Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-12-2021

WEDNESDAY 1st December, 2021

' No.106562

Paving of Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue 98 per cent complete

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World Bank: Guyana has been very caring to citizens during pandemic

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On Tuesday, Barbados celebrated its 55th Anniversary and its inaugural Republic Day, which saw Sandra Mason becoming the island’s first President (Photos courtesy of Visit Barbados and CGTN) see story on page 5

Guyana pledges unwavering support 02 to world's newest Republic, Barbados PAGE

President Ali departs from 03 No decision taken by PAC Granger-era COVID-19 measures to merge audit reports 03 PAGE

Over half of Guyana’s adult female population –– government members say exposed to violence 08 PAGE

–– redirects power to Central Board of Health

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Guyana pledges unwavering support to world's newest Republic, Barbados PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has committed Guyana’s unwavering support to the first President of Barbados, Sandra Mason, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley, as the island-nation progresses as a new republic.

On Tuesday, the Republic of Barbados celebrated its 55th Anniversary and its inaugural Republic Day, which saw Mason becoming the island’s first President.

President Ali, in official letters to both Mottley and Mason, emphasised Guyana’s commitment and support for Barbados.

“As Barbados embarks upon its new status as a republic, I assure you, President Mason and Prime

President Dr. Irfaan Ali Minister Mottley and the Government and people of Barbados, of Guyana’s continued and unwavering support,” Dr. Ali said.

The President added: “Guyana salutes the Bar-

for any reason other than the rightful desire to own its Constitution and arrangements of government.

“Guyana and Barbados are joined by ties of blood, history, and friendship. Our

A scene from a ceremony to declare Barbados a Republic and inaugurate the President of Barbados, at the National Heroes’ Square (CGTN photo) badian people on this momentous transition as you seek to further consolidate political independence and nationhood. It is a tribute to the conscience and courage of your forebears who yearned for freedom in all its plenitude and stood fast against the odds.”

The Head of State also commended Prime Minister Mottley for steering the successful advancement of Barbados’s Constitution and the completion of its national independence.

As a close partner with Barbados in CARICOM, the President noted that Guyana is fully aware of the strong sense of patriotism and commitment to regionalism by the Government and people of Barbados, and rejects completely any suggestion that Barbados has adopted republic status

two countries now traverse the path of independence and integration as sister republics.

We look forward to working with you to further develop the warm and friendly ties which so happily exist between us and to strengthen the fabric of our Caribbean community,” President Ali related.

The Guyana Head of State added that while the decision by the Government and people of Barbados unties the formal constitutional connection to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it does not, in any way, diminish the high regard that is retained for The Queen, whose role as the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations is “deeply appreciated.” (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

President Ali departs from Granger-era COVID-19 measures –– redirects power to Central Board of Health

By Derwayne Wills

FOR the first time ever, since the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, the Central Board of Health (CBH) has assumed its full responsibility of issuing and managing COVID-19 regulations, taking that power away from the Minister of Health, in keeping with the 1934 Public Health Ordinance of Guyana.

Despite being a colonial era law, the Public Health Ordinance was enacted in Guyana at a time when the country was dealing with a high number of deaths because of ‘dirt diseases’ including dengue, typhoid, and yellow fever.

With President Ali’s new COVID-19 regulations gazetted Tuesday last, there has been a major shift from the way COVID-19 emergency measures were laid out in March 2020 by former President, David Granger, in favour of a grouping of government ministers only, called the National COVID-19 Task Force. The body had also come in for criticism for being exclusive.

Since coming to office in August 2020, the Dr Irfaan

Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has made the COVID-19 Task Force more inclusive, even opting to include local government representatives.

The original executive order issued by former President Granger is currently the subject of a legal challenge in the High Court, which could come up early next year.

Under the new subsidiary legislation titled “Regulations No. 10/2021 The Public Health Ordinance – (COVID-19) Emergency Measures”, the preamble acknowledges that in March 2020, the arrangements for pandemic management by former President Granger were enacted because “it was not practicable to have a meeting of the Central Board of Health”.

The former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government had initially appointed the Central Board of Health in 2015. However, after the body’s statutory limit expired in 2017, no new appointments were made.

By December 2018, the no-confidence motion had crippled the power of the

Cabinet of Ministers to act, which effectively left the Central Board of Health defunct until a legitimate government was sworn in after the conclusion of the prolonged March 2020 General and Regional Elections in August 2020.

Under the 1934 Public Health Ordinance, the Central Board of Health included the Government Medical Officer of Health as the Chief Executive Officer of the Board. The body also included representatives of the legislative body, local government, and other persons to be appointed.

The significant changes in Guyana’s political system since 1934 warrants an amendment to the law, which Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC has already signalled his intention to do so.

Dr Narine Singh, the current Chief Medical Officer, will function as the Chairman of the Central Board of Health. His signature is featured on the new gazetted regulation below President Ali’s.

Under former President Granger’s leadership, the responsibility currently held

by Singh was almost mirrored in the COVID-19 Task

No decision taken by PAC to merge audit reports –– government members say

CONTRARY to reports that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has agreed to merge audit reports from 2017, 2018 and 2019, the government members of the committee have said that there has been no decision to this effect and the matter is yet to be discussed.

In a statement, the government members related that they have taken note of an article published online by Newsroom under the caption: “PAC to merge 2017, 2018 & 2019 audit reports,” particularly statements attributed to Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira, suggesting that the PAC has somehow agreed to merge the Auditor General’s reports for several years.

“We wish to categorically state that no decision has been taken to merge any audit reports as is being suggested by Mr. Figueira. The matter was raised by Mr. Figueira at the last meeting of the PAC where he attempted to rule on the matter unilaterally, but was rebuffed by the government members of the committee,” the government members said.

The matter was placed on the agenda by the Chairman and is expected to be fiercely debated at the next meeting of the PAC on Monday, December 6, 2021.

“We, therefore, call on Mr. Figueira to withdraw his inaccurate assertions forthwith,” the government members said.

Force and briefly handed to now Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, after he exited his portfolio as Director-General at the Ministry of the Presidency, now Office of the President and into the role of Chief Executive Officer of the National COVID-19 Task Force.

Much of the regulations gazetted by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony from October 2020 to October 2021 remain the same in newly gazetted November 30, 2021, including the 12:00 hours midnight national curfew.

However, it is the Central Board of Health that must approve special concessions to persons and groups whereas that power previously sat with the Minister of Health.

Where in the past sporting events were approved by the Minister of Health, it is now the Central Board of Health which grants approval.

Likewise, where Amerindian Village Councils previously made recommendations to the Minister of Health to halt mining and forestry operations to protect their communities in public health crises, those recommendations will now go to

President Dr Irfaan Ali the Central Board of Health.

Under the new regulations, however, it is both the Ministries of Health and Public works that issue guidelines for mining operations permitted under the COVID-19 Advisory and Worksite Safety Plan for the Small and Medium Scale Mining Community. The Ministry of Health operated solo under the previous regulation.

Under the section of the regulation that deals with offences, the Minister of Health has been removed and replaced with the Central Board of Health which may now issue warnings to operators not in compliance with COVID-19 emergency measures including suspension of business operations for no more than 30 days if non-compliance continues after warning.

Just last month, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, while acting as President while President Ali was abroad, met with Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine. The Department of Public Information reported an agreement that a representative of the Georgetown City Council would sit on the COVID-19 Task Force.

Under the current structure mandated by the Public Health Ordinance 1934, the Georgetown mayor could sit on the Central Board of Health.

With the issuance of this new direction by President Ali, the COVID-19 Task Force and the Central Board of Health now exist with separate complementary functions.

The extent of the complementarity, however, is unclear for now.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Paving of Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue 98 per cent complete -contractor granted up to February 14 to complete project

PAV I N G o f t h e S h e r iff Street-Mandela Avenue, through the ongoing expansion project, is 98 per cent completed, but authorities have said that the full completion and ceremonial handing over of the infrastructure will be done by February 14, owing to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is expected that paving of the road will be completed within 48 hours, but other important works will stretch into next year.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, during an inspection of the project on Tuesday, was told that works that are yet to be completed include the installation of street lights, poles for street signs, completion of the road markings, and the installation of guard rails.

Majority of the equipment needed for those aspects of work have already arrived in Guyana with the remainder expected to arrive in the next few weeks.

“The new deadline is to accommodate COVID-19 delays only,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “We have agreed with the Inter-American Development Bank [IDB] that as a result of COVID-related delays all the other works, apart from this 600m paving, should and must be completed by 14 February, 2022.”

Notwithstanding the works remaining, Minister Edghill said that Guyanese will have a fairly completed road at least by Christmas.

