Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-23-2021.pdf

TUESDAY 23rd February, 2021

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Happy Republic Day , Guyana

No.106281

Togetherness, respect, common destiny

Key investments to be made in Reg. 8 - as Regional Chairman, Vice-Chair finally sworn in

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–– vital to realise ambitions of Independent, Republic Guyana, says President Ali

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Over $844M budgeted for improved water supply nationwide

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Vaccines, filaria tablets not linked to cop’s death

- Health Minister says

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Patriotism soared as the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted on the eve of Guyana’s 51st Republic Anniversary. The flag-raising ceremony, accompanied by a cultural programme, was hosted at the Parliament Buildings on Brickdam, Georgetown, in the presence of members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps (Latchman Singh photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Power generation, petroleum sector opportunities to be discussed –– at inaugural Guyana Energy Conference in September

By Navendra Seoraj THE road to energy efficiency and opportunities within Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum sector will be discussed extensively in September, 2021, when stakeholders from various sections of society converge at the inaugural Guyana Energy Conference and Exhibition 2021 (GEC-X ’21).

Organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and

other local stakeholders, the conference and exhibition, slated for September 28 and 29, will be used as a platform to advance discussions pertaining to areas critical to the development of Guyana’s energy sector.

For developing nations, the need for reliable and affordable energy is fundamental because this supports expanded industry, modern agriculture, increased trade and improved transportation.

These are the building blocks

that help people to escape poverty and create better lives.

Local stakeholders have been particularly vocal over the years about the need for reliable and cheaper energy, since there are gaps in the local economy which could be addressed easily once energy efficiency is achieved.

The government has said already that it intends to address the existing shortfalls through an energy mix of solar, wind, hydro and nat-

ural gas, which could even propel Guyana to the ranks of net energy exporters and ultimately make the country the energy capital of the Region.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said the upcoming energy conference will present an ideal forum for this plan to be discussed in further detail.

The minister, in his address at the launch of the conference at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, on Monday, said there has been a fundamental problem with

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

From left- President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer, at the official launch of the inaugural Guyana Energy Conference and Exhibition

the cost of power generation over the years.

“That has been a great hindrance, but the government has recognised that we need to address it early, because with cheaper power, we get opportunities and more initiatives,” Minister

Bharrat said.

Budget 2021, he said, lays the foundation for what is to come in the next five years, which is anticipated to be an exciting period when every Guyanese will benefit from developmental projects. Among some of the

projects in the pipeline are the gas-to-energy initiative, the Amaila Falls hydropower project and the establishment of several solar farms in various regions across the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Togetherness, respect, common destiny –– vital to realise ambitions of Independent, Republic Guyana, says President Ali as he champions ‘One Guyana’ initiative

President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali (right) takes the general salute in the presence of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.; Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips and First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali during the flag-raising ceremony in honour of Guyana's 51st Republic Anniversary at Parliament Buildings (Adrian Narine photos)

By Vishani Ragobeer UNITY among Guyanese, where the country’s multiculturalism is celebrated and diversity is respected, is vital to realise the ambitions of Independent and Republic Guyana, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has contended.

The President, in his message on the occasion

of Guyana’s 51st Republic Anniversary, reminded that four years after Guyana gained political Independence, the country declared itself a Republic and assumed the title of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“These two historical milestones – Independence and Republic status – form an unbroken continuum of our people’s struggles to lift

themselves out of the state of want and deprivation, to exist as free men and women in an indivisible state and by working for the development of all,” he contended.

On February 23, 1970, Guyana became a Cooperative Republic and it was believed that Guyana’s national motto -- ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’--

A part of the cultural presentation during the flag-raising ceremony

would become solidified.

This motto, the President highlighted, is the “tripod upon which our Independent and Republican statehood rests”.

“The elements of our national motto commit us to the pursuit of unity; it affirms our sovereignty and shapes our ambitions,” he said.

According to him, the ‘One People’ acknowledges Guyana’s multiculturalism

while promoting the common citizenship; the ‘One Nation’ signals the indivisibility of the State, whereby the national patrimony is defended, sovereignty is guarded and resources are prudently managed; and, the ‘One Destiny’ articulates the shared aspirations of living in a well-developed society.

During his inaugural address to Parliament recently, President Ali announced the

Power generation, petroleum sector...

He promised that Guyanese, within the next three years, will be able to enjoy cheaper and more reliable power. Those benefits, he said, will stretch from households to the private sector.

“Not only households will benefit, it will bring a lot of foreign and local investments in industrial projects and other productive industries,” Bharrat reasoned.

To further encourage investments, the government will be incentivising every sector and creating an even more business-friendly environment. This is necessary because investors have the capacity to utilise the country’s natural resources in a way that would be profitable in both the areas of finance and employment.

“We are not focusing only on new and dynamic sectors, we are focusing on traditional, productive sectors as this is also important for us… the economy was built on traditional sectors and a lot more can be made.

“Our traditional, productive sectors are important because it [sic] creates [sic] employment.

But we need [the] private sector to partner with us to develop these sectors,” Minister Bharrat said.

NO APOLOGIES The minister, who foresees criticisms about the budget being private-sector-focused, said: “We have no apologies for incentivising the private sector.

It is a partner in development and we need foreign investors to come. We will continue to partner with foreign investors and locals to ensure that we move all sectors forward.”

The government’s commitment to local participation in every sector is evidenced by moves to establish a local content policy and subsequent local content legislation. Such provisions are particularly necessary because of the country’s nascent oil-and-gas sector, which is now being explored by locals.

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to further explore the sector and the opportunities it provides, when the energy conference kicks off in September.

President of the GCCI, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, said the aim of the conference is to foster conversations specific to the energy sector.

“There will be discussions from the extraction of crude oil to the importation of heavy fuel oils and our current usage of that to produce electricity, as well as the efficient distribution of electricity so that reliable supply is not something we dream of, but it is more something we are accustomed to,” Boyer said, adding that those conversations are necessary because Guyanese businesses have been limited by the cost of energy for too long.

Noteworthy topics for discussions will be the need for a review of regulations which prevent wider adoption of renewable energy; the need for more

energy infrastructure ahead of the new wave of industrialisation; and the bottlenecks to progression in the oil-and- gas sector.

Conversations related to those topics are timely, since the oil-and-gas sector, according to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, is expected to be a “rock which creates ripples” and helps to advance the energy sector and [the] entire economy.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, is also optimistic that the conference will address issues which are critical to Guyana’s development.

He assured stakeholders that his office, amidst continuous economic growth, stands ready to facilitate investments, the transfer of knowledge and new initiatives.

formation of a ‘One Guyana Commission’ which will be tasked with fostering one nationality and a common love for country, celebrating the ‘oneness’ enunciated in the national motto. This, he explained, is part of the Government’s efforts to put an end to the division caused by race and politics and to create a path towards building a single Guyanese identity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Republic Day Messages…

Let’s live in peace and harmony, President Ali urges FOUR years after attaining its political Independence, our country declared itself as a Republic and assumed the title of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. These two historical milestones – Independence and Republic status – form an unbroken continuum of our people’s struggles to lift themselves out of the state of want and deprivation, to exist as free men and women in an indivisible state and by working for the development of all.

Our country’s national motto, “One people, One nation, One destiny”, is the tripod upon which our independent and republican statehood rests. The elements of our national motto commit us to the pursuit of unity; it affirms our sovereignty and shapes our ambitions.

‘One people’ acknowledges the different strands which constitute our country’s ethnic diversity. It celebrates our rich and vibrant multiculturalism while promoting our common

citizenship.

‘One nation’ signals the indivisibility of our state. It commits us to defend vigorously our God-given patrimony, to zealously guard our sovereignty and prudently manage our resources for the benefit of all.

‘One destiny’ asserts our shared aspiration to live in a society in which our children are provided with opportunities; where the exertions of our workmen and women are fairly remunerated; where our elderly can enjoy their golden years in comfort and good health and where our vulnerable are provided with protection and support.

The ‘One Guyana’ project, which I recently launched, celebrates our oneness as enunciated in our national motto. It is aimed at excising the vices of ethnic rancour, hatred and divisiveness; breaking down barriers of mistrust, suspicion, and stereotypes; and fostering greater tolerance

and understanding. The One Guyana Project will encourage respect for the immeasurable worth of every citizen regardless of his or her race, religious belief or class.

The establishment of a One Guyana Commission attests to the inclusive approach which is necessary to realise the ambitions which we set ourselves both at Independence and upon becoming a Republic. As I alluded in my address to the National Assembly, the One Guyana Commission will be given legislative effect. It will harness the goodwill which exists in our society and take the practical steps which are necessary and desirable to cement our society while “respecting the diversity from which our oneness springs.”

The purpose of the Commission would be to try to do just that in relation to the practical steps we can take to cement our one society, encompassing and respecting the diversity from which

our “oneness” springs. The Commission will foster the free contention of our people’s voices, honour our ancestral heritage while celebrating our multiculturalism.

The festival of Mashramani is a celebration of our multiethnic identity. Unfortunately, this year’s observances, including today’s flag-raising ceremony, have had to be moderated because of the coronavirus pandemic. We rest assured that the pall of this pandemic will disappear, and with it will come the return to the radiance, colour and liveliness of our Republic celebrations.

In the meantime, let us continue to celebrate our Republican anniversary in the best possible way – by working and living together in peace and harmony.

May God bless our Republic! May God bless each of our citizens and our efforts at fashioning a One Guyana!

I thank you.

Mashramani represents our history of struggles and pride in self-governance – PPP

As our nation celebrates its 51st anniversary as a Republic, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to express best wishes to all Guyanese, both at home and in the Diaspora.

Mashramani represents

our history of struggles and pride in self-governance and builds on celebration after hard work. As a nation, we must reflect on where we came from and celebrate our efforts that have led to Guyana becoming a country known for its rich diversity

and resilience.

The Party is cognisant that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the much-anticipated annual vibrant Costume and Float Parade on Mash Day and other related activities across the country prior to and on February 23rd would not be held. These celebrations have become fundamental in reflecting our revelry after hard work and Guyana’s rich diversity which defines our multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural composition.

While the characteristic splendour of the multitude of colours splashed to the pulsating beat of music will be absent and missed this year, it will not diminish

the true significance of what Mashramani means to us as a nation, which 51 years ago saw the end of the final aspect of colonial rule by achieving Republic status.

This 51st anniversary comes at a time when our dear country is on a renewed path to prosperity and transformation through modernisation. This path may not have been traversed had Guyanese not stood up through relentless struggles for democracy to prevail following the constitutional transgressions of the then APNU+AFC regime and its blatant attempts to subvert the will of the Guyanese people following the March 02, 2020, elections.

That five-month period tested us as a nation and as a

people. In the end, not only were our democracy and image restored, but our resolve strengthened and our commitment to safeguard our democratic processes, fortified. All Guyanese won from this and all will benefit from the country’s current developmental trajectory. As we observe this occasion, our Party reiterates that, with a proven record of unprecedented and sustained development, it remains committed to continue working in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese to enhance the welfare of all. The symbols of our nationhood, including our National Flag and the Constitution, must be respected by all Guyanese in demonstration of our patriotism.

Our fortitude and passion for the further development of our nation should be prioritised even in the face of adversity. As we are faced with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that

we remain focussed on our health and well-being.

As such, despite not being able to revel in the same manner as before, we should remain mindful that we have struggled as a nation but that our efforts have not gone in vain. That in itself is worthy of celebration. It is the Party’s fervent hope that all will reflect on Guyana’s journey since attaining its status as a Republic, and continue to be imbued with patriotism and pride as we celebrate the occasion of Mashramani 2021 in a safe and responsible way.

Let us commit to working together towards a united and stronger Guyana and to the important task of nation-building.

Happy Mashramani to all Guyanese.

People’s Progressive Party TURN TO PAGE 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Republic Day Messages Con’t…

PNC commits to improving lives of Guyanese The People’s National Congress extends greetings to the Guyanese nation on the occasion of the 51st Anniversary of the Republic.

The PNC was empowered by the Guyanese people to bring the nation to Independence in 1966 and to Republican status in 1970.

It was honoured to have been returned to office, again, to celebrate the 50th anniversaries of both events in 2016 and 2020. These auspicious celebrations not only evoked emotions of patriotism and pride but, also, of satisfaction with its

stewardship to the people while it was in office.

The PNC, this year, as part of A Partnership for National Unity, is not in office. The Party, thoughtfully, had the vision to draft a blueprint for national development by launching the concept plan for the ‘Decade of Development: 2020-2029’ during which Guyanese should expect to enjoy a higher quality of life beyond 2030.

The PNC commits to continuing to work during the coming decade to improve the live-

lihood of all citizens in all sectors. The Party, most particularly, will work with our Parliamentary group and our political arms and agencies to enhance public health especially during this pandemic, public education, public security, economic growth; energy security; environmental security; regional development; social cohesion; social protection; and the defence of our territorial integrity.

Republican status represented a substantive fulfilment of our people’s aspirations to chart

their own destiny by refashioning our economic and social relations, introducing new national institutions, affirming sovereignty and advancing towards the goal of self-reliance.

It is fitting that we recall the transformative changes which have taken place during the Party’s stewardship in and out of office.

Our vision for Guyana’s future is bright. The celebration of this 51st anniversary of becoming a Republic is an occasion of national pride. Happy Anniversary!

Guyanese continue to persevere and conquer – GAWU

The Republican Anniversary holds a special place of pride in the eyes and minds of all Guyanese. The attainment of republicanism broke us away completely from Great Britain and severed the remaining links of colonialism. It allowed us to chart our own destiny of one people and nation.

