Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 29-06-2021

TUESDAY 29th June, 2021

No. 106406

Over 106,000 fully immunised against COVID-19; 100,000 doses of Sinopharm due this week

SEE PAGE

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Police Service Commission’s promotion list ‘unlawful’ SEE PAGE

3

― gov’t says, contends members of the Commission have been suspended ― Chief Justice strikes out police promotion challenge ― Attorney-General clarifies that Chief Justice did not give legitimacy to the PSC promotion list ― points out that the PSC in the case argued that it has not made a final decision regarding promotions

Animal welfare group gets mobile rescue unit SEE PAGE

2

First Lady, Arya Ali hands over the keys of the mobile unit to Tails of Hope President, Shari Rodeigues (Office of the First Lady photo)

Guyana welcomes all

― thanks to the efforts of the First Lady SEE PAGE

15

― but cannot tolerate human trafficking, says Minister Benn ― such illegality has nothing to do with race, and will expose Guyana to international sanction, points out MP Datadin

Floodwaters recede significantly in Region Seven, Kwakwani SEE PAGES

14&16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

First Lady donates mobile rescue unit to animal welfare group

First Lady, Arya Ali and representatives of Tails of Hope sign an agreement for the use of the mobile unit which was donated (Office of the First Lady photo)

Representatives of Tails of Hope pose for a photograph with Mrs. Ali next to the mobile unit which they received for their animal welfare activities (Office of the First Lady photo)

FIRST LADY, Arya Ali, on Monday, honoured a commitment made to a local animal welfare group which requested support in acquiring a mobile animal clinic and rescue unit.

According to a release, earlier this year, representatives from Tails of Hope met with the First Lady and made known its request for support in acquiring a motor vehicle which could be used as a Mobile Animal Health Clinic.

The group explained that the mobile unit would allow Tails of Hope to expand its reach to offer assistance to communities where there are no qualified veterinarians.

Additionally, they said that it would allow them to offer low cost services such as vaccinations, deworming, treatment of ticks and bugs, and spraying and neutering across the country.

These services, the representatives said, would allow for better access to healthcare for animals, especially strays. With support from Rudisa Motors Guyana, Mrs. Ali acquired a 2015 Toyota Noah which was, on Monday, handed over to the group for its animal welfare activities.

The vehicle is outfitted to accommodate specialised medical areas which will allow for physical healthcare examinations such as screening and dental care – basic ambulatory procedures that meet the requirements of a qualified veterinarian.

The vehicle, which will

also serve as a rescue unit for animals, was vinyl wrapped

by Impressions with depictions of animals and important information for rescue and veterinary services. At the short handing over ceremony which was held at State House, the First Lady expressed how delighted she was to be able to support the work of Tails of Hope in a tangible way.

“I am aware of the work that Tails of Hope has been doing and with very little. So, I see this as an important step in supporting animal welfare in Guyana,” Mrs. Ali said.

She urged the group to ensure that they value the efforts of those who would have contributed to the initiative, by ensuring that the mobile unit is used for its intended purpose, and that it is treated with care. To ensure compliance, an agreement was also signed between the Office of the First Lady and Tails of Hope.

Meanwhile, President of Tails of Hope, Shari Rodrigues, expressed appreciation on behalf of the group to the First Lady for fulfilling her promise.

She said that the acquisition of this mobile unit will allow for special attention and additional emphasis to be placed on the health of animals, which would improve their quality of life. Seven-year-old Aiden Edghill of Tails of Hope also thanked the First Lady for her efforts and used the opportunity to share with her, his love for animals.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Police Service Commission’s promotion list ‘unlawful’ _gov’t says, contends members of the Commission have been suspended _Chief Justice strikes out police promotion challenge

_Attorney-General clarifies that Chief Justice did not give legitimacy to the PSC promotion list

_points out that the PSC in the case argued that it has not made a final decision regarding promotions

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, S.C

ACTING Chief Justice, Roxane George S.C., on Monday, struck out the legal challenge brought by five senior police officers against the Police Service Commission (PSC) over the 2020 year-end police promotions.

Following the CJ’s ruling, the Government of Guyana through the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C., issued a statement rejecting the PSC’s promotion list as “unlawful and illegal.”

It noted that in the circumstances, this purported list of promotions of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be ignored since the PSC was suspended

by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on June 16.

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, Superintendents Ravindra Stanley and Shivpersaud Manni Bacchus; Assistant Superintendent Shavon Jupiter and Inspector Prem Narine had approached the High Court for a declaration that the policy of the PSC not to promote or consider for promotion, ranks with disciplinary matters, is irrational and unlawful.

In handing down her ruling, the CJ noted that the circumstances that led to the applications before the court are most unfortunate.

“They do not augur well for the overall management and wellbeing of the GPF. The determination of these applications will not assuage what are clearly deep-seated feelings of distrust and mistrust in the higher echelon of the force.”

She noted that the application highlights a “poor and haphazard” system for dealing with disciplinary matters against police officers and the need for comprehensive regulations governing the

disciplinary procedure and promotions respectively, including clarity on what infractions could affect such promotion.

The CJ, however, said that for the sake of good governance, a cordial relation is needed between the two bodies.

Among other things, she noted that the PSC did not act unlawful in considering the disciplinary matter and that the application before the court lacked sufficient evidence to grant the orders and declarations that were being sought by the senior officers.

“This decision will not benefit the GPF as what is disclosed on evidence clearly indicates discord among its officers… Further, it seems that while the announcement of those to be promoted was made, whether leaked or otherwise, the process has not been completed in terms of a formal release,” she added.

As such, the CJ recommended that the GPF and the commission address the fact that officers who are recommended for promotion and have disciplinary matters, must be dealt with the soonest by the commission.

“There will have to be reconciliation so that there are no losers, otherwise the GPF and the nation on a whole will lose. It is therefore unfortunate that this matter was not settled,” she said.

NON-RECOGNITION OF THE LIST Nandlall, in his statement, made it clear that that the government will not accept or recognise the list of promotions that was announced by the PSC. On June 16, the president, with the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution

Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, S.C

of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, suspended the PSC. “The said decision of the President can only be rescinded, revoked, set-aside or reversed by the President himself, or by a court of competent jurisdiction. No person, let alone a constitutional commission, will be allowed to become judge, jury and executioner in our constitutional democracy.

The Rule of Law simply does not permit it,” Nandlall said.

“The attempt of the Police Service Commission, therefore, to countermand, disobey and disregard the President’s decision, not only amounts to an effrontery to the highest executive office in this land, but is simply absurd. If anyone had any doubts about the independence and rectitude of this grouping who constitute the Police Service Commission, those doubts should now be put to rest,” he added.

Further, the AG noted that it must be abundantly clear that the ruling in the case by the Chief Justice does not give legitimacy to the purported list of promotions issued by the PSC or any such list. In fact, one of the grounds that the PSC proffered in opposition to the case brought by Brutus is that ‘’the commission has not made a final decision regarding promotions.’’

Police officers, Dennis Stephen, Hugh Winter, Monica Washington, Edmond Cooper, Kurleigh Simon Stanton, and Phillip Azore were admitted as interested parties in the case by the CJ. The CJ had initially granted a temporary order stopping the PSC from making the annual promotions.

On January 12, 2020, the Attorney-General had disclosed to the court that based on preliminary discussions with Chairman of the PSC, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, the parties were on a “path to resolution.”

However, this proved futile since both sides failed to reach an amicable solution, which resulted in the High Court going ahead with the hearing of the matter.

BYPASSED Brutus, in his legal documents, claims that he was bypassed for a promotion due to an ongoing investigation. Brutus believes the action by the commission was irrational, unreasonable, arbitrary, and unlawful.

The senior cop was asking the court to grant a declaration that the policy of the PSC not to promote or consider for promotion, officers with pending disciplinary matters before it, is unlawful.

He was also asking for a declaration that he is entitled to be promoted to the rank of assistant Commissioner of police. Further, he was seeking an Order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying and/ or cancelling the decision of the PSC to deny him the appointment to the office of assistant commissioner of police.

He was also praying for an Order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying and/or cancelling the decision of the PSC to promote Cooper, Philip and Kurleigh Simon, who are all senior superintendents of police, to the office of assistant commissioner of police.

Lastly, he was asking the

Suspended Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe

court to grant an Order of Mandamus compelling the commission to reconsider its decision not to promote him in accordance with law and his legitimate expectation.

All these orders were rejected by the Chief Justice.

Five officers: Brutus, Wendell Blanhum, Ravindranauth Budhram, Errol Watts and Fazil Karimbaksh, had been recommended for promotion by the commissioner of police. However, the PSC had decided to promote Blanhum, Budhram, Watts, Cooper, Azore and Simon to the rank of assistant commissioner of police.

“It has been the practice of the commission not to promote police officers with pending disciplinary complaints, regardless of the nature or seriousness of such complaints. Trivial and unsubstantiated complaints have been accorded the same weight as grave or serious allegations of indiscipline in denying promotion to those against whom disciplinary complaints have been lodged with the commission,” Brutus’ court documents stated.

Brutus was appointed to the rank of senior superintendent in 2015.

In October 2019, it was alleged by the deputy commissioner – administration, that Brutus had committed a breach of discipline.

The commission appointed Assistant Commissioner, Royston Andires-Junor, to investigate that allegation.

A breach-of-discipline notice was not served on Brutus until October 2020. The investigation has not progressed beyond the issuance of the breach-of-discipline notice.

In keeping with its practice, the commission purportedly refused and/ or failed to consider and/ or denied Brutus’s promotion to the office of assistant commissioner of police, relying on the said allegation of indiscipline.

“The allegation is frivolous. The applicant knows of no other reason why he was denied the promotion he was recommended for,” the document stated.

According to Brutus’ court documents, Cooper, Azore and Simon, who are being promoted outside of the recommendation of the commissioner of police, are under investigation for alleged disciplinary and/ or criminal offences. The said officers were promoted to the rank of senior superintendent in the years 2016, 2017 and 2017 respectively, and were, therefore, junior to Brutus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Consultations on ‘ganja’ bill to begin soon ― says Nandlall, following his election as Chairman of Parliamentary Select Committee

By Richard Bhainie

THE election of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., as Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee, has paved the way for consultations to commence on the proposed amendments set out in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Bill 2021.

This bill seeks to remove “jail time” as the automatic sentence for persons found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana.

The way forward regarding the bill was outlined by Nandlall during an engagement with members of the Rastafarian movement who were protesting in front of the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Monday.

