, public launching of GUARD at the Parade Ground in Georgetown, at Dutchie’s Boat Landing in Linden and at Rose Hall. Yesu would be the lead speaker starting at the Parade Ground, then flying to Linden to lead the speaking there, then flying on to Rose Hall. Clairmont pressed me to be the lead, local supporting speaker in Linden and I yielded. It would be two years of many Guyanese struggling in various and varying alliances for a fair and free elections and an election free from fear in October 1992.

As Prime Minister up to 2015, I met with Yesu, often accompanied by our wives, at many occasions marking the rebuilding of our economy, the lifting of sprits and a renewed, induced venturing of citizens into the social and political life of our country. Ever so often, I met with Yesu at his office in the DDL building in Main Street for a pleasant cordial chat with tea and a video-taping session in his TV studio there, (Chris Ram participated in the early sessions) for a programme he hosted on one or other of our then many, many mini-TV stations. Yesu and I differed from little to greatly but always gently on the

current policies, programmes and doings of the government. Those visits often gave me a chance to meet up with fellow high school mate, fellow DEMBA bauxite Scholarship awardee, and alumina plant colleague, Stanley Latchmansingh, who would tell me excitedly about DDL’s EHP vinegar production and a number of DDL’s food products - jams, jellies, cake mixes - in which he had a leading hand.

It might have been a natural thing for Yesu with his local business leadership and international connections to launch the first indigenous bank of our times (records suggest one or more plantation owners started a bank to serve plantation owners in the early 1800s). I recall Yesu telling with great satisfaction of the construction of the Demerara Bank branch at Diamond which was built after the two other banks there. He was able with judicious selection and use of local Guyanese professionals, contractors and materials to construct a comparable building at about two-thirds the cost of the two others.

A construction which brought much pleasure to Yesu was in the cultural field, the creation of the Monument gardens at the site of the long-abandoned water treatment plant at the end of the Lamaha Canal at Camp and Church Streets. I listened to Yesu speaking at a number of occasions stressing that whilst the Ship sculpture there was to represent the Hespcrus and the Whitby, the monument should be seen as symbolic of all the ships in which our fore-parents, except for the Amerindians, arrived. We were now all together in the same boat. The Monument Gardens would serve to recall the contribution from India to our One Guyana that inevitably is emerging. I viewed in a similar light the annual presentation of Nytriageet by the Sawh

sisters at the Cultural Centre, sponsored by Yesu from its launch in the early 1980s and at which we met over nearly twenty-five years after 1992. Nytriyageet might have prompted the annual presentations of “Naya Zamana” by my friends at the Dharmic Sabha and the “Tribute to Fathers” by Ms. Norma Joseph on Father’s Day, each year.

I thank Yesu’s support as a Guyanese national for our Guyana Prize, and his related international association with Warwick University in which David Dabydeen has had a big hand.

I thank also of the Yesu Persaud Clinical Education Centre within the Georgetown Public Hospital grounds, granted by Yesu, offering post grad and primary healthcare training. May successful Guyanese continue to leave their names in wood, cement steel and glass.

In these times, with our recently discovered oil and gas, and a new generation coming to the fore in today’s different world, the passing of Yesu, may well fall into the fading away of us colonial boys and girls many become teenagers during World War II, our ambitions sparked, struggling each in his/her own way for improvement, ‘Reaching for The Stars’, eagerly seeking to show what Guyana’s sons and daughters could be and do. As happens, we Guyanese intoxicated with Independence took a turn to where the grass seemed greener but soon found ourselves lost in the wilderness for nearly three decades.

Yesu helped to hold high a light alive, and to help return us to a better path.

Many thanks to Yesu.

Samuel A.A.Hinds Former President and former Prime Minister of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Proportional representation prescribed as best bet to reflect Caribbean voters’ true wishes

By Earl Bousquet IF you thought Guyana’s big-broad-massive-andlarge US$2.6 Billion 2022 National Budget was the only talk of the Caribbean Town this past week, then think again...

Commenting in his weekly online column on the recent second consecutive Barbados Labour Party (BLP) clean-sweep of all 30 seats in island’s January 19 General Elections, Antigua & Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sir Ronal Saunders, flagged his native Guyana’s PR system as offering a better chance of reflecting voters’ true wishes.

In his latest published article entitled Proportional Representation in Elections – Key to Democratic Representation, Sir Ronald says the time has come for electoral reform to again regain the attention of Caribbean leaders, governments and people.

According to the Washington-based writer and diplomat, “Electoral reform in the English-speaking Caribbean has been discussed for decades without any attempt to reform the Constitution to

make it possible.”

Now that many other (Caribbean) countries “are again considering constitutional reform in the context of changing from Monarchical to Republican status,” he says, “perhaps it is also time to consult the people of these countries on reforming the electoral system to ensure that all votes result in representation in Parliament as government and opposition.”

Examining the recent Barbados result against previous similar clean-sweeps in Grenada, Saunders notes that the ruling New National Party (NNP) of Dr Keith Mitchell achieved this feat three times under the system of constituency divisions and First-Past-The-Post (which also exists in Barbados) and won all 15-seats in 1999, 2013 and 2018.

He opines, however, that winning all the seats in both Grenada and Barbados left opposition political parties in both islands without representation in the Legislature “and therefore unable to question the laws being proposed or the policies bring pursued by the governing political party.”

“Thus,” he adds, “an im-

portant check on the actions of the ruling party does not exist.”

Further, he argues, “in small countries, divisions between communities in terms of their needs, aspirations and interests have dissolved with modern road transportation, instant telecommunications, and shared expectations.”

“With the disappearance of these divisions, the electorate votes less for individual candidates and much more for parties and their leaders.”

Against that background, Sir Ronald, who is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto, says: “Perhaps the time has come to consider a change of the electoral system to one of Proportional Representation in which the entire country becomes one constituency, to elect contending parties to the House of Representatives.”

Pointing to Guyana, which he describes as “the only English-speaking Caribbean country in which the British changed the electoral system to proportional repre-

sentation,” Sir Ronald points out that “Elections return representatives of several political parties, giving the governing party a majority in Parliament and ensuring opposition representation.”

This system, he says, “would be guaranteed to elect both a ruling party and its leader, as well as opposition parties, in accordance with the proportion of votes they receive.”

And further, “Each of the party leaders would submit, in advance of the elections, names that would serve in the House of Representatives or National Assembly.”

Sir Ronald says that “had such a system been in place in Barbados for the 2020 general elections”, based on preliminary published results, the BLP would have won 21 seats in the 30-member Assembly (roughly 71 per cent of the vote) with Mia Mottley as Prime Minister -- as the majority of the electorate clearly intended -and the Democratic Labour Party would have won nine seats (28 per cent).

The PR system has been in effect in Guyana for decades and has been both roundly-criticised and well-utilised by all political

parties contesting elections, including in 2015 when the Opposition APNU+AFC Alliance proportionally gained a slim one-seat majority in the National Assembly.

And then came the 2020 election results -- based on the same PR system that all the parties agreed – but yet which were roundly and forcefully rejected by the original proponents (PNC-R) with false claims the elections were “rigged” and “stolen” by the then-opposition alliance, which did not control the national electoral machinery.

But, life has taught that that the problem is not always with the electoral system, but just-as-much with the attitude of the losers to the results.

Under the Westminster system in place across the rest of CARICOM, losing parties generally accept their losses, even if trying to save face by calling for ‘recounts’ of close results and filing legal writs that are either eventually thrown-out of the courts and/or described as the work of ‘vexatious litigants’ (wasting the court’s time).