Indeed, republicanism further asserted our independence and our own desire to build our nation in our terms and within our context. It represented a significant achievement as we were firmly in control of our future.

The lofty ideals of republicanism today remain inherent and ever present. Today, 51 years down the road, as a nation we have a great deal to be proud about. Charting our own path has not been easy as we had to face up to many challenges.

Through testing and requiring the struggles of our people, we have defeated undemocratic rule and more recently attempts to re-impose dictatorship. We have scaled several economic fences and have built a strong economic foundation that poises

us for takeoff.

And, we have fought back those who have sought to covet our territory and continue to face up to such threats no matter the perceived disadvantages.

Indeed, our years as a Republic have not been a smooth road, but a path fraught with dangerous bends and twists but through it all the Guyanese people and nation persevered and conquered.

As we go forward there are still several challenges in our way. Too many of our men and women face difficulties in meeting the expectations of life and impoverishment continues to be unfortunate feature in our society. Gaps in infrastructure hold back development and the need to protect our workers adequately still eludes us. These are some of the many challenges that confront us. We see too brightened opportunities as the country is on the verge of a major economic boom.

While gladdened by this, the fruits of development must be shared with all our people equally. All boats must rise

and rise quickly for us to unlock Guyana’s potential and take us further along the road of prosperity.

It is against that background, that we of the GAWU greet the nation and all Guyanese on this our 51st Republic Anniversary. This year’s celebrations are unlike those of the past. The COVID-19 continues to rage on and though we have made efforts to staunch the pandemic as a people we must play our role. We use this opportunity to once again recognise our frontline workers who continue to play an important role in keeping our nation safe.

On this Republic Day, we urge all Guyanese to stay safe and observe all protocols.

We are hopeful that 2021 will see the turnaround from the darkness that gripped the country over the past five years. Indeed, the Guyanese people are more than deserving and our republicanism would be an ideal starting point.

A happy Republic Day to all Guyanese!

India wishes Guyana progress and prosperity On behalf of the Government and the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to your Excellency, the Government and people of Guyana on the occasion of your Republic Day. India attaches immense importance to our ties with Guyana. Our two countries share warm and friendly relations with growing engagements in the political, econom-

ic, commercial and cultural fields. I am confident that our partnership will be further strengthened in the years to come.

India’s gesture of solidarity by way of extending medical supplies and protective gear last year, to assist the Government and the friendly people of Guyana in their fight against COVID-19 pandemic is symbolic to our close relations. India will continue to be

a reliable partner to Guyana in the collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

I convey my best wishes to Your Excellency’s good health and well-being and continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Guyana.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

President of India Ram Nath Kovind

President Biden pledges to strengthen relations with Guyana Dear Mr. President: It is my pleasure to send congratulations to the people of Guyana as you celebrate 51 years as a republic on February 23.

Guyana is a strong democracy, and I look forward to strengthening our bilateral relationship based on shared principles of good governance, prosperity, and security.

The challenges of COVID-19 affect all of us and make clear that we must advance our partnership to face the global pandemic, together. In the year ahead, I look forward to our teams addressing the issues and security concerns that threaten our shared interests, while building on Guyana’s economic growth and development.

I wish you and all the people of Guyana a joyous and safe Mashramani.

Sincerely, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. President United States of America

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Republic Day MASHRAMANI (Mash) is a calendar event in Guyana that is primarily a festival of song, parades and floats depicting various aspects of Guyana, which is held every 23rd February to celebrate the country becoming a Republic in 1970.

Republic Day is a national holiday in the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana. Christopher Columbus was, reportedly, the first European to sight Guyana (An Amerindian word meaning “Land of many waters”) during his third voyage in 1498, but it was the Dutch who first established colonies here.

The British took control of the Dutch colonies during the Napoleonic Wars, creating a single colony known as British Guiana in 1831.

Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom on May 26th, 1966 and declared itself a “cooperative republic” on February 23rd, 1970, abolishing its relationship with the British monarchy, but remaining a member of the Commonwealth.

Guyana is the only Anglophone South American nation.

In retrospect, and of primary importance, homage must be paid to the people who faced punitive existences and/or whose lives were mar-

tyred in the struggle for dignity and freedom for the working-class people of Guyana, especially the Enmore martyrs, whose death so moved a young and idealistic Cheddi Jagan that he vowed to dedicate his entire life to “the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation”. His legacy of care and love for Guyana and the Guyanese people was entrusted by the Jagans to an equally dynamic and visionary young man, Bharrat Jagdeo, whose potential for magnificent leadership they had the vision and foresight to recognise: And while there was vehement opposition to their choice on many fronts then, today the world has taken cognisance of their perspicacity at placing into the hands of a then very untested and untried young man all that they aspired for this country. Thus, while they gracefully bowed to their own mortality, they did not abandon their cause to the fates or destiny, but continued to guide and nurture the welfare of the nation to which they had dedicated their entire adult lives through the strong and visionary leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo, who has achieved international recognition for Guyana – eradicating the dark image of Jonestown from the silhouette of this nation’s identity within the international consciousness, as a passionate advocate of humanity

and the earth, for which he was presented with the Champion of the Earth Award 2010 by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).

Former President, current Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that we have to forget the past that has caused this nation much pain, grief, and developmental retrogression, and endeavour to carve a better and more unified country for future generations, because the past should only be used for analytic purposes: But when Guyana’s past, and present, is being re-written to make villains into heroes and vice versa by those with vested interests, then, for the edification of posterity, it is incumbent upon propagators of truth to put the dynamics into perspective and let the readers judge for themselves, instead of having persons with agendas restructure the landscape of this nation’s history, to the detriment of future generations.

The current government is led by an organisation that has been integral to carving an identity and a future for Guyana and its once very suppressed people, who did not achieve real freedom, even after having been granted the instruments of independence by Britain, until 5th October 1992 – rightfully hailed as “The Dawn of a New Era”.

The story of the People’s Progressive Party

(PPP) is the saga of the amazing journey of Dr. Cheddi and Mrs. Janet Jagan, two dynamic and visionary persons from very diverse cultures, who merged their lives and efforts to carve, through the grindstone of adversity, a future of promise and hope for the long-suffering Guyanese people, and the men and women who joined with them at different stages of the eventful journey that is slowly but surely fructifying into making that future one of Peace, Progress, and Prosperity under the current Irfaan Ali-led administration.

In 2020, the elections imbroglio derailed the Mashramani celebrations while this year the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its deadly toll on human lives and the quality of lives worldwide; so it is judicious and imperative that celebratory events be postponed as the coronavirus protocols have to be rigidly enforced until the pandemic ceases to be a threat to lives. Nevertheless, it is inconceivable that Guyana’s Republic Day is not observed, even if in muted, less ostentatious ways, and government’s programme of events will ensure that, postponement of Mashramani celebrations notwithstanding, Guyanese will yet be able to observe the attainment of Republican status by their country.

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY, GUYANA!

Government must be commended on budget for LGEs Dear Editor,

THE PPP/C-led Government under the auspices of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, its General-Secretary and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has enhanced the foundation for the fortification of our democracy. Of course, this position resonates with the generous allocation of funds for the holding of Local Government Elections due this year, for which the government must be commended. Those in the leadership of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) need to step up and stop the ‘pussy-footing’ around their expected obligations, because our citizens will no longer tolerate their suboptimal inefficacies.

It is without any doubt that GECOM must demonstrate intent towards correcting the anomalies which served to inform the almost absolute lost confidence and diminished credentials of the institution. No doubt, there has to be a remedial approach that seeks to influence the immediate preparation for the holding of free and fair Local Government Elections (LGEs). The commission must put on its next meeting agenda, a definitive position regarding the LGEs. It is one that demands the chairperson to be assertive and decisive on the way forward.

Given the recent national and almost global condemnation of the organisation, the framework of the foregoing assertions does not require any further or specific justifications. There exist much public evidence of the sinister role played by some GECOM Secretariat staff at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

These behaviours leave much to be desired and they have resulted out of necessity, a need for scrutiny and cleansing that would realise the appointment of suitable persons whom the organisation must hold to providing transparent and professional performances.

It is without contradiction that those at GECOM understand that the future of our nation is not only hinged on actual seamless transparency of the elections body, but the created perceptions formed by the voting public and stakeholders involved and impacted. Infiltration of the institution at various levels has contributed to still existing threats of these ideals, which have resulted in a global embarrassment. The way forward, therefore, demands a swift and objective approach to realising this end, while ensuring that its role in servicing the nation is upheld.

The abhorrence of the likes of CEO Keith Lowenfield and others, who are before the court for ‘fraud and other charges,’ must result in their immediate divorce from all spaces of administrative control related to elections matters. After all, the fact that GECOM Chairperson Madam Claudette Singh had to write Mr. Lowenfield to go back and produce the correct results in keeping with the publicly witnessed recounts, confirm among others, reasons why she or any other should have jailed him for his fraudulent and deceitful actions, if acting as a judge in the Guyana courts of law. Why the apparent delays now, the apparent delays in cleaning up the institution?

It is important to point out and remind the

GECOM Chairperson that the Commission of GECOM has the sole authority to hire certain staff for the execution of electoral work and supervise specific functions. In this respect, Section 18 and 19 of the Elections (Amendment) Act 15 of 2000, respectively, states: “(18) The Chief Elections Officer and the Commissioner of Registration shall notwithstanding anything in any written law, be subject to the direction and control of the commission.

(19) For the purpose of removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power of the Commission to supervise the functioning of any elections officer and the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall include the power to issue directions to any such officer or the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner in respect of the employment of any person by them in relation to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections.”

Meaningfully, therefore, the commission under the hands of Chairperson Madam Claudette Singh has the legal authority to cleanse itself of the improprieties related to the dirty acts conducted by contaminated or inefficient staff.

Aside from the staffing issues which must be addressed, it is expected that the commission would request and consider a plan and budget for the realisation of LGEs for this year. Several activities likely to inform preparation for the LGEs should include beginning the updating of the voters list with a period of continuous registration, followed by the statutory claims and objections period.

The changing of constituency boundaries

must be reviewed, given that Lowenfield had previously made sudden changes unknown to these boundaries without engaging the PPP/C and other opposition paries at the time in any form of consultation. The well-publicised gerrymandering approaches were called out but were never responded to by the Secretariat, since they were designed to frustrate voters in suspected PPP/C strongholds.

Further, GECOM must put a proper system in place to employ and sustain a pool of trained staff, both permanent and temporary. The organisation must not and cannot have staff members working as temporary staff for years. Men and women of integrity who wrote and passed GECOM exams with distinction, must not be overlooked for employment unless there are established criteria that are not biasedly applied.

The chairperson and the commission must objectively assert themselves and not be overwhelmed by the PNC’s hawks in the Secretariat.

I challenge GECOM to explain why is it at the last elections the boundaries and the staff were changed and hired without the commissioners’ participation. Keith Lowenfield and his cabal had their field days in GECOM employing ‘Phantom personnel’ as they pleased, while giving out contracts in city hotel rooms. Besides, training worth hundreds of millions was conducted in a very ad hoc and unaccountable manner.

Madam Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh is now in charge of ensuring our LGEs are on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

To be or not to be, that is the question Dear Editor,

THE first few words of a famous soliloquy from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, were featured humorously, ironically and sarcastically in a recent pronouncement. It poked fun at its dreary, melodramatic nature, while at the said time it seemed to be placing the knee on the neck as a stifling choke and to hold the victim under duress for a handsome ransom. To be, or not to be, that is the question. Do you want to be a friend or do you want to be befriended as a foe?

Perhaps, you want to be neither an ally nor an enemy and stay neutral. Again, another choice will be not to be any. Finally, you can settle to be all of the afore-mentioned. Strange but true, you can exercise choices or you can be manipulated or you can be dictated to. Conditions may provoke a contingent factor and you remain choiceless.

But you cannot be a friend and stay neutral or an enemy and stay neutral. Guyanese are provoked to take a stand or a side sometime or the other in life, especially domiciling at home under testing times, continuously. True, there are Guyanese who are naïve or gullible; many

are sensitive or smart; others are intelligent or average and then, you will find a few who are easily fooled or pampered.

Would you as a Guyanese want to befriend someone who is a liar, dishonest, conniving and slick? How would you react to someone who is shady, foxy, sly and crooked? Then again, would you want to hang out with a person whose hand is stained with blood, who is callous, who lurks in the dark with a dagger, who sets booby traps, who dig holes for you to fall in, who misleads you astray, who takes away your bread and butter, who denies you the needed support and who arranges for your demise? Do you want to be associated with a crook, a criminal, a callous character, and a catastrophic calamity?

Are you prepared to deal with a traitor, a racist, a brute and a violent individual? Can you share company with a double- crosser, a hypocrite, a deceiver and an untrustworthy person? Unhesitatingly, should you not abstain from a dangerous, deceptive, villainous and rogue element? Why be in friendship with a person who steals, who covets his neighbour’s property, who fools you and who is a mischief-maker?

The mind tends to play tricks

The Corentyne River Bridge will open up a brighter future for Suriname and Guyana Dear Editor, I REFER to Mr Charles Sohan’s attack on the concept of the Corentyne River Bridge to which the Government of Guyana is committed (GT20/02/21). Mr Sohan feels that the money spent on the bridge could better be spent to improve the ferry between Guyana and Suriname, since the small traffic on the bridge would never repay the investment in it.

Actually, Mr Sohan is thinking in a very narrow economic context and fails to take into account the broader economic and socio-political effect of the bridge. With the bridge, the amount of traffic

moving between Guyana and Suriname would immediately increase many hundredfold, far beyond what the ferry now carries. Indeed, one may work in Suriname or Guyana and return home the same day to Paramaribo or Georgetown and trade would exponentially increase.