During the minister’s site visit, contractors had begun the installation of the street lights, of which 325 will run along the entire seven km road.

“For Christmas, we should have a road that is facilitating swifter access, where a significant amount of street lights are already installed, signs and markings are adequately put out, bike lanes adequately demarcated and the contractor starts

dismantling and cleaning up,” Minister Edghill related.

The portion of the road that is to be completed is a stretch of Sheriff Street, next to the Lamaha Bridge, and behind the Botanical Gardens.

Edghill said that the weather and delays in shipping played major roles in affecting the completion of this project.

“Every Guyanese knows the kind of rainfall we would have had over the past few weeks. It would not have been all day rain but you cannot pave once the road is wet, so we’ve had some delays.

“And the 600m, is the last portion of paving that needs to be done and that should be completed within the next 48 to 72 hours providing that good weather prevails. So, we are on our way to practical completion,” Edghill commented.

He said that significant delay in the execution of the project under the previous government would have also contributed to changes in certain aspects, which also affected the cost.

“This project should’ve been finished years ago and the price for materials would’ve changed from then to now. We

would’ve had to hold the contractor to prices at the signing of the contract.

“We were supposed to have done a crack seal on the old road and build a new road on top. But because of the time elapsed, the road had deteriorated so badly we ended up using quantities that were more than the original bill,” Edghill related.

Funded through a US$31 million loan from the IDB, works on the Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue Expansion Project first commenced in August 2018, following the signing of a contract with Sinohydro Corporation Limited in November 2017.

Since then, the project has seen numerous delays and deadline extensions. It was initially scheduled to commence in March 2017 and be completed within a 24-month period.

Edghill said he is very satisfied with how he had been able to push the project to completion since taking over the ministry.

“I am satisfied that since I am Minister of Public Works, I got what I paid for. Members from my team are shocked, surprised and extremely pleased that we are able to get here so fast based on all the problems we have had on the project before my arrival. This is a success project, we moved mountains to get this project to where it is today,” he commented.

Once completed, the project will boast a two-lane roadway along Sheriff Street and a fourlane thoroughfare, with a central concrete median and shareduse paths along Mandela Avenue. There is also a roundabout at the intersection of Sheriff and David Streets.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, during an inspection of the Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue Project, on Tuesday (Elvin Croker photo) new for Guyana because we have never seen markings like this and this would cause some confusion,” Edghill acknowledged.

PROJECT SUSPENDED In November 2019, the project suffered a suspension after the IDB halted funding due to health and safety violations by the contractor. The project did not restart until the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office in August, last year.

Contractors installing the first of 325 light poles that will run along Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue on completion of the expansion project (Elvin Croker photo) NEW TO GUYANA Notwithstanding the Sheriff Street aspect of the project being a two lane roadway, a section of the road at the intersection with the Rupert Craig Highway is a four lane section, while several sections of the road, where there are intersections, have seen the implementation of a third, turning lane; this is a feature new to Guyana’s roadways.

Over the past few weeks many drivers have complained about the roadway markings.

And during the site visit, Minister Edghill took time to clarify some of the issues with those markings. He said that it will take Guyanese some time to get used to the new feature.

“Let me apologise. We should have done something better, in that we should have mounted a public education campaign, and I take full responsibility for not doing that. It is

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He said that going forward, more effort will be put into sensitising Guyanese about how to operate on the roadway, while markings and signage will be done along the roadway to properly direct drivers.

Edghill related that the outline of the road was, in fact, done the way it was done in order to minimise collisions and other incidents through safe, accommodating turning lanes “We have to remember that we are in an urban centre, where there are several turn offs and we have to give people access.

“And as part of the design, those facilities were put in place to ensure safety.

Looking nice is not our number one priority, people's safety is our number one priority. It is intended to ensure safety and orderly movement of traffic,” he posited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 202

Simply Barbados

By Derwayne Wills ON December 1, the dawn breaks on a new republican Barbados as that small nugget-shaped island, furthest east of the entire West Indian archipelago, redefines its independence by nixing The Queen of the United Kingdom as its constitutional head of state.

With constitutional reform still on the cards, Barbados’s new head of state, Dame Sandra Mason transitions from the role of Governor General to first President of the republic after receiving two-thirds required majority from both Houses of Parliament to become the country’s first President. Prime Minister Mia Mottley continues as the elected head of government.

The long form name of a country usually tells the type of political system operating there: The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Republic of Suriname—all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries with republican status.

But Barbados, by the wish of its leaders, will be simply called “Barbados”.

Removing Her Majesty The Queen as its ceremonial head of state is a feat not yet accomplished by many English-speaking former colonies of the oncemighty British empire now shrunken to a less direct interventionist Commonwealth of Nations still headed by the UK monarch of the day.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has political acumen. Culminating not only in the considerable majority her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) enjoys in the Barbados Parliament after grabbing every single seat contested in the country’s 2018 election as former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and his entire Democratic Labour Party (DLP) historically lost every single contested constituency.

‘Aunty Mia’ has a way with words. From international media interviews to global conferences on climate change, the world knows Mia the woman, the leader. A voice unafraid to take on

global powers during her stint as CARICOM Chairman, unafraid to say what must be said of the global south’s experience in climate change and climate financing, international financing and lending institutions, and the legacy of colonisation still manifesting in the global political and cultural economies.

Not many thought they could do it. It just didn’t seem right that Barbados—Little England—would wipe The Queen from its leadership roll call.

Former St Lucia Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony, quipped on Facebook: “for years we treated Barbados as the most anglophile nation in the Commonwealth Caribbean. We ridiculed Barbados whenever we had the opportunity.

“There is no hope for ‘Little England’ we would say. Yet, among the nations of the region, Barbados, in recent times, has chosen to be the most courageous.” Dr Anthony hopes his country will follow in the footsteps of the ‘land of the flying fish and Rihanna’.

The “Road To Republic”, as Barbados has dubbed its journey, wasn’t short on consultations, public education campaigns, and broad discourse on what this decolonization process really means for that country with a population less than all the people in Guyana’s District No. 4 (Demerara-Mahaica).

But this move to further its independence to Republic status after the country secured the right of political independence in 1966 didn’t begin under this current Mia Mottley administration. This is the ground work of Caribbean statesman and former Barbados Prime Minister, the late Right Honourable, Owen Arthur, who died in July 2020, mere months after his robust defense of Guyana’s democracy following the March 2020 general and regional elections.

Arthur was the Chairman of the electoral observer mission from the Commonwealth of Nations.

In a warm congratulatory official letter dated November 30 to the Prime Minister and people of Barbados, Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, saluted

the country’s move to republic status as the country joins Guyana in the league of republics.

The President’s letter read:

pily exist between us and to strengthening the fabric of our Caribbean Community.”

In times past, the congrat-

dos again since her first time for the country’s 1966 independence but continued to hold considerable constitutional power,

(From left) Prime Minister Mottley, Sir Garfield Sobers, President Dame Mason, Rihanna, and HRH Prince Charles stand during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square in Bridgetown, Barbados (AFP) “We salute the Barbadian people on this momentous transition, as you seek to further consolidate political independence and nationhood. It is a tribute to the conscience and courage of your forebears who yearned for freedom in all its plentitude and stood fast against the odds.

“Guyana and Barbados are joined by ties of blood, history, and friendship. Our two countries now traverse the path of independence and integration as sister Republics. We look forward to working with you to further develop the warm and friendly ties which so hap-

ulatory message of HM The Queen would have probably been read out by the Now-President herself when she served as The Queen’s official representative. This time, the Monarchy was represented in Barbados for the republic celebration by the UK’s future monarch, His Royal Highness (HRH) Charles, the Prince of Wales.

The Queen’s health status has been in-and-out of the news since the passing of her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in early 2021 just months shy of his 100th birthday.

HM has not visited Barba-

sparingly exercised throughout the nations where she still sits as constitutional monarch. Antimonarchist sentiments grow in Canada and Australia.

In a letter published on social media by HM’s representatives, The Queen’s message, typed on a Windsor Castle letterhead, read: “Over the years,

our countries have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity, and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a statement issued from his official residence and office at No 10 Downing Street, London, underscored the long relationship between the UK and the new republic and the overall value of the Commonwealth of Nations.

“Ours is a partnership built to last, as we tackle shared global challenges like the climate crisis and global recovery from the pandemic together,” the No 10 Downing Street statement said.

The transition was observed through a five-hour ceremony which saw Robyn ‘Rihanna’ Fenty, multi-Grammy winning billionaire megastar, named a National Hero of the country.

Rihanna joins slavery abolitionists, former prime ministers, and other national leaders to be styled “The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty”.