Or, as in the case of Saint Lucia’s Dr Kenny D. An-

thony when he led the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) into an 11-6 loss (in 2016), or the Leader of Barbados’ Democratic Labour (DLP) Party Verla La Peiza earlier this month, the losing party’s leader resigns.

But the responses of ruling parties to electoral losses are always conditioned by the party leadership’s consideration of the total value of the loss – or, how much is lost by who and how that loss affects the party’s financial heavy-rollers, or the extent to which earnings and acquisitions while in office might be exposed or affected by loss of the ‘power’ of all ruling parties.

It may be the case of a self-anointed local political ‘king’ or ‘queen’ unwilling to be electorally dethroned, or private backers with too many irons in the fire unwilling to just let them burn out.

But in all cases, acceptance or rejection of losses can and will always be decided, not as much by the electoral system’s ability to reflect the will of the electorate, as by the willingness of losers to accept they lost – and move on.

$2,000 note to be introduced A NEW currency note valued at $2,000 that depicts President Irfaan Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ agenda will go

into circulation in a few weeks after the publication in the Official Gazette, Governor of the Bank of Guyana,

Dr. Gobind Ganga has disclosed.

The new $2,000 bill also portrays Guyana’s rich and diverse heritage

and will also commemorate Guyana’s 55th Independence Anniversary.

The new note bares the faces of children

from Guyana’s six ethnic groups, the national flower and national flag.

Reports indicate that Guyana’s currency will

be revaluated and there would be need to later reintroduce $1.00, $5.00 and $10.00 bills because of an appreciation rate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Energy Chamber applauds gov’t for Budget 2022

THE Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) has described the 2022 National Budget which was presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday, as one of the most “compelling” budgets ever produced in the country’s history.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his five-hour presentation, laid out government’s plans for the development of Guyana and a slew of measures that would improve the lives of Guyanese.

The chamber, in a press release, expressed its satisfaction with the critical facets of the revised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) slated for implementation this year and the enhancing of energy access, affordability, and a commitment to transitioning to renewable energy in the face of prolific performances in our new offshore oil sector, that was mentioned

during Minister Singh’s presentation.

“The oil and gas sector will continue to drive strong double-digit growth over the medium term. In 2022, production capacity is expected to increase to 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 120,000 bpd, with Liza Unity FPSO coming on stream in early 2022,” GOECEC said.

According to the release, the current estimate of the gas reserve is 16 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), with projections from Liza One and Two likely at 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd). Payara will bring an additional 20 mmscfd.

In the third quarter of this year, the government will hold its first-ever competitive bidding rounds for available acreages of offshore blocks. This is a critical step towards enhancing the value capture from available blocks transparently and optimally. Based on projections of oil production, oil revenues are expected to

reach US$958 million by the end of 2022 and US$1.8 billion by the end of 2025.

“GOGEC welcomes measures to reduce the fiscal disparity between local and foreign companies operating along its value chain.

These measures will further accelerate the participation of local firms in the sector,” the release said.

According to GOGEC, the revised Local Content Act will support the convergence of national and foreign interests in our finite resources, paving the way for equitable and sustainable development for generations to come. This, it added, is a solid adherence to the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) precept five (local effects) and precept 10 (private sector development).

Greater support to small businesses in the budget will continue to nurture start-ups and position young Guyanese in the pathways for partnerships and knowledge transfer with foreign partners. As such, GOGEC is en-

Police Constable killed in Mocha crash POLICE Constable, Faustin Magloire lost his life on Thursday evening after he crashed into a parked lorry and was instantly killed on the Mocha Access Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The 27-year-old of Perseverance Housing Scheme, EBD, was stationed at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost and attached to the General Duty Section.

According to Police Headquarters, motor lorry with registration GAB-8376 was stationary on the northern side of the Mocha Access Road with its lights on when hire car HC 2865, driven by Warren Olson Prince, age 30 years of Lot 73 Inner Bagotville, West Bank Demerara and motorcar PYY 9539 owned and driven by the Police Constable were involved in the accident.

Enquiries disclosed that motorcar PYY 9539 was proceeding east along the northern side of the aforementioned road at a fast rate of speed when the front portion of the car collided with the rear of the motor lorry.

Police said as a result of the collision, the motorcar ended up on the southern side of the road where it collided with the right side rear door of hire car HC 2865 which was proceeding west along the southern side of the said road.

Magloire received injuries about his body and was pronounced dead at the scene by a

Dead: Police Constable, Faustin Magloire doctor from the group of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for storage and to await a post- mortem examination.

Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie (ag) has extended condolences to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the late Police Constable 23012, Faustin Magloire.

couraging continued investment by both government and the private sector in prioritising ISO certifications to comply with globally recognised standards in services essential to harnessing the immense forward and backward linkages afforded by the oil and gas sector.

Similarly, it said that the commercialisation of the various offshore discoveries will strongly impact the labour market dynamics of the Guyanese economy. In particular, the demand for oil and gas-related skills will increase as the oil and gas industry becomes more entrenched in the productive economic landscape of Guyana.

GOGEC sees the push towards a low carbon economy as a necessary measure in this new climate paradigm.

“We are pleased to see the injection of funding to accelerate the development of the transformative gas-to-energy project and the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project. These strategic investments will unlock private sector transformation that embraces more significant value creation through light and heavy processing and a more diverse and

modernised service sector and digital economy,” the release said.

It noted that small-scale hydro projects at Kumu, Moco, and Kato and off-grid solar projects will significantly improve access to affordable energy services with high-quality standards to develop the communities in the interior.

Establishing a coordinated approach for the electrification of the interior is commendable, it emphasised before adding that this seeks to narrow the disparity between rural and urban areas and pave the way to a robust digital future for our indigenous peoples and rural communities.

For future consideration, GOGEC says it will continue to engage with the government to better leverage private sector participation in the accelerated diffusion of renewable energy technologies, including e-mobility solutions. The initiative to implement electric vehicle (EV) charging is excellent and sets an example for the shift to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly country.

However, GOGEC is recommending that the solar

9

EV charging stations be set up across all government buildings and for government vehicles to lead the shift to a fully electric vehicle fleet.

Additionally, it recommends that the government consider a reduced tax rate for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This according to the GOGEC, this will encourage customers to purchase more environmentally friendly cars, therefore, reducing the emission of CO2. Also, to further expand the ecosystem of enabling policies, the government, it said, may consider subsidies for installing the Solar PV configurations for residential EV charging. Measures should be extended to the complete solution, which includes: panels, inverters, transformers, and batteries.

“GOGEC looks forward to advocating for the equitable development of all energy resources and the households and industries that rely on them.

In this manner, GOGEC continues to applaud proactive policies set out in the National Budget and the Low Carbon Development Strategy,” the release added.

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12 homeless after Cross Street Fire caused by lit candle

TWELVE persons, including children, are now homeless after a fire destroyed their Cross Street, Werk-En-Rust home on Thursday evening.

A statement from the

fire department said the structure was a two-storey wooden apartment building owned by 74-year-old Jone Bowman, who occupied the top floor along with three others.

The bottom storey

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

consisted of two apartments occupied by eight persons. The building is located behind Ashmin’s Trading on High Street, but accessible only from Cross Street.

“The purported cause Firefighters worked to contain the blaze (Jean Chu photo) of the fire is said to be a lighted candle left unattended which fell and ignited nearby combustible materials,” the fire department said.

The department is calling for home and property owners to be cautious when using lamps, candles, mosquito coils,

lighters and matches.