Mr Sohan made a similar mis-assessment when he supported the APNU+AFC before the 2015 elections and wrote many letters in support of the Coalition. APNU+AFC deeply disappointed those who gave it support and Mr Sohan is still to write a letter of contrition or apology.

Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

Government must be ...

TURN FROM PAGE 6

stream. She now has another opportunity to show the world and nation a delivery that breathes confidence and honour. I believe that Justice Claudette Singh must be given our unflinching support to hold free and fair elections.

As a caveat, let me say that there is no way we must accept the likes of Clairmont Mingo living in Region Five and being the returning officer for Region Four. Further, he is a permanent staff member at GECOM who was singled out by the PNC to come to Region Four for the elections in 2020.

We must say down and out to all riggers.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

with us as we advance in age and we become amnaesic. Sometimes we deliberately forget some things conveniently and tend not to remind ourselves or others about devious events. Yet again, we hope others would not remember some of the many alarming altercations we encountered that we wished did not happen. Cause and effect is beyond reproach and the control factor slips away from us. Doubt and uncertainty strike indecisiveness, leading man to straddle the line between action

and inaction. On the other hand, in life and death, the fear of uncertainty when dying brings about a torment and the possibility of ending up in a place labelled as hell, a place even more miserable than life. No wonder, an intelligent person may attempt to grapple with a difficult decision, deliberating whether to attack, defend or stand aside in this mad rush to live life decisively, decidedly and deliberately and then, only to re-track, sidetrack or run off track.

As the remaining days be-

come less and less available, the clock ticks steadfastly, forcing us to look back and lessen our burden with a light heart.

Guilt strikes our conscience for us to ramble openly. The dire need to confess becomes more and more convincing. When the bell rings, we want to be ready to accept any tale or toll.

We want to be brash, bold or brazen to answer the knock on the door with a smile. Isn’t it time that we stop, pause, ponder and be privileged that there

still exists a chance and moment for redemption? Don’t let the opportunity slip away, for, too late shall be the cry. Hopefully, to be, or not to be will unmask the masquerade. Do carefully choose who should be your friend and who shouldn’t be. Don’t forget, a friend in need, is a friend indeed. Man’s best friend has always been not a human.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Gov't partnering with int’l media network to promote Guyana

The Government, via its Public Affairs Secretariat, is working through a partnership approach to build a comprehensive media network that can be maximised to effectively promote Guyana and its products.

This is according to Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs. As the national budget debates commenced on Monday, Minister McCoy said that a component of the $383.1 billion 2021 budget caters for the revamping of the state media apparatus, to ensure that it adds to the national efforts of marketing Guyana.

“Through the regional/ international media network, we are establishing partnerships that will allow for the effective marketing of Guyana and its products, while showcasing the vast opportunity in the new economic frontier expected to build

our new, multidimensional economy,” McCoy indicated.

To this end, the minister said that the new, competent Boards of Directors have been installed to ensure that each state media agency adheres to the tenets and best practices of good reporting, while fulfilling its mandate of providing adequate and comprehensive communication and content to the people of Guyana.

McCoy said that the government’s Public Affairs Secretariat has already designed new integrative communication programmes as well as initiatives to counteract harmful race baiting and other negatives being peddled in and about Guyana.

“The government has acquired state-of-the-art virtual property including equipment and developed content-sharing platforms to reach Guyanese audiences, wherever in the world they might be, because this year, the transformation of our

Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs

beloved country begins, and all progressive Guyanese must be involved,” Minister McCoy posited.

He went on to rubbish the main political opposition’s claims that the latest budget was compiled without proper consultation, maintaining that the transformational budget and the programmes contained therein, were designed to cater to needs of the Guyanese people.

“We on this [government] side [of the National Assembly] are committed to making Guyana work for all of us by ensuring that the goods and services; the resources; those allocated in the budget for 2021, and those that will come in the future, are for every single Guyanese boy, woman, child, family,” McCoy insisted.

The minister believes that the allocations are all in keeping with all the development that Guyana is

poised to experience within the coming months. “Budget 2021 offers a transformative path for Guyana…this budget will lay new foundation of resilience,” McCoy said.

He maintained that in order for the country to progress, comprehensive efforts will have to be made to ensure that the benefits of Guyana’s resources trickle down to all citizens. The minister emphasised the importance of Guyanese to coming together, and invited the member of the Opposition to join the government’s efforts to unite the country.

Meanwhile, in his presentation, Christopher Jones, Chief Whip of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), complained that budget 2021 contained no COVID-19 recovery plan and criticised the execution of the COVID Relief Cash Grant.

Jones also claimed that the budget contained no stimulus packages for businesses.

Girl, 12 raped; 5 months pregnant POLICE are hunting for a man who raped a 12-year-old girl in the North West District and impregnated her.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the offence occurred during the year 2020; however, the victim cannot recall the exact date and time.

“Enquirers revealed that the victim and suspect have been intimate for about five months now since she is also five months pregnant,” the police release noted.

It was revealed that the police of Matthews Ridge Police Station, acting on information, visited the victim on Monday at around 14:00hrs. The ranks subsequently obtained a medical certificate in favour of the victim. Investigations are ongoing.

Togetherness, respect...

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03

President Irfaan Ali inspects the guard of honour during the flag raising ceremony in honour of Guyana's 51st Republic Anniversary at Parliament Buildings

“The establishment of a One Guyana Commission attests to the inclusive approach which is necessary to realise the ambitions which we set ourselves both at Independence and upon becoming a Republic,” President Ali emphasised in his Republic Day address.

He also related that this Commission takes aim at excising vices of ethnic rancour, hatred and divisiveness while serving to break down barriers of mistrust, suspicion and stereotypes.

“The One Guyana Project will encourage respect for the immeasurable worth of every

citizen regardless of his or her race, religious belief or class,” the Head-of-State also said, noting that the goal is to foster greater tolerance and understanding.

He noted that this Commission will be given legislative effect and it will facilitate efforts to cement Guyana’s society while respecting the diversity from which “oneness” springs.

While touting an inclusive approach to Guyana’s development, President Ali acknowledged the reality that Guyana’s 51st Republic Anniversary celebrations -- the usual Mashramani ob-

servances -- have been constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated health precautions.

He sought to provide some comfort to the nation by assuring that the pall of the pandemic would disappear and Guyana’s radiant, lively Republic celebrations would return.

“In the meantime, let us continue to celebrate our Republican anniversary in the best possible way – by working and living together in peace and harmony,” the Head-of-State stated.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Housing sector is a fundamental pillar of the economy the government is on a mission to transform the sector.

Under Budget 2021, many infrastructural projects and programmes are also set to come on stream.

Some $6 billion has been allocated to further advance infrastructure and utility works in new and existing housing areas, while $1.5 billion was allocated to continue infrastructural works in the Sophia, Diamond and La Parfaite Harmonie housing schemes. Another $2.7 billion would be invested to

– Minister Rodrigues MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, says the government recognises the housing sector as a fundamental pillar of the economy, and the significant impact it has on the lives of Guyanese.

In her contribution to the budget debate in the National Assembly, the minister said from the moment it came into office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration took steps to realise its manifesto promise to prioritise sustainable housing.

In the 2020 Emergency Budget, she said the government solidified its plans with massive investments to ensure more people become

homeowners.

Budget 2021 augments those provisions, with additional “measures to encourage and promote home ownership…including the zero-rating of construction materials; locally produced pre-stressed concrete piles, locally fabricated steel beams, locally manufactured roofing and PVC products, among others.”

In keeping with its goal to provide 50,000 house lots over five years, the ministry has already made headway to meeting its goal of 10,000 house lot allocations and distributing 7,000 land titles this year.

“Government will also be constructing 1,000 homes for low-income earners and

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

young professionals, in addition to the 1,000 homes slated to be constructed in Region 10,” the minister was quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Minister Rodrigues re-

minded the National Assembly that when the PPP/C administration took office in August, the sector was in a dire state, after years of neglect by the Coalition administration. However,

Police Sergeant who shot girlfriend remanded A POLICE Sergeant was remanded to prison on Monday for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, whom he allegedly shot in the neck during an argument at her Onderneeming West Coast Berbice (WCB) house, on February 12, 2021.

Colin Whyte appeared at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Peter Hugh and was not required to plead to the charge; he was remanded to prison until March 2, 2021.

Whyte of Lot 63 Auchlyne Estate Corentyne, Ber-

Police Sergeant, Colin Whyte

bice, was the Subordinate Officer in charge of the Balirmont Police Station when

Injured: Shonetta James

he shot Shonetta James, a Special Constable.

According to reports, the

Sergeant went to James’ house at Onderneening, where she told him the relationship was over “due to continuous misunderstandings.”

An argument ensued during which the Sergeant allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot the woman.

Police said he took her to the Fort Wellington Hospital and left her there.

According to the police report, the woman was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she underwent surgery.

expand the water sector and $1.1 billion for sanitation.

“Government plans to increase treated water coverage in keeping with Sustainable Development Goal – Number Six (Access to Clean Water), reduce non-revenue water and modernise sanitation facilities across the country,” Minister Rodrigues said.

This will see a number of projects being executed under the Hinterland Water Supply Programme, as well as the Coastal Water Supply Programme.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Over 6,700 grades changed for CSEC; over 450 grades changed for CAPE

GUYANA has thus far received improved grades for just over 6,700 or 9.4 per cent of the grades issued for the 2020 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and 450 or 10.4 per cent of the grades issued for the 2020 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Meanwhile, the regional examinations body, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), has suspended printing of the July/August 2020 candidates’ certificates due to a COVID-19 lockdown being enforced in Barbados, where the council’s headquarters is located. The suspension is expected to persist until the restrictions in Barbados are lifted.

“Candidates that [sic] have urgent requests can submit a request for a printed preliminary slip from CXC’s Western Zone Office in Jamaica. That request can be emailed to cxcwzo@cxc.org,” the Ministry of Education

Students sitting CXC exams in July 2020

(MoE) said in a press release issued on Monday.

The release noted that the ministry is still awaiting response on 128 review requests for CSEC and 33 review requests from CAPE. It is unsure at this time as to when the remaining reviews will be

completed, as CXC had originally projected completing the exercise by January 31, but has since missed the deadline, a situation exacerbated by the lockdown in Barbados.

Following the preliminary release of CXC 2020 exam results, the body had received

unprecedented backlash from several Caribbean nations over the grades issued. Students had complained of lower than satisfactory grades, while there was also a high number of ungraded results.

Many of the ungraded results have since received

grades, while Guyana had requested reviews of 1,258 subject grades issued for CSEC and 526 subject grades issued for CAPE. Of the reviews requested for CSEC, improved grades were awarded to 456 reviews, while for CAPE, the reviews yielded 145 improved

grades.

However, in addition to the review requests, CXC considered a number of “borderline cases” for which additional reviews were conducted. “Borderline cases” are those instances where a student missed out on advancing up a grade level by a slim margin.

From these “borderline cases” reviewed, a further 6,251 grades for CSEC were improved, bringing the total grades changed for CSEC to 6,707. A total of 12,009 students wrote 70,710 subjects across 35 different subjects at the 2020 CSEC examinations.

For CAPE, the “borderline reviews” yielded an additional 311 improved grade changes with a total of 456 grades being changed for Guyana. A total of 853 students wrote 4,393 subjects across 66 units at the 2020 CAPE examinations

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Key investments to be made in Reg. 8

–– as Regional Chairman, Vice-Chair finally sworn in

Vice-Chair of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Claris Francisco taking her oath during the swearing-in ceremony

By Vishani Ragobeer A number of key investments will be made to enhance development in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) as the government intends to build stronger partnerships with the newly sworn-in Regional Chairman, Headley Pio and Vice-Chair, Claris Francisco, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. On Monday, the two elected members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) were sworn in by President Ali at the Office of the President, at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

There, the President highlighted that even though Region Eight has the smallest population, the resource-rich region is an integral part of Guyana’s development.

Importantly, he highlighted, “This region will see tremendous investment and improvement in healthcare, education, other social services, but importantly, we will be working closely to ensure that we build sustainable communities, through sustainable livelihood programmes and sustainable employment opportunities.”

The President also reminded that Guyana’s developmental trajectory is premised on expanding the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and as such, the Potaro-Siparuni region has a pivotal role to play in the implementation of this strategy. Aside from the expansive forest cover and biodiversity in this region, the flagship hydropower project of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-- the Amaila Falls Hydropower -- is located on the Kuribrong River in this region.

Recently, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, highlighted that the government intends to reactivate efforts to ensure that Guyana’s national grid is augmented with sustainable, cheap and reliable hydropower. As such, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

would become a reality under the incumbent administration.

The President also said that the government aims to engage the region in the diversification of its local economy, with a focus on investments to enhance food security and agriculture. Attention will also be directed towards lowering the cost of transportation for the region.

And to facilitate the investments to be made in this region, President Ali emphasised that he is eager to build partnerships with the new regional administration.

Following the simple swearing-in ceremony, the Regional Chairman told the Guyana Chronicle that he welcomes the developmental focus on Region Eight, explaining that transforming the region is one of his aims.

Meanwhile, the ViceChair, also speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, related that the region does face a number of challenges, with the cost of transportation and an easily-disrupted transportation network being some of the major challenges. She, however, highlighted that she looks forward to working with the Regional Chairman and the rest of the region’s local administration to help bring relief to this region.

The swearing in of Pio and Francisco was delayed for a number of months due to potential councillors being diagnosed with COVID-19 and then later, because the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) sought to replace Jimmy James as its candidate on the council. The 15-member regional council is occupied by seven candidates from the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The last seat is occupied by the LJP.