The bill, which introduces amendments to seven

key sections of the principal Act, was read for the first time in the National Assembly in January 2021, and the primary objective of the amendments is the removal of custodial sentences (time served in prison) for the possession of small quantities of marijuana; this was a promise made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in their 2020 elections manifesto.

the Attorney-General to suspend the legislation prohibiting the use of marijuana and classifying it as a narcotic, since the substance is consumed for the “spiritual, indigenous and culture belief” of the Rastafarian movement.

The Attorney-General apprised the Rastafarians of Guyana’s legal system and informed them that the law cannot be suspended sponta-

be in force that is how the law is,” he related.

The Rastafarians also quoted Articles of the Constitution of Guyana which guarantee freedom of religious practice, as they explained that while some people may consume the substance for recreation or medicinal purposes, the Rastafarian movement is a faith-based organisation which engages

Representatives of the House of Nyabinghi and other Rastafarians protesting in front of the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General’s Chambers, Carmichael Street, Georgetown, on Monday

Nandlall informed the representatives of the Rastafarian faith that while the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Bill 2021 was tabled in the National Assembly there were some concerns with the quantum that is to carry a non-custodial sentence and as a consequence it was referred to the Special Select Committee.

“We do not believe in a process that is unilateral, we believe that in every aspect of public decision making we must act consensually and we must act after consulting the stakeholders. We can’t impose a law on the people without an input from the people because the law will not be obeyed; as a result we have decided to take the bill to a special select committee,” he said.

Representatives of the House of Nyabinghi asked

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., addressing the Rastafarians who gathered outside his office in protest, on Monday

neously, but it must undergo the requisite legislative procedures to be struck out or amended.

“We cannot suspend the law, our system doesn’t operate that way. We have to pass another law to amend that law or to repeal it completely… we have decided the process of an amendment, but until that amendment is passed the current law will

in the use of marijuana as a “sacrament” in the practice of the religion.

“As a government we have to ensure that we address all the interests in a society; there is another view out there that may contradict yours, but we have passed that stage and we are at a stage where we have a bill to address your concerns which is a fundamental accomplishment,” Nandlall informed the Rastafarians.

The Attorney-General assured the representatives of community that the Select Committee will invite them to make their submissions, which will be taken into consideration and reflected in the final product of the Special Select Committee.

This publication was, later in the day, informed that Nandlall was elected Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Select Committee, which will be scrutinising the bill before it makes its way back to the House for a vote.

The government members on the Special Select Committee are Minister of Governance and Parliamen-

tary Affairs, Gail Teixeira; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, while the Opposition Members of Parliament who are on the Committee are Khemraj Ramjattan, Annette Ferguson, Amanza Walton-Desir and Sherod Duncan.

The proposed amendments introduce mandatory counselling by a certified counsellor specified by the court for anyone convicted for being in possession of cannabis which does not exceed 15 grammes. The period of counselling will be determined by the counsellor after an assessment.

For persons convicted after being in the possession of a quantity of cannabis which exceeds 15 grammes but does not exceed 30 grammes, the court shall make an order requiring that person to perform community service.

Section five of the principal Act, which pertains to the penalty for trafficking narcotic, is also slated to be amended.

Section two of the principal Act shifts the burden of proof upon the defendant, once found in possession of more than 15 grammes of cannabis, to prove that he is in possession of the narcotic for a purpose other than the purpose of trafficking.

The amendment will see this being changed to 30 grammes. Other sections proposed to be amended are Sections 12, 72 and 73 of the principal Act. While amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Control Act were promised by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition as early as 2015, it never came to fruition.

In 2015, former AFC Member of Parliament (MP), Michael Carrington, had tabled a bill in the National Assembly to amend the Act but it was never debated.

In December 2020, members of the APNU+AFC Opposition presented copies of their version of the amended bill to the National Assembly. They, however, cited the inactivity of the National Assembly in 2019 due to the passage of the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018, as the reason why the bill was never debated.

When the bill was debated in January, 2021, the Opposition-sponsored motion presented by Duncan was defeated and the Government-sponsored bill was sent to a Special Select Committee for further consultation.

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CSEC, CAPE students prepared thanks to ‘diligent’ teachers GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

-says Education Minister

Students of the Carmel Secondary School during the EDPM examination

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Monday, said the students who are writing this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) are prepared thanks to the tireless work of teachers who have braved the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the next month, thousands of students across Guyana will be writing these exams which commenced on Monday and are expected to come to an end on July 30, 2021.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant challenge to the education system world-

wide, Guyanese teachers have ensured that their students have access to the required teachings in preparation for their exams.

In October 2020, following several months of online learning, the ministry, with the permission of the Ministry of Health, made the decision to return students of Grades 11 and 12 to the classroom for face-to-face teaching.

Attendance was not mandatory but students turned out in their numbers for these preparatory sessions.

Minister Manickchand noted that the ministry mobilised resources to facilitate the return to the classroom based on the request of teachers and students. She said the ministry

COVID-19 vaccination site now at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

Region Three COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator, Halim Khan and Regional Health Officer (RHO), Region Three, Dr. Erica Forte at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling vaccination site

WITH an increasing number of persons willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the Region Three COVID-19 Task Force on Monday set up a vaccination site at the Vreeden-Hoop Stelling.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Region Three, Dr. Erica Forte, said that the vaccination site will operate on Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 hrs to 16:30 hrs.

The COVID-19 vaccines that will be available, she noted, will be the first dose of Sputnik V, second dose of Sinopharm and first dose of AstraZeneca.

“Currently, we are aiming toward herd immunity so that we can return to some sense of normalcy,” Dr. Forte told this publication.

Meanwhile, Region Three Coordinator for the COVID-19 Task Force, Halim Khan, said the vaccination site will cater

for working persons and those who don’t have the time to visit health centres to take the vaccine.

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

Khan said that Guyanese do not have to endure the harsh effects facing other countries, but more people need to be vaccinated.

“I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine and I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so that we can have a veil of protection over this country, that would end this pandemic,” Khan said.

firmly believes that this decision was advantageous to this year’s CXC students.

“I expect our children to do very well. We are one of the countries that took some bold decisions and brought our children back out and not because we wanted to or not by ourselves; we listened to our teachers, students and parents… we brought the students out for face-to-face learning,” said Minister Manickchand.

She also stated that the re-

silience shown by the students to take up the challenge of learning during the pandemic reflects their determination to succeed and shows just how committed they are to achieving their academic goals.

Minister Manickchand encouraged the parents who made the sacrifices to send their children to school during this time, to ensure that their education is not disrupted.

“To the students, I believe you are as academically pre-

Eighteen students of the Christ Church Secondary School writing their EDPM examination

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, engaging students of the Richard Ishmael Secondary School on Monday (Ministry of Education Photos)

pared as any other year. You are ready for this. So go into those exam rooms and ace these tests so that through you we can see our collective human resilience. To the teachers who came out, thank you. You are what is needed to defy challenges and rise up against odds. And to the parents, I know your sacrifices and how much you want more than you had for your children. We will give you the platform of which you always dreamed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand expressed hope that these students will be the first and only set that will be writing CXC examinations after a lengthy disruption to learning owing to the pandemic.

She further stated that the ministry is currently assessing the larger impact of online learning. The minister noted that it is clear that while it is a good substitute, it does not have the same value as face-to-face instructions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Teaching Someone To Fish THERE is a popular saying that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you teach him for a lifetime.

There is tremendous merit in this saying. In fact, it is precisely this philosophical outlook that has prompted the PPP/C Government to initiate the National Youth Empowerment Programme, targeting out-of-school youths and those who for whatever reason or reasons would not have completed the full cycle of primary schooling.

The programme, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Labour, is being executed by the Board of Industrial Train-

ing (BIT). Already, thousands of Guyanese have been trained in several skill areas such as carpentry, electrical installation, Information Technology, masonry, cake decoration, cosmetology, care for the elderly and a host of other areas.

The Board of Industrial Training is the training arm of the Ministry of Labour and is being driven by two pillars of the ministry, namely, capacity building and human development through the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes across the length and breadth of Guyana.

As the country prepares for the new and still

emerging oil and gas economy, the need for the right mix of skills to power the economy to higher levels of development will become all the more important. This is true not only for the oil and gas sector, but also for all the other ancillary sub-sectors, especially those in the service sector which is growing rapidly.

It is within this context that the programmes offered by the Ministry of Labour through the Board of Industrial Training have to be seen and appreciated.

Under this programme, young people are afforded opportunities to develop and upgrade their technical competencies in a wide array of technical

and vocational fields, free of any cost to themselves or their families. In addition, a small stipend is offered to students to cover transportation or any other incidental expenses.

This is in addition to the several technical courses offered by the more established technical institutes such as the Government Technical Institute, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Guyana Industrial Training Centre and the several others established by the current administration in Essequibo, Berbice and Linden.

To further enhance and upgrade the delivery of technical and vocational education in the country, government has allocat-

ed $884 million in the 2021 Budget which will go towards equipping and retooling technical and vocational training centres.

As the economy evolves, the education sector must be positioned to respond to the changing demands of the labour market. And the government has been aggressively pursuing measures to increase the intake of students to pursue technical education, in order to meet the demands of a growing and more diversified economy.

The world of work is changing and with it the changing demand for labour.

The country is also looking ahead in the direction of a “green” economy and the foundation for its transition

is actively being pursued.

This transition is premised on the need for a qualified and skilled pool of professionals and technicians with new skills and expertise to drive the changing and multi-faceted nature of our economy, and to catapult the country into higher levels of growth and prosperity.

The Government of Guyana must be commended for the emphasis it has been placing on the training of young people to take up the mantle of leadership, especially to school drop-outs and other disadvantaged groups who have been given a new chance in life to contribute to their society to the limits of their potential.

Vaccinate now or allow the Delta variant to kill thousands of our people this year WE are in a race, a deadly race. The winner lives. The loser dies. Guyana must either fully vaccinate against COVID-19 now or allow the Delta variant to enter and dominate. We have a stark choice which must be made now. Take the COVID vaccine now or live with the daily expectation that the Delta variant will kill us. It is not here yet, but it is coming.

We have only one weapon to stop it -- vaccination. Will we be wise or will we choose to be stupid.

The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV 2) is deadlier than the original COVID-19 virus, almost 100 per cent deadlier. The Delta variant is almost 100 per cent

more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus. The Delta variant is more transmissible in young people than the original COVID-19 virus.

More frightening, the Delta variant affects children more than the original COVID-19 virus. We should all hope that the Delta variant does not make its way to Guyana. But we are already under great threat. Our future as a country is imperilled by the Delta variant. Guyana has endured many crises, many things that threatened us before, but nothing has threatened us as a nation more than the Delta variant.

If anyone thinks I am being hyperbolic, know this -- I wish I can be even more blunt.