“Ensure these items are placed a safe distance away from combustible materials and out of the reach of children at all times,” the statement said.

The fire department also renewed its call for fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

Alleged driver’s licence forger granted $200,000 bail MAGISTRATE Leron Daly, on Friday, released a 20-year-old man on $200,000 bail after he denied forging a driver’s licence and uttering it to a traffic rank when he was stopped for a traffic violation.

Shaquan Caesar was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for one count of forgery and one count of uttering a forged document.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that Caesar, on January 25, 2022, at Brickdam Public Road, with intent to defraud, forged a driver’s licence in the name of Anthony Jacobs.

The second charge alleged that on the same date and location, Caesar uttered the forged document to Police Constable Collins.

Shaquan Caesar Magistrate Daly released Caesar on $100,000 bail for each count and adjourned the matter until March 4, 2022.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that on the day in question, traffic officer Collins stopped Caesar after he observed him driving a passenger minibus out of his route in the Brickdam area.

The officer requested his driver’s licence and later ordered Caesar to visit the police station. While at the police station, a further examination was done and it was discovered that the document did not have Cesar’s name but had his photograph attached.

The information on the licence belonged to one Anthony Jacobs.

Caesar, under caution, reportedly told the police that he paid an individual at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to have his photograph placed on the driver’s licence card with the information.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Queens Guyanese Rotary members honour cops

By Vishnu Bisram

THE Jamaica Rotary Club (of Queens, New York) has honoured cops from several South Queens

Several police officers were honoured with the Officer Eddie Byrnes Award, recognising their work and distinguished service (including acts of brav-

is made up of several Guyanese professionals and it has had a history of giving back resources to and serving the community.

The Rotary is

The Jamaica Rotary Club (of Queens, New York) honoured cops from several South Queens precincts (police stations) last Wednesday precincts (Police Stations) last Wednesday at a special luncheon at Villa Russo catering hall in Richmond Hill.

The event was sponsored by Indian Guyanese businessman, Jack Rassbeharry of Queens.

Over one hundred individuals, comprising of cops and their families, and prominent members of the community graced the event.

ery). Byrnes was killed in the line of duty in Jamaica, Queens. His killer was convicted with a Guyanese as the foreman of the jury.

The COP of the month awards is hosted by the Jamaica Queens Rotary Club. The club itself is located in the heart of the quarter million Guyanese community. It has many Guyanese and other West Indians. The Rotary

known for helping in the care of veterans.

The Rotary also gave scholarship to children in Richmond Hill High School. It also helped to take care of the Caribbean Seniors Nursing Home in Richmond Hill and Autistic Kids in Queens, among other worthwhile causes.

The COP of the Month is an event that goes back many years.

It is sponsored by dif-

The luncheon was held at Villa Russo catering hall in Richmond Hill

ferent Guyanese business persons who are members of the Rotary Club.

The Rotary honours brave men and wom-

en in blue, for their commitment to serve and protect citizens and working beyond the call of duty. The cops received a plaque

during the luncheon and ceremony.

They all received loud applause and a standing ovation for their heroic service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Quartet charged for throwing corrosive liquid on an ex-friend remanded MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, on Friday, remanded four women to prison for allegedly attempting to murder their former best friend by dosing her with a corrosive liquid.

Jennifer Validen, a 28-year-old mother of three of Albouystown; Alana

Holder, a 28-year-old mother of three of East La Penitence; Gailann Marks, a 21-year-old mother of two of West Ruimveldt and Latifah DaCosta, a 26-year-old mother of one of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, were arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The women were not

From left: Jennifer Validen, Alana Holder, Gailann Marks and Latifah DaCosta required to plead to the en and Maxwell were once the location. the Georgetown Public Hosindictable charge which best friends. At time of the The quartet later gave pital where she is still being alleged that on January 21, incident they were not on chase in a motor car. The taxi treated.

2022, at Princess Street, speaking terms due to a mis- Maxwell was in was forced The prosecutor objected Georgetown, they caused understanding. to stop after the motor car to the defendents being regrievous bodily harm to ReOn the day in question, blocked its path and the four leased on bail given that the nesha Maxwell with intent while the victim was at defendants exited. victim is still hospitalised to commit murder.

Leopold Street, GeorgeIt is alleged that Validen with severe burns.

According to the court town, the four women ap- threw a liquid substance on The magistrate in takprosecutor, the four wom- proached Maxwell and Maxwell which caused a ing note of the prosecutor’s threw a liquid substance on burning sensation about her objection, remanded the her. This caused the wom- body. women to prison until Feban to enter a taxi and leave Maxwell was rushed to ruary 25, 2022.

Child with brain tumor gets visa for treatment in US

DIAGNOSED with a rare brain tumour, six-year-old Aden Persaud of Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), got the medical visa he needs to travel to the United States for treatment, approved on Friday.

The Saving Hands Emergency Aid Inc. (SHEA) foundation provided this update in a recent Facebook post.

“We are pleased to share that Aden’s medical visa has been approved,” the foundation said.

Since the treatment needed by Aden is not available in Guyana, his parents are left with no other option but to seek financial assistance to send him abroad for medical care.

According to SHEA, due to the severity and urgent nature of his condition, he needs immediate surgery, and extensive hormone replacement therapy.

“Unfortunately, the advanced treatment and technology necessary to save this young child is not yet available in Guyana. Therefore, SHEA charity has accepted his case, and we are working with doctors in the United States to coordinate lifesaving treatment for Aden,” the organisation said on its website.

Although the medical visa has been approved, the foundation said that help is needed now more than ever as only 50 per cent of the funds for the treatment has been attained. The child’s mother, Alicia Persaud, who will be accompanying him to the United States, received her visa last Friday.

Aden who was recently diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas, would usually experience headaches and vomiting. His mother told the Guyana Chronicle that of recent he is feeling a little better.

Six-year-old Aden According to the National Cancer Institute, craniopharyngiomas are usually part solid, part fluid-filled cysts, which are usually benign and not cancerous as they do not spread to other parts of the brain, nor to other parts of the body.

“However, they may grow and press on nearby parts of the brain or other areas, including the pituitary gland, the optic chiasm, optic nerves, and fluid-filled spaces in the brain.

Craniopharyngiomas may affect many functions of the brain, such as the hormone-making process, growth, and vision,” the institute says.

Persons interested in donating may place funds into the Demerara Bank account number 6002041325 under the name Lori Narine or may contact the organisation at shea@sheacharity.org.

The organisation is a publicly-funded charity managed by volunteers and 100 per cent of all donations are allocated to patient care.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

‘Acquiring a university education was our main goal’ – sisters detail journey at UG TOWANNA Crandon-Primo, 28, and Kaleda Crandon, 26, of Carmicheal Street, Georgetown (where they grew up) are sisters.

They are the first in their family to have acquired an education from the nation’s premier tertiary education, the University of Guyana.

For the siblings, they are on mission to excel in their career paths. They explained that they are fully cognisant of the fact that in order to do so they would need to equip themselves with the skills needed to be the best at what they do.

one of her biggest challenges was readjusting to studying as she took some time after completing high school to commence her university studies.

“My biggest challenge was getting back into study mode after nine years. I had to get accustomed to studying and attending classes. I also had to cope with the online learning when it first started because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But overall, my journey was a little bit of fun mixed with a lot of sleepless nights; however, I will not lie, it

push myself academically to learn new things, my husband was also by my side giving me the extra push I needed,” she reflected.