Regional Chairman of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Headley Pio taking his oath during the swearing-in ceremony

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with Regional Chairman of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Headley Pio and ViceChair, Claris Francisco following their swearing-in on Monday (Office of the President photos)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Contract to complete Leguan Stelling to be retendered NOW that the initial contract to rehabilitate the Leguan Stelling has been terminated, the Ministry of Public Works is examining other options to ensure that the project is completed in the shortest possible time.

“It has to be retendered; whether it be through public tendering or selective tendering or restrictive tendering is a different matter,” Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday.

He added, “We got to engage through a procurement process that is allowable to get a contractor to complete the work.”

The Public Works Minister indicated too that in addition to ensuring the work is completed to satisfaction, the government will also pursue

sanctions against the errant contractor, S. Maraj Contracting Services. Edghill asserted that the Attorney-General has been consulted and is likely to spearhead legal efforts to recoup government monies wasted on the project.

After two years of delays, the ministry moved to terminate the services of the aforementioned company, following a “thorough review” which determined that the company is “incapable, unable, and does not possess the wherewithal to successfully execute this project valued at $413,259,260.”

Ever since the contract was signed on September 20, 2018, under the previous administration, the contractor received payments totaling $199,435,000, which is almost 50 per cent of the over-

all contract sum. “[This] is outside of normal procurement practices and a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act that can be best described as a corrupt transaction,” Edghill said in a previous interview.

He noted that the actual works and materials on site are estimated at just about $100 million, and that efforts have commenced to ensure that the construction site is secured, and all the materials and equipment belonging to the Public Works Ministry are safeguarded.

“A contract that should have been completed in six months, signed on September 20, 2018 received an advance payment on September 26, 2018, but the contractor only received his order to com-

The incomplete Leguan Stelling

mence works on December 6, 2018,” Edghill lamented.

The minister had lamented the fact that the contractor was in possession of “tens of millions of tax payers’ dollars” for almost three months before he was required to begin work.

“This contract was expected to be completed by June 7, 2019. It is now 20 months beyond the completion date. By April 19, 2019, the advance payment bond as well as the performance bonds had expired,” the minister has said.

He noted that by October 30, 2019, the contractor, having received the contract

to build the stelling, used the argument of a faulty bill of quantities and earned himself an additional $20,650,000 for the supply and delivery of piles for the same Leguan stelling.

“It is inconceivable that a contract for the building of a stelling will not include the piles, one of the most important components for the construction of the stelling,” Edghill posited. He noted, too, that the Auditor General has informed that at the time of the audit, the contractor was paid for measured works but there was no measured works breakdown attached to the payment certificates.

Additionally, the Public Works Minister complained that variations and change of scope of works could not have been measured and quantified since no documents were available and submitted.

“It was clear that there was poor contract administration and oversight. The Auditor General has indicated that payments made in some instances were in breach of the Fiscal and Management Accountability Act,” Edghill emphasised.

Further, Edghill told the Department of Public Information, on Monday, that prior to the termination of the contract, the contractor had recently requested an additional nine months to complete the six months’ worth of works stipulated in the contract that should have been completed almost two years ago.

Despite all the controversies that surround the project, Edghill said that terminating the contract was a last resort. He said that prior to contract termination, the contractor was engaged on four separate occasions.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Over $844M budgeted for improved water supply nationwide –– several wells to be drilled; GWI office for Lethem

By Navendra Seoraj IN responding to claims from Opposition Parliamentarians that the government has no vision for development, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, affirmed that Guyanese could expect greater access to water, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has set aside over $844 million to increase the supply of this necessity nationwide.

The government plans to increase treated water coverage, reduce non-revenue water and modernise sanitation facilities across the country.

“Under our Hinterland Water Supply programme, the sum of $344 million has been allocated. Given the aggressive nature of the programme, I will make mention of some of the new projects slated for 2021,” Minister Rodrigues said during her presentation on day one of the 2021 budget debates.

In presenting a disaggregation of the proposed

expenditure, the minister said $40 million was allocated for the procurement of a new rig and well drilling materials to facilitate new wells in 2021, while $20 million was allocated for the procurement of Photovoltaic (PV) systems, electromechanical equipment, pipes, fittings, spares and accessories for water supply systems.

Despite heckling from the opposing side of the House, Minister Rodrigues continued to outline the government’s plan, noting that $10 million was allocated for the construction of a pump station and activation of a new well in Port Kaituma, while $14 million was allocated for the drilling of new wells, the installation of PV, storage, distribution networks and service connections for the communities of Waramuri, Huradiah, Khans Hill, Wauna, Baramita, Arakaka and Matthew’s Ridge, in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Some $10 million has also been set aside for the drilling of wells, upgrading of PV systems, upgrade and ex-

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

tension of pipe networks and installation of stand pipes for the communities of Kwebanna and Manawarin, in Region One (Barima-Waini).

For Annai in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), $15 million has been budgeted for the upgrading

of the distribution network, rehabilitation of elevated trestle, service connections and installation of PV system.

Minister Rodrigues said $15 million was allocated too for the upgrading of the distribution network in St. Ignatius.

For the communities

of Jawalla (Left Bank) and Kamarang/Warawatta, in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the sum of $50 million has been allocated for the drilling of a well, installation of new storage trestle and distribution network. “$78 million in total was allocated for the drilling of artesian wells, installation of distribution networks, upgrading of PV systems, construction of elevated storage trestles, and service connections for several communities in Region Nine,” Minister Rodrigues posited.

Lethem will also benefit from the construction of a Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) office there, for which an allocation of $15 million is set aside.

Also on the hinterland water supply programme, the sum of $50 million was allocated for the installation of a water supply system at Kaibarupai and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Some $21 million has been allocated for the drilling of a new well, extension of pipe network

and installation of service connections.

Development is also in line for the coast, as some $500 million has been allocated for the Coastal Water Supply Programme.

The sum of $75 million has been allocated for the procurement and installation of water meters, $40 million for the procurement of bulk meters at well sites and District Metered Areas (DMAs) and $75 million for the procurement and installation of meter boxes.

The budget also provides $104 million for the procurement of service connection materials for 5,200 new services.

Minister Rodrigues said wells will be drilled at Wakenaam and Parika Backdam, for which the budget has allocated a total sum of $100 million. The sum of $101 million was also allocated for the expansion of the water treatment plants at Sophia, Eccles, Covent Garden, Grove, Friendship and Vergenoegen, benefitting over 50,000 residents

Father of prison escapee appears in court on harbouring charges THE father of one of the four high-profile prisoners who escaped recently from the Mazaruni Prison, was on Monday remanded to prison for allegedly harbouring the fugitives at his Bartica home.

Ralph Jones, a boat captain of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to four counts of comforting, harbouring and maintaining the fugitives.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on February 16 the defendant, knowing that Rayon Jones, Imran Ramsaywack, Kenrick Lyte and Samuel Gouveia are convicted prisoners at the Mazaruni Prison, received, comforted, harboured and maintained them.

In an application for bail, Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson told the court that the escapees showed up at his client’s home and demanded food, money and clothes.

According to Thompson, the defendant was fearful for his life and complied with the men’s demands.

Magistrate Lambert refused the bail application and remanded Jones to prison until March 5.

Jones was arrested by police on February 17. He reportedly said that his son contacted him around 21:00hrs that day after escaping from prison and informed him of his actions.

“Ralph Jones further admitted that sometime after 01:00hrs the following day, all four of the escapees showed up at his house where he provided each of them with a change of clothing. He in turn collected the clothes that they were wearing and dumped them in an alleyway aback his house in Fourth Avenue, Bartica,” the police had said in a press release.

Police ranks during a search at the location found a white ‘salt’ bag that contained clothing, footwear, deodorant, topes, pillows

Ralph Jones

and pillow-cases, along with a bottle of Red Star rub, a toothbrush and a food bowl.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that the police have since issued wanted bulletins for the men, who will be charged with escaping from lawful custody when recaptured.

According to Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot, around 07:15hrs on February 16, during the unlocking of the Brick Prison (Solitary

Imran Ramsaywack, Kenrick Lyte, Samuel Gouveia and Ryan Jones

Division) which was supervised by the duty officer and four other ranks, it was observed that the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with.

Further checks revealed that two bars from separate cells were cut. The matter was immediately reported to the Officer-in-Charge of the prison, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag) Kofi David, who immediately ordered a head count.

Upon conclusion, the director said the four men, who were housed in the Brick Prison (solitary) were unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is appealing to members of the public, as well as to relatives and friends of the wanted men to give any relevant information as to their whereabouts, so that they can be captured and returned to the prison.

Members of the Joint

Services are continuing the search for the escapees and are encouraging all law-abiding citizens to inform the nearest police station or call 455-2238, 455-2222, 455-2241, 2264585, 225-2700, 225-3650 or 911 should they be seen. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

14

30 New Amsterdam prisoners selected for digital skills training AS part of continuous efforts to prepare prisoners for a life after incarceration, 30 inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison will soon benefit from a 12-15 week digital skills training programme.

Completion of the programme is expected to aid in the rehabilitation and social transformation of the 15 males and 15 females, who were selected.

This was confirmed on Monday by Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot.

“The idea of the exercise is to make the [prisoners] computer literate. The training will prepare them for the use of technology while they’re incarcerated, and they will be able to implement it once they’re discharged from prison,” he explained.

While the prisoners will be receiving skills training in areas such as conflict resolution, the digital programme will focus on key areas including, but not limited to Basic Mathematics, Basic English, Leadership Skills and Social Behaviour, Fundamentals of Digital Skills, Web Design and Development, and Entre-

Acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot

preneurship.

The programme will also reward participants for their use of technology and innovative skills.

Elliot disclosed that the exercise came about as a joint initiative among consultants of the Citizens Strengthening Security Programme (CSSP), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Avasant Foundation, and the Government of Guyana, to focus on the prevention and reduction of crime and violence, and public sector and civil society capacity-building.

“The exercise is part of a larger plan that is actually aimed at the rehabilitation of persons who are currently in prison, and effectively integrate them into society as functioning members, who are able to make a contribution,” Elliot added.

He also voiced his optimism for success of the programme. He expressed belief that the participants will benefit greatly from the courses offered, and will seize employment opportunities after exiting the prison system.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

COVID-19 death toll reaches 190 -7 new cases recorded A 63-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) on Sunday succumbed to COVID-19 while receiving medical care at a Ministry of Health facility.

While the COVID-19 dashboard for February 22 does not reflect this, his is the thirteenth such death for the month of February, and the 190th since Guyana recorded its first case in March 2020.

Meanwhile, a total of seven new cases and 41 recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours, with 633 tests carried out during that time.

Of the new cases, one was recorded in Region Three

(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), three in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

No other regions have recorded new cases of COVID-19. There are currently eight persons occupying the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Forty-one persons remain institutionally isolated, while 415 persons are isolated at home. Eight persons are institutionally quarantined.

The number of active cases is currently 472. All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which

emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www. health.gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Mother pleads for help to save 12-year-old cancer patient

WHEN widowed mother of five, Dekesha Vallet, rushed her eldest child to the emergency room in mid-January, it was due to pains that she suspected were a “flare up” of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, a condition he had been diagnosed with a year prior.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or JIA, is a type of arthritis commonly found in children and teenagers below the age of 16. It typically causes joint pain in the hands, knees, ankles, elbows and/or wrists, among other body parts.

However, what was affecting 12-year-old Ezekiel Harris, was far graver as she would later learn. A blood test conducted on the child revealed expected abnormalities, but it was the bone marrow biopsy that would highlight the real root of the issue.

“When they got the results, he was diagnosed with AML. [It’s] cancer,” the distraught mother explained, in an interview with this publication on Monday.

“He got diagnosed, like, 3 weeks ago,” she informed.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow, which is the soft inner part of the bones. It usually begins in cells that turn into white blood cells, but may start in other blood-forming cells as well. The cells then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and spinal cord, and testicles.

“I was shocked, I was depressed, [and] speechless…

My son, I don’t know if he had the cancer before. I think it was there, but he wasn’t diagnosed. But over the year, since he got the arthritis— well, we knew it as arthritis— the pain happened more often than before. Then they diagnosed him with the cancer.”

While it was difficult to determine the stage of the AML, doctors informed Vallet that Ezekiel’s condition was critical, and noted that in order for him to have a chance at recovery, he would

need to undergo special treatment at a private facility. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where Harris has been a patient for more than 20 days, does not have the equipment necessary to prevent his condition from worsening.

“Right now, his platelet [count] keeps dropping.

The platelet is the part of the blood that the cancer feeds on, so that’s now low, and they can’t discharge him right now, because more damage will be caused to him. The platelets are used to clot the blood, and the platelets keep dropping. Even if they give him platelets, sometimes by two days he gets the pain, and the platelet goes back down,” she said.

Vallet went on to explain that her son would experience severe swelling to his joints, more frequent pains, and fevers, which only increased over time, during his stay at the hospital.

“To me, he does be delirious, because at one point last

Corentyne butcher appeals 15-year sentence for shallow grave murder ASIF HAMID, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after confessing to killing an elderly cattle rancher in July 2015, has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the severity of his sentence.

In January, Hamid appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice High Court for murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that between July 27 and 30, 2015, at Lot 34 Kingston, Corriverton, Corentyne, he unlawfully killed Henry Lalman, called Benimal.

Justice Morris-Ramlall started the sentence at 30 years. She deducted 10 years for the plea of guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, and a further 5 years for time spent in prison. There was no other mitigating factor, hence

Asif Hamid

Hamid was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Hamid subsequently filed an appeal to challenge the severity of sentence. He is also arguing that he was not given an opportunity to speak in court during his sentencing, The body of the 76-yearold cattle farmer was discovered in a shallow grave on July 30, 2015, some two days

. Henry Lalman, called Benimal

after he had left his home to collect $220,000 from the butcher.