Strict public health mea-

sures have helped to slow down the COVID-19 virus in countries such as America and the UK, but have proven less effective against the Delta variant. Vaccines, however, work against the Delta variant, just as vaccines work against all the other forms of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 vaccines, all of them in use today, represent Guyana’s only hope, the only hope the global community has against this deadly enemy.

The vaccine in front of us is the only weapon we have against the Delta variant. In fully vaccinated people in the UK, the USA and other developed countries, there has been no reported death caused by the Delta variant. But in people

not vaccinated, the Delta variant is creating havoc. These countries are discovering that vaccinating most of their people is not an effective barrier against the Delta variant. The answer is vaccinating all adults and adolescents. Almost 70 per cent of Americans have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 50 per cent are fully vaccinated. But the Delta variant is finding those who are yet to be vaccinated. The same story is playing out in England and other countries. As long as a small group of non-vaccinated people is present, we provide an enabling environment for the variant to prosper.

Guyana has vaccinated close to 50 per cent of our

adults, with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. We have fully vaccinated just over 22 per cent of the adult population. In terms of the global picture, particularly the global vaccination picture in developing countries, Guyana has done well. But in this case good is not good enough. We must race towards 100 per cent adults with one vaccination now and we must race for a fully vaccinated adult population long before the end of 2021.

This is an ambitious goal.

The Government of Guyana is determined to obtain all the vaccines we need to fully vaccinate the adult population, but it is a case of “taking the horse to the water, but you cannot drink the water for the horse.”

People must come forward to take their vaccines.

Even when all adults are fully vaccinated, Guyana must then try to fully vaccinate all adolescents. This is a journey we cannot avoid. In a global milieu in which vaccine apartheid is dominant, the Guyana Government has stepped forward with a promise to get all the vaccines necessary.

The Guyana Government has committed that it will spare no expense in obtaining enough vaccines for our people, sooner than later.

Therefore, it is unconscionable that public health workers and volunteers put their lives at risk every day, beg peo-

Continued on page 7

OP:ED

7

A global model to tackle violence against women

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

By António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations AS the world grapples unevenly with the effects of COVID-19, a parallel and equally horrific pandemic is threatening half the world’s population. In the early months of the pandemic, the United Nations projected that quarantines and lockdowns could lead to a shocking 15 million additional cases of gender-based violence every three months. Sadly, those predictions appear to be coming true.

This week, world leaders and others will gather at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris and online in a massive push for gender equality. At that meeting, I will call on states, companies and individuals to join in a global initiative, with proven results, to end the fear and insecurity that threaten the health, rights, dignity and lives of so many women and girls.

From domestic violence to sexual exploitation, trafficking, child marriage, female genital mutilation and online harass-

ment, violent misogyny has thrived in the shadow of the pandemic.

Full data will take time to collect and assess, but the trends are clear. In 12 countries tracked by the United Nations, the number of cases of violence against women and girls reported to various institutions increased 83 per cent from 2019 to 2020, and cases reported to the police grew by 64 per cent.

In the first months of the pandemic, calls to helplines increased by an average of 60 per cent across the European Union. Calls to Peru’s sexual violence hotline almost doubled in 2020 compared to 2019. In Thailand, the number of clients visiting domestic violence crisis units in hospitals in April 2020 was more than double the number from the same time period of the previous year.

Such statistics and stories span the world, adding to an existing epidemic of violence against women and girls. Before the pandemic, the World Health Organisation estimated that one in three women would experience male violence in their lifetimes.

Vaccinate now...

From page 6

ple to take their vaccines, and still there are so many persons who resist taking their vaccines. It is reprehensible that there are public figures, like the Leader of the Opposition, who enable people in their bizarre rejection or hesitation in taking their vaccines.

The time has come for people to know they put their own lives and the lives of their family members and others in jeopardy each day they delay taking their vaccines. It is time that political leaders know and be told in blunt language that they threaten people’s lives when they cast doubts about the authenticity of vaccines, which reinforces the anti-vaxxers vexing attitude. It is time we let religious leaders know they sin when they lead their congregation astray by preaching anti-vaxxer language or by being silent. It is time religious leaders know that they stand in representation of the devil and in opposition to God. It is time that professional organisations hold their members accountable. Organisations such as the Allied Health Practitioners Council cannot sit silently when persons who claim they

are Alternative Medicine Practitioners, such as Sister Lin and Dr. Haynes, preach against the vaccines. Their licence must be withdrawn. If they practise without licence, they must be charged and jailed. It is time, the Broadcasting Authority remove the licence of those TV and radio stations which broadcast the deadly message that people like Sister Lin and Dr. Haynes indulge in. There are others, but these are ones I have personally heard.

Guyana has never made vaccination compulsory. There should be no need for Guyana to take drastic action such as those advocated by the Indonesian President who has threatened to jail all those persons who refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccines. I am reluctant to support such draconian action against individuals, but I am fully advocating that those who deliberately spread fake news and preach false messaging, without any evidence, be held accountable.

Free speech is guaranteed in Guyana, but free speech does not mean we can spread false news, especially when it has deadly consequences.

While I still believe that

Just over a year ago, I raised the alarm. Echoing my call for a global ceasefire, I appealed for peace in the home – an end to all violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes – to allow us to face the pandemic, humankind’s common enemy, with solidarity and unity.

More than 140 countries expressed support. Some 800 measures have been adopted in 149 countries, the majority focused on shelter, legal assistance and other services and support.

But, in many cases, these actions have been limited and short-lived. Worse, other countries are retreating, rolling

mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is not necessary, I do support employers who introduce measures to keep their workplaces safe. If someone wants to exercise his or her right to refuse vaccination, they of all people, should also understand an employer’s right and obligation to keep the workplace safe. I find measures such as employers demanding a COVID-19 test each week for all those unvaccinated employees to be a reasonable response to those employees who refuse to take the vaccines. Vaccinate or be tested, it is your choice. In this regard, my recommendation for government is that our COVID-19 testing should be limited only for diagnostic purposes -- referral by a medical practitioner -- or for contact tracing as requested by public health officers.

All testing for travelling or for workplace eligibility must be referred to the private sector. In other words, for those who refuse vaccination, they must be tested at their own cost. Exercising your options come with a price. Exercising your right must not put anyone’s life at risk.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

back legal protections and standing by as violence is used to target women, including human rights defenders protesting these reversals.

The pervasiveness of violence against women and girls has led to acquiescence that it is somehow inevitable or

impossible to end. This is as outrageous and self-defeating as it is plain wrong. Despite the challenges of the past year, the United Nations, with significant funding from and partnership with the European Union, has demonstrated that change is possible.

Over the course of 2020, the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls has delivered notable results in 25 countries.

Eighty-four laws and policies to protect women and girls were adopted or strengthened.

Prosecution of perpetrators increased 22 per cent. Some 650,000 women and girls received services despite lockdowns and mobility restrictions. Close to 900,000 men and boys – including traditional leaders, heads of religious

institutions, male taxi drivers and young gamers – were engaged to be allies in finding solutions. And across these countries, national budget allocations for preventing and responding to violence against women and girls increased by 32 per cent, a clear indication of future sustainability.

By coming together, in Paris, around a proven model, we can begin to ensure that the next generation of girls will not be expected to live with fear simply because we didn’t act. In time, there will be many lessons learned about what the world got right and wrong in handling this pandemic. One of the first must be to ensure that this disgraceful, hidden pandemic facing half our population ends now.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Efforts begin to restore iconic City Hall

AFTER years of continued deterioration, the iconic City Hall will soon benefit from major restoration works being undertaken by the 10-month-old People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government. As a matter of fact, the process began over the weekend with the release of a tender notice for the long-overdue repairs. Deadline for submissions to the National Tender and Administration Board is July 20, 2021.

I n F e b r u a r y, t h e I rfaan-Ali led government allocated some $100 million to kick-start the rehabilitation works on the picturesque neo-gothic-style building, which houses the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the City Engineer’s office.

Designed by Fr. Ignatius Scoles, the building was constructed in June 1889, exactly 132 years ago. City Hall is perhaps one of the most iconic buildings in the Caribbean, and a prized tourism and her-

itage site for Guyana.

On Monday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall said the first leg of the work is expected to be completed in 18 months.

It was actually the EU that had contributed 280,000 Euros, the equivalent of G$64M, for the financing of a Comprehensive Restoration and Sustainable Conservation Management Plan for

The once picturesque Georgetown City Hall

Dharamlall said that he has already engaged the National Trust of Guyana, as well as the European Union (EU), which has always had a vested interest in the restoration of the 19th Century building.

the City Hall. Copies of the blueprint, which was crafted

by Alanet Global and Euronet, in collaboration with their local counterparts, were handed over to the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change

(APNU+AFC) government and the M&CC since July 2018.

“The European Commission and some other stakeholders have done a report, so that will be re-evaluated

Minister of Local Government and Legal Development, Nigel Dharamlall

during the course of next week, and as soon as that is done, then we would be able to make some final determination,” Minister Dharamlall told the Guyana Chronicle in a previous interview.

He’d said back then that

the project can be seen as the PPP/C’s unwavering commitment to enhance the City of Georgetown. “His Excellency [President Dr. Irfaan Ali] is of the view that we have to get City Hall restored,” the minister said. President Ali himself had pledged to develop the city, even without the cooperation of the Opposition-run municipality.

Dharamlall had previously explained that the government’s plan to take charge of ‘Operation Restoration’, was linked to the lack of transparency by the M&CC, and its inability to garner enough resources to execute the requisite works.

In responding to the Central Government’s initiative to restore the building, Georgetown Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine had pointed to the fact that the municipality is owed in excess of one billion dollars, and that this had hindered its ability to execute much-needed repairs.

Local assessments, including one done by the

Guyana Fire Service, have deemed the once scenic building ‘uninhabitable’ and unsafe. Efforts have since been mobilised to have the majority of M&CC staffers temporarily relocated.

Minister Dharamlall said he hopes that the project will attract competent bidders who understand the importance of City Hall’s legacy. The Local Government Minister has also expressed the administration’s intention to include local stakeholders who have the knowledge and requisite interest in returning the building to its former glory.

“We have a lot of people with local knowledge, and this involves a lot of detailed work and attention to detail,” Dharamlall said. He noted, too, that if all goes well, the first aspect of the restoration could be completed as early as next year.

The Georgetown City Hall was officially commissioned on July 1, 1889, by Governor Viscount Gormanston.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Pillion rider killed in Man who allegedly killed Mandela Avenue crash girlfriend found dead

KAREEM Powley, 20, of Tucville North, East La Penitence, Georgetown, was killed Sunday night after his motorcycle crashed into a pile of stones on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

Reports indicate that Powley was the pillion rider on motorcycle with registration, CK 7783, driven by Joshua Mentore, 21, of Pattensen, Sophia, Georgetown.