Barbados now has 10 national heroes overall who have contributed extensively to the growth of the nation. The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, an international cricket legend, and Rihanna are now the two surviving national heroes of the republic, a small island with a big place in the world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The Right to Vote THE draft of a proposal to amend the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) is already in the public domain.

Guyanese are invited to submit views on the way forward.

The main objective of the proposed amendments to the electoral laws is to examine the process from registration to the declaration of results with a view to ensuring that every step in the process is transparent and unambiguous.

With Local Government Elections on the horizon, the importance of such amendments cannot be over-emphasised, especially when seen against the background of what transpired in the last General and Regional elections. There is no way in which such elections can be credibly held with the existing laws and the present configuration of the GECOM Secretariat.

Every vote must be count-

ed and any amendment that will allow for the full transparency and accountability of every vote must be applauded.

When it comes to the transparency and accountability of the vote, every Guyanese is a stakeholder.

The vote is sacred and must not, under any circumstance, be violated. It is the sum total of individual voting preferences that ultimately determines which party forms the executive and who are elected to represent us in Parliament.

The right to vote did not come about easily. Prior to 1953, not everyone was allowed to vote. That right was limited only to the rich and the propertied class. It was not until the formation of the PPP in 1950 that pressure was intensified to have universal adult suffrage which was eventually granted just prior to the holding of the 1953 elections. It was only

then that all Guyanese, 21 years and over were allowed to vote. That was a monumental gain at the time when the expatriate class exercised enormous influence over the colonial government.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, t h e League of Coloured People (LPG) opposed the granting of universal adult suffrage. The League was an African middle class organisation which later became part of the People's National Congress (PNC) after the split of the PPP in 1955. The records will show that it was the PPP that again advocated for the voting age to be reduced from 21 to 18 years and it was the PNC that opposed the move.

But the biggest blow to the franchise took place in the 1968 elections when massive electoral fraud took place by the Burnham administration to perpetuate the life of his regime after the United Force was

kicked out of the PNC-UF Coalition government just prior to the elections. For nearly three decades the PNC rigged its way to power, making a mockery of that hard-fought right to vote.

Voting became an exercise in futility as the PNC regime used every conceivable means at its disposal to return itself to power against the wishes of the electorate.

All of that sounded familiar having regard to what transpired in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections when the APNU+AFC Coalition again attempted to return itself to power by fraudulent means.

What it did not factor in this time, however, was the changing nature of the local and international environment. The days of party paramountcy had long come to an end and the justice system was no longer subservient to the

Executive as was hitherto the case. The Cold War ended over three decades ago and there was no longer any appetite for rigged elections on the part of the international community.

Many Guyanese, especially the younger generation, saw first-hand the blatant attempt to rig elections by the APNU+AFC Coalition with the help of some rogue elements in the GECOM Secretariat.

It was quite an experience and another shameful episode which will long be remembered.

Democracy in Guyana today is much more institutionalised than in the past and it is not that easy to obtain power by fraudulent means. This does not mean, however, that we should take things for granted. The political opposition, for understandable reasons, may be reluctant to participate in the consultation process but they do have an opportuni-

ty to contribute to the process of electoral reforms.

The shadow of the past still continues to haunt it, but there is no reason why with enlightened thinking and a concern for the democratic health of the society it cannot move beyond that ugly past.

One key element of the proposed amendments is to ensure that the playing field is level when it comes to electoral outcomes. In other words, the amendments seek to ensure that no political party enjoys any advantage in terms of the electoral processes.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has already signalled his full support for any reforms intended to enhance transparency and accountability to the electoral processes.

It is now for the main political opposition to demonstrate that it is prepared to play by the rules of a fair and transparent process.

Some officers at the Georgetown Passport Office think Guyanese have time to waste

Dear editor,

IF Guyana is to make some headway in the services industry, a serious look should be taken at the services offered at some of our critical government agencies. Primarily, when we think about or speak about the services industry we think about tourism, restaurants, and other things of that nature.

Many government agencies have, for years, been chastised for the way persons desirous of conducting business are treated. My recent experience at the Georgetown Passport Office over the past few days has not only left a bitter taste in my mouth, but it has also further lessened my confidence in the professionalism of some of the persons paid to effectively serve persons on behalf of the Government of Guyana. I am therefore issuing a call to those in au-

thority to investigate the way persons visiting this critical office are advised.

For the past few days, I've been attempting to renew my daughter's passport as she is due to travel soon.

Last Thursday, before journeying there, I made several attempts to call the office on the number I got from a Google search to get some information on what documents I’d need in the absence of her father but, as is the case when calling many of these organisations, the number rang out. After calling for close to two hours I was left with no other choice but to go down there myself.

Last Friday morning I visited the passport office with the documents I had.

When I got there, the officer at the door said I would need to get a copy of her father’s ID, along with a letter of authorisation from him to process the passport. I asked the officer what should the authorisation entail and does

it have to be authorised by a Justice of Peace or a Notary.

He answered in the negative and proceeded to state what should be included in the document. He then told me that it could be written or typed but that it would have to be signed by her father.

Based on the information I was given, I left the office and proceeded to have that done. I returned later that day with the additional document and was told to take a seat inside. When I got to the counter, the officer behind the glass took my documents, examined them, and said that I would need to have the authorisation letter notarised. I became frustrated. I informed the officer that I’d asked the officer at the door if the document had to be notarised and he said no.

There was nothing I could do at that point, so I left there and proceeded to make arrangements to have the document notarised.

Documents in hand, I returned to the passport office on Tuesday afternoon only to be told that the authorisation wasn’t done correctly. At this point, two officers at the passport office had examined my documents on two separate occasions. Both of them failed to inform me that there was a specific format in which this had to be done.

I was beyond frustrated at this point because both my time and money had been wasted. The female officer at the door who collected my documents (the only one who I think acted professionally in this ordeal) went into the building to speak with a senior officer.

I assume after speaking with him, I was invited to take a seat by the female officer. When the alleged senior officer came to me, he too explained that the document was incorrectly worded and that there was a specific format in which it had to be done.

I questioned why it was that during my prior visits to the office I wasn’t advised correctly? Without any empathy, the young man basically said that he was a supervisor and that he was now advising me. While expressing my dissatisfaction about being ill-advised on several occasions, the officer said “anyone with sense can see that this document is not right and that a specimen was on the wall. You can use your phone and take a picture of it.”

Mr. Editor, because of my profession, I deal with different people with different attitudes every day.

I understand that people invest their time and resources to get things done and that expressing empathy when people’s time is wasted is important.

When the fault is on your end, the wronged should be issued an apology. At no [time] during our in-

teraction did this officer apologise for the time and resources wasted because I was ill-advised on two separate occasions by officers under his command as he claimed to be a supervisor. Moreover, to state that “anyone with sense could see that the document was wrong…” implies that the officers who examined the document before he did do not have any sense also.

Once again I am calling on those in authority to look into the way persons are advised when visiting these offices. If the people who are tasked with engaging persons on a daily basis do not pull themselves together, the organisation as a whole will continue to face heavy criticism, and the phrase ‘only in Guyana’ will always precede negative comments as a result of a bad experience.

Yours truly, Janell Cameron

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 202

World Bank: Guyana has been very caring to citizens during pandemic

HOUSEHOLDS in Guyana have benefitted from government cash transfers more than the vast majority of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, a World

bean”, pointed out that close to 80 per cent of Guyanese households have benefitted from either regular or emergency cash transfers during the pandemic.

gressive Party/Civic Government came to office some 16 months ago, it has taken a series of steps to cushion the impact of the pandemic and enhance the lives of Guyanese.

Bank and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) report has disclosed.

The report, which is the results of a regional survey titled: “An Uneven Recovery: the Impact of COVID-19 on Latin America and the Carib-

According to the report, only households in Bolivia and El Salvador have benefitted more than households in Guyana with Haiti at the bottom of the list with around three per cent.

Since the People’s Pro-

Recently, the government announced that $400 million has been set aside for a special 2021 payout to frontline workers in the health sector who have endured challenging circumstances, as they provided healthcare at the height of the

Government will not allow drilling to ruin the sustainable fishing industry Dear Editor, Fishermen complain of declining catch. In fact, in several outings some of them say there were virtually no catch. They believe and are also told that the oil industry has something to do with declining catch.

Inevitably, they are worried about the impact of the emerging oil industry on fishing industry. A lot of people, several thousand families on the coast and the river banks that are tied to the fishing industry are hurting badly. They can't make a living in fishing. They need help. It is estimated that some 30,000 jobs are tied to the fishing

industry.

Does oil-drilling and production have any link to low catch? It is well known that oil pollutants kill fish. And if fish consume oil, humans must avoid those fish because oil is poisonous to the body.