Lalman had been in the cattle rearing business for several years, and it was customary for him to sell his cattle to butchers along the Upper Corentyne district.

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16

Ezekiel Harris (left), with his mother, Dekesha Vallet

night when the pain was too much, he took off the things for the pressure that were in his arms and on his skin and so. That never happened before,” the worried mother added.

Noting this, she went on to express her fear that Ezekiel’s condition was getting

worse.

“They say that the sooner we get him to a facility, the better it would be [for him], because his condition is getting worse and worse. He needs a facility that will give him chemotherapy, give him blood, and give him platelets.

And his blood is a special

type— O negative. At one point, they tried giving him platelets, but it was giving him a reaction. He was scratching at his skin and crying for his stomach, so they had to disconnect it.”

When asked about the cost of Ezekiel’s treatment, Dekesha remarked that she was uncertain as to the amount needed, or as to the time frame within which he needed to receive it.

“I know he needs urgent treatment. His condition is critical, but I don’t know how much it will cost,” she expressed. “They said the information has to go through the board, and then they’ll be able to make a decision,” she added.

Ezekiel is currently receiving saline, along with medicine for joint pain and stomach pains, at the GPHC. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution toward his treatment can contact Dekesha Vallet on 629-0100, or deposit the donation into Republic Bank Account No. 962 951 361 294.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

MPs Hamilton and Desir open budget debates –– Opposition has no progressive alternatives – says Hamilton

By Tamica Garnett MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has noted that even though the opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has heavily criticised Budget 2021, they have not provided any alternatives or progressive plans of their own to substitute existing programmes.

The Government Parliamentarian and APNU+AFC MP, Amanza Walton-Desir opened the floor for the budget debate in the National Assembly on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The first speaker for the government side, Hamilton described the budget as a “profound” plan that will bring “progress and development”, while charging that the opposition has no alternatives to offer.

“I predicted that there will be nothing to match anything that will be said over here,” Hamilton asserted.

He further added that: “When you condemn any programme we have in this budget, you have no substitute for any project or programme. Nothing that is uplifting, nothing that speaks to the economic viability and development of the lives of the Guyanese people. Nothing that they can put on the table in the next five years.”

Hamilton contended that should the opposition have to present a budget, it would be one that would be “pure oil and gas in nature.”

Rebutting Walton-Desir’s call for more regional development, Hamilton dared the opposition to “put your stewardship on the line”, and show that they have plans that could supersede anything presented in the 2021 budget.

“The member before me

said there is no transformational programme in the budget. The APNU+AFC has two regions that they control, and they will not come here and speak to development plans for those regions. [Desir] failed to put before this National Assembly and the people of Region 10 a programme, plan or anything that is different to what was presented in our budget.

“The representative of Region Four will have nothing to say about agriculture development, education development coming out of the region they control,” Hamilton contended.

The Labour Minister accused the opposition of being slothful on several infrastructural projects which the government is now implementing, such as the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and new roads. He also took jabs at the previous government’s handling of the US$18 million

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

signing bonus with ExxonMobil in 2016.

Meanwhile, the first speaker of the debate, Walton-Desir, set the tone for the opposition’s debate and said that the government’s $383.1 billion budget was an “empty” one, notwithstanding it being the largest budget that the country has seen to date.

“Size does matter, but it is not the size of the budget, it is the economics of

Opposition Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir

the budget. It means nothing without context,” Walton-Desir asserted.

Walton-Desir also accused the government of saddling future generations with debt by borrowing to finance the budget.

“By the end of 2021, if everything goes right with this budget, we would have racked up new debt of about US $1 billion. If I divide that by 750,000, then you

understand the burden that that each citizen, every man, woman and child will be saddled with,” Walton-Desir charged.

She called for more relief measures to be catered for small to medium sized businesses, notwithstanding the $250 million dollars that has been set aside in the budget for the Small Business Development Fund.

Mahaicony farmer dies in freak accident A farmer was, on Sunday afternoon, crushed to death and dismembered by a shaft of a water pump he was operating at his farmland, located at Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is 55-year-old Seegobin Persaud. The man reportedly left his Mortis, Mahaicony house around 15:00hrs to go into his farmland to tend to his crops. It is unclear what time the accident

occurred, however, his son, Asif Mohammed Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle that he was at work when he received a telephone call that there was an accident involving his father in the backdam.

Mohammed Persaud related that he quickly left what he was doing, rushed to the backdam and, upon arrival, he saw his father’s dismembered body. “…the water pump hook he and tear he body up,” the

man’s son said, adding: “At the scene… we just see his body in pieces, headless body; just tear up, cruel accident.”

According to Mohammed-Persaud, his father has been a rice farmer for over a decade and he would often pump water into his farmland with a water pump attached to a tractor.

An investigation has been launched into the accident.

Corentyne butcher appeals 15-year...

On July 27, 2015 having sold three cows, he left his Number 36 Village home just after 07:00 hrs to collect the money from Hamid, a butcher at the Corriverton Market.

Initially, he had stopped at the butcher’s home, but was informed he was at the market. Having proceeded to the market, Hamid informed Lalman that the money was

at home. But when they got there, Hamid told the farmer that he had no money.

When Lalman threatened to tell Hamid’s father, he became enraged and strangled the elderly man who, having lost consciousness, was placed in a shallow grave measuring six by three feet.

The grave was then covered with a zinc sheet.

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15

The son of the deceased, Ravendra Lalman called Ravi, became worried and filed a missing person report with the police.

Following a tip-off, the police went to the Hamid’s house, where they exhumed the remains of the cattle farmer from the shallow grave.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

―COVID-19 dampens ‘Mash’ flare

By Naomi Parris REVERED as one of the most colourful, electrifying and entertaining yet unifying festivals of the year, Mashramani, has gone uncelebrated and without substitution; at least until 2021, a year which inherited the dreaded effects of the pervasive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On this much-anticipated day, the streets of Georgetown would have been filled with a kaleidoscope of colours and revelers gyrating to the sounds of soca music, but the entertainment this year is limited to electronic media and controlled outdoor activities.

Under normal circumstances Guyanese of every age, race, religion and creed would have “stepped out” in their costumes or their ‘Sunday best’ to ‘mash’ down the road and celebrate Guyana’s 51st Republic Anniversary.

Not only would there have been eating and drinking, but also a burst of talent, as the festival allows designers, makeup artists, dancers, choreographers, masqueraders, calypsonians, chutney artistes and soca artistes to showcase their skills. Local vendors would also miss out on an opportunity to cash in on the demands of thirsty, hungry and sometimes tired ‘feters.’

Although this year there will be no float parade, Mashramani is still Guyana’s greatest national party and street picnic. It is not only an event for revelry, but one that brings together friends

and families. Mashramani has truly become a national event that breathes life into the country, and Guyanese at home and abroad look forward to participating in its celebrations.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Mashramani is an Amerindian word which means “celebration after cooperative work.” In 1966, when Guyana became an independent nation, the first-ever Mashramani celebration was held in the mining town of Linden and was dubbed the Independence Carnival.

However, in 1970, when Guyana became a republic, a newly formed committee later changed the name to Mashramani.

The unique name-change only added to the excitement for residents as the first ‘Mash’ on February 23, 1970 is said to have pulled one of the largest crowds in Linden.

The event saw thousands of outsiders swarming the mining town to have a taste of the experience.

However, after realising how much attraction Mashramani was getting, a government official had several discussions with the Jaycees Republican Committee, the committee which was formed to organise ‘Mash’ in Linden, to take the event to the capital city – Georgetown.

Approval was then granted by the then President, the late Forbes Burnham for Mashramani to be a national event for the republic celebration. The approval saw ‘Mash’ activities rotated

among Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.

‘MASH IT UP, BUT MASK IT UP’ Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on the eve of Mashramani, Linden’s Regional Chairman, Deron Adams said that while Lindeners and the rest of Guyana will not be spending Mashramani with the extravagant festivities that the country has grown accustomed to, it should not stop Guyanese from making the best of the situation by spending time with family and close friends.

He said too that persons could still have their usual picnics and barbeques albeit it should be done with respect to the COVID-19 protocols that have been instituted to safeguard Guyanese from contracting or spreading the virus.

“I want to call on all Guyanese to celebrate the Republic Anniversary in a safe and responsible manner in keeping with these realizations, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens our health, and the safety of our personal space, making it important that we maintain social distancing and the other necessary protocols,” Adams said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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Flashback: In the year 1992, this reveler stole the show and won the hearts of spectators by winning one of the many costume competitions held that year

Not only Guyanese, but foreigners fully enjoyed the spirit of mash in 1992

Here the ‘mash’ spirit was caught in Guyanese fashion (1994)

It was the night before Mashramani, in the year 1999, and these designers were putting together the final touches to their costumes ‘Mash’ would not be complete without a grand family picnic; the Guyana Chronicle captured this family picnicking alongside the streets of Georgetown on Mashramani 2007

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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Mash 8: Scenes from the very first ‘Mashramani’ held in Linden 1966 along Arvida Road now known as Republic Avenue

One of the many spanking costume designs that were put on display during Guyana’s 50th Mashramani celebrations last year

Revelers setting the mood for the Mashramani parade along Main Street in 2004

Where it all began- scenes from the very first ‘Mashramani’ held in Linden 1966, along Arvida Road now known as Republic Avenue

In the year 2020, Guyana celebrated its 50th Jubilee Republic Anniversary and revelers, both young and old, took to the streets of Georgetown in celebration

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Man found burnt to death at Enmore Chinese supermarket THE Police are hunting for a suspect who set cardboard boxes on fire and threw them on a man, killing him in the process inside the compound of the Huaxin Supermarket at Beezie Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The body of the unidentified man was discovered by a 52-year-old painter, who turned up for work Monday morning at the supermarket on the northern side of the compound.

The body was clad in a multi-coloured short pants and part of a grey jersey. The police reportedly found burn marks to the upper part of the man’s body.

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed at the supermarket and buildings in the surrounding area revealed that around 02:46hrs, the victim had an argument with the suspect, during which the suspect pushed him to the ground and he became unconscious.

The suspect then picked up some empty cardboard boxes, went to where the man was lying and set them on fire, after which he rode away from the scene on his bicycle.

The victim’s body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting identification and a post-mortem as an investigation continues.

Vaccines, filaria tablets not linked to cop’s death - Health Minister says

Dead: Rockliff Cozier

THE two vaccines and filaria tablets taken by Police Constable Rockliff Cozier did not seemingly contribute to his death, as per the preliminary findings of the Post-Mortem Examination (PME), Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has revealed.

On Monday, the Health Minister clarified that the constable did not receive two doses of the varicella vaccine for chicken pox, as was previously reported.

Instead, it was made known that the constable received one varicella vaccine and one pneumococcal vaccine.

While preliminary information from the PME has shown that taking the vaccines and the pills together did not contribute to Cozier’s death, Dr. Anthony said he is awaiting the completed autopsy report.

According to reports, Cozier, who was infected with chickenpox and was stationed at the Regional Police Division #4 ‘B’, died around

18:15hrs at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Earlier in the day, he took two vaccines and his filaria pills, which were distributed to every officer at the station as part of the Health Ministry’s Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to eliminate malaria from Guyama.

It was further reported that he was placed in incubation, during which he had a relapse, suffered two seizures and subsequently passed away. Subsequently, an investigation was launched to determine the cause of Cozier’s death before any pronouncement was made.

The team undertaking the investigation includes persons from the Pan-American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO). Recently, however, the minister posited that ingesting the pills are not expected to cause such an adverse reaction.

The man’s burnt body was found inside the Huaxin Supermarket compound

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

MP Chandan-Edmond makes ‘dubious claim’ on budget consultation MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for the opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, Geeta Chandan-Edmond has claimed that the tradition of consultation with the political opposition was missing in Budget 2021, even though the coalition has refused to recognise Dr Irfaan Ali as the legitimately elected President.

During the budget debate, which commenced Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Chandan-Edmond said: “I stand on the shoulders of

those who continue to support the coalition, I stand here to represent more than half of the Guyanese population.”

Noting that the budget is expected to forecast the big picture with a clear overarching strategy to bring relief to citizens, the MP claimed that budget 2021 budget is no different from the 2020 budget.

“The nation expected measures that were relevant, targeted, and proportionate to cushion the effects of the pandemic,” she said, adding: “This budget is no different from 2020 budget.”

Chandan-Edmond said

had the APNU+AFC been consulted, the budget would have been better for the people of Guyana.

The coalition has so far refused to recognise President Dr Irfaan Ali and his government as being legitimately elected. An invitation that was extended to former President David Granger to attend a meeting of former Presidents was turned down.

President Ali has always maintained that until the opposition recognises him as legitimately elected then he would not engage them.

Several small parties had met with the President to make their contributions to

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond making her contribution to the debate on Budget 2021

the budget.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had noted that the $383.1 billion budget was financed with no new taxes and Guyana’s economy is expected to grow by 20.9 per cent this year.

This, he said is following the growth of 43.5 per cent recorded in 2020, despite the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s protracted elections.

He said with the growth in the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pegged at

20.9 per cent, the growth in the non-oil sector is pegged at 6.1 per cent.

This growth, he noted will be made possible through developments primarily in the agriculture, manufacturing and mining sectors.

Cousin allegedly slashes fisherman’s throat during birthday celebration A BIRTHDAY celebration for a Rosignol, East Bank Berbice family turned deadly on Sunday when a fisherman took a knife and allegedly slit the throat of his 25-year-old cousin.