Enquiries disclosed that the motorcycle was proceeding north on the western carriageway of Nelson Mandela Avenue at a fast rate of speed.

The motorcyclist alleged that a black motorcar, which was proceeding in the said direction to the right side of him, swerved left (west) and caused him to lose control.

He ran off the road and collided into a pile of stone which was on the western

Dead: Kareem Powley

parapet of the road. He and the pillion rider fell onto the road surface as a result of the collision and they both received injuries about their bodies.

The pillion rider was picked up in an unconscious condition by the emergency medical technician (EMT) but succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

He was pronounced dead on the scene and subsequently transferred to the Lyken Funeral Home, awaiting autopsy.

Police said that a notice of intended prosecution was served on the motorcyclist.

A breathalyzer test was conducted which revealed no trace of alcohol in his system. He remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

THE body of Onkar Singh was discovered Monday morning at the Conservancy in Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, Omela Singh, to death last Sunday.

The 49-year-old suspect called “Suga” or “Prem” was on the run after beating and stabbing his 26-year-old girlfriend of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

The woman succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday.

Police said that they were told that the man might have gone to the conservancy to participate in a suicidal act, and, on Sunday, several checks of the area only revealed the suspect’s abandoned motorcar.

Dead: Onkar Singh

Murdered: Omela Singh

However, on Monday morning, checks were made around the same area once again and his body was found lying motionless in the Canal Number One Conservancy.

No marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts of the body.

The body was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead.

It is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting autopsy.

The police are investigating the incident.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Guyana elected rapporteur for IICA’s Executive Committee

GUYANA has been elected rapporteur for Executive Committee for Inter-American Institute for Corporation in Agriculture (IICA) when the 12 countries comprising the committee met on Monday as part of a twoday consultation to analyze technical, administrative and financial matters of critical importance to member states.

During the meeting, Paraguay was elected as Chair, a release said. Guyana, therefore, has the responsibility of presenting the resolutions of the meeting for approval by the Executive Committee.

While delivering remarks on behalf of Guyana, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, told the committee that great emphasis is being placed on the development of the agri-food system in the Caribbean.

“Guyana has been placing great effort to develop, not only our agri-food system, but that of the Caribbean. Our President has been elected as the lead spokesperson in

the Caribbean to speak on agriculture. He presented a document to CARICOM proposing the development of a Ministerial Taskforce to advance the agri-food system, which was adopted and is now in place and very active.

Several meetings were hosted and I think we have been successful in advancing the agrifood system in the Caribbean tremendously over the last three months. Guyana has also successfully held its food systems dialogue which saw the participation of several stakeholders who put forward many meaningful contributions. Those suggestions and comments will be taken into consideration when preparing the regional document that will later be presented to the United Nations. The taskforce was also able to host the CARICOM Food Safety Summit dialogue. We are hopeful that Caribbean States will go with one voice to the UN Food Summit. The Director-General would’ve alluded to the fact that we need to have a strong voice

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

and stand as a united front in order to advance the agrifood system in the Caribbean,” Minister Mustapha said.

He also told the delegation that although Guyana was able to achieve several successes in the agriculture sector over the last 10 months, the ongoing pandemic and the recent flooding across the country has resulted in some setbacks in the sector.

SERIOUS SETBACKS “Dr. Otero also highlighted the vulnerability of Caribbean countries. For example, since last August, Guyana has made several advances in infrastructural development and boosted production and productivity. Farmers also commenced large-scale production of non-traditional crops, while also maintaining the production of traditional crops. With all those successes, we’ve recently suffered serious setbacks. Not only because of the ongoing global pandemic, COVID-19, which saw farmers scaling down on production and other agriculture activities, but recently we’ve suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters in our country’s history. For weeks, Guyana has been battling with severe flooding as a result of the onset of the rainy season. It is now being considered a level two, and in some parts of the country, a level three disaster.

A majority of the agriculture

sector has been destroyed, thousands of families were displaced, we’ve seen severe losses in both the crops and livestock industries with almost 90 per cent of our crops being destroyed,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject minister also disclosed that the Ministerial Taskforce is also looking at mitigating measures to help farmers cope with the impacts of disasters.

“Things like insurance, and how we can approach and properly implement that.

We have to further discuss those measures and come up with ideas that will also impact vulnerable and developing countries and economies in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is also heavily dependent on imports and as a Taskforce, we’ve discussed reducing those imports by 25 per cent by 2025. This will require improved infrastructure through budgetary allocation, as well as improved facilities for our farmers,” Minister Mustapha said.

During his presentation

on the role of agriculture in transforming the food system in the Americas, Director-General of IICA, Dr. Manuel Otero said that the agri-food system in the Americas is very diverse and that member states share various commonalities.

“When we talk about agri-food systems in the Americas, we need to understand how diverse it really is. There are many different systems, defined by historical conditions, geographic conditions, and so forth. What we have in common is great biological wealth,” Dr. Otero said.

Furthermore, IICA has also pledged its support to both Guyana and Suriname to further assist the countries with their flood-relief efforts.

The 12 countries comprising this year’s Executive Committee are Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Suriname, and the United States of America.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Attorney-General delivers food, sanitation hampers to Moraikobai

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall S.C, on Sunday delivered some 200 food and sanitation hampers to the flood-affected village of Moraikobai, along the Mahaicony River, Region Five.

The minister’s hamper distribution is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support communities severely affected by the nationwide flooding. The 200 hampers

were prepared by the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority.

During his meeting with residents, the Attorney-General recalled that President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has declared the unprecedented flooding a national disaster.

This status, the Legal Affairs Minister pointed out, now qualifies Guyana to receive international aid. He assured residents that once that materialises, they will be

supported.

The minister also spoke on issues relating to governance, current affairs and programmes and policies.

He also listened to residents’ concerns and committed to addressing them.

F u r t h e r, t h e A t t o r ney-General informed residents that the National Assembly, this month, approved a $23 billion supplementary budget – $10 billion of which has been allocated for imme-

Officer under close arrest after assaulting civilian

A POLICE constable attached to the Wales Police Station is under close arrest following the circulation of a video on social media, which shows him assaulting a civilian.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force, the matter involving Police Constable Elliot is being investigated by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility.

The police force, in a statement issued on Monday, noted that it does not condone the excessive use of force or mistreatment of persons taken into custody by ranks. To this end, the police said that the findings of the Police Office of Professional Responsibility will be made

Police Constable Elliot

public.

In the video which has since gone viral on social media, Elliot can be seen placing ‘foot cuffs’ on the civilian who appears to be resisting arrest, before yanking the ‘foot cuffs’ causing the man to abruptly fall to the ground. Subsequently, the

rank dragged the civilian into a cell and locked the door.

The police said that the “unsavory and unacceptable” incident occurred during the night, on Friday, June 25, 2021, after the victim had driven a car into a canal at Wales, West Bank of Demerara, and was arrested and taken to the station for a breathalyser test to be conducted.

Regional Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Errol Watts, told this publication that he was “astonished” to see the video because earlier in the week he visited police stations throughout the region and conducted training on the use-of-force continuum.

‘Moon Light’ charged for fatally stabbing fellow vendor KIMBIA James Prescod, also known as “Bow Life” or “Moon Light,” who allegedly stabbed a fellow vendor to death during an argument, on Monday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Prescod was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder which states that he on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Stabroek,

Georgetown, murdered Robert Bizzeth called “Brick” and “Channa Man.” According to the prosecution, Prescod and Bizzeth are known to each other and are both vendors at the Stabroek Market.

On the date mentioned in the charge, the two had an argument which escalated when Bizzeth armed himself with an axe and Prescod picked up a knife.

During the argument, Prescod allegedly inflicted

several stab wounds about Bizzeth’s body before running into the market.

Bizzeth on the other hand, ran to the Stabroek Police Outpost to report the incident. He was later escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead.

Later that day, Prescod was arrested at a location on Camp Street.

The matter was adjourned until Thursday, July 29, 2021.

his possession 7 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question, at about 10:00 hours, police ranks who were on mobile patrol observed several men seated under a tree.

The men were approached and searched.

Ranks later noticed a transparent plastic bottle on the ground close to where Scott was sitting. The police opened it and discovered a quantity of cocaine inside.

Scott was told of the offence and arrested.

He will make his next court appearance on August 20, 2021.

Man accused of cocaine trafficking granted $60,000 bail

A man who was allegedly caught with a small quantity of cocaine, appeared, last Friday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted $60,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Darrel Scott denied that he, on Wednesday, June 23, at Hadfield and Leopold Streets, Georgetown, had in

diate flood relief.

“Every single day, if you open the newspapers or you look at the television, you will see several of our ministers scattered across the length and breadth of this country, meeting with people, trying to understand their needs, trying to address their concerns and carving out policies and measures to address them.”

The Attorney-General was accompanied by Region Five geographic Member

From left: Region Five Vice-Chairman, Ryan Peters and Member of Parliament (MP), Faizal Jaffarally look on as Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall presents a hamper to a senior Moraikobai resident (DPI photo)

of Parliament (MP), Faizal Jaffarally. The MP reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of the riverine community.

Meanwhile, Region Five Vice-Chairman, Ryan Peters, assured residents that

Some of the hampers prepared for the Moraikobai residents (DPI photo)

the Regional Democratic Council will work diligently to preserve and secure their livelihood.

Only last Tuesday, the Attorney-General distributed some 360 food and sanitation hampers to flood-affected residents in St. Cuthbert’s Mission, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. During that visit, the minister committed to revisiting the community, noting that he was steadfast in building relationships in the community with the aim of improving the lives of the residents. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

$37.5M in subventions allocated to 15 Region Four NDCs

SOME $37.5 million in subventions was on Monday allocated to 15 Region Four Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to advance services within the various districts.

The simple presentation ceremony was held at the office of the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

Region Four has 17 NDCs; the other two will receive their cheques at a later date.

Minister Dharamlall called on residents to be informed and to be involved in government’s interventions within their areas.

“They can help us to get the resources that we put into these villages spent wisely, so that we uphold the values that we pursue as part of our good governance.

“The balance of the subventions will also be provided when they are finished spending this 50 per cent.

We expect they are going to

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall hands over a subvention cheque to representatives of the Industry/Plaisance NDC

use the balance to complete work that have [sic] not yet been fully completed. But to ensure that they do things that are more meaningful to persons on the ground.”

The minister said the onus is now on the NDCs to honour their obligations and partner with communities to address issues, especially those that are priority.