In giving words of wisdom to the younger generation, Towanna urged: “It will be challenging but keep pushing and do not give up, it will be worth it in the long run and you will graduate feeling proud of yourself because it is not an easy road.”

Meanwhile, Towanna’s sibling, Kaleda Crandon, who will be graduating with a Degree in Marketing, noted that her parents

From left: Towanna Crandon-Primo and Kaleda Crandon (UG photo) They bravely took on the challenge and enrolled at the University of Guyana a few years ago. They have now completed that journey and in a matter of days will be “walking” the virtual graduation stage when the university hosts its upcoming series of virtual ceremonies beginning February 4.

Towanna Crandon-Primo, who currently serves as an immigration officer, will be graduating from the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) with a Diploma in Public Management, while her younger sister Kaleda Crandon will be graduating with a Degree in Marketing.

According to Towanna,

was worth it in the end.”

She added: “I started a schedule for studying; this helped me to keep track of what I needed to do for my different courses.

I got accustomed to online classes and it would actually be my first choice now if I had to choose between that and face-toface learning.”

SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND The proud graduand expressed sincere thanks to her immediate family, especially her husband. “My main motivation was the support from my husband and my job as an immigration officer. I wanted to

motivated her to further her education.

“My parents never had the opportunity to complete secondary school and further their education, so this was one of my major motivations,” she highlighted.

When asked how UG has shaped her life, Kaleda smiled replying: “Here I am after four years of vigorous studies for a Degree in Marketing. The university has changed my way of thinking and helped me to become a better critical thinker.”

One of Kaleda’s biggest challenges was completing her studies and balancing a full-time job.

“It was challenging having to work and attend the

University of Guyana because having to focus on projects at work and staying up late to catch up on studies and assignments was a challenge for me,” the proud graduand explained.

In offering words of advice to other students, Kale-

da urged: “Do not underestimate the study materials.

Always try to keep ahead of your studies.”

A record number of attendees are expected this year since due to the online nature of the event, there will be no limit to the num-

ber of invitees who can join the proceedings.

Members of the public are invited to view this year’s ceremonies on the University of Guyana’s Facebook page @uniofguyana. (University of Guyana)

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Attorney-General receives Consolidated Index of Statutes

THE Attorney-General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, on Friday, received their first shipment of copies of the Consolidated Index 2021, which will be disseminated to key stakeholders in the coming days.

The Government of Guyana in collaboration with the IMPACT Justice Project, University of West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill, Barbados, completed the updated Consolidated Index of the Statutes and Subsidiary Legislation for Guyana as of January 1, 2021.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, received the first shipment of copies on Tuesday last.

He noted that the Consolidated Index 2021 was compiled, printed, and published by the Faculty of the Law Library of UWI, Cave Hill.

The Legal Affairs Minister also disclosed that the last Consolidated Index was produced more than a decade ago, and only contains Guy-

ana’s statutes and subsidiary legislation passed up to January 2011.

On Friday, the Attorney-General met with Professor Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of IMPACT Justice and her team to thank them for their work.

The Attorney-General also noted that the updated Consolidated Index 2021

will be instrumental in allowing stakeholders to appraise themselves of each and every one of Guyana’s existing statues and subsidiary legislation.

He said the Government of Guyana is aware that Guyana’s new developmental trajectory has triggered a need for heightened awareness of, and access to relevant

laws across all sectors, and he expressed confidence that the Consolidated Index 2021 will go a far way in allowing stakeholders to inform themselves and, indeed, the public of these laws.

Preparations, he disclosed, are currently being made for copies of the Consolidated Index 2021 to be delivered to Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice (ag) of the Judiciary Madame Justice, Roxane George SC; President of the Guyana Bar Association, Pauline Chase; President of the Berbice Bar Association, Horatio Edmonson; Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir; Director of Public Prosecutions, Madam Shalimar Ali Hack; Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie DSM; Chairman of the Law Reform Commission Justice of Appeal (retired), B.S. Roy; and Head of the University of Guyana’s Department of Law, Kim Kyte-Thomas.

57 undergoing GDF recruitment course Some of the soldiers undergoing the training at Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama FIFTY-SEVEN recruits are currently undergoing training on the Basic Recruit Course (BRC) 202103, which commenced recently at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama. The course is in its 11th week of training.

The BRC will see induction training in a number of areas, such as skillat-arms, drills, physical

training, map reading and navigation, amongst others.

Colonel General Staff, Colonel Julius Skeete in his feature address to the potential soldiers, thanked them for choosing to serve in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

He underscored too, that, their decision comes at a time, when the force is on a path of exponential

growth and development and by virtue of this, they are meant to benefit greatly.

Colonel Skeete also highlighted to the recruits, that after graduation, the force will expect them to be responsible users of all social media platforms and conform to the values and standards of the army. In closing, he reminded the

recruits that the training is aimed at molding each of them into well rounded soldiers.

Commanding Officer of the Training Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Collin Henry encouraged the recruits to have a positive attitude towards their training.

Seven prizes will be awarded for outstanding performances.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Guyana Media and Communications Academy closer to reality THE Department of Public Affairs has finalised modalities for the establishment of the Guyana Media and Communications Academy in partnership with Coursera.

The academy was conceptualised as a needed intervention that could help to upskill and further professionalise the local industry for the rapidly transforming socio-economic landscape, with media and communication practitioners across the public and private spectrum being provided the opportunity to gain world-class competencies and certifications, as part of the government’s national retooling efforts.

According to a release, the academy will fill the existing void with regards to professional skillbased accreditation for local industry players, as registrants will be able to attain the professional status of ‘accredited’, ‘specialist’ or ‘expert’ practitioners; based Minister within the Office on successful com- of the Prime Minister with pletion of prescribed responsibility for Public courses for the various Affairs, Kwame McCoy study streams under the academy’s ‘Continuous Media Education’-CMED Platform.

Ahead of a formal agreement to be signed shortly to bring the academy into full operation, the Chief Executive Officer of Coursera, Jeff Maggioncalda said, “We are honoured to partner with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Honourable Kwame McCoy, MP, to prepare the government’s media and communication personnel for a digital future.”

He went on to say, “This collaboration will help the Department of Public Affairs develop the high demand skills needed to communicate crucial policy initiatives and maintain transparency across key government programmes amid rapid transformation, while raising the bar for media across the country.”

Meanwhile, Minister McCoy has expressed high optimism that the academy, which has been long in the making, will serve as a significant booster to the local industry.

“Until now, the vast majority of media and communication personnel in Guyana were learning the fundamental industry skills needed for professional practice through trial and error. The Coursera partnership for the academy will now open up a wide vista of world-class knowledge and skills that will carry international certification and effectively pave the way for recognised skill-based accreditation of both public and private practitioners.”

Coursera, which was launched in 2012, is now one of the largest learning platforms in the world, with 92 million registered learners as of September 30, 2021.

Coursera collaborates with over 250 leading university and industry partners including Yale University, University of Michigan, Google, and IBM to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, specialisations, professional certificates, guided projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Institutions and governments around the world use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees and citizens. (Office of the Prime Minister)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Six families receive ‘proper’ roofs over their heads –– under Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme

SIX families can now enjoy better living conditions, having received keys to their new homes under the Ministry of Housing and Water, Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

The homes are funded to the tune of $4M each, by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and falls under the Core Home Support component of the AHUAP. The families, all within the Lust-en-Rust and Parfaite Harmonie Scheme, West Bank Demerara, each received the keys to the two-bedroom, 20ft x 20ft, concrete home during a simple handing-over ceremony on Friday.