Dead is Reaz “Nicholas” Mohamed, of Lot 1 Section ‘A’ D’ Edward Village, West Bank Berbice. The murder occurred around 18:30hrs at Mohamed’s home during a birthday celebration for his sister, which started on Saturday and continued into Sunday evening.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Mohamed became angry after the music was turned off; he hurled expletives at his father and behaved disorderly.

As such, his father, 50-year-old Farouk Mohamed warned him to desist.

But the younger Mohamed, who is a fisherman, became more enraged and attacked

Dead: Reaz Mohamed

his father during which two of his male cousins intervened.

The cousin, the suspect, repeatedly asked Mohamed to “behave” himself but he (Mohammed) continued his tirade against his father.

“The suspect then became annoyed and armed himself with a knife. He then allegedly slit the throat of the

deceased (cut to the neck) and made good his escape,” Police Headquarters noted in a statement.

The police were contacted and they escorted Mohamed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, his sister, Reniza Grant, does not believe that the murder was premeditated.

“They never had major issues before. It was not a deliberate something, they just scramble and everything just go wayward,” Grant told reporters.

She added, “My brother was loving and caring; just that he likes his music, he loves to enjoy. He loves music and music got him into this. They were all drinking and enjoying.”

An investigation is underway and the search continues for the suspect.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

No Paper trail for 2017/2018 SLED money

By Tamica Garnett THE Ministry of Labour has reached out for assistance from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MoLGRD) to source documents that recorded the $250 million that was disbursed under the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme in 2017 and 2018.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, explained that while his ministry was able to source documents for the 2019 disbursements from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS), documents detailing how much money was given to each respective entity in 2017 and 2018 cannot be found.

Hamilton said he only received documentation indicating which entities received monies under the SLED programme.

“We have information about 2017 and 2018, but what I have for 2017 and 2018 are the name of the co-ops, the regions, and the point persons. As regards the money, we are unable to find how much money they each got; so we have millions unaccounted for on paper. So we have sought

the help from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Local Government,” Minister Hamilton relayed.

Since the money came under a government funded programme, it is hoped that the Finance Ministry has records for how the money was paid out. While the projects were also community-driven, much of the disbursements were filtered through the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs); Hamilton hopes documentation would therefore present itself at those agencies as well.

“There was a lot of co-mingling and intermingling. There was money being disbursed under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for sports projects.

In some cases, money was utilised from the [MoHSSS] Difficult Circumstances Programme (DCP), where it was passed off as SLED. But the money under the DCP specifically speaks to what it should be disbursed for,” Hamilton related.

An initiative aimed at business and job creation in communities across the country, the SLED programme was set up in 2015 under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government. The programme provided funding to individual persons or organisations for the support of entrepreneur-

ial activities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, livestock and apiculture.

A total of $760 million was disbursed under the SLED programme from 2015 to 2020 in increments of $115 million, $40 million, $100 million, $150 million, $250 million and $105 million, respectively.

The capital programme was first catered for under the then Ministry of Communities, but was later transferred to the then Ministry of Social Protection. In, 2020, it was transferred to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. In that same year, after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office in August, the Ministry of Labour began an assessment of the monies disbursed, and how the projects from previous years have impacted community development. A special audit on the programme is also being carried out by the Audit Office, after several irregularities in the issuing system was detected in the 2019 disbursements.

From the physical assessments conducted by the ministry of the 2019 projects in Region 10, several alleged instances of ‘fraud’ and ‘criminality’ are said to have been detected. Several of the business ventures were done under co-op societies, however, it was discovered that several of the co-ops were

NGO targets Blood Bank deficiencies A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION (NGO), Youths on the Rise Guyana, will be targetting the perpetual need for blood at the Blood Bank, through its annual blood drive and medical outreach.

The activity, which is slated for February 27, 2021, will be conducted at the Summertime Travel Agency located at the Lucky Dollar building, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Members of the group believe that this activity is especially necessary because the presence or absence of blood at a crucial moment means life or death for a patient. Blood is used for elective surgeries, as well as emergency surgeries, especially in motor vehicular accidents and for victims of crime. It is required for treating patients suffering from cancer, bleeding disorders, chronic anaemia associated with cancer, sickle cell anaemia, and other hereditary

Co-Founder and Director of Youths on the Rise Guyana, Sasha Rawof

blood abnormalities.

Blood is also life-saving in the maternal and child health department for complicated deliveries.

“Remember that when you decide to roll up your sleeves and sit down in that chair to give blood, know with certainty that you are making a major difference in your life and most importantly saving the life of a patient,” Co- Founder and Director for Youths on the Rise Guyana, Sasha Rawof,

said in a recent statement.

Youths on the Rise Guyana was founded in 2018 by a group of young people, who share a common goal of promoting youth development and doing humanitarian work to benefit families from communities throughout the country.

“Our aim is to involve youths in community and developmental work as well as create sustainable projects and opportunities for less fortunate individuals,” Rawof said.

The organisation’s work encompasses social projects, training opportunities, human and infrastructural development, medical assistance, domestic violence awareness, educational and recreational activities, among other things.

All of their activities and events are mostly self-funded or sometimes supported by sponsorship from members of the private sector.

The abandoned community centre and ICT hub in West Watooka, where an alleged $2.2 million was given for the rearing of meat birds (DPI photos)

not registered with the coops division of the Labour Ministry.

Further, most of the projects assessed were never completed and are not

functioning, notwithstanding all the money being disbursed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

GPHC staff involved in giving vaccine to businessman still on the job

–– Health Minister says ‘leakage’ a total breach of protocols

By Vishani Ragobeer THE senior staff member of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) who flouted protocols and

allowed a city businessman to receive a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, though vaccines are only currently being distributed to front-

line health workers, is still on the job, pending the investigation into the matter.

On Monday, during his daily COVID-19 update with the Department of Public In-

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine currently being distributed in Guyana

formation (DPI), Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, emphasised that the “leakage” of the vaccine dose is a “total breach of protocols.”

Additionally, he highlighted that an investigation into the matter has been launched with the aim of uncovering how this breach occurred and how the vaccine administration processes can be strengthened to prevent similar occurrences. The Guyana Chronicle, however, understands that the GPHC member, who has been fingered in the breach of protocols, remains on the job as no decision has been made about what punitive actions will be taken.

Communications Manager of the GPHC, Chelauna Providence also told this newspaper that an investigation is underway, but highlighted that the situation is “complex”. On Sunday, Providence confirmed that a senior member of staff did make the arrangement for this person to get the vaccine without the staff, who had to administer it, knowing that the businessman was not a member of staff.

Previously, this newspaper was told that various heads of department were tasked with collecting the names of staff members who were interested in getting the vaccines meant to immunise

against COVID-19. That list was then submitted to the Deputy Head of Medical Services, Dr. Keshant Samaroo, who has oversight for the vaccination rollout at the hospital.

When the health workers go to the vaccination site, they go through a registration and education process. They are given a vaccination card, which is particularly important, since this is a two-dose vaccine and the second dose will be administered at about eight to twelve weeks after the first dose is administered.

Vaccination is not mandatory, but first preference is being given to those frontline health workers who are at a greater risk of contracting the virus. But, it seems as though the system devised at the GPHC was what enabled the senior staff member to include the businessman in the list to receive the first dose of the vaccine.

“Something like this is not what we envisioned would happen… We didn’t really envision that a senior member of staff would go against protocol in such an arrangement,” Providence emphasised on Sunday.

Cocaine trafficker excretes 25 of 73 pellets THE 23-year-old woman who was caught with cocaine wrapped in condoms inside her vagina, has excreted 25 of 75 cocaine-filled pellets.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the young lady excreted 20 of the pellets at the weekend and another five on Monday morning. She remains hospitalised.

Police arrested the woman at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday last, after a search on her body revealed that she was carrying a stuffed condom filled with cocaine.

The condom and its contents were later extracted from her vagina. Police Headquarters had noted that

The condom filled with cocaine that was retrieved from the woman

the suspect, who was booked on Caribbean Airlines flight #BW 215 destined for Barbados, was requested to be searched after she was observed acting suspiciously.

Police said a physical search was done and she

passed out the bulky package. She was also questioned and admitted to swallowing 73 cocaine pellets.

She was arrested and taken to a hospital to excrete the cocaine-filled pellets.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Regional Chairman, Sheik Ayube, and other officials take the salute in front of the RDC compound

Flag-raising ceremony held in Region Three A FLAG-RAISING ceremony, in honour of Guyana’s 51st Republic Day anniversary, was held on Monday in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara and saw the attendance of approximately 140 persons.

The ceremony was attended by Regional Chairman, Sheik Ayube; Vice Chairman, Omesh Satyanand; Regional Executive

Officer, Jagnarine Sumra; Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts and others. The feature address was delivered by the Regional Chairman followed by the hoisting of the Golden Arrow Head by Police Corporal 21131 Thomas.

The march past parade was led by Assistant Superintendent Williams and included a platoon of police and fire service ranks. The salute was taken by the Regional Chairman.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Hinterland, rural regions will not be the last to receive COVID vaccines

–– Health Minister assures

By Vishani Ragobeer AS the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19

are being distributed to frontline health workers at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) and at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has given assurance that hinterland and rural regions will not be the last to receive the vaccines.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Anthony highlighted that the ministry is currently expanding the vaccination infrastructure across the country and adding new sites to ensure that the rollout of these

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

vaccines is done as efficiently as possible. He also noted that freezers and refrigerators are being added to many of the regional hospitals and health centres, since these are needed to keep the vaccines at the required cold temperature.

For hinterland and rural communities, specifically, the Health Minister highlighted that cold-storage boxes have been secured to allow for the transportation of the vaccines to the sometimes far-flung villages. Dry ice is used in these ice boxes to keep the vaccines cool while they are being transported.

Importantly, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine does not need to be stored in ultra-cold chain storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This makes it easier to distribute in far-flung communities across the country.

And as such, the Health Minister affirmed, “The hinterland and rural communities would be receiving vaccines on par with what is happening on the coastland.”

Additionally, Dr. Anthony noted that 35 teams of five persons each have been trained to assist with the vaccination rollout across the country.

“We have a very robust system that we’ve put in place and once those vaccines start coming in large numbers, we’ll be able to deal with that,” Minister

Anthony affirmed, adding: “All of that we have already prepared and able to rollout the vaccines at that scale.”

Widespread vaccination has been touted as the exit strategy fpr the pandemic.

Through vaccination, the population would be able to move towards herd immunity, which means that once about 80 per cent of the adult population is immunised, transmission of the virus would be significantly constrained.

Recently, President Dr. Irfaan Ali highlighted that the government is trying to ensure that the entire population is vaccinated by the end of 2021. As such, Guyana has been trying to secure vaccines from several sources.

The Government of China has already committed to donating 20,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to Guyana, while Guyana is set to receive significant quantities of vaccines from the global vaccine alliance, COVAX; the African Union and through purchasing from vaccine manufacturers themselves.

When asked if vaccinating the population by year-end is a realistic goal, Dr. Anthony highlighted: “It’s very realistic and not only is it realistic, but it is also our plan to get all of the persons who are eligible to be vaccinated by the end of the year.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Police will continue to build bridges

27

…says Deputy Top Cop THE Guyana Police Force, on Saturday, took its latest outreach to the Caledonia/ Good Success Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Second Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, where Deputy Commissioner of Police - Operations (ag), Clifton Hicken, committed to working with residents and to alleviate their concerns.

During the 90-minute interaction, residents asked whether qualified persons within the council, and in the community, could be facilitated to serve as rural constables.

In response, the deputy top cop instructed that with immediate effect, an officer would be identified to interview persons who were “interested in being full-time rural constables and members of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs), bearing in mind that background checks have to be done to be sure that nothing untoward exists.”

Hicken told the residents: “I am in agreement that if you are living in a community, you must be able to police your community. It’s simple as that.

And as long as I’m around, the police will continue to build bridges, and not put up walls and barriers.”

Another request that was granted was for police presence at NDC meetings – something that one councillor claimed happened on only two occasions. As such, the Deputy Commissioner told the councillor that he should demand, and not ask, whether the police could be present at those meetings.

“Let me first put the structure in its perspective. There’s a Regional Intelligence Committee meeting that is chaired monthly, in conjunction with the Regional Chairman, the councillors, the mayor, and the rest of it. Deriving from that is a subset, so we can very well attend your meeting to have information on a particular community…or communities.”

Divisional Commander, Linden Isles, who was also present at the meeting, was tasked with getting a schedule of the meetings, and advised that “no less than an officer should attend.”

Meanwhile, another resident noted that while there are frequent patrols traversing the East Bank corridor, they do not enter the various villages, especially Land of Canaan.

“We touched on Land of Canaan, and I have my concerns and interests in Land of Canaan too, for many reasons.

But I just want to say from the outset…the Guyana Police Force, like any other organisations, cannot have or be allocated all the resources that we need. However, this type of community nature, this type of partnership approach, will offset this type of shortage that you’re talking about,” Hicken said.

He continued: “So, we will try to have patrols in Land of Canaan, like every other community, based on a priority arrangement. In the interim, we’re going to fuse the police and the CPGs from Land of Canaan and these communities, so that we don’t need a police patrol per se. All we’ll need is a police rank to authenticate the CPG patrol, and by extension, it’s going to be more effective, because only you know your neighbourhood.”

It was highlighted by a member of the audience that the majority of robberies were being perpetrated by youths on motorcycles and bicycles, to which the Deputy Commissioner pointed that a successful campaign targeting those modes of transportation and ownership, etc., would be intensified in all the hotspots in the various divisions.

He also made a plea to the community’s elders to join with the police in harnessing the talents of the susceptible youths, and provide them with the requisite moral compass, irrespective of whether there was any familial relationship.