Some of the NDCs which received cheques today are Industry/Plaisance, Better Hope, Golden Grove, Cane Grove and Buxton.

Similar distribution exercises are scheduled to be conducted in Regions Five and Six on Tuesday.

Already, a $35 million subvention was handed over to 14 Region Three NDCs last Friday.

Minister Dharamlall said government will continue to advance work in all the NDC areas to better the lives of persons residing there. (DPI)

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Over 106,000 fully immunised against COVID-19

-- 100,000 doses of Sinopharm due this week

HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has reported that some 106,344 adults are now fully immunised against COVID-19, accounting for 21.8 per cent of Guyana’s adult population.

During his COVID-19 update on Monday, the minister relayed that 231, 766 persons or 47.6 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“In terms of the regional breakdown for first dose so far, we’ve had in Region One, 59.3 per cent of their population would have now received at least the first dose of their vaccine. Region Two would be 43.5; Region Three

Region Eight (12.8 per cent), Region Nine (17.6 per cent) and Region 10 (6 per cent).

Dr. Anthony said the ministry also saw significant turn-outs at its COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru exercises held at the KK Gas station in Unity, and Trans Pacific Motor Spares in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

He said the government will

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

at 46.9; Region Four, 49.1 per cent; Region Five at 50.1 per cent; Region Six at 55.6 per cent and Region Seven at 47.5 per cent; Region Eight, 32.2 per cent; Region Nine at 46 per cent and Region 10, 14.6 per cent.”

The minister also said the

statistics for those fully inoculated across the regions are Region One (21.8 per cent), Region Two (22.2 per cent), Region Three (20.2 per cent), Region Four (24.6 per cent), Region Five (23.3 per cent), Region Six (23 per cent), Region Seven (18.5 per cent),

continue to source more vaccines to advance its vaccination drive nationwide.

“We are hoping that we’ll get the 100,000 doses that we have purchased from Sinopharm; those vaccines are due sometime this week.

So, we’re working with the shipper to make sure that we get those vaccines in.”

Dr. Anthony also not-

ed that the government is awaiting the arrival of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines through its engagement with the African Union, though it has yet to receive a final date. Similarly, the ministry is also in talks with COVAX to determine a date for the shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccines. (DPI)

Floodwaters recede significantly in Region Seven 14

CDC Director-General Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig (left) and CDEMA Preparedness Response Manager Joanne Persad (centre), speak with a resident during an observation mission in Region Seven on Saturday

CIVIL Defence Commission (CDC) Director-General Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig, along with members from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), on Saturday visited a number of communities in the Low-

er and Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven, where a significant decline of the floodwaters was observed.

Colonel Craig was accompanied on the observation mission by CDEMA Preparedness and Response Manager Joanne Persad and

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

health interventions, which would be communicated to the Ministry of Health (MoH). During the trip, which covered from Bartica to Isseneru Village, villages visited included Issano, Semang, Olive Creek, Enachu, Tamakay, Poopy Show and Apaikwa.

Region Seven is one of the five regions which were hardest hit by the flooding in Guyana that has been ongoing for over one month now.

In some cases, homes and businesses directly located along the river banks in Region Seven were covered by as much as 12 to 15 feet of water.

Several families have been forced to relocate inland, on boats and pontoons.

The situation has severely affected mining activities, which is the region’s main economic activity.

The CDC has since deployed a number of hampers to the region which included food, cleaning and health packages.

Colonel Craig noted that recession of the water marks a welcome improvement for the ongoing flooding situation, and the CDC looks forward to continuing to assist residents as the country begins to look towards recovery.

During the visit, Colonel

Craig also checked in with the DDSA teams that were conducting field work in the region.

There are two teams which conducted DDSA data-gathering in Region Seven: one team is covering the Lower and Middle Mazaruni and another team is covering the Upper Mazaruni.

Both teams have concluded their field work in that region and are now working on their data analysis that will form part of the DDSA report which will be submitted to Guyana.

DDSAs are also being done for Regions Two, Five, Six and 10.

Programme Officer Rasheed Pinder, who are currently in Guyana leading the team conducting the Detailed Damage Sector Assessment (DDSA) on Guyana’s flooding situation, a release said.

The team also noted the need for more aggressive

CDC Director-General Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig (right), along with CDEMA Preparedness and Response Manager Joanne Persad (third from right) and Programme Officer Rasheed Pinder, make observations at a rain gauge during an observation mission in Region Seven on Saturday

Guyana welcomes all

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

― but cannot tolerate human trafficking, says Minister Benn ― such illegality has nothing to do with race and will expose Guyana to international sanctions, points out MP Datadin

By Richard Bhainie GUYANA should not contribute to the overarching criminal enterprise of human trafficking by being a transshipment point and imposition of travel restrictions on groups known to be involved in this illegality cannot be more appropriate.

These were the sentiments shared by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and government Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjeev Datadin, while appearing on a television (TV) programme titled, “Let’s Talk Politics,” Saturday last.

“We have to take the responsible position as a country to deal with this matter, we cannot ethically and morally be involved in the trafficking and smuggling of people in the 21st century, of any race, we cannot be involved in it,” Benn said.

This was the case in December 2020 when a group of 26 Haitians who were detained, provided Lot 110 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, as the address where they would be staying while in Guyana, but investigations revealed the location to be that of the Suriname Airways Office, along with an empty lot.

“The difficulty that we have associated with this problem is that one, there is the ethical and moral issues with respect to what these people find themselves in, either as people being trafficked or smuggled and I out point out that quite a number of Haitians are young females and even young children,” he said.

“They are exploited along the way for their labour, for their money; sometimes they are abandoned, they are breaching our borders, the land borders are closed, so there’s

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

The Home Affairs Minister explained that according to the data available, the situation has been such in Guyana that over the last five to seven years the country has been seen as a “major transit point” for persons leaving their countries hoping to reach the United States – Mexico border.

He explained that the situation is so dire that upon their arrival in Guyana, persons of Cuban and, in most cases, of Haitian nationality, provide fictitious addresses to immigration officials before being “marshalled and shepherded” away by “coyotes” to neighbouring countries.

no way that they should be allowed to come into our country and depart illegally and also, we have the problem of the corruption of the system, there’s a pervasive attempt to corrupt the system,” he added.

Benn highlighted that the Government of Guyana welcomes persons of various nationalities entering the country with the intention of settling and establishing themselves, which would help with the development of the country, but would not tolerate persons who use the country for sinister objectives.

“We want people to come here and work with us to help

develop the country, to regenerate, reinvigorate our cultural and ethnic mix, but we cannot be having people come into the country, leaving almost immediately and creating problems in terms of the administration, law and order, creating issues in community,” he said.

SPECIAL UNIT The minister disclosed that the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be expanded to include a “people-smuggling” unit, while legislation will be strengthened to “properly” handle the issue of human trafficking and people-smuggling, as the two issues are “conflated” and come with a gamut of negative externalities.

“We are aware of the issues of people-trafficking and smuggling also have associations with persons who are

football. He gave a reminder that the decision is warranted in law, in international agreements and from an ethical and moral perspective.

Attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin shared similar sentiments. He posited that when persons are allowed the privilege of free access to a country, it is usually to foster development, as he referenced many other countries which have imposed visa restrictions for Haitians entering their territories.

The attorney-at-law explained that with that level of ease of access to any country, persons are not required to provide any valid reason for their stay and as such, take advantage of the mechanism.

“We would welcome persons who come to Guyana to visit or to engage or to work, that is why we have visa free-travel, but is it being used

Attorney-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin

involved in drug dealing, drug smuggling, gun smuggling and all those other issues, money laundering, all of those other issues are wrapped up in one if you look at it holistically,” he said.

“If we continue to allow people to come through in this way, we would be participating in what is clearly an illegal criminal activity, allowing people into slavery, allowing people into degrading conditions,” Benn added, as he registered.

He noted that it is unfortunate that the issue is being d in the light that it is, and has now been turned into a political

on a scale for a purpose that is sinister and we can’t sit by and allow that to happen,” he said.

OBLIGED He noted that “kindness shouldn’t be your weakness” and while Guyana welcomes persons, the country also has to account to the global community, and to its neighbours to whom the country is obliged, to take action to stymie a situation which would be detrimental to them.

He explained that for those persons who are desirous of travelling to Guyana for the purpose of settling and developing the country, then a visa

would not be a problem, as the visa process is a method of vetting who enters the country and for what.

“Visa don’t mean you can’t enter Guyana, it just means we can do a bit more addressing to ensure that you are coming to Guyana to be in Guyana, to participate in our development or simply to visit; you’re not coming to Guyana to use it as a stepping stone to some wider enterprise that is regnant to the comity of nations and may even be criminal,” he said.

“Trafficking in persons I know there’s perceptions people have, who is it harming?

What are you doing? But you should not allow or condone that sort of behaviour because … associated with that is with larger criminal enterprise of various kinds traditionally, that is what has happened,” he added.

The attorney-at-law explained that the spin being peddled by some sections of

society that Guyana is implementing visas for Haitians is not the “whole story” and must be looked at in a comprehensive manner, taking into consideration all the necessary evidence.

He posited that anyone who suggests the decision is one made upon the premise of race has “no idea” of Guyana’s immigration architecture, as he gave a reminder that the first two groups which noticeably required visas to visit the country were the Indians and the Chinese. The vast majority of counties in the CARICOM block and in Africa also require Haitians to have a visa to visit. According to the Hentley Passport Index, Haitians enjoyed visa-free or access to visa issued on arrival to 49 countries and territories, ranking the Haitian Passport at 95th in terms of travel freedom.

16

Floodwaters drop significantly at Kwakwani

AFTER heavy rainfall and severe flooding for almost two months, floodwaters in Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), are slowly receding, according to Regional Chairman Deron Adams.

In an update provided

to the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Adams said the water levels across the community have dropped significantly. However, approximately 198 persons are still being housed in shelters across the region.

Due to heavy rainfall and an overflow of the

Berbice River, residents have been grappling with severe flooding since late April. The water levels in areas near the river were over 15 feet.

At the Kwakwani waterfront, which is separated from the Berbice River by a long stretch of road and a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

sandbank, the water level has dropped to approximately four feet, while at Lamp Island, the water level has dropped to about nine feet. These two areas were the most severely affected in the community.

Adams noted that while the floodwaters have begun

to recede, the regional authorities are now even more concerned about residents contracting diseases from the stagnant waters and rodents.

water levels.