Guyana has not experienced oil spill. Therefore, oil is not a threat to fish catch. But the catch is very low or non-existent. It is imperative that studies be carried out to find out the causes of the declining catch. Also, we know the impact of oil and gas drilling on the fishing industry and on marine life and take steps to address any problems.

When I studied biology over 40 years ago for my

BSc, in my first year course I had to do lab experiments on the impact of noise (and other issues) on fish life.

The experiments showed that fish swam away with increased level of noise and or powerful wave movement. It would seem to suggest from that simple experiment that oil-drilling would impact on migratory pattern of fish.

Marine biologists also claim that the oil industry impact on fish life. So, if indeed this happens then it would explain low catch by fishermen in Guyana waters or fishing fields near drilling areas.

Scientists who claim they did studies in Ghana and Turn to page 8

COVID-19 pandemic.

A COVID-19 cash grant of $25,000 per household was also granted, resulting in the distribution of over $7.5 billion to families across all 10 of the country’s administrative regions.

Frontline workers in the health sector and the Disciplined Services also received year-end bonuses totalling $1 billion in December 2020.

All public sector employees received a one-off payment of $25,000 in December 2020, totalling $2 billion.

The monthly old-age pension was increased from $20,500 to $25,000, amounting to a total annual benefit of $4 billion for the elderly.

The government increased public assistance by 33 per cent, from $9,000 to $12,000, handing over an additional $500 million annually.

In August 2021, the government announced measures to provide a one-off grant of $25,000 to old-age pensioners, public assistance recipients, and persons living with

disabilities, benefitting some 90,000 persons to the tune of $2.2 billion. It also purchased $200 million of electricity credits for the most vulnerable households.

The Because We Care cash grant, which was taken away from public school children by the previous administration, was restored and increased to $19,000, and extended to private schoolchildren, amounting to an injection of $3.6 billion to help them get back to school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Over half of Guyana’s adult female population exposed to violence -Minister Persaud says

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Tuesday, reported that an alarming 55 per cent of Guyanese women are exposed to violence.

She made the disclosure during a panel discussion held at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Cove and John, as part of the ministry’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Minister Persaud reiterated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring essential programmes and initiatives are implemented to grapple with the growing issue.

“In our own country, the numbers remain worrying. We have 55 per cent of women who would’ve experienced some form of violence in their life, usually in a relationship setting.

“We will not rest, we will continue to work tirelessly until we manage to deliver effective, efficient services and we manage to provide the kind of support that is needed for those persons that experience violence and abuse,” Dr. Persaud said.

As a result of non-existing support systems, poor kinships and financial de-

Spreading awareness through broachers on violence (DPI photo) pendency, many victims of violence stay in life-threatening relationships, Dr. Persaud stated.

She said the ministry is engaging the public to spread awareness of the opportunities and support systems available for victims of domestic violence.

Among the initiatives

implemented to render aid is the 914-emergency tollfree hotline. The 24-hour helpline was created to propel Guyana into reporting mode and enable persons to report acts of abuse in confidentiality.

Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Spotlight Initiative Programme Officer and

attorney-at-law, Anuradha Persaud, spoke of the legal aid accessible to women and victims of violence.

According to her, statistics show that it may take a woman nine tries before she leaves an abusive relationship. However, most times that woman dies at the hands of her abuser

before the ninth attempt.

She said the law offers protection to victims of abuse.

“The Domestic Violence Act is an Act to provide protection for you. A protection order basically is an order by the court ordering the perpetrator or anybody who enables the perpetrator to stay away from you.

“There are also other things they can order them to not do, if you live in the same house, they can order them to not verbally abuse you, sexually abuse you, financially abuse you,” Persaud said.

To ensure victims who come forward are safe, the ministry trained and employed survivor advocates to provide victims with the support and help needed to overcome their experiences.

Survivor advocates are accessible to persons through the 914 hotline and have the responsibility of informing victims of their rights and services available to them.

To further assist persons, temporary housing is available through shelters and half-way homes until they are able to provide housing and basic living essentials independently.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud (DPI photo) Additionally, the ministry is set to launch a gender-based violence app, compatible with all smart phones in the coming year.

The app will send the location of persons exposed to violence or in need of help to the ministry through the 914- hotline.

The ministry will further use this period to amplify the work of the 914-hotline number as an important part of its fight against domestic violence.

Other activities planned during the 16 days of activism can be found on the ministry’s Facebook page. (DPI)

Government will not...

From Page 7 Nigerian waters said

oil-drilling did not affect the fishing industry. But

proper, authentic scientific studies are needed on the

impact of oil and gas-drilling and production as well

as oil and gas pollutants (oil spills, etc.) on fishing in Guyana waters. Is it any different from say the impact of drilling and pollutants on fishing in Trinidad, Surinam, and Venezuelan waters – all being our neighbours?

If the fishing industry is affected, some suggests shutting down oil operations. That is not the solution. However, everyone tied to the fishing industry should receive some form of compensation or subsidy for gas or grants to allow them to remain in the industry. Steps should be taken to reduce the effects of drilling (including oil

spills) on fishing. Noise reduction and anti-oil pollutant measures are required.

I am confident government will not allow drilling to ruin the sustainable fishing industry. Exxon must be required to take mitigating steps to protect the livelihood of those tied to the fishing industry. But first, we need to know the impact or effect of drilling on fish in Guyana waters and what measures can be taken to mitigate the effects.

We need an eco-friendly solution.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Prime Minister Phillips applauds Barbados’ decision to become a republic PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has applauded the historic decision by Barbados to become a Republic.

The Prime Minister is in Barbados as Guyana’s representative for the inaugural Republic Day and Independence celebrations.

He has been joined by a number of regional leaders, including Prime Minister

of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis.

At 00:00h, Prime Minister Phillips and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, took part in Barbados’s official declaration of its republic status and the inauguration ceremony for its first President, Sandra Mason.

Later, on Tuesday

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips interacts with renowned West Indies cricketer, Sir Garfield Sobers

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips at the inaugural Republic Day and Independence celebrations in Barbados

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips with Rihanna

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips with regional leaders

morning, Prime Minister Phillips witnessed Barbados’s National Awards Ceremony and met and interacted with Barbadian singer, actress and fashion designer, Rihanna, who was named a national hero.

The Guyanese Prime Minister also interacted with Legendary West Indies cricketer, Sir Garfield Sobers, another national hero. (Office of the Prime Minister)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Dutch authorities intercept cocaine in Guyana rum shipment

LAW enforcement officials in The Netherlands are investigating the discovery of more than 1100 pounds of cocaine in a shipment of rum that originated in Guyana.

The shipment arrived at a port in the Dutch territory on November 25.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, when contacted by this publication related that the drugs were not loaded in Guyana.

“What I can say is that the container was scanned and checked before it left Guyana and we have verified that there was nothing but the product which was rum from one of the local distilling companies inside the container. There was nothing illegal when the container was scanned and we have the images to verify that,”

Mr. Singh said.

He added: “About 590 kilos of cocaine was found in a container that originated in Guyana and the container was in transit in two other territories before arriving in Rotterdam.”

Singh noted that CANU will launch a full investigation into the drug bust. The agency is awaiting additional information from law enforcement counterparts in The Netherlands.

The CANU head noted that at the city wharves, there are security personnel and cameras. He said that each wharf is responsible for the containers at its location.

Further, he explained that just prior to the container being loaded onto the vessel, the seals and everything are double checked to ensure that there was no tampering.

The drugs found in the rum shipment in The Netherlands

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 202

Low Wood residents with eye issues need help

A RIVERINE community largely engaged in farming and logging activities, residents of Low Wood, Region Four are receiving emergency support from civil society groups concerned about the number of persons with vision problems.

only uncover eye problems in their later years when they realise the challenge of reading things in print.

As far as young people are concerned, she noted, exposure to excessive blue light from devices can be damaging to eyes as well and all persons must take

Young resident of Low Wood receives eye test during outreach a community outreach Located some 11 miles up the Demerara River from the Timehri dock, the community of approximately 44 households finds itself in a precarious position as many of these persons who require support for their eyes might not be able to access this through public assistance as they have never made contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) despite years of work.

“It’s not that these persons aren’t smart, it’s just that they didn’t have information available to them on paying NIS even if you are self-employed,” Onika Gentle, a librarian born and raised in Low Wood, said.

Gentle believes persons are not taking adequate care of their eyes, an issue which she said is not unique to Low Wood. “We did an outreach in Sisters’ Village in Berbice and it’s the same thing. People don’t take care of their eyes.”

She said some persons

better care of their vision.

Gentle partnered with Humanities First Guyana and Clear Vision, two non-governmental organisations for community-wide eye tests through an initiative they call “The Gift of Sight for Christmas”.