The keys were presented by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, in the presence of CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherwyn Greaves; Deputy Director of Community Development, Donell Bess-Bascom; and Regional Chairman, Ishan Ayube.

The six beneficiaries are Althea Prowell, Candace Cort, Donna Marques, Natoya Stanford, Shelleicha Allen and Raymond Smith and Sasha Smith.

Each family had received low-income lots from the Central Housing and Planning Authority, but for various reasons were unable to commence construction. However, in 2020, they were approved for Core Home Support by the IDB and with only a contribution of $100,000 each they now have stable and comfortable homes.

“I feel excited about owning a home for myself, not just a house for me and my children,” said mother of two, Allen, whose financial challenges had prevented her from building her own house after she was allocated a CH&PA land in 2014.

Another mother of two children, Stanford, who is renting a tiny apartment for herself and children, stated that the home will significantly transform her family’s life, as she is no longer in fear of eviction. She now plans to extend the house to make it even more comfortable for her children.

“As a poor person, I couldn’t reach the amount of money I was looking for to build something properly,” said Smith. Smith had a makeshift home at his Parfaite Harmonie CH&PA allocated lot with his wife and children.

He also noted that the home will now upgrade the living standard of his family.

DESERVING On the occasion, Chief Executive Officer Greaves noted his pleasure at being able to deliver these homes to the more than deserving families.

“We must commend the IDB and the Ministry of Finance for coming up with this initiative, which has been promoted and encouraged by the government and President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is very passionate about

Raymond Smith opens the door to his new home

helping those in need.”

Regional Chairman Ayube dubbed the initiative a representation of the commitment of the government to all citizens of Guyana.

“As development unfolds in Region Three, it makes my work easier… as it mitigates complaints in certain areas. As development continues in the country because of our diverse society, it is important that every citizen and in this case every resident in Region Three benefit from the development,” Ayube stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal in his remarks to the beneficiaries noted that this project is a

(WBD), previously resided in a rented 10’ x 10’, wooden structure in Central Georgetown (Kitty) with her spouse and four children, ages eight to 14.

Surviving on a monthly income of $60,000, coupled with other financial challenges resulted in her inability to commence construction on her allocated lot.

However, in 2019, Powell, being informed of the AHUAP through a friend, approached the authority for assistance and was qualified due to her poor living conditions, which also included overcrowding.

Prowell also received an eligible ranking

Althea Prowell receives the keys to her new home from Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal demonstration of the government delivering on its promises.

“This is also a part of our mandate, to deliver to the people of Guyana and as part of our housing policy to meet the need of all categories of persons notwithstanding of background, political persuasion… and this is also a demonstration of what we mean when we talk about One Guyana,” he said.

Another 14 families within the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development are also expected to soon be presented with their core

score (110), which fell within the eligible range of 69-170.

In 2020, Prowell, along with 49 other beneficiaries within the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development, received the IDB’s no-objection for which she can finally become a homeowner and provide a safe place for her family.

Additionally, she will now be relieved of her monthly rental burden of $15,000 and fear of eviction by the landlord.

Another beneficiary was 48-year-old sin-

Natoya Standford cuts the ribbon to her new home. She is flanked by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves and Regional Chairman, Ishan Ayube homes.

The Core Home Support initiative is one aspect of the Adequate and Affordable Housing component aimed at helping low-income vulnerable Guyanese in poor living conditions.

The other aspect is the Home Improvement Subsidy, which enables persons in the target boundaries to receive up to $500,000 in materials to upgrade their homes free of cost.

The boundary currently encompasses the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Development in Region Three; Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four; and Georgetown to La Bonne Intention and 19 other select communities on the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four.

Meanwhile, an overjoyed 35-year-old Althea Prowell, who is the sole titled owner of Lot 4417, Lust-en-Rust, West Bank Demerara

gle parent Candace Cort, who is the sole titled owner of Lot 1984, Parfaite Harmonie, WBD. She currently resides on her allocated lot in a 28 sq. metres elevated, one-storey wooden structure with her four children, ages 17-27.

Surviving on a minor monthly income $53, 135, coupled with other financial challenges, resulted in her inability to construct a building that is structurally sound.

However, in 2018, Cort, being informed of the AHUAP via the media (news), approached the authority for assistance and was qualified due to her poor living conditions, which also included a building with multiple structural defects.

PROPER HOME In 2020, Cort received the IDB’s no-objection for which she can finally own a

Candace Cort holds the keys to her new home home that is structurally sound and be relieved from the fear of the home collapsing.

Another beneficiary was Natoya Standford, 34, who is the sole titled owner of Lot 4340, Lust-en-Rust, WBD, who currently resides in a tiny rented apartment at Lot 5, Samaroo Dam, WBD with her fiancé and two children, ages ranging from five to 13 years old.

Surviving on a monthly income of $40,000, coupled with other financial challenges, Stanford was unable to commence construction on her allocated lot.

Additionally, single-parent Donna Marques, 54, who is the sole titled owner of Lot 4332, Lust-en-Rust, West Bank Demerara, currently resides in a family condominium at Lot 122, Ivy Lane, West Ruimveldt.

However, the home consists of an extended family of 18 members, whose ages range from two to 27 years old.

Surviving on a monthly income of $48,000 coupled with other financial challenges, resulted in her inability to commence construction on her allocated lot.

However, in 2018, Marques, being informed of the AHUAP from a radio programme, approached the authority for assistance and was qualified due to her living in a home consisting of two or more nuclear families.

In 2020, Marques, along with other beneficiaries, become a homeowner, providing a safe, comfortable place for her family.

Meanwhile, Raymond Smith and Sasha Smith, ages 56 and 38 respectively, are the joint, titled owners of lot 2612 La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD. They resided at Lot 2613 Parfaite Harmonie (next door) in a 27 sq metres, deteriorated one- storey wooden building.

Mr Smith is the caretaker of this property and resides with Mrs Smith and their five children, ages nine to 19 years.

Surviving on a monthly income of $60,000, coupled with other financial challenges, resulted in their inability to commence construction on their allocated lot.

However, in 2018, Mr Smith, being informed of the AHUAP via the media (news), approached the authority for assistance and was qualified due to the family’s poor living conditions, which also includes overcrowding.

In 2020, Mr and Mrs Smith received the IDB’s no-objection, for which this couple can finally become home owners and provide a safe place for their family Surviving on a monthly income of $65,000, coupled with other financial challenges, Shelleicha Allen, 37, is the sole, titled owner of Lot 4336, Lust-en-Rust, WBD. She currently resides in a rented 10’ x 10’, concrete structure in Tuschen with her spouse and two children ages eight and 18.

In 2020, Allen received the IDB’s no-objection for which she can finally become a home owner and provide a safe place for her family.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Simmons, CWI rubbish reports...

FROM PAGE 25

Pollard had said that it was important to "take the ego out" when it came to team selections and praised the team management for getting the right balance. "It vindicated the team selection, obviously. It was a good game of cricket.

“We batted first, and we batted well, kudos to Rovman. He came in having been out for the first two games and took his chance.

We have a versatile team.

Sometimes you have to take the ego out of it and give the opportunity to the guys who have the form and the confidence. That's what we did today, so kudos to the management team and to the players, who went out and played a fantastic game."

In his press conference, when speaking on Smith's role in the set-up, Simmons had praised his ability but pointed out that given the number of all-round options West Indies had, there would be situations where his skills

would not be needed.