“We have only had a few diarrohea cases here and there but nothing much; we usually have medical outreaches in all

A Kwakwani resident showing how high the floodwater was before it began to recede (RDC)

“So, the situation currently at Kwakwani sub-region two area is dire. The water I must say is down by 34 inches and in some other areas its down by 44 inches. The concern at this time, however, is the added threat of mosquitoes and other vectors like rats. We know that can cause serious sicknesses like leptospirosis and so on, so, we are monitoring the situation,” the regional head posited.

The Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Gregory Harris, had previously explained to this publication that in preparation for the rainy season and expected floods, the Regional Health Committee held several sensitisation campaigns on how persons can protect themselves from flood-related diseases and infections.

Earlier in the month, several cases of severe diarrohea were reported.

Since then, the regional authorities have been monitoring people placed in shelters across the region and those who chose to remain at their respective homes despite the high

the flooded areas. So, when we go in, we would advise persons in terms of water treatment, how to store food and we would give them medication for rashes, the common cold and those kinds of things,” Dr. Harris said.

Additionally, concerns of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are still present, especially since the number of persons in shelters have increased over the past month.

Dr. Harris said although persons have been placed at strategic points in the various shelters to maintain social distancing, health officials have opted to conduct regular, scheduled COVID-19 tests to monitor persons so as to prevent an outbreak.

“It’s just a routine thing, because you have various persons going into the shelters, so we want to make sure that everybody is COVIDfree and if we should get a positive case, we can limit an outbreak which we are trying to avoid,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

‘Wonder woman’ Fraser-Pryce wraps up... (From page 27) wasn't to be today. My legs would not go or respond.”

McLeod placed eighth in his final in 16.22secs after hitting an early barrier and not recovering. He immediately held on to his left calf as he limped off the track but refused to comment on the nature of what might have caused his downfall, while Williams could fare no better than fourth in her final in 12.79secs.

The men's event was won by Ronald Levy in 13.10secs (0.6 mps), ahead of Damion Thomas in 13.11secs and Hansle Parchment third in 13.16secs.

Megan Tapper proved best of the women from lane eight to win in 12.68secs

(0.1 mps) with Yanique Thompson second in 12.73secs and Britany Anderson third in 12.75 to confirm the trio set to wear the black, green and gold colours of Jamaica in the event.

In the men's 200m final, Rasheed Dwyer (20.17secs) earned his third National title when he edged out Yohan Blake (20.18secs) at the wire with Tyquendo Tracey, the 100m National champion, finishing third in 20.34secs.

Dwyer and Blake attained the Olympic qualifying standard in the final, but Julian Forte, who did not finish the race yesterday, had attained the mark with a 20.22secs in the semi-final on Saturday.

(Jamaica Observer)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

No compromise from Windies, says unfazed Pollard ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) – Captain Kieron Pollard has defended West Indies’ aggressive batting approach in the Twenty20 International series against South Africa, stressing his side were unwilling to “compromise our strengths” ahead of the critical third match here today.

West Indies stunned the Proteas by eight wickets in the opener last Saturday, producing a dominant pursuit of 161 to win easily with five overs to spare at the Grenada National Stadium.

In the second game on Sunday, the home side again went hard at a target of 167 but were let down by several injudicious shots during the middle overs, to fall short by 16 runs.

Pollard said it was important West Indies played their brand of cricket even though they were aware of the improvement needed in other areas such as rotation of strike.

“I don’t think it’s a crime to finish a game in 15 overs and to actually bat how we did,” Pollard said in reference to the first T20.

“At the end of the day, it’s Twenty20 cricket and that’s our strength. It’s known worldwide that as individuals at times, we struggle to rotate strike in middle periods but are we just going to compromise our strengths just to fit one part of our game?

“It’s just a matter of having conversations and trying to come up with the best solutions and having the right personnel at that point in time to do what you’re asking.

“In a perfect world, you want to start quickly, then you want to consolidate and you want to finish. But we have to live in the real world and we have to deal with what we have in front of us.”

He continued: “There are certain guys trusted with the responsibility of doing certain things, and we trust that the guys can go out and execute that.

“Yes, we admit we had a falter [on Sunday] from a batting perspective but for

me, it’s not the end of the world.”

Spotlight has also fallen on the opening power-play where South Africa managed to dominate in Sunday’s contest, gathering 69 in the last game to West Indies’ 53.

But with West Indies getting the better of the opening power-play in the first T20, Pollard said it was a phase of the game dictated by several external factors.

“Both teams have struggled [bowling wise] in the power-play at the start,” Pollard explained.

“The pitch in Grenada is a very good one and with two guys out of the inner circle in the first six overs, it’s difficult for any bowlers to actually come and restrict guys.

“So if you have guys who can power-hit the ball – for instance we have our guys and South Africa have de Kock and Hendricks and these guys – it’s just a matter of trying to come up with the best plan to try to limit them, and sometimes the pitch and the atmosphere and the conditions dictate.

“So it’s not one where as they are getting out of the blocks and we’re not, conditions tend to determine that.

We just have to find a way to get better but some things you just have to accept and try to limit as much as possible. It’s difficult to defend with [only] two guys out.”

In the 12 T20 Internationals between the two sides, West Indies have now won only five but Pollard said the series remained “wide open”, especially with both camps having now assessed each other.

“You assess the scenarios, you see the batters, you see what they’re capable of, and it’s happened on both sides,” said the Trinidadian.

“I think now there’s a lot of planning going on but it boils down to how the 11 guys who take the field execute on both sides, to see who is mentally stronger and able to do the basics things on a consistent level.

“Both teams have seen each other and the series is wide open and that’s good.”

Bucks beat Atalanta Hawks to take 2-1 series lead in the East GIANNIS Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton scored a combined 71 points as the Milwaukee Bucks fought back to beat the Atlanta Hawks 113102 in game three of the Eastern Conference finals.

Middleton scored 20 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter.

Antetokounmpo contributed 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Bucks prevailed in Atlanta to take a 2-1 series lead.

"What I saw today was unbelievable. It was greatness," Antetokounmpo said of Middleton.

The Hawks made a

Khris Middleton (left) also came up with 11 rebounds and seven assists in Milwaukee's win.

strong start and led by 15 points in the first quarter.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetok-

ounmpo was instrumental in Milwaukee's comeback, scoring 11 of his points in the second quarter to help

tie the game 56-56 at halftime.

The Bucks had to wait until late in the third to take the lead, with a lay up from Bobby Portis edging the visitors ahead 82-80.

Middleton's scoring blitz in the last quarter proved decisive as Milwaukee finished with a 25-7 scoring run to seal victory.

Trae Young led the Hawks scoring with 35 points, while Danilo Gallinari came off the bench to score 18 in the defeat.

The teams will remain in Atlanta for game four of the best-of-seven series today. (BBC Sport)

Ecuador draw ends Brazil winning run in Copa America COPA America hosts Brazil saw their 10-game winning run come to an end as they drew 1-1 with Ecuador in Goiania.

The point took Ecuador into the quarter-finals, with holders Brazil having previously booked their place in the knockout stages.

Eder Militao headed Brazil into the lead from Everton Soares' free-kick for his first international goal.

But Angel Mena rifled home from Enner Valencia's flick-on to equalise and send Ecuador through.

Mena was a first-half replacement for injured Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Ecuador had only needed to match Venezuela's result against Peru - who had already qualified - in Sunday's other game.

Andre Carrillo scored the only goal in that encounter as Peru won 1-0.

Both Brazil - who had won every game since November 2019 - and Ecuador must wait until Group A is over before discovering their quarter-final oppo-

nents. Only two of the 10 competing teams go out at the group stages.(BBC Sport)

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao scored his first international goal for Brazil.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Tour de France...

Thomas loses time after crash as Tim Merlier wins stage three GERIANT Thomas and Primoz Roglic were both involved in crashes as Tim Merlier won a dramatic stage three of the Tour de France.

Thomas dislocated his shoulder early on the 182.9km stage, while Roglic lost time after falling in the final 10km.

Caleb Ewan also crashed late on, taking down former world champion Peter Sagan as both wound up for a sprint finish.

Mathieu van der Poel retained the leader's yellow jersey, finishing just behind Alpecin-Fenix team-mate Merlier.

"I'm living a dream I

think," said Merlier, who has now claimed maiden stage wins at both the Tour and Giro d'Italia this year.

"After the Giro I was already really happy and now I win a stage on the Tour, the biggest race in the world. I can't believe it."

A relatively flat parcours had promised a largely uneventful day, with fireworks expected on the final sprint where Mark Cavendish was hoping to collect his 31st stage victory, five years on from his last.

However, it proved anything but uneventful with Jumbo's-Visma's Robert Gesink being forced to abandon as a consequence of Thomas'

fall inside the opening 50km.

The Welshman looked in agony as he sat on the tarmac but eventually carried on after receiving roadside attention to put his shoulder back in place, bridging a three-minute-plus gap to regain contact with the peloton after team-mates dropped back in support.

As sprint trains assembled and with the peloton at full speed, Groupama-FDJ's French rider Valentin Madouas fell with 12km remaining, causing a snarl-up which denied Cavendish, who damaged his bike, the opportunity to contest the final sprint.

Roglic hit the deck painfully 10km from the line

Tim Merlier claimed his second Grand Tour stage of the year.

while defending champion Tadej Pogacar was held up by a crash that ended Jack Haig's Tour.

Ewan, arguably the fast-

est man in the field had talked up his chances of winning in Pontivy, suffered a broken collarbone after losing control of his bike and colliding with Sagan in sight of the

finish.

Lotto Soudal later confirmed that their Australian sprinter would be leaving the Tour because of his injuries. (BBC Sport)

Spain into Euro quarter-finals after electrifying extra-time win over Croatia SPAIN reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 in dramatic fashion by beating Croatia in extra time after an eight-goal thriller.

Luis Enrique's side were rocked when Croatia substitutes Mislav Orsic and Mario Pasalic scored twice in the final five minutes to come back from 3-1 down and force extra time, but Spain rallied as the added 30 minutes produced yet more drama.

Striker Alvaro Morata, who has revealed his family have been threatened during the tournament, silenced his critics when he thumped in Spain's fourth goal in extra

time in Copenhagen.

The scoring did not end there as Mikel Oyarzabal added a fifth goal three minutes later to finally see off Croatia, who had fought bravely in this highly entertaining last-16 tie.

In a hint of what was to come, goalkeeper Unai Simon failed to control Pedri's 49-yard back pass, presenting Croatia with the lead after 20 minutes.

That bizarre own goal sparked a response from Spain though, with Pablo Sarabia thumping in an equaliser, Cesar Azpilicueta heading in another and Ferran Torres making it 3-1.

Spain looked comfortable and poised to cruise through but Croatia burst into action through their substitutes late on to force added time.