“And as we’re on youths, Commander, please cause the police to identify vulnerable youths and start back the vocational skills training, so that they could find something constructive to do. Idle brains, idle hands commit acts of crime…we can prevent that. It doesn’t have to be your son or your daughter; if you observe that unethical behaviour is prevailing, step in…bring some degree of morals. It’s not what you say, but how you say it!”

Hicken emphasised.

He added: “If a child is going to be abusive and you are going to be abusive, you’re adding fuel to the fire. You must step back and understand that that could’ve been your son or your daughter. Do unto others as you’d like others do unto you, and in doing so, we

can start a new journey.”

The Deputy Commissioner also insisted that the divisional officers and ranks familiarise themselves with the communities and its residents. He said that without fail, there would be walkabouts from now on.

Deputy Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken ,at the head table with other senior officers at the Caledonia/Good Success NDC during the meeting with residents

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Joseph, Hetmyer fire Jaguars to easy win NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Keon Joseph’s new-ball burst and Shimron Hetmyer’s flamboyant unbeaten half-century, ensured Guyana Jaguars swept aside Windward Islands Volcanoes with ease in the final preliminary round match of the Regional Super50 Cup here yesterday.

Chasing just 154 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium after fast bowler Joseph had wrecked Volcanoes with a four-wicket haul, Jaguars stormed to a nine-wicket win inside 29 overs, courtesy of Hetmyer’s 67 not out.

The victory was the fourth of the tournament for Jaguars who finished second in the standings on 16 points behind the unbeaten Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, while Volcanoes ended third on eight points.

While the contest was of academic interest especially with both teams already qualified for the next round, it served as a prelude for

Thursday’s second semi-final which will see the two sides clashing again.

Choosing to bat first, Volcanoes were bundled out for 153 off 45 overs with Emmanuel Stewart top-scoring with 46 off 82 deliveries and Barbadian Kevin Stoute hitting 41 from 72 balls.

But the innings was never stable after Joseph (4-24), in his second match of the tournament, wiped out the top order in a lethal early burst that sent Volcanoes tumbling to 22 for four in the ninth over.

Joseph struck twice in the morning’s first over when he had Andre Fletcher caught at cover by Imlach of the first legitimate delivery without a run on the board and then removed captain Sunil Ambris for two with the final ball of the over.

Tottering on four for two, Volcanoes lost Alick Athanaze for seven in the fifth over, bowled by Joseph, and Roland Cato followed in the

ninth over without scoring, whipping the same bowler to Hetmyer at short mid-wicket.

Stewart and Stoute then patched up the innings in a 60-run fifth wicket partnership, before Keron Cottoy (27) joined Stewart to add a further 39 for the sixth wicket, as Volcanoes fought back.

While Stewart struck four fours, Stoute counted two but perished with a half-century beckoning, holing out to deep square leg after failing to keep down a slog sweep at left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie in the 27th over And the last sign of resistance disappeared once Stewart fell in the 37th over by the run out route, as the last five wickets went down for 32 runs, with Chandrapaul Hemraj (2-11) snatching the last two wickets to fall in one over with his left-arm spin.

In reply, Hemraj got Jaguars off to a flying start, lashing an up tempo 41 off 32 balls with seven fours

and a six, as he put on 62 off 58 balls for the first wicket with Imlach who was unbeaten on 37 from 80 balls at the end.

The left-handed Hemraj had drilled off-spinner Athanaze to the cover boundary off the previous delivery when he played back and was bowled by the fourth delivery of the 22-year-old’s first over and the 10th of the innings.

However, Hetmyer entered to dominate the remainder of the run chase, belting three fours and four sixes in a swift 60-ball knock, as he added 93 in an unbroken second wicket stand with Imlach.

The West Indies lefthander raced to his second fifty of the tournament off 46 balls in the 22nd over by sweeping Athanaze to the fine leg boundary, but it was Imlach who struck the winning runs when he pulled a rank long hop from leg-spinner Cottoy to the ropes at mid-wicket.

Agro Services-Amazon Planx Golf tourney rated a success THE Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) has gotten into their stride after hosting their second tournament of the year under the COVID-19 parameters.

On Sunday, the club held the Agro Services and Amazon Planx Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course where 32 players turned out to compete in the medal-play format event.

Topping the charts was Mahendra Harry with a gross 78 HC (Handicap) - 14 net 64, while in second was Anand Persaud with gross 92 HC - 26 net 66; third place went to Rakesh Harry who ended with gross 84 HC - 13 net 71 and fourth was Guillermo Escaraga who accumulated gross 88 HC - 17 net 71.

On his way to victory, the Lowest Gross award went to Mahendra, the Nearestto-the pin was won by Mike Mangal and the Longest

Drive winner was Tom Watkins.

Sharing his sentiments at the conclusion of play was Secretary of the LGC, Chet Bowling, who said, “In terms of what it feels like to host another tournament, I feel excited. We see more companies coming forward and we are actively looking, engaging various business associations to partner with, to bring golf to their members.”

He continued: “What’s next for us is that next Saturday we will be hosting a tournament sponsored by Suresh JagMohan Construction Services. The COVID situation is still a concern but we see things moving forward; the executive is actively discussing the Guyana Open which usually sees a lot of overseas players - from the USA, Suriname and other Caribbean countries.”

Meanwhile, president

of the LGC, Patanjilee Persaud, thanked the sponsors and players for their continued support.

One of the tournament sponsors, Amazon Planx, is a complete wood- processing facility with products which range from logs to moulded products such as base board, groove and tongue, lap-edge, crown mouldings, deck boards, and a wide variety of lumber as they also have facilities for kiln-dried lumber.

The other major sponsor was Agro Services Inc which is one of Guyana’s leading quality suppliers of bulk, whole and processed fresh fruits and vegetables.

The company was recently acknowledged by the GMSA for ‘Emerging Entrepreneurship’ with a product of a consistent quality. The also specialise in a number of additional agricultural development specialisations.

‘Our requests were not met by the GCB’, says Christiani

By Rajiv Bisnauth

SECRETARY of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Otto Christiani, has indicated that the board’s request as it relates to the county’s participation in the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Female Inter-County tournament were not met by the local governing body.

In light of this, the GCB withdrew the team’s participation from the tournament, a decision the ECB executives felt was uncalled for.

“It is impossible for the team to travel from as far as Charity to LBI daily to play the same day using public transportation all the way, which would mean leaving Charity at 04.00am and returning at approximately 09.00pm,” Christiani noted in a statement he sent to Chronicle Sport yesterday.

The secretary further added

that with such travelling, it is not only physically demanding, but dangerous, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our Under-19 players had to endure this very schedule which was physically demanding... we are talking now about females who would feel the physical effects even more. Night travelling on the river is always dangerous, more so at this time when the water is very rough. The more you travel using public transportation, the more susceptible you are to pick up the COVID virus. Mind you, COVID is the reason for not making the GCB’s Hostel available”, he said in the statement.

Christiani also mentioned that Essequibo had a squad in training under Coach Nankishore Andrews and Manager Debra Daniels.

The squad, he expressed, played Essequibo Eagles Male Under-19 in a practice game on

February 13 and were scheduled to have extended training sessions on February 20 and 21, prior to their participation in the Inter-County tournament.

However, according to the ECB secretary, the GCB was fully aware of this, nevertheless has opted not to grant our requests, but instead removed our team from the tournament. “That’s our caring GCB”, Christiani noted.

Meanwhile, Territorial Development Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board, Colin Stuart, in an invited comment on the issue at hand, revealed that the teams were informed on the conditions under which the tournament will be played with consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Stuart, a former Guyana and West Indies fast bowler, also indicted that those teams who are willing to play with the measures the GCB setout remain in the tournament.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Powell urges massive improvements from Scorpions despite wins ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Back-to-back victories for Jamaica Scorpions have not blinded captain Rovman Powell to the glaring issues facing his side ahead of Wednesday’s first semi-final against favourites Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Scorpions lost the first three games of their Super50 campaign before wrapping up with wins against Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Barbados Pride, to book their place in the final four but Powell said improvements were needed in all departments.

“The discussion is we can’t be dropping simple catches and we can’t be fielding like how we’re fielding, and also the batting is of some concern,” was Powell’s frank assessment following Sunday’s thrilling 51-run victory over Pride at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

“The middle order, the top order, we have to start trying to get a start, work harder to get a

start up top and then the middle order can come to the party.”

He added: “It’s a semi-final so we can’t leave it there.

We still have to go back to the drawing board and see if we can get into the finals.”

Defending a modest 218, Scorpions got a magnificent six-wicket haul – including a hat-trick – from part-time off-spinner Andre McCarthy to rout Pride for 167 in the 42nd over.

But not for the first time, their batting failed miserably, slumping to 87 for eight before number 10 Odean Smith smashed an unbeaten 68 and staged two last ditch half-century stands to rescue the innings.

The match was a virtual repeat of Friday’s contest against Hurricanes when Scorpions successfully defended 220.

They were down and out at 135 for nine but were rallied by an 85-run, last wicket stand between Fabian Allen (44) and

Sri Lanka’s new bowling coach Chaminda Vaas quits ahead of Windies tour

Chaminda Vaas retired from Test cricket in 2009

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new fast bowling coach quit on Monday within days of his appointment and compounding problems for the national team on the eve of their virus-hit tour of the West Indies.

Former Test player Chaminda Vaas, who on Friday replaced Australian David Sekar, resigned over a pay dispute and will not travel with the team to the Caribbean, the cricket board said.

Sri Lanka Cricket said it was “disheartening” that Vaas had made the “sudden and irresponsible move on the eve of the team’s departure based on personal monetary gain”.

I made a humble request to SLC and they turned it down.

That’s all I can say at the moment.Justice will prevail!

The sudden exit of Vaas, 47, came as fast bowler Lahiru Kumara tested positive for coronavirus on Monday and dropped out of the team.

The tour was due to start on Saturday, but postponed after top order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and head coach Mickey Arthur were infected with Covid-19 earlier this month.

However, the duo have recovered and will join the tour, according to the board.

There was no immediate comment from Vaas about his decision to step down. He is the most successful Sri Lankan fast bowler, taking 355 wickets in 111 Tests and 400 scalps in 322 one-day internationals.

He retired from Test cricket in 2009, a year after ending his ODI career.

The cricket board had said Vaas replaced Sekar who had cited “personal reasons” to quit the job that he undertook in December 2019 but the 54-year-old has not yet commented publicly.

Sri Lanka are set to leave for the West Indies for two Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches. (AFP)

Jeavor Royal (38).

Only two of their specialist batsmen – Brandon King and McCarthy – have scored fifties in the competition, a statistic Powell acknowledged had to improve.

“We showed in the bowling department that we are a capable unit so it’s for myself and the other capable batters in the middle order to start scoring runs.”

However, Powell explained

Tail-ender Odean Smith rallied the Scorpions innings against Barbados Pride with a superb unbeaten half-century

“It’s for the key batters to buckle down and start putting scores on the board,” he urged.

that the form of the lower order had not been by accident, with plenty work having gone into

their batting behind the scenes.

“They’re doing very well in the nets,” Powell revealed.

“We reinforced the batting by placing them lower down because we realise that when Jamaica do well in 50-over cricket it is the lower half that generally score the runs and not the top half.

“That’s an interesting stat that we revisited in our team chat and realised that the lower half is as important as the top half.”

Needing to win Sunday’s decisive game to reach the semis, Scorpions seemed on their way out of the tournament with Pride well placed on 141 for two in the 29th over.

But McCarthy and leftarm spinner Allen combined to take the last eight wickets for 26 runs as Pride suffered a stunning collapse.

“To be honest, we believed [we had enough]. We believed Barbados let go of the game when they let us score so much runs in the

back end,” Powell pointed out.

“We just took that. Cricket is about momentum and we took that going into our bowling display and I think it was a total team effort.

“We knew if we could bat close to the 50 overs we would get a score that we could defend. If we got close to the 50 overs we would get close to 200 runs and once we got that we could make a game of it.”

The West Indies all-rounder also said there had been no specific instructions to McCarthy before he entered the attack.

“I just give him the ball and told him to do what [he normally does], to find some wickets for us and if he can find a breakthrough or two then he can start building some pressure,” Powell said.

“Six for 16 doesn’t happen all the time and to see it come up in such a tough game like this is very, very special.”

Conway hits 99 not out as New Zealand win first T20 DEVON Conway’s unbeaten 99 off 59 balls helped New Zealand thrash Australia by 53 runs in the opening Twenty20.

Playing only his sixth T20 international, left-handed Conway helped the hosts recover from 19-3 to post 184-5 in Christchurch.

Australia slumped to 19-4 as Tim Southee and Trent Boult shared four wickets in the first five overs.

They were bowled out for 131 with 2.3 overs unused, with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi claiming 4-28.

Victory was only New

Zealand’s second in nine attempts against Australia in T20 cricket.

However, the tourists

were without several firstchoice players because a Test tour of South Africa later postponed because of

Devon Conway hit 10 fours and three sixes

coronavirus concerns - was scheduled to be taking place at the same time as the T20s.

The five-match series continues on Thursday in Dunedin.

Conway, who was born in South Africa, averages 91 in T20s for New Zealand after scores of 41, 65 not out, five, 63 and now 99 not out since making his debut in November.

He made 69 not out, 91 not out and 93 not out in his successive T20 innings for domestic side Wellington before this match. (BBC Sport)

Short-pitched bowling ‘core part of cricket’ - World Cricket Committee

The MCC’s World Cricket Committee says shortpitched bowling is a “core part of the game” as lawmakers prepare to begin a consultation on whether the law relating to such deliveries is fit for modern cricket.

The law currently permits bouncers up to head height, with anything above head height deemed a no-ball.