“We tested over 40 persons in Low Wood with the aid of Humanities First,” Rawle Aaron, founder of Clear Vision, said. Blood pressuring testing was done by Humanities First Guyana while Clear Vision mobilised Diamond Optical, a Georgetown-based eye care business, for support to do the testing.

Most of the persons tested were over the age of 50 with some younger folks included as well.

“We noticed [that]… there were lots of persons in the community that were suffering from cataracts, and the cataract seemed to be advanced, so we were not able to deal

with some of those persons because we took an optometrist in,” Aaron recounted.

The Clear Vision founder hopes to return with the other partners along with an ophthalmologist to get a better look at those persons with cataracts.

“The diagnosis needs to be done so we could bring those persons out and have their cataract dealt with,” he continued, adding that where surgery is required, the group intends on approaching the Georgetown Public Hospital Corpora-

tion (GPHC) for support.

Both Aaron and Gentle are appealing to the public for support. For his part, Aaron said glasses could cost between $25,000 and $30,000 for a single pair and where persons could donate

glasses to Clear Vision or provide part payment in support of a pair of glasses, that would be appreciated. For persons interested in supporting the initiative, Onika Gentle can be contacted at 611-6743.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Over 400,000 adults receive first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine being administered to a member of the public

THE government has hit another major milestone in its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with more than 400,000 adults receiving their first dose of one of the vaccines being administered locally.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, announced on Tuesday that over 78 per cent of the adult population has taken the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, bringing Guyana closer to herd immunity.

“So, with vaccination for adults, we now have been able, for first dose, to get to 400,561. So, that’s 78.1 per cent of our adult population.

So, I think this is really a milestone, getting at least 400,000 persons receiving the first dose,” Dr. Anthony said.

He said this demonstrates the willingness of persons across the country to protect themselves against the viral infection.

Region 10 is still lagging

behind, with just 35 per cent of the adult population there receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

A total of 278,050 adults across the country have returned for the second dose of the vaccine, accounting for some 54.2 per cent.

For children 12 to 17 years, 29,158 have taken the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, while 20,385 have been fully vaccinated.

While persons are taking the vaccines, some are still flouting the public health measures, resulting in the spread of the virus. In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health detected 52 new cases, bringing the total active cases in the country to 1,391.

“The areas where we continue to have a cluster of cases will be in Region Four, where we currently have 671 active cases; in Region Three, where we have 276 active cases and in Region Six with 207 cases,” Minis-

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony ter Anthony noted.

As the virus continues to spread, albeit slower, 70 persons are currently hospitalised, with 50 of them housed at the Infectious Diseases Hospital and 18 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

It is for this reason that the Minister of Health called on all Guyanese to take the vaccine to reduce the transmission of the disease.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Hunger increases by 13.8M people in Latin America, Caribbean -within the space of one year

(FAO) HUNGER in Latin America and the Caribbean is at its highest point since 2000, after a 30 per cent increase in the number of people suffering hunger from 2019 to 2020, says a new United Nations (UN) report.

According to the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2021, in just one year, and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people living with hunger increased by 13.8 million, reaching a total of 59.7 million people.

The prevalence of hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean now stands at 9.1 per cent, the highest it has been in the last 15 years, although slightly below the world average of 9.9 per cent. Just between 2019 and 2020, the prevalence of hunger increased by two percentage points.

“We must say it loud and clear: Latin America and the Caribbean is facing a critical situation in terms of food security. There has been an almost 79 per cent hike in the number of people living in hunger from 2014 to 2020,” FAO’s Regional Representative, Julio Berdegué, sentative.

“Although the pandemic has exacerbated the situation, hunger has been on the rise since 2014.

We must fix deep vulnerabilities in our food systems, make them more inclusive and sustainable and ensure they deliver wellbeing for the people that feed our societies,” said Rossana Polastri, IFAD’s Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Between 2019 and 2020, Mesoamerica experienced the largest increase––2.5 percentage points––reaching its highest value in the last 20 years: 10.6 per cent, or 19 million people.

The overall highest prevalence occurs in the Caribbean (16.1 per cent, seven million people) while in South America hunger affects 33.7 million people, or 7.8 per cent of the population.

The Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2021 is a joint publication of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

FOOD INSECURITY AFFECTS 41 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION Four out of every ten people in the region––267 million–– experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2020, 60 million more than in 2019, an increase of nine percentage points, the most pronounced rise in relation to other world regions.

In South America, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity increased by 20.5 percentage points between 2014 and 2020, while in Mesoamerica there was an increase of 7.3 percentage points during the same period.

Even worse, in the region, the prevalence of severe food insecurity –that is people who had run out of food or had gone a day or more without eating– reached 14 per cent in 2020, a total of 92.8 million people, up from 47.6 million people in 2014.

Food insecurity did not affect men and women equally: in 2020, 41.8 per cent of women in the region experienced moderate or severe food security, compared with 32.2 per cent of men. This disparity has been rising in the last six years and it increased sharply from 6.4 per cent in 2019 to 9.6 per cent in 2020.

"This report shows us the stark reality that we must face squarely to mitigate the situation for the most vulnerable population. By expanding national social protection systems, for example, governments can reach those most in need with assistance to help them get through these difficult times,” said Lola Castro, WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY CONTINUE TO RISE The Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition warns that the region is also losing the battle against other forms of malnutrition: 106 million people—one in every four adults—suffers from obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean.

There were significant increases in the prevalence of obesity between 2000 and 2016: a hike of 9.5 percentage points in the Caribbean, 8.2 percentage points and Mesoamerica, and 7.2 percentage points in South America.

“We continue losing the battle against all forms of malnutrition, and we are far from being able to guarantee healthy nutri-

tion for the whole population.

If we want to end hunger and provide wellbeing and healthy lives for people in the Americas, we have to transform our agricultural and food systems to provide healthy diets for everyone and to leave no one behind,” said Dr. Carissa F Etienne, Director of PAHO/WHO. Overweight in children has also been on the rise for 20 years in the region, and in 2020, 3.9 million children—7.5 per cent of those under five years of age— were overweight, almost two percentage points above the world average. South America shows the highest prevalence of overweight in children (8.2 per cent), followed by the Caribbean with 6.6 per cent, and Mesoamerica with 6.3 per cent.

Although Latin America and the Caribbean has shown important progress in reducing stunting in children, having reduced its prevalence from 18 per cent to 11.3 per cent in 20 years, between 2012 and 2020, the rate

of decrease slowed down. The regional prevalence of wasting in children stands at 1.3 per cent, significantly lower than the world average of 6.7 per cent.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean, COVID-19 has made a pre-existing malnutrition crisis worse. With services disrupted and livelihoods devastated, families are finding it harder to put healthy food on the table, leaving many children hungry and others overweight. For children to grow up healthy, we need to ensure all families access affordable, nutritious food,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The joint UN report calls for urgent actions to arrest the rise in hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms, urging countries in the region to quickly take action to transform their agri-food systems and make them more efficient, resilient, inclusive and sustainable, to provide healthy diets for everyone.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Xi announces supplying Africa with additional 1 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses, pledges to jointly implement nine programmes –– By Nov. 12, 2021, China had provided over 1.7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 110 countries and organisations, including 50 African countries and the AU Commission.

–– China has been Africa's largest trading partner for the 12 years since 2009, and the proportion of Africa's trade with China in the continent's total external trade has continued to rise, exceeding 21 per cent in 2020.

–– Since the establishment of FOCAC 21 years ago, China and its people have co-operated with African countries and peoples based on the principles of friendship, unity, mutual trust and respect, Senegalese President Macky Sall said.

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday announced that China would provide an additional 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Africa and pledged to jointly implement nine programs on China-Africa future co-operation.

"I am convinced that the concerted efforts of China and Africa will make this FOCAC Conference a full success, one that shall pool

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2021.

(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) the mighty strength of the 2.7 billion Chinese and Africans and guide us toward a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future," Xi said while addressing the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) via video link.

The conference, scheduled for Nov. 29-30 in Senegal's capital of Dakar, is expected to evaluate the implementation of the outcomes

of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit and open up new prospects for China-Africa co-operation.

ANTI-PANDEMIC SOLIDARITY To help the African Union (AU) achieve its goal of vaccinating 60 per cent of the African population by 2022, President Xi announced that China would provide another one billion doses of vaccines to Africa, including 600 million doses as donation and 400 million doses to be provided through such means as joint production by Chinese companies and relevant African countries.

"In addition, China will undertake 10 medical and health projects for African countries, and send 1,500 medical personnel and public health experts to Africa," Xi added.

By Nov. 12, 2021, China had provided over 1.7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 110 countries and organisations, including 50 African countries and the AU Commission.