The thrilling moments continued as Simon made up for his earlier error with a heroic stop from close range to deny Andrej Kramaric before Morata went up the other end to crucially put Spain ahead again.

It was the most entertaining match of the tournament so far and threetime champions Spain will face the winner of France and Switzerland match in the quarter-finals. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Holding insists that T20 isn’t cricket

…Says he only commentate on cricket FORMER legendary fast bowler Michael Holding is one of the most respected voices going around in sport.

Be it speaking on racism or giving accurate information related to cricket, Holding is always upright with his views. But if there one thing that is missing from his already impressive CV is his absence from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the commentary panel.

The league started way back in 2008, but the West Indian great has not been part of the T20 league.

Over the past few years, Holding has told various platforms on how he doesn’t like T20 cricket and how it is not a proper format as compared to the other two traditional formats – Test and ODI cricket.

Though, West Indies have aced the T20I format and have won two World Cups in 2012 and 2016. The cricketer-turned-commentator, though, criticized the team and feels it’s because of T20 cricket that the West Indies have slumped in Test format in recent years.

Players like Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Chris

Former legendary West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding

Gayle, and Dwayne Bravo are prominent names who have often missed an international series and gone on to play various leagues of cricket across the world.

Holding blames the administrators for players choosing money over international commitments.

“Many West Indies players are not interested in playing for West Indies. When you are earning 600,000 or 800,000 dollars for six weeks, what are you going to do? I don’t blame the cricketers. I blame the administrators. West Indies will win T20 tournaments which aren’t cricket,” Holding told

to Indian Express.

When quizzed on his absence from the popular league called IPL, Holding didn’t mince words and told, “I only commentate on cricket.”

The 67-year-old also had a piece of advice for Indian skipper Virat Kohli and compared him to his former West Indies teammate Viv Richards. The former pace bowler pointed out similarities in behavior between Richards and Kohli and stated both were their hearts on their sleeve and are highly emotional players.

“Virat Kohli is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s someone who will let you know exactly how he feels. I think he gets a bit carried away at times, but that is Virat Kohli, that is the man. He’s similar to Viv (Richards) in that regard.

Viv, sometimes on the field, was over-expressive.

But those are the personalities of those two gentlemen. They can tone down a little bit as well, but then, if you are a Mustang, it’s hard to tell a Mustang to trot. He’s going to gallop,” added Holding. (CricTracker)

Sri Lanka trio sent home from England tour after Covid breach THREE Sri Lanka players have been sent home from their tour of England for breaching bio-secure protocols.

Vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opener Danushka Gunathilaka and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella have all been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket.

It follows images, shared on social media, appearing

to show the trio in Durham city centre.

Sri Lanka meet England in nearby Chester-le-Street in the first of three one-day internationals today.

"This decision was taken following a preliminary inquiry conducted over a video posted on social media in which the said three players can be seen outside their designated hotel," Sri Lanka

Cricket said.

"The three players will be suspended, from all forms of cricket, until the completion of the inquiry."

Protocols are in place for the matches to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Sri Lanka were convincingly beaten 3-0 in the Twenty20 series which ended on Saturday. (BBC Sport)

UAE confirmed as venue for T20 World Cup MANY upcoming cricket series and tournaments scheduled in India are under jeopardy all thanks to the COVID-19 virus.

The pandemic has already forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to suspend the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 midway. India even had the hosting rights of the high-voltage ICC T20 World Cup 2021 but the T20 extravaganza has also now been shifted to the Arab nation.

On Monday, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed that, just like IPL, the board has decided to shift the T20 World Cup to UAE. However, before taking a final call on the marquee event, the cricket board made every possible effort to retain the hosting rights. As per the latest developments, the Indian cricket board brainstormed over various options including limiting the mega event to just three cities in the country.

The report suggests that BCCI mulled conducting the matches in Mumbai, Pune,

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly

and Ahmedabad with the Narendra Modi Stadium also playing hosts to the final.

“Pakistan playing in Mumbai or Pune would have always been an issue. So there were multiple factors,” an unnamed source was quoted as saying by News18.

“In IPL, multiple players got infected by COVID-19, you can have good replacements. But what about the weaker teams? What if they lose five or six top play-

ers? They won’t have ready replacements,” the source reasoned further.

With BCCI already shifting the IPL to UAE, it was all but certain that India is not in a position to host the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to get underway in October. Speaking of the same, an ICC official said that the occurring of the gala competition in India doesn’t seem realistic by any means.

“If the BCCI is unable to host an eight-team IPL in September, how could it have hosted World T20 within a month? Also now we have a new variant (Delta 3) and there is every possibility of a third wave in the country in October. The BCCI brass was always well aware that it won’t be practically feasible,” News18 quoted an ICC board member as per saying.

Not to forget, travelling to India wouldn’t have been smooth for many foreign players with several nations making the sub-continent nation on the ‘Red List’ due to the coronavirus situation. (CricTracker)

Qatari world 400m medallist Abdalelah Haroun dies aged 24 DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatari runner Abdalelah Haroun, who won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, died yesterday in a traffic incident, according to the Qatar Athletics Federation. He was 24.

“Haroun died in a car accident in Doha,” the federation's secretary general, Mohammed Issa al-Fadala, told AFP. “He was in a rehabilitation programme after recovering from an injury [in preparation] to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

“Qatar sports and athletics, on a global level, lost a great hero.”

The Qatar Olympic Committee also mourned the loss Sunday.

“Team #Qatar sprinter and world 400m bronze medalist Abdalelah Haroun died today,” it posted on Twitter — along with a black-andwhite picture of the athlete holding a bouquet of flowers

In this file photo taken on August 9, 2017, bronze medallist Qatar's Abdalelah Haroun poses on the podium during the victory ceremony for the men's 400m athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London. (Photo: AFP)

and the Qatari flag.

Haroun, of Sudanese origins, first represented Qatar in 2015, stealing the spotlight in his early days by recording remarkable times over 400m.

Haroun won his world bronze in 44.48sec behind

South African winner Wayde van Niekerk and Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas.

Haroun also won silver at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in Portland and gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Swiss knock out world champions France on penalties Kylian Mbappe missed the crucial kick as Switzerland beat France on penalties in the Euro 2020 last 16 after a classic European Championship game.

The Swiss had been seconds away from elimination during 90 minutes but go through to face Spain after progressing from a major tournament knockout game for the first time since 1938.

Haris Seferovic headed the Swiss ahead and they had a penalty saved that could have made it 2-0 before Karim Benzema scored twice and Paul Pogba put France 3-1 up with a screamer.

Seferovic headed in his second goal of the game for Switzerland and substitute Mario Gavranovic hammered in a last-minute equaliser to send the game to extra time.

Mbappe missed a couple of big chances for the world champions in extra time and Olivier Giroud had a header saved in the final minute.

Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe was the only player to fail to score in the shootout, after an excellent Yann Sommer save.

Switzerland play Spain, who also came through a thriller - 5-3 after extra time against Croatia - in the quarter-final in St Petersburg on

Friday.

This is the biggest shock of Euro 2020 so far, with world champions France having been tipped to win the tournament by 12 of 15 BBC pundits before it started.

Switzerland's finest hour?

The last time Switzerland were in the quarter-finals of a major tournament was the 1954 World Cup that they hosted.

They had not progressed through a knockout game since the 1938 World Cup. It could all have been so different as they faced elimination in the group stage after picking up one point from their opening two games.

Manager Vladimir Petkovic wrote an open letter in a Swiss newspaper apologising to fans and asking them to back the team against Turkey. They won that game and reached the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Petkovic's side fully deserved their half-time lead against France thanks to Seferovic's header from a cross by Zuber, his fourth assist of Euro 2020. That was the first time Switzeland have ever taken the lead in a competitive game against France.

They missed a glorious chance to go 2-0 up when

It’s time for fun as Switzerland players celebrate.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)

Zuber was chopped down

by Benjamin Pavard and a penalty was given by the VAR, but Ricardo Rodriguez's weak kick was well saved by Hugo Lloris.

Four minutes and three seconds later they trailed through a Benzema double and it looked all over when Pogba scored.

But just as Croatia did

against Spain earlier in the day, Switzerland scored twice in the final 10 minutes to force extra time.

Seferovic headed in for his third goal of the tournament and Gavranovic latched on to Granit Xhaka's perfect pass to score in the 90th minute.

They had few chances to score in extra time but they

tucked away all five penalties in the shootout to progress to Friday's quarter-final in Russia.

France fail to take advantage of comeback France were wretched in the first half as Didier Deschamps tried a threeman defence - a system he barely ever uses - because of injuries to two of their

left-backs.

He abandoned that midway through the first half with Les Bleus trailing 1-0 and in danger of going behind by more.

It looked as if 243 seconds in the second half was their get-out-of-jail-free card. That was the time between Lloris' penalty save at 1-0 and Benzema putting them 2-1 up.

Benzema's first was sensational, as he controlled Mbappe's pass with a backheel flick before clipping the ball past Sommer.

He then headed in at the back post from Antoine Griezmann's deflected cross.

Pogba scored one of the goals of the tournament as he found the top corner from 30 yards out.

They looked completely comfortable then - but bottled it as the Swiss came back. Kingsley Coman did almost win it for them with the last kick of the 90 minutes but hit the crossbar.

And so it came to penalties and Mbappe - one of the stars of France's World Cup win - ended Euro 2020 with no goals and the penalty miss that eliminated them.

They never got going in the Euros - and now the only place they are going is home. (BBC Sport)

Gabrielle Thomas runs fastest 200m time since Flo Jo AMERICAN sprinter Gabrielle Thomas became the fastest woman since Florence Griffith Joyner over 200m when she won the US Olympic trials in 21.61 seconds.

The 24-year-old's time is still more than a quarter of a second outside the late Griffith Joyner's world record of 21.34 seconds set at the

1988 Olympics, but is the third fastest 200m ever run.

Nine-time Olympic medallist Allyson Felix, 35, who had qualified for Tokyo in the 400m, came up short in the 200m, finishing fifth in her final US trials event, 17 years after her Olympic bow.

Also at the trials in Eugene, Oregon, Grant Hol-

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

loway missed the 110m hurdles world record by just a hundredth of a second.

The world champion, 23, who holds the indoor 60m hurdles world record, won the final in 12.96 seconds.

But in his semi-final he finished a hundredth of a second outside Aries Merritt's 2012 world record of 12.80 seconds.

"At this point [the world record] is definitely possible," Holloway said.

"A lot of people said I could never run 12.9 again.

I'm just continuing to figure out ways to get better."

In the men's 400m hurdles, Rai Benjamin, 23, won the final in 46.83 seconds, just five hundreds of a second outside fellow American Kevin Young's world record, which has stood since 1992.