The review follows an

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increase in research into concussion in sport in recent years, with Premier League football beginning a trial for concussion substitutes this month.

The final proposal and recommendations, for a change or not, will be decided by the MCC Committee in December 2021.

The World Cricket Committee, which is funded and

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administered by the MCC and chaired by former England captain Mike Gatting, recently discussed the issue in a video conference call and was “unanimous that shortpitched bowling is a core part of the game, particularly at the elite level”.

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and agreed to provide feedback during the consultation, which begins in March.

The consultation will consider such issues as whether concussion should be recognised as a different injury to any other sustained, and if lower-order batsmen should be given further protection than the laws currently allow. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Djokovic’s ‘sublime 9’ a statement to the chasing pack

By Reuters Staff SYDNEY (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic’s “unbelievable” performance to win his ninth Australian Open final was a statement to the young guns looking to break the stranglehold of the “Big Three” on Grand Slam titles, according to seven-times major winner Mats Wilander.

Arguments over which of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Djokovic are the greatest men’s champion of all time might rage long after they hang up their rackets, but at Melbourne Park’s Rod Laver Arena the Serbian is in a class of his own.

Djokovic on Sunday brushed aside a month of controversy and a painful muscle tear in his abdomen to thrash Russian young gun Daniil Medvedev in straight sets and extend his own record for titles won on the famous blue carpet.

“Brilliant work on another Australian title,” Rod

Laver, the Australian after whom the stadium court is named, said in message to Djokovic on Twitter.

brightest of the younger talents looking to break into the Grand Slam winners’ circle in Melbourne this year and

Novak Djokovic won the Australain Open tennis title on Sunday

“Under so much pressure in such difficult times. You continue to show the world what a great champion you are. There was no doubt in your mind tonight - Daniil felt the full force of your will. Sublime 9!”

Medvedev was the

reached the final on the back of a 20-match winning streak that included victories over the best players in the game.

The 25-year-old Russian was made to look plain ordinary by Djokovic in the final, however, as the Serbian showcased his incred-

ible mental strength and a bewildering array of shots.

“It was an unbelievable performance,” Swede Wilander told Eurosport.

“That’s a huge statement to (the next generation), to us, to the whole world. Novak is just so complete these days, he can hit those little drop shots, he can come to the net, he’s got choices.”

Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick was not always a big fan of Djokovic the man - once almost coming to blows with him in the dressing room - but was left in awe of his performance at Melbourne Park.

“Djoker is so good,” the American posted on Twitter. “He’s routined great, great players at the Aussie Open over the years. There is nowhere to attack him on the court.

It’s like not being able to hit a boxer, but that boxer also has knockout power in both hands. Props.”

CWI pays tribute to former Vice-president Clarvis Joseph CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has paid tribute Clarvis Joseph, who passed away on Saturday. Joseph was a former Vice-president of the West Indies Cricket Board from 1999 to 2001.

He was an outstanding servant and leader of cricket in Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades and played a major role in the development of the game and players.

He was also the driving force behind the relocation of CWI’s headquarters from Barbados to Antigua in 1996.

In a statement, CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “CWI has learnt of the passing today of Clarvis Jo-

Former Vice-president Clarvis Joseph

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Tuesday, February 23, 2021 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Charles Bannerman-166 (AUST vs ENG, Melbourne, 1877) George Headley-223 (WI vs ENG, Jamaica, 1930 TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) How many ODIs the WI & Sri Lanka have contested against each other to date?

(2) How many the WI have won?

ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

seph, a former Vice-president of WICB (1999 to 2001). He was also a former President of both LICA and the Antigua Cricket Association. Joseph was a well-known and successful business operator, and was a former President of the Antigua Chamber of Commerce. CWI sends our deepest sympathy to his immediate and extended family. May his soul rest in eternal peace”.

Enoch Lewis, President of Leeward Islands Cricket Association said: “He was a stalwart of cricket in Antigua and Barbuda and was very instrumental in the upgrade of the Antigua Recreation Ground, which led to the hosting of international cricket on the island.

His legacy is one of development and he made sure players were given opportunities to move forward in the game.

He was an advisor and his knowledge was extensive. He served the game very well and we will all miss him. I want to express condolences to his wife and family.”

During Sunday’s Match 14 of the CG Insurance Super50 Cup the Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions as well as the match officials held a moment of silence ion honour of Joseph.

(CWI Media)

Sport Minister maintains his position on Cricket Ombudsman, GCB elections

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. has maintained that his appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman and the setting of a date for the Guyana Cricket Board elections is lawful, as stipulated under the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014.

On Sunday (February 21, 2021), lawyers representing Guyana Cricket Board Secretary and Cricket West Indies Director, Anand Sanasie, wrote the Minister, stating that he (the Minister) was only once permitted by the said Act to appoint a Cricket Ombudsman.

The letter stated: “Your recent purported appointment by Notice of 19th February, 2021 is the third such appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman by a Minister.

Your predecessors in office Dr. George Norton and Dr. Frank Anthony had done so in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Professor Winston McGowan was the first Cricket Ombudsman to have been appointed by Dr. Anthony and although he later resigned his office his appointment was never declared to be invalid. In the circumstance your appointment of Mr. Kamal Ramkarran, Attorney-at-Law as Cricket Ombudsman is unlawful and of no effect.”

The letter further questioned the period of seven days after the holding of the Demerara Cricket Board to have a Guyana Cricket Board election, noting that it “is unreasonable and does not allow the Cricket Ombudsman to carry out his statutory function of establishing and verifying a Register of Clubs before the holding of the GCB elections.”

It added, “The time frame fixed is not in accordance with the Constitution of the GCB, Schedule I of the Cricket Administration Act. The membership of the GCB has a right to and/or a legitimate expectation that a period of at least thirty (30) days would be given before the holding of any elections. Members must be allowed a reasonable period to identify delegates and contestants and to canvas support for the elections.”

Minister Ramson on Monday (February 22, 2021) acknowledged receipt of the letter and issued the following response below.

Dear Counsel, RE: APPOINTMENT OF CRICKET OMBUDSMAN & DATE FOR THE HOLDING OF GUYANA CRICKET BOARD ELECTION Your missive dated the 21st February, 2021 is hereby acknowledged and response thereto is set out hereinafter.

While it must be stated at the outset that since the restoration of the provisions of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014 and pursuant to Order of Court by Justice Fidela Corbin in Berbice Cricket Board v Fizul Bacchus et

al dated 3rd April 2019 in Action number 2018-HCDEM-CIV-FDA-1200, the capacity in which your client purports to instruct you is not recognized, paragraph two is denied and your position on the issue is incorrect as it is res judicata (see Judgement of Fidela Corbin dated 3rd April 2019 in SAYWACK V LEWIS in Action number 2018-HC-DEM-CIVFDA-808).

The Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014, the subject Minister is entitled, empowered, and obliged to appoint the Cricket Ombudsman and the date for the first election of the Guyana Cricket Board until completed. I fraternally take the liberty to direct your attention to paras 15, 26, and 27 of the judgment.

Paragraph three is denied and coupled with your missive attached to the duly appointed Cricket Ombudsman, Mr Ramkarran, if published, will be defamation and may result in the institution of legal proceedings at the appropriate time upon advisement.

Paragraph four and five are denied, and it would be inappropriate for you to seek to speak on behalf of the Cricket Ombudsman.

You would, no doubt, recall that Justice Singh set the Demerara Cricket Board election within five (5) days and the argument, inter alia, was advanced by you to the Full Court on appeal and the appeal was dismissed. In addition, I would direct your attention to para 28 in SAYWACK V LEWIS where Justice Fidela Corbin states: “There has been a failure by the Minister to appoint another Cricket Ombudsman in accordance with Section 17 for reasons unknown to this court.

The consequence is that there continues to be turbulence in the administration of cricket which does not promote the slated aim of improving and advancing cricket. This most unfortunate state of affairs will hopefully be remedied forthwith to give effect to the Act and advance its aims and objectives.”

Paragraph six is denied and premised on incorrect information. The consultation took place with the President, Vice-President, several Directors, and three officers of Cricket West Indies including the Chief Executive Officer and the Corporate Secretary.

In the interest of appreciating a wider objective, I am professionally obliged to bring your attention that the consultation issue has also been ruled on already (see judgment by Chief Justice (ag) George-Wiltshire in Mohan Singh v Marlon Williams).

I am available for any further information or assistance.

Sincerely, Honourable Charles S. Ramson MP

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021

TTCB supports Skerritt, Dr Shallow re-election THE T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) will once again be supporting the incumbent Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Rickey Skerritt and vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow when the annual general meeting (AGM) and elections of officers take place on March 28.

Skerritt, 62, and 35-year-old Dr Shallow, the current president of St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, are being nominated by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and seconded by the TTCB. Last Wednesday, veteran CWI director Anand Sanasie announced his candidacy for the position of president saying that the time is right for new ‘visionary leadership’.

However, he is yet to announce who has nominated him and who has seconded his nomi-

Ricky Skerritt

Dr.Kishore Shallow

and innovation, and despite the interruption of their programme by the COVID-19 pandemic, tangible results have already been produced in a meaningful way.

The executive believes that

gional cricket and the Wehby Report which is seen as a work in progress and which can form the basis of what is required to positively impact regional cricket.

‘Democracy prevailed,’ Foster says after date set for GCB elections

of delegates to the Cricket Ombudsman at his Lot 2 Avenue of the Republic office.

In the meantime, Singh indicted to Chronicle Sport that the DCB will submit their list of delegates to the Cricket Ombudsman sometime tomorrow. However, it is unclear if the ECB will submit their list of delegates.

GCB has been embroiled in controversy from one court battle to the next for nearly a decade now. Elections have not been held since 2012 and only last month the persons holding themselves as executive members of the body were deemed illegal by the Guyana government.

WITH elections for a legitimate Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) set to be staged this Friday at the Umana Yana, President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, said that democracy at the administrative level has prevailed.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has set February 26 as the date for the long-awaited election of the new executive of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The minister’s move stems from consultations with CWI, pursuant to the requirements of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act and on the heels of the DCB elections held last Friday.

“I think It’s 12 to 13 years

late, and it’s long overdue. I welcomed the Minister move, and as far as I am concern, democracy has won, and whoever win the elections should have the fair chance to take Guyana’s cricket to another level”, Foster said during an invited comment by Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Meanwhile, when asked if he has an interest in running for the GCB’s top post, Foster, the experienced cricket administrator said “I am not interested in the Presidency, but I am willing to serve in any other capacities...my priorities is my club (Rose Hall Town, Youth and Sports Club), and the Berbice Cricket Board, where I intent to dedicate as least two more years to Berbice’s cricket, then I will call it quit”.

from a meeting insider that the discussions centred around how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had affected cricket activities in the Caribbean and throughout the world since March 2020 and that it would be unfair to judge the performance of the CWI leadership in the context of an abbreviated term of office.

Also, the TTCB believed that notwithstanding the negative impact on cricket over the past year, several initiatives initiated by Skerritt and Dr Shallow as enunciated in their manifesto gained valuable traction but needed more time to produce the desired results.

The meeting pointed to what has been described as the “Robust 10-point Cricket First” plan which is designed to gain global competitiveness and focuses on the development of the skill and

To date, only newly-elected Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) President, Bissoondyal Singh, has expressed his desire in running for the top post.

However, Singh had said a definitive decision will be made following consultations with stakeholders.

On the other hand, Fizul Bacchus, who holds the post as the current GCB President, told Chronicle Sport over the weekend that he will confirm in the coming days his position as regards running for the GCB top post once more.

Further, according to Foster, the BCB met last evening, and through a democratic process has elected their list of delegates, which will be submitted to Guyana’s Cricket Ombudsman, Attor-

character of a new generation of cricketers. And that Skeritt and Dr Shallow have placed great emphasis on science, technology

the CWI under both officers had also made headway in addressing the concerns raised about the governance of re-

The TTCB also felt that no positive outcome can be accomplished with a change in CWI leadership presently, after a shortened tenure at this time and that the two candidates must be allowed another term to advance their goals. The local cricket officials were also unimpressed with the limited information available at the time of its meeting on the plans and objectives of the candidates who will be opposing Skerritt and Dr Shallow.

Therefore, the TTCB called for unity among the territorial boards in the face of the latest challenge being faced and is confident that with the resumption of cricket, much more will be done to elevate the status of West Indies cricket at home and abroad under the leadership of Skerritt and Dr Shallow. (TT Guardian)

By Rajiv Bisnauth

nation. His running mate for vice president is Calvin Hope, the vice president of the Barbados Cricket Board (BCB), who is also a CWI Director and like Sanasie, no announcement of nomination confirmation was provided.

However, the national executive of the TTCB met via Zoom last Friday and Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed that the main topic on the agenda was the nomination of the candidates for the positions of president and vice president of CWI. And, after close to two hours of discussion during the meeting chaired by president Azim Bassarrath, the meeting unanimously agreed to endorse the nominations of Skerritt and Dr Shallow for another two-year term at the helm of CWI. Guardian Media was told

ney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran, through the board’s lawyer.

Ramkarran has confirmed, in a notice, that County boards – Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo, have until February 25 at 16:00hrs to submit their list

r e y m t e H , h p e o s t s Jo r a u g a J fire y win s a e SEE PAGE 32

Fast bowler Keon Joseph storms in during his four-wicket burst with the new ball on Monday (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

‘Our requests were Agro Services-Amazon not met by the GCB’, Planx Golf tourney rated says Christiani SEE PAGE 32

a success

Otto Christiani

SEE PAGE 32

Colin Stuart

The top performers with their accolades at the conclusion of the Tournament

TTCB supports Skerritt, Dr Shallow re-election Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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| TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021