Also, Chinese firms are actively engaging in joint vaccine production in Africa with local firms, helping countries, in accordance with their wishes, to realise localised vaccine production. To date, they have started localized production in Egypt, and signed co-operative agreements with Morocco and Algeria.

Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said the COVID-19 pandemic has served to highlight the strong partnership between China and Africa in the health sector.

"China now ranks as the top supplier of COVID-19 vaccines to Africa and a strong advocate for intellectual property liberalization to allow African countries to manufacture the commodities and further save their population and economies from the impacts of the global health crisis," Adhere added.

China and Africa have joined forces in confronting the grave challenge posed by COVID-19, further reinforcing their friendship, and the solidarity between the Chinese

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

and African peoples has enabled them to overcome difficulties and obstacles and build a bright future, said Xu Bu, president of the China Institute of International Studies.

NEW PROSPECTS "We need to open up new prospects for China-Africa co-operation, expand trade and investment, share experience on poverty reduction, strengthen co-operation on digital economy, and promote entrepreneurship by young Africans and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)," Xi said, calling for deepening practical co-operation between the two sides.

He said China would work closely with African countries to implement the nine programmes, which are the medical and health programme, the poverty reduction and agricultural development programme, the trade promotion programme, the investment promotion programme, the digital innovation programme, the green development programme, the capacity-building programme, the cultural and people-to-people exchange programme, and

built by China will stand us in good stead for the development of intercontinental markets," Buyile Matiwane added.

Xu Bu said China-Africa co-operation, after years of dedicated efforts, has shown strong resilience, with new growth points constantly emerging, and the "tree" of China-Africa co-operation would not be shaken by any force in the future.

COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE IN NEW ERA At the FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September 2018, the two sides decided to build an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future and lead China-Africa relations and co-operation into a new era.

At the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC, Xi put forward four proposals to build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, calling on both sides to fight COVID-19 with solidarity, deepen practical co-operation, promote green development, and uphold equity

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) the peace and security programme.

Xi said China would undertake 10 poverty reduction and agricultural projects for Africa, provide 10 billion U.S. dollars of trade finance to support African export, and build in China a pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa trade and economic co-operation and a China-Africa industrial park for Belt and Road co-operation.

China would also encourage its businesses to invest no less than 10 billion U.S. dollars in Africa in the next three years, undertake 10 digital economy projects for Africa, undertake 10 green development, environmental protection and climate action projects for Africa, help build or upgrade 10 schools in Africa, and invite 10,000 high-level African professionals to seminars and workshops, Xi added.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for the 12 years since 2009, and the proportion of Africa's trade with China in the continent's total external trade has continued to rise, exceeding 21 percent in 2020.

Buyile Matiwane, deputy-president of the South African Students Congress, said China is Africa's biggest source of foreign direct investment, and this kind of investment has been crucial in creating a platform to maximise the establishment of value chains and domestic markets, while improving the conditions for economic and social development across the African continent.

"The roads, airports, railways, ports, hospitals and all kinds of infrastructure being

and justice.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao said China, the largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, were closely linked by similar historical experiences, common struggles and common development tasks.

China and Africa have achieved mutual benefit and common development through practical co-operation, and they have always been a community with a shared future, Wu added.

Wu Chuanhua, an associate research fellow with the China-Africa Institute, said the China-Africa community with a shared future has become a model of sharing weal and woe, equal partnership, common security, common development, mutual learning among civilisations and green development.

Since the establishment of FOCAC 21 years ago, China and its people have co-operated with African countries and peoples based on the principles of friendship, unity, mutual trust and respect, Senegalese President Macky Sall said.

"It is also the principle that we should uphold in our vision for the future. Only in this way can we deepen the Africa-China partnership, promote sustainable development, and contribute to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era," Sall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Construction worker Man gets three drowns in Hope Canal years jail for 16 grammes of ganja

SHAHEED Alli, 29, a construction worker of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown, on Monday, drowned while swimming in the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to Po-

lice Headquarters, Alli, his brother-in-law and an 18-year-old were at his mother’s residence consuming Vasco wine and Turbo drink when they agreed to go swimming around 14:45hrs.

Police said that at about 15:00 hrs, the group went to Hope Canal where they jumped in and a few minutes later, Alli was seen struggling in the water and did not surface.

Checks were made for

the victim and his body was discovered on Tuesday morning.

Both men who were swimming with him at the time of the incident are in police custody pending investigations.

A 21-year-old barber, who was charged for trafficking 16 grammes of cannabis, was, on Monday, sentenced to three years in prison and fined $10,000.

S h e m Wi n t e r o f Tabatinga Central Rupununi, Region 9, appeared before Magistrate Allen Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on November 21, he had cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, on the day in question, police, acting on information received, inter-

cepted a green Premio motorcar bearing registration number PRR 4548, which was proceeding on the Tabatinga access road.

There were three occupants in the vehicle including Winter. Winter was searched and a bulky transparent plastic bag was found in his pants crotch containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Winter was also told of the offence committed and under caution, he told the police, "yes officer is me own". He was later charged and placed before the court.

Driver in Soesdyke-Linden Highway accident died of fractured skull – autopsy AN autopsy done Monday on the body of accident victim, Mark Cameron, 29, of Guyhoc Park, revealed that he died as a result of a fractured skull.

Cameron lost control of motorcar PVV 8399 and crashed onto the parapet of the Marudi Public Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, on Friday morning.

Three persons, who were with him at the time of the accident, fell out of the car and sustained injuries about their bodies.

The injured passengers were identified as Quakey Stanford,38, of Lot 133 Guyhoc Park; Calldella Marshal, 25, of Lot 5 Stevedore Housing Scheme and Shemika Richards, 23, of Lot 83 Laing Avenue, East Ruimveldt.

Dead: Mark Cameron Cameron was picked up in an unconscious condition while the others were picked up in a conscious condition and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Cameron was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was handed over to relatives for burial.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 1, 2021

Permaul praises Warrican... opener Pathum Nissanka converting his overnight 61 into a top score of 73 and Angelo Mathews getting 29.

“I think Warri bowled very well at the other end.

I think he controlled the batters’ scoring rate and that really helped me. He, bowling tight at one end, and I attacking at the next end and that was a good partnership,” explained Permaul, who played the last of his previous six Tests six years ago.

“I think moving forward it is very important we stay

consistent as a bowling unit and be patient and don’t look for wickets and try to create opportunities, rather than go out and try to get a wicket by experimenting.”

Permaul had sent down five overs the previous day for 18 runs, failing to really trouble the Sri Lanka batters in the 2-½ hours play possible in the final session due to rain.

Introduced, approaching the first hour on Monday, Permaul produced a double strike in his second over by removing Nissanka and

(From back page)

Dhananjaya de Silva (2) to make key breakthroughs for the touring side.

“First of all, I tried to adjust to the conditions, see what pace is good for the wicket and I think I adjusted and controlled and tried to spin the ball as much as possible, and that really brought me success,” he said.

“At the end of the day, if we had known from morning that we would bowl out Sri Lanka for 204 and we would ha ve been 69 for one, we would take that any time.”

Despite his absence from

the West Indies Test side, Permaul remained prolific at first class level for Guyana, keeping his name in the selectors’ minds.

He has taken 536 wickets from 121 matches at just under 21 runs apiece.

“I always believe in God and I know that at sometime, I would get that opportunity back again,” he said.

“I didn’t know when but I always believed in God and I know at some point in life and some stage in my career, I would get back an opportunity.”

Permaul, Warrican give Windies... at a full, straight delivery from Warrican in the next over and was lbw without any runs added, and the innings then collapsed rapidly despite Mathews, who retired hurt on 12, returning to clobber two fours and sixes before being last out.

Faced with four overs before lunch, the touring side survived to reach two without loss, and Blackwood and Brathwaite then extended their first-wicket stand of 62 to keep Sri Lanka without success for the first hour following the resumption.

Blackwood, dropped on 17, hit five fours off 99 deliveries and was eyeing his 16th Test half-century when he fell early in the second hour

(From back page)

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings (o/n 113 for one)

WEST INDIES 1st innings

P. Nissanka lbw b Permaul 73 D. Karunaratne c & b Chase 42 O. Fernando c wkp. Da Silva b Warrican 18 A. Mathews b Warrican 29 Dhananjaya de Silva c wkp. Da Silva b Permaul 2 C. Asalanka c Bonner b Permaul 10 D. Chandimal lbw b Warrican 2 R. Mendis c Hope b Warrican 5 S. Lakmal c Warrican b Permaul 12 L. Embuldeniya b Permaul 1 P. Jayawickrama not out 0 Extras: (lb-7, nb-3) 10 Total: (all out, 61.3 overs) 204

K. Brathwaite not out 22 J. Blackwood lbw b Jayawickrama 44 N. Bonner not out 1 Extras: (nb-2) 2 Total: (1 wkt, 29.4 overs) 69 Fall of wicket: 1-62.