"It hurts a little bit that it was right there and I couldn't

Gabrielle Thomas won the US 200m trials to reach her first Olympics, while Allyson Felix (right) has qualified for her fifth Games in the 400m.

grab it, but it's just more fuel for the fire," said Benjamin.

Seventeen-year-old Erriyon Knighton ran a 19.88-second personal best to win the men's 200m semi-finals, ahead of Ken-

ny Bednarek (19.90) and world champion Noah Lyles (19.91).

Reigning world champion DeAnna Price extended her own American record in the hammer throw

with an 80.31m effort and in the pole vault, 30-yearold Katie Nageotte cleared a world-leading 4.95m, with only two women having ever jumped higher.

(BBC Sport)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 29, 2021

GFF present ‘Return to Play’ plan to Elite League Clubs, Member Associations …Elite League, MA’s presented with Uniforms, Laptops THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF), on Saturday, laid out a provisional roadmap for the safe resumption of competitions this year.

In the process, the GFF distributed laptops, along with other kit and equipment to its members, conducted a briefing for members on their compliance obligations to the Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP), and also provided the participants with a social media content development briefing.

Hosting a Return to Play M-FAP Workshop for its members at its National Training Centre in Providence, the GFF presented a four-month competition season plan that included national tournaments for senior men, senior women, and male and female youth teams.As part of the Return to Play presentation, the administration solicited feedback on its plans from Regional Associations and clubs to fine tune its approach to the highly-anticipated restart, which will be governed by approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force.

Two months ago, the

GFF submitted a detailed return to train and play plan to the country’s National COVID-19 Task Force. This plan, according to the GFF, was developed with the support of UEFA and was successfully exercised during the 2020 end-of-year “bounce back” tournament, which was hosted in collaboration with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

Under its pioneering M-FAP initiative, which distributes funding and support directly to members to boost investment and development in a targeted way, full team kits were distributed to the Regional Associations and Elite League clubs to ensure that teams have bespoke, professional standard uniforms for upcoming competitions.

Prior to the distribution, the participants were briefed on the attendant compliance obligations and strict oversight that come with the M-FAP. The GFF also handed out laptops to its nine regional associations, the National Association for Women's Football and the Referees

Association in the first phase of its information technology integration strategy.

Through this initiative, GFF members will be interconnected through a licensed intranet service, which will allow information-sharing and secure access to resources with the aim of improving their operational work and performance.

“The initiative of the Federation is great – the equipment we received will take the club a far way because we have kits for both male and

female, which we appreciate very much. Financially, it will help the club in a far-reaching way,” said Dennezze Lovell, the secretary of Den Amstel FC and representative of the West Demerara Football Association.

“In all my years in the football fraternity, I have never experienced such from the Federation and I am grateful to Mr. Forde and his team,” she said.

During the day-long workshop, participants engaged in a social media briefing that focussed on content development and fan engagement across the membership,

with an emphasis on growing and enhancing the online presence of football.

GFF president, Wayne Forde, described the event as a “remarkable day for football,” adding “first and foremost, I was very happy to spend time with our members to share with them the projects and programmes that we've been working on, but also to see how excited they were to receive their playing kits.”

Stressing on how critical is the approval from the task force to resume play, the GFF president said, “All of these members still have more

material to receive under M-FAP, but we're not going to give out the other football development equipment until we get permission to return to play from the national task force.

“We've gone to all lengths to explain to our members that we have to be patient. We know that there is still an ongoing pandemic and we will continue to work closely with the task force and the other health authorities to ensure that safe and responsible decisions are taken around the return of football to the pitch,” Forde concluded.

Colin Gittens, president of the GFF Elite League Champions, Fruta Conquerors, receives uniforms from GFF president Wayne Forde. (GFF photo)

Wong gets equipment sponsorship ‘Wonder woman’ Fraser-Pryce wraps up sprint double from Zoon Online Shopping NATIONAL table tennis player, Miguel Wong, has gotten support from Zoon Online Shopping and Shipping, who will be sponsoring his equipment needs as he prepares for the Junior Pan American Games scheduled for November 25 - December 5 in Colombia.

The simple presentation occurred on Monday at the business entity’s Middle Street location and, according to Sales Associate Felicity Sonaram, “we are very proud to do so; you don’t see many places pushing the natural talent here in Guyana, so we want to be able to carry him somewhere, push him further and the best way we found to do this is by sponsoring.”

Wong, in response, thanked the company for its partnership and vowed to represent them to the best of his ability.

National Table Tennis player, Miguel Wong and Felicity Sonaram of Zoon Online Shopping and Shipping.

When the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) revealed the prospectus for the event, Wong was listed as a Caribbean representative in the Men’s Under-21 Singles.

Wong’s qualification came as a result of his World Rank-

ing in which, at that time, he was ranked 706 with 168 rating points.

The Games is a forthcoming international multisport event for athletes aged 18 to 21 in the Americas, organised by Panam Sports.

SHELLY-Ann Fraser-Pryce threw down the gauntlet to all comers at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games when she established a lifetime best 21.79 seconds to win the 200m final and wrap up the sprint double at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Ministry of Sport/ Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The two-time Olympic Games 100m gold medallist, who romped home in the 100m final in 10.71 seconds on Friday evening, won ahead of Shericka Jackson (21.82 seconds) and defending Olympic Games 200m gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah (22.02 seconds) in an identical repeat of the 100m placing.

Only a few weeks ago at

the same venue the 34-yearold Fraser-Pryce became the fastest woman alive when she posted a magnificent 10.63 seconds in the 100m at the JAAA/JOA Destiny Series.

“We have two other amazing ladies for Jamaica and the pool and the depth in sprinting that we have you can't focus on one person, you have to go out there and work hard. You have to stay committed and dedicated,” Fraser-Pryce told the media.

In posting a sub-22-second finish, Jackson thus became the first woman to post sub-11sec in the 100m, sub22sec in the 200m and sub50sec in the 400m.

But while Fraser-Pryce and company enjoyed the fruits of their labour, there was no such delight for defending men's 110m hurdles gold medallist Omar McLeod, and 2015 women's

Two-time Olympic Games 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

100m hurdles World Champion Danielle Williams, who were surprisingly denied selection to the Jamaican team.

“A difficult moment indeed,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer. “It just (Turn to page 22)

No compromise from Windies, says unfazed Pollard 23 PAGE

Sebert Blake receiving the GOA’s support from executive member, Dr Karen Pilgrim, while in the presence of GBA president Steve Ninvalle, GOA president Kalam Juman-Yassin and Keevin Allicock.

GOA stands in Allicock's corner for Russia encampment THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) stands in the corner of Guyana’s Tokyo Olympic Games-bound boxer, Keevin Allicock, in his preparation for the Japan event, which will see him heading to Russia for a three-week encampment.

Allicock and his coach, Sebert Blake, will depart Guyana today from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where they head to Russia for the second time, having gone to the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships which were held in the city of Yekaterinburg.

At a simple presentation done at the GOA’s Head Quarters at Liliendaal, president Kalam Juman-Yassin highlighted their support for Allicock, who will become just the first boxer, since John Douglas at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, to represent Guyana at an Olympic Games.

Both Blake and president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, spoke profoundly of their expectations for Allicock, while thanking all those who would’ve supported the Albouystown resident’s journey in the sport so far.

Windies unchanged for third T20 against South Africa WEST Indies have named an unchanged 13-member squad for the third CG Insurance T20 International (T20I) against South Africa set for today at the Grenada National Stadium.

The five-match CG Insurance T20I Series is currently 1-1 after the first two exciting matches of the Series.

Two-time World Champions, West Indies won the series opener by eight wickets on Saturday, while South Africa fought back to win the second match by 16 runs on Sunday.

Roger Harper, CWI Chief Selector, said there was no need for change.

"The Selection Panel is happy to retain the same squad for the third CG Insurance T20I. With this series in the balance, we would like to give this squad another opportunity to display how well they can play together,” he said.

“We are aware that there are still a number of T20Is ahead so there will be opportunities for other players going forward.”

This series forms part of the West Indies’ international home season with a total of 15 T20Is as they continue preparations to defend their title at the ICC T20 World Cup to be played later this year.

The full squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice-Captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, and Kevin Sinclair. (Sportsmax)

Swiss knock out world champions France on penalties

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The 22-year-old, who rose to prominence for this dominance at the Caribbean Championships over the years, and then went on to claim Silver for Guyana at the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas, will join boxers from Antigua, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago as CARICOM representatives in Tokyo.

Allicock is ranked #19 in the world, according to the latest International Boxing Association (AIBA) rankings.

Delon Allicock, Keevin’s older brother, was the last Guyanese boxer to be highly-ranked by AIBA and was also coached by Blake. (Rawle Toney)

West Indies white ball captain Kieron Pollard.

Four table tennis players nominated for ITTF Hopes Programme FOUR of Guyana’s top junior table tennis players have been nominated to attend the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Hopes Programme selection process, which will see them participate in virtual training with the hope of advancing to the important programme.

According to information from the Guyana Table Ten- Ebo McNeil is a seasoned National player Samara Sukhai was also nominated. nis Association (GTTA), the junior table tennis player. pre-teen players are Jasmine “The players Billingy, Malachi Moore, Ebo The release also added that the will participate in a McNeil and Samara Sukhai. weekly virtual training session, along pandemic has resulted in sessions being with their coaches and ITTF experts held virtually. “The ITTF has moved Mr Dominique Plattner, ITTF high-per- the Hopes programme to virtual enformance manager; and ITTF High gagement which allowed associations Performance and Education Director, to nominate up to two girls and two Mr Massimo Costantini, with a view of boys-- under 12 years old-- along with possibly being selected as one of the 20 their coaches, who commit to consisgirls and 20 boys who will benefit from tently take part in the programme.”

The first scheduled session is set for the ITTF Hopes programme under the this afternoon (June 29) at 15:00hrs.

ITTF purview.”

A release from the GTTA added Coaches Linden Johnson, Idi Lewis and that advancing to the programme of- Shavin Greene will connect with the fers the rising stars the opportunity to training experts for the first scheduled progress to other High-Performance training programme.

“The GTTA is appreciative of programmes. It will also give the youngsters the chance to interact with the support and patience of the some of the world’s top players and players in the fraternity during these National U-21 champion, Jasmine coaches, benefit from educational ses- challenging period as we navigate Billingy and former National U-10 champion, Malachi Moore, are two sions, strength and conditioning, sport ensuring the best opportunities and of Guyana’s best prospects for the science, nutrition and other pertinent outcomes for our hard-working players,” the release noted. future. areas.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021