"Well we all know his role in the side. He's a bowler who bowls quick and he can hit the ball out of the ground," Simmons said. "In the games where he didn't bowl, it's a situation like that - we have seven bowlers, and unfortunately in those games he didn't bowl. It's just the run of the game on the day. We needed a batter to come in yesterday, and we made that choice. Because of course Jason (Holder) and (Sheldon) Cottrell are your main bowlers at the top there, and (Romario) Shepherd has shown both with bat and ball that he's doing well, and we wanted him to continue.

That's just the situation of his being left out and Powell coming in."

Smith has played three ODIs and seven T20Is for West Indies so far. He came to prominence during CPL 2021, with his hard-hitting batting and ability to touch 140kph. (ICC via Getty)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday January 29, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 28 teams (2) AUST vs ENG, Melbourne, 1971 Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams have now played T20 Internationals to date?

(2) Who are the first two teams to contest a T20 International game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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English Racing Tips Doncaster 08:25 hrs Gala De Corton 09:00 hrs Tide Times 10:10 hrs Miranda 10:45 hrs Bridge North 11:20 hrs Cap Du Nord 11:55 hrs Our Marty Cheltenham 08:15 hrs Lively Citizen 08:45 hrs Pied Piper 09:20 hrs Beakstown 09:55 hrs Magic Saint 10:30 hrs Chantry House 11:05 hrs Champ 11:40 hrs Balco Coastal 12:15 hrs Hiddeen Beauty Kempton 12:30 hrs No Diggity 13:00 hrs Noble Order 13:30 hrs El Bello 14:00 hrs Alhammaam

KFC feeds $1.5M support to GYMMA

BEHARRY Restaurant Holding, franchise holders of KFC in Guyana, recently pledged their support towards the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMF), doing so in the form a $1.5M cheque to the country’s governing body for mixed martial arts.

Guyana fielded a team for the first time at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) which is ongoing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and president of the GYMMA, Gavin Singh, said the team’s participation would not have been possible without KFC’s support.

“Guyana has secured its full recognition status towards the IMMAF Congress in the 2021 AGM held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Its documentations and development have made them rub shoulders with other CARICOM states,” Singh said.

He added that “it has been a challenging and edifying journey ensuring coaches certification, WADA trained personnel, accredited media persons and executive management programmes. During this journey KFC took the bold step as the lead sponsor for the GYMMA National Team.”

Marketing Officer of Beharry Restaurant Holdings, Pamela Manasseh, apart from highlighting KFC’s proud involvement in MMA via the GYMMA, pointed to the company’s “history of sponsoring and supporting our local talent as they compete at home and abroad and this event is just as special to us.”

14:30 hrs Imperium 15:05 hrs Charlie Arthur 15:35 hrs Tulane South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:30 hrs Cruise Control 09:05 hrs Zapatillas 09:40 hrs Rio Querari 10:15 hrs Cap[tain’s Ransom 11:10 hrs Jet Dark 11:50 hrs Doublemint 11:25 hrs Izapha 11:55 hrs Regina Isabella Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 08:30 hrs Nelly’s Money 09:05 hrs Where’s Frankie 09:40 hrs Brandy Love 10:15 hrs Ha D’or 10:50 hrs Micro Manage 11:25 hrs The Blind Piper 12:00 hrs Lord Lariat

Beharry Restaurant Holdings’ Marketing Officer, Pamela Manasseh, presents her company’s cheque to GYMMA Sherwin Sandy. Also present are several fighters of the GYMMA’s National team

The GYMMA president says he’s looking forward to “future ventures with KFC Guyana, particularly in the area

of youth development programmes at grassroots level, academic scholarships, regional and international championships.

Thank you, KFC Guyana, for continuously fulfilling your Corporate Social Responsibility.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Hennessy-adopted Burnham Basketball court officially unveiled … Minister of Sport Ramson among attendees

Some of the teams pose during Thursday's official Hennessy adoption of the Burnham Basketball court

By Clifton Ross KNOWN throughout the local basketball fraternity as the ‘Mecca’, a newly refurbished Burnham Court was unveiled with its new look thanks to its adopted brand, Hennessy, following Thursday evening's official launch.

The venue's transformation

is nothing short of amazing, when compared to its past condition and in keeping with the upgrades, Thursday's event was well-attended by a number of local hoopers, media, stakeholders and Hennessy brand sponsors, Ansa McAl. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr blessed the event as he greeted

and chatted with players and attendees alike. During his brief remarks he lauded all parties involved for helping to breathe fresh air into a sports venue which has been the cornerstone for outdoor basketball during its 65 years of existence.

As the basketball fraternity now enters a new era, thanks to the massive upgrades of the

court, Hennessy’s adoption further reflected the prestige.

The cognac's impeccable worldwide reputation, was mirrored in the works of the Court with the installation of new lights, officials’ tables, a brand new players’ areas, bleachers and of course a newly redone, designed painted court.

Organisers of the event

also hosted a fun 3X3 mini exhibition basketball tourney which featured a good turnout of basketballers and further added to the celebration of the event. hosting The brand's representative also noted that the Hennessy brand is keen on continuing its support of basketball among other sports in Guyana going forward.

Three-year anti-corruption ban for former Zimbabwe captain Taylor (ESPNCRICINFO) - Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three-and-a-half years by the ICC's anti-corruption unit for failing to report an approach from alleged corruptors without delay.

In a release yesterday, the ICC said Taylor has accepted the ban, which starts on January 28. Taylor has also accepted one charge of breaching the doping code - relating to a dope test he failed in his last international game last year. He tested positive for cocaine.

The ICC release comes at the end of a week which began with Taylor's confession on Twitter of the encounter he failed to report.

Taylor revealed he had been filmed using cocaine during a meeting in India with an alleged businessman, whom the ICC refers to as 'Mr S', who then used that video to allegedly blackmail Taylor into an agreement to spot-fix.

Taylor, who will turn 36 next week, has also since admitted himself into a rehabilitation clinic.

Taylor told the Daily Mail that he had "beaten a few" drugs tests in the past few years before eventually failing one in his final international match in September 2021. "I might have beaten a few tests in the past two-and-ahalf years but it got me when I was heading for destruction," Taylor said.

The ICC release said Taylor breached the ACU code on four counts, including failing to disclose not just the approach but also receiving gifts and cash, including hospitality, from the alleged corruptors.

One of the approaches to spot-fix, the charge read, was made for Zimbabwe's tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh: "Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe's then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh."

Taylor was also charged with "obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation," because he first delayed reporting the approach and then deleted messages he had exchanged with Mr S. Though his first contact with Mr S took place "in or around September 2019" according to the ICC's published details of the case, Taylor didn't get in touch with the ACU until March 2020.

By then, Taylor had flown out to meet Mr S in India in October 2019, a meeting in

which he accepted US$15 000 in lieu of future payments for carrying out spot-fixes. He was also gifted a new phone, some local currency to spend, as well as new clothes.

Taylor did not carry out any spot-fixing. In fact, he called the ACU to report the approach, when Mr S reached out to him again in March 2020 to push him to spot-fix, as Zimbabwe were touring Bangladesh. Taylor has yet to return the US$15 000 The ICC said Taylor "chose to admit the charges" and "agreed" the sanction instead of facing an anti-corruption tribunal hearing.

That, as well as his previous disciplinary record and eventual cooperation during the four interviews he had with the ACU were seen as mitigating factors in the eventual punishment he received.

The fact that he took payment, which is yet to be returned, and initially agreed to engage in corrupt activity, as well as his seniority as an international cricketer, were seen as aggravating factors in the length of his ban.