Bowling: Lakmal 4-1-16-2 (nb-2), Embuldeniya 14-4-35-0, Mendis 3-0-7-0, Jayawickrama 8.4-2-11-1.

Position: West Indies trail by 135 runs with nine first-innings wickets intact.

Fall of wickets: 1-106, 2-139, 3-152, 4-154, 4-162, 5-169, 6-169, 7-178, 8-187, 9-200.

Bowling: Roach 6-2-12-0, Holder 8-2-23-0, Mayers 2-0-13-0, Permaul 13-3-35-5, Chase 14-0-64-1, Warrican 18.3-5-50-4.

after lunch, lbw to left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, missing a defensive

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32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 1, 2021

Pink-ball Tests favour Pakistan cruise England - Mitchell Johnson to eight-wicket CHANGING the Ashes schedule to include a second pink-ball Test would give England an advantage, says former Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson.

Perth may not be able to hold the fifth Test because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Melbourne, venue for the third match, is an option to stage the fifth as a day-nighter, with the second Test in Adelaide also set to use a pink ball.

"I worry about the pinkball Test," said Johnson. "It could be a very different series."

England's pace bowlers have traditionally struggled with the red Australian Kookaburra ball, which offers less movement than the Dukes, used in the UK. "The red Kookaburra doesn't tend to swing here, the pink ones do," added left-armer Johnson, who took 313 wickets in 73 Tests including 37 in Australia's 5-0 series win of 2013-14.

"The pink-ball Tests favour England with their bowling attack. They know how to use the swinging ball.

"Their batsmen play the moving ball better than the

win in first Test

Adelaide hosted the first day-night Ashes Test in 2017

Australians."

Australia have won all eight day-night matches they have played at home, including the second Test of the last Ashes series down under.

"It's not to say the Aussies aren't great with the pink ball - their record is phenomenal," said Johnson.

"England are slightly better, how they control it, how they play it. They will probably have a fair bit of confidence."

Even without the addi-

tion of a second day-nighter, alterations to the traditional schedule could aid England, who have won only four Tests in Australia this century.

The first Test is usually in Brisbane, where England have not won since 1986, and the third in Perth, where they have won only once in 14 attempts. On three of the last four tours they have been 3-0 down after three matches.

Although they still must travel to Brisbane for the

first Test, they will go to the Gabba knowing Australia were defeated by India in January for a first loss at that ground in 23 years.

After that comes the pink-ball match in Adelaide then third and fourth Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, where England have a much better record.

"It's a really important first Test," said Johnson.

"If England win that first Test it will put a huge amount of pressure on Australia." (BBC Sport)

Infantino: People on top don’t want change FIFA president Gianni Infantino said opponents of plans to hold the World Cup every two years were “afraid” of change as countries in Africa voiced support for the proposals.

European confederation UEFA and South American counterpart CONMEBOL do not want to move away from the current four-year cycle while England’s Premier League is among several domestic leagues to have voiced opposition.

Last Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) became the first global confederation to formally back FIFA’s proposal, saying it would fully approve a biennial World Cup if that decision was taken later this year.

“It happens in every sector of life when there are reforms and changes – those who are at

the top don’t want anything to change because they are at the top,” Infantino said.

“And they are afraid maybe that if something changes, their leadership position is at risk.

“We understand that and we compliment and applaud them for having been so successful in reaching the top. But at the same time, we cannot close the door, we need to keep the door open, we need to give hope and opportunities.”

A resolution was unanimously approved at CAF’s extraordinary general assembly last Friday in Cairo, where the continent’s FA presidents have gathered.

“If the FIFA study concludes that it is feasible, CAF will fully support hosting the men’s and women’s World Cup every two years,” said a leading CAF official.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino

Infantino, who was present in the Egyptian capital, believes more frequent World Cups will boost participation – with improved chances of qualification.

Africa will only have five representatives at the men’s 2022 World Cup, with UEFA providing 13 of the 32 partic-

ipants and South America at least four.

Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle accused FIFA of “killing African football” with the allocation for Qatar, but the tournament is being expanded to 48 teams in 2026, when the tournament will be held in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Africa is expected to have nine guaranteed spots in 2026 and it could gain an extra place via an inter-continental play-off tournament which will decide the final two qualifiers.

FIFA’s head of global development, Arsene Wenger, has been promoting a biennial World Cup, which Infantino insisted would offer more opportunities to countries outside the top tier of the world game.

(BBC Sport)

Pakistan opener Abid Ali scored 204 runs in the match

PAKISTAN cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh on day five of the first Test in Chittagong.

Needing 202 to win, Pakistan resumed on 109-0 but lost Abdullah Shafique for 73 and his fellow opener Abid Ali for 91.

However, Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam finished unbeaten on 24 and 13 respectively as Pakistan won before lunch to lead the two-Test series.

The win takes Pakistan to second in the current World Test Championship table, which runs until January 2023.

Pakistan had a 46-run deficit after the first innings despite Abid, who now averages 49.60 in Tests, making 113.

Left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi recorded match figures of 7-102 and right-arm quick Hassan Ali 7-103.

The defeat means that Bangladesh have only won two Tests since 2019, with both wins coming against Zimbabwe. They have lost 10 Tests and drawn one against other nations.

The second Test starts in Mirpur on Saturday.

(BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1stt innings 330 PAKISTAN 1st innings 286 BANGLADESH 2nd innings 157 PAKISTAN 2nd innings o/n 109-0 Abid Ali lbw Taijul Islam 91 Abdullah Shafique lbw Mehidy Hasan 73 Azhar Ali not out 24 Babar Azam not out 13 Extras: (b-2) 2 Total: (two wkts, 58.3 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-151, 2-171.

Bowling: Taijul Islam 28-4-89-1, Ebadot Hossain 8-2 -30-0, Mehidy Hasan 18.3-4-59-1, Abu Jayed 4-0-23-0.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 1, 2021

Ronaldo disputes Ballon d'Or organiser's claim about outdoing Lionel Messi CRISTIANO Ronaldo has accused the France Football editor of lying after he said the Portuguese's only ambition was to retire with more Ballons d'Or than Lionel Messi.

Ballon d'Or organiser Pascal Ferre made the claim to the New York Times Paris St-Germain's Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or on Monday, with five-time winner Ronaldo voted sixth.

"I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent," said Manchester United forward Ronaldo.

"I win for myself and for those who love me. I don't win against someone."

On Friday, Ferre told the New York Times: "Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that

is to retire with more Ballons d'Or than Messi - and I know that because he has told me."

Ronaldo responded on social media, saying: "Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for.

"It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d'Or. "The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country.

The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) disputes Ballon d'Or organisers' claim about outdoing Lionel Messi

South Africa government assures secure bio-bubble environment for Team India WITH the discovery of the Omicron variant, India’s upcoming tour to South Africa was doubtful. However, as per the recent turn of events, the hosts’ foreign ministry has stated that a safe bio-secure environment will be provided to the visiting Indan players.

The ministry also heaped praises on the BCCI for not pulling out its ‘A’ team after all the panic that was caused by the discovery of the new variant.

India’s ‘A’ team are currently in South Africa for three unofficial Test matches whereas the senior team are scheduled to play three Tests starting December 17, followed by as many ODIs and four T20 Internationals.

The Indian team should be in the host nation by December 9. The ministry thus lauded the BCCI for not letting the uncertainties affect

the ongoing India ‘A’ tour.

“South Africa will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. A full bio-secure environment will be established around both the South African and Indian ‘A’ teams as well as the two national teams.

India’s decision to show solidarity by choosing to continue with the tour of the Indian ‘A’ team stands in contrast with a number of countries who have decided to close their borders and to restrict travel from southern African,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which is the country’s foreign ministry, stated as quoted by The Indian Express.

The first Test match between India and South Africa will be played at Johannesburg, followed by the second match at Centurion.

Back in the year 1991, India became the first nation to host the Proteas team after the ICC had banned the latter nation due to the-then South African government’s apartheid policy. India’s tour now marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s readmission to the international circuit.

“The tour of the Indian National Team marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s readmission to international cricket. The anniversary will be celebrated by a commemorative event that will take place on January 2, 2022, in Cape Town.

This event will also serve to highlight the strong ties between South Africa and India, which is once again demonstrated by the tour of the two Indian teams,” the ministry statement read. (CricTracker)

written in golden letters in the history of world football."

The Ballon d'Or - awarded to the best footballer of the year - is voted on by 180 journalists worldwide and presented by France Football.