DOPING CHARGE The anti-doping charge, independent of the anti-corruption charges, "resulted" after Taylor had done the in-competition test on September 8, 2021 during a match between Ireland and Zimbabwe. Taylor tested positive for a stimulant Benzoylecognine, which the ICC said is a "cocaine metabolite" and is specified as a "substance of abuse" under the anti-doping code.

"This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three-anda-half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code," the ICC said. "Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on July 28, 2025."

Alex Marshall, the ICC's ACU head, said it was "disappointing" that Taylor, who played for Zimbabwe for 17 years and attended at least 13 anti-corruption and anti-doping sessions, had failed to report the approach in time.

"It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations. However, he has accepted all charges the result of which has been reflected in the sanction," Marshall said. "I would echo Brendan's message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen, so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation."

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Simmons, CWI rubbish reports of victimisation of Odean Smith It also had strong words of condemnation from Skerritt. "I view this as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, designed to sow division within our team that has just recorded three very im-

West Indies coach Phil Simmons

(ESPNCRICINFO) - West Indies coach Phil Simmons and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have both rubbished reports of Odean Smith being 'victimised', after the all-rounder was benched in favour of Rovman Powell for the third T20I against England.

While Simmons said that those on the outside who wanted "preach about victimisation" needed "to look within themselves", CWI president Ricky Skerritt put out a statement calling the allegations "a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, designed to sow division within our team".

The statements came in response to a voice note that was sent to media persons after the third ODI. While it's not yet clear who sent the voice note, the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday reported that it was "a regional cricket commentator" and that it said the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) was "very upset over the treatment of Smith" while alleging that a high-level meeting was planned at CWI to clear issues within the team.

Simmons dismissed the allegation outright in a press conference yesterday, the day after West Indies won the third T20I to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

"For me, that can't happen when I'm here," Simmons said. "You don't victimise anyone. You don't try to pull down anyone. You try to make players a better person first of all, and a better cricketer afterwards. In my coaching career and even in my playing career, you look to help the man next to you.

And that's one thing I've been preaching in this team, and in all the teams that I've dealt

with. So, there is no such thing as victimisation here and there will be none as long as I'm around."

Smith had played the first two T20Is of the five-match series. He bowled one over in the first T20I and was not called on to bowl in the second. While batting, he wasn't needed in the first T20I in a nine-wicket win and made 7 in the second T20I. In the third, West Indies strengthened their batting by replacing Smith with Powell, who went on to smash 107 off 53 balls in a high-scoring win.

"I think you're going down the wrong line with this," Simmons continued.

"Let me explain something to you, and I'm saying it again. We need to stop this foolishness that we're going on with. We sit down and we look at the best team for the day. And if Odean wasn't in the best team for the day, it is because we thought that Rovman was better suited for yesterday.

"All those who want to sit out there and preach about victimisation, I think they need to look within themselves. There's no victimisation in selection in West Indies cricket, and there's no victimisation in this team in playing anyone. So we need to start stepping away from that and letting the people who are pushing this know that that's not happening. I'm not going to be answering any more questions about things like that."

The CWI statement backed up Simmons' words.

"Contrary to the unsubstantiated statements, containing unfounded and mischievous allegations, CWI is satisfied that there is no discord between the captain and any member of the West Indies team," it read.

pressive T20I performances against very strong opponents, including two outstanding wins and one heroic comeback to get within one run of victory.

“This clear attempt by well-known mischief-makers

to discredit the captain and to derail the team's momentum in the ongoing Betway T20I Series should not be tolerated or encouraged."

Simmons and CWI found support from the recently retired Dwayne Bravo, who

tweeted that he "woke up to see the same individuals who don't care about the cricket trying to push a victimisation narrative".

After the win in the third T20I on Wednesday, Kieron TURN TO PAGE 23

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Guyana gets unanimous support for full IMMAF member status

By Rawle Toney in Abu Dhabi (Compliments: GYMMA/National Sports Commission)

THE Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMA) was unanimously voted in as one of the 20 new member associations affiliated to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), following the global amateur MMA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)/ Congress in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Guyana was represented by Dr Sawan Jagnarain at the AGM/Congress which was held at the Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel.

The IMMAF’s AGM/Congress featured 120 delegates at the event, which was chaired by Densign White, the Federation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The 18-month-old GYMMA, headed by Gavin Singh, in 2021 received its conditional affiliation to the IMMAF, pending approval of vote at their AGM. At yesterday’s AGM, White asked the 120 delegates if they had any objections to Guyana receiving full membership and of the eligible 37 voters, the country was given a 34-0 nod of approval.

Jamaica and Barbados were also approved, joining Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and St Lucia as the

Guyana was among 120 delegates at the IMMAF AGM/Congress in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

GYMMA Executive Member Dr Sawan Jagnarain represented Guyana at their first IMMAF AGM/Congress in Abu Dhabi

countries from the Caribbean that are members of the IMMAF. Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Singh noted that the GYMMA was “proud of the accomplishments so far. However, we have a long journey ahead for further success.”

Singh said “the Federation is committed to ensuring proper strategy and planning is in place for our future success. We can only do this together with all our stakeholders. We will be continuously working diligently together with the IMMAF and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to ensure that the future of Mixed

Martial Arts in Guyana is a success.”

Meanwhile, Kerrith Brown, the IMMAF president, said the Federation will be working closely with its affiliates in the Caribbean, as they push to have as many accredited coaches to implement a development strategy, promoting Amateur MMA as a safe sport.

IMMAF president said his federation will also seek to foster a close working relationship with the respective governments in the Region, deeming it vital for the sustenance, development and enhancement of the sport in the Caribbean.

Guyana was the lone CARICOM country represented at the IMMAF’s World Championship, with Corwin D’Anjou and Ijaz Cave carrying the Golden Arrowhead at the tournament which will end today in Abu Dhabi.

D’Anjou competed in the Welterweight category, while Cave featured in the Light Heavyweight division.

This year’s event was the largest for the IMMAF in its 10-year history, as over 450 athletes from 57 countries, gathered to compete for a chance to be crowned the best in the world in their respective categories.

It is also the first World Championships since the advent of COVID-19 in 2020.

The IMMAF president had told Chronicle Sport that his federation was more than happy with seeing Guyana present in the United Arab Emirates.

He admitted that while it was not the results the federation had wanted, the experience will form part of the learning curve, not just for the fighters, but also for the GYMMA.

“What you have to realise is, in terms of the National Federation, the job is that you’re learning in all aspects. You are learning the different processes that are put in place to run a competition at this level; so when you go back to develop the national federation, the clubs, referees, judges, the coaches; everything that’s happening in Abu Dhabi, we want the Federation to value and adapt,” Brown said.

The IMMAF was founded in Sweden by former athletes and presidents of the Swedish MMA Federation, August Wallén and George Sallfeldt, with support from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

IMMAF held its inaugural IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA in Las Vegas in 2014, as part of UFC International Fight Week.

C Class Open to serve off second weekend Four-Day practice match: Paul, Permaul share seven wickets; of GTTA National Championships

Motie bags five

Jasmine Billingy (left) and Jonathan Van Lange are expected to medal this weekend

THE C Class Open will serve off the second weekend of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) National Championships, which is billed for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

A number of the junior players, who excelled from week one, are also expected to compete this weekend, including 11-year-old Jasmine Billingy who won the 19-and-Under title and 15-year-old male 19-and-Under winner, Jonathan Van Lange.

The top 21-Year-and-Under players are also expected to battle today in both the male and female categories.

Tomorrow at 14:00hrs, the Doubles competitions for men, women and mixed teams will serve off.

According to information from the GTTA, all finals will take place between 16:00hrs and 19:30hrs.

Winners of the Girls’ 19U Doubles: Crystal Melville (left) and Thuraia Thomas are expected to challenge in the 21U division

GIRLS' BATTLE Billingy won the National female title in 2020.

This year, although it is now 21-and-Under, she is still the favourite. Her main competition will come from 2022 Girls Doubles champions Thuraia Thomas and Crystal Melville and her age group nemesis Samara Sukhai.

Van Lange finished as runner-up in the 21U male competition in 2020 to Elishaba Johnson, while he won the ‘B’ Class Open.

The 2022 version of that event is set to serve off the third weekend of the National Championships.

The B Class Open and the Men’s Singles would start on February 5, while on February 6, both will conclude along with the Women’s Singles.

Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul shared seven wickets as the final Four-Day practice match for the Guyana Harpy Eagles ended inside three days at the National Stadium, Providence, on Friday.

Paul took 4-48 in 16 overs while Permaul snared 3-51 in ten overs which led Keemo Paul’s XI to a 27-run victory over Leon Johnson’s XI. Chasing 207 for victory, Johnson’s XI were bowled out for 179 in 47 overs as Leon Johnson top-scored with 36 and had contributions from Anthony Bramble (29), Tagenarine Chanderpaul (29) and Vishaul Singh (28).

Keon Joseph took 2-8 while Antony Adams had 1-6.

Resuming on 112-6,

Keemo Paul

Paul’s XI were bowled out for 174 as Joshua Persaud top-scored with 39 while Akshaya Persaud followed up his first-innings 62 with 36.

Gudakesh Motie ended with 5-28.

Eagles will continue their preparation for next month’s Four-Day Championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

MATCH SUM-

MARY: Keemo Paul XI’s 182 all out in 71.3 overs (Akshaya Persaud 62, Keemo Paul 36, Kevin Sinclair 18; Demetri Cameron 2-15, Gudakesh Motie 2-29, Junior Sinclair 2-41, Christopher Barnwell 1-16) and 174 all out in 56.3 overs (Joshua Persaud 39, Akshaya Persaud 36, Kemol Savory 23, Trevon Griffith 16; Motie 28, Cameron 2-22) beat Leon Johnson’s XI 150 all out in 47.3 overs (Barnwell 66, Sinclair 44, Hemraj 15; Niall Smith 4-40, Keon Joseph 2-13, Ronsford Beaton 2-27) and 179 all out in 47 overs (Leon Johnson 36, Vishaul Singh 28, Anthony Bramble 28; Keemo Paul 4-48, Veerasammy Permaul 3-51, Keon Joseph 2-8) by 27 runs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 29, 2022

Partner golf tournament set for today

THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will be hosting a better-ball alternative tournament today.

According to information from the club, up to yesterday afternoon, some 30 golfers had registered for the 18-hole medal play event, including the 2021 Guyana Open champion Shanella London.

Players without a partner can seek assis-

tance from LGC manager.

In keeping with the COVID-19 regulations, the golfers will take part in a shotgun start (starting at different holes at the same time).

Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place best net finishers. Additionally, there will also be the longest drive competition on hole No. 5 and the nearest to

Some 30 golfers are registered for today’s partner event

the pin battle on hole N0. 4.

According to information from the club, handicap for each pair will be calculated on 60% of the lower partner plus 40% of the higher partner.

PROCEDURE OF PLAY In a partnership comprising players A and B, both players will tee-off, they will

then choose which ball is in a better position and continue to alternate until the hole is completed.

Players are advised on arrival to contact the manager to uplift their scorecard etc. and proceed to their allocated tee boxes and listen for the blast of the horn to commence the game at 12:30hrs.

STR Wood Inc. Senior National boxing coach Blitz Championship set heads to Linden this for next Saturday weekend

Flashback: Senior Blitz champion Davion Mars (right) makes a move against second-place finisher and Junior Blitz champion Keron Sandiford in the 2020 over-the-board championship

THE Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host the STR Wood Inc. National Blitz Championship next Saturday online on the Tornelo.com platform.

The event will have $100 000 in cash prizes up for grabs, with the overall winner receiving $40 000, second-placer $25 000, third-place $15 000 and best female $20 000.

According to information from GCF, the Open tournament will feature nine rounds of Swiss format games with a time control of five minutes with one second added to the clock after each move.

Over 40 players are expected to compete in the one-day event, including defending champion AFM Davion Mars, current senior champion CM Taffin Khan, former senior champion Anthony Drayton, Irshad

Mohamad, Loris Nathoo, Frankie Farley, Sherlyta Campayne, Justino Da Silva and Roberto Neto.

Among the junior players expected to compete are defending Junior Blitz champion Keron Sandiford, Ricardo Narine, Kyle Couchman, Jaden Taylor, Kishan Puran and Jessica Callender.

The online tournament, which is scheduled for a 14:00hrs start, will be monitored

by FIDE arbiters John Lee and Anand Raghunauth.

Interested players are asked to fill out the compulsory registration form on guyanachess.org on or before next Thursday. Registration fees will be waived for financial members of the GCF while a registration fee of $2 000 is required for non-members.

NATIONAL boxing coach, Lennox Daniels, will head to Linden this weekend for the first of a series of coaching programmes and talent-spotting throughout the country. Following his visit to the mining town, Daniels will head to Region Six (February 5-9), along with Region Nine.

According to president of the Guyana Boxing (GBA), Daniels’ journey is part of the sport’s local governing body’s plans to decentralise the sport and ensure that every aspiring boxer is given a chance at developing his/her talents and be exposed.

Ninvalle explained that unlike his visit to Regions Six and 10, while in Region Nine, Daniels will spend beyond two days. This, Ninvalle said, is to ensure that the National coach is given a chance to reachting as many areas as possible in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo area.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle said the GBA, behind Daniels, will begin to intensify preparation for the March 22 – April 2 American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championships, which is set for Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Olympian and Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Keevin Allicock, along with the Jackman sisters – Abiola and Alesha, Mark Crawford, Richard Howard, Patrick Harvey, Travis Inverary, Jamal Eastman, Joel Williamson, Desmond Amsterdam, Colin Lewis, Julius Kesney, Quacy Abrams, Emanuel Pompey, Delroy Fordyce, Renaldo Niles, Aluko Bess and Richard Subraty are the 18 boxers currently in training for the Elite Continental tournament.

Ninvalle said GBA expects Daniels to “bring his unique style of coaching

National boxing coach Lennox Daniels

to the team’s preparation, and we at the Executive level expect to see a marked difference in the way in which our fighters are prepared.”

The medallists in each of the 13man and 12-woman weight categories, according to the AMBC, will receive prize money – US$10 000 for first place, US$5 000 for second and US$2 500 for third place.

KFC feeds $1.5M support to GYMMA

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Beharry Restaurant Holdings’ Marketing Officer, Pamela Manasseh, presents her company’s cheque to GYMMA Sherwin Sandy. Also present are several fighters of the GYMMA’s National team

Simmons, CWI rubbish reports of victimisation of Odean Smith PAGE

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Four-Day Hennessy-adopted practice Burnham Basketball court officially unveiled match: Paul, 26 … Minister of Sport Ramson among attendee Permaul 24 share seven wickets; Motie bags five PAGE

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West Indies coach Phil Simmons

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Moet Market Manager - South America at Moët Hennessy

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022