Messi had already won the trophy more times than any other player and his seventh success comes after wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

Ronaldo, who last won the award in 2017, finished outside the top five for the first time since 2010.

Either Messi or Ronaldo has collected the award every year from 2008 to 2019, apart from in 2018 when Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won. (BBC Sport)

Tiger Woods does not expect to return to golf full time TIGER Woods says he does not expect to return to the tour full time following his car accident in February.

The 15-time major champion had surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg and sustained further injuries to his foot and ankle.

Earlier this month Woods, 45, said he was "making progress" and shared footage of him playing golf for the first time since the accident.

But he said "getting all the way to the top" is not a realistic expectation.

"Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that. That's how I'm going to have to play it from now on," he told Golf Digest.

"It's an unfortunate reality, but it's my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it."

Woods' car left the road at about 85mph and flipped several times during the accident in California.

The former world number one was the sole occupant in the vehicle and was wearing his seatbelt, with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department saying he was "fortunate to be alive" following the incident on February 23.

"I have so far to go," Woods said.

Former world number one Tiger Woods has not played a tournament since December 2020

"I'm not even at the halfway point. I have so much more muscle development and nerve development that I have to do in my leg.

"There was a point in time when, I wouldn't say it was 50-50, but it was near there if I was going to walk out of that hospital with one leg."

Woods has not played since December 2020 when he partnered his son in an event at the PNC Championship.

In 2019 he recovered from spinal fusion surgery two years before, and a string of further injuries, to win a 15th major at the Masters.

He had a fifth back surgery shortly before his car accident.

"After my back fusion, I had to climb Mount Everest one more time," Woods said. "I had to do it, and I did.

"This time around, I don't think I'll have the body to climb Mount Everest and that's OK. "I can still participate in the game of golf. If my leg gets OK, I can still click off a tournament here or there.

"But as far as climbing the mountain again and getting all the way to the top, I don't think that's a realistic expectation of me.

(BBC Sport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 1, 2021

BCB Ordinary General Meeting on Sunday deemed a success … AGM set for December 19 THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Sunday hosted a very successful Ordinary General Meeting (OGM). Attention is now shifted towards the December 19 proposed date for the board's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The OGM was held at the Port Mourant Cricket ground and featured some 14 delegates, along with the full panel of elected and appointed executives of the board.

Each club was represented by one delegate while sub-associations had two.

Absent from the AGM were Whim, Young Warriors, Police and the Berbice River Association.

The OGM was chaired

by BCB president Hilbert Foster and delegates approved the Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting and also received comprehensive reports from the President, Secretary and Chairman of the Competitions Committee. The financial report for the year 2020 was also presented.

Delegates were informed that the 2021 financial report would be submitted at the next meeting in December.

BCB president Hilbert Foster told delegates that the board was the only county board in Guyana to have submitted audited financial statements to the new Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and that the board was able to stand on its feet despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The BCB, Foster stated, was able to successfully complete 19 finals in a twomonth period earlier this year while the Tenelec Under-15 tournament was started two weeks ago. The board has also obtained sponsorship for numerous other tournaments including U-13, U-17, U-19, and U-23, First Division, Second Division, Females and internal zones The BCB president also informed the delegates of numerous upcoming developmental programmes that would transform the level of Berbice cricket.

BCB president Hilbert Foster with delegates after Sunday's OGM at Port Mourant

These include an expansion of the board’s coaching programme, donation of gear to hundreds of youths, social skills training for youths, coaching aids for clubs including bowling machines, publications of several educational materials for youth players, training of several pre-Level One coaches, obtaining at least three more pitch covers and assisting youths in their pursuit of an

educational career.

Also, a Special Committee was set up to look into rules for the upcoming Romario Shepherd U-13 Tournament. It is headed by vice-president Albert Smith and among the topics to be discussed will be the length of the pitch and size of balls to be used.

Delegates would also recommend to GCB the Albion, Cotton Tree, Skel-

don, Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant and No. 69 grounds as possible inter-county venues.

Discussions were held on whether the BCB would continue tournaments that were started two or three years ago. No final decision was made and the matter would be followed up at the Annual General Meeting on December 19 at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Foster announced that he would be seeking reelection for his third term of two years and indicated that there might be changes to his slate.

Former Headmaster Colin Bynoe was identified to serve as the Returning Officer for the AGM, where 13 clubs and three sub-associations would vote for the new executives.

Moeen, Buttler retained; Stokes, Morgan, Archer released JOS Buttler and Moeen Ali are the only England players to have been retained by their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.

Moeen has been kept by Chennai Super Kings after impressing in his first campaign with the four-time winners, while Buttler remains with Rajasthan.

Eoin Morgan, who captained Kolkata to the final in 2021, and Ben Stokes are two of 14 England players released.

Rashid Khan, KL Rahul and David Warner are among the players not to re-sign.

Punjab Kings head coach Anil Kumble said they wanted to retain Indian opener

FRANCHISE

Moeen Ali scored 357 runs and took six wickets in his first season with Chennai Super Kings as they won the 2021 edition

(2) Galle, 2001 (SL won by 10 wickets) Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest score by a SL batsman in any Test innings to date?

(2) What is the highest score by a WI batsman in any Test innings to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje

Kolkata Knight Riders

Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard

Punjab Kings

Mayank Agarwal, Arshdeep Singh

Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Sunrisers Hyderabad

(Wednesday December 1, 2021)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) ARG, 1997 (WI won by 6 wickets)

Chennai Super Kings

Royal Challengers Bangalore Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj

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Rahul, but "he decided to go into the auction", adding "it's the player's prerogative".

Sunrisers Hyderabad chief executive Kaviya Maran said Afghanistan spinner Rashid "wanted to go into the auction and we will try to

pick him up".

Jofra Archer and Liam Livingstone join Stokes in being released by Rajasthan Royals, while Sunrisers Hyderabad have opted not to retain Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. Sam Curran has left Chennai, while his brother Tom, Chris Woakes and Sam Billings have not been taken

by Delhi Capitals.

Punjab have not retained Dawid Malan, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid, while George Garton has been released by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, Umran Malik

Franchises will still be able to re-sign former players in the auction, which is being classed as a 'mega auction' this year after the introduction of two new teams - Ahmedabad and Lucknow - in 2022.

Fanchises were allowed to retain up to four players - three Indians and one overseas player or two of each with players making the final decision on whether to accept an offer.

In total, 19 Indians were retained and eight overseas players.

Ahmedabad and Luc-

know they will now be allowed to sign three players before December 25 - two Indians and one overseas from those released.

The dates for the 2022 IPL are yet to be announced, but the 2021 tournament started in India on April 9.

It was abandoned after 29 matches amid rising coronavirus cases and deaths, before being completed in the United Arab Emirates in September and October, with Chennai Super Kings beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in the final. (BBC Sport)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday December 1, 2021

ExxonMobil National Indoor Hockey Championships

Pepsi Hikers, Guyana 40’s and Bounty GCC register wins on night one SEVERAL teams shared the spoils on the opening night of the ExxonMobil National Indoor Championships as hockey had its long-anticipated return to local competition after almost a two-year hiatus.

Pepsi Hikers were their usual dominant selves as they amassed the largest victory margin of the entire tournament over ‘50 Not Out’ with their 10-3 win in the men’s first division competition.

The Guyana 40s surprised the speedy YMCA Old Fort with a 3-0 victory while Saints made it hard work for Bounty GCC in the early going but faded to lose 1-3, completing the night of first division matches.

Hikers looked the coolest on show and their victory was never in doubt as national strike trio of Jamarj Assanah, Captain Robert France and the diminutive Aroydy Branford raided the 50 Not Out goal continu-

Goals: Guyana 40s (3) – Chris Low-Koan 1, Devin Munroe 1, Dwayne Scott 1 Bounty GCC defeated Saints 3–1 Goals: Bounty GCC – Kevin Spencer (3) Saints – Hilmar Chester 1

Bushani Kaladeen Jamarj Assanah

ously.

National women’s goalkeeper Alysa Xavier, the only female in the men’s competition due to her quality, managed to make several fine saves to keep what could have been a much higher score line against 50 Not Out. In the women’s competition, Tekeisha Deleon seemed to be everywhere on

the court as the inspirational team leader and captain led from the front by scoring two of her teams three goals to pull off a 3-0 win over Misfits. National striker Nicole Eastman managed the third to see Saints to a comfortable victory.

The men’s second division saw more success for Saints as their Saints sensations outclassed the new-

GVF Female tourney …

La Cruz spikes Pakuri Warriors to championship win over Castrol Strikers THE ladies of Pakuri Warriors, led by MVP Camiza La Cruz, romped to a clinical win as they were crowned champs following Sunday's Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Female Festival held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The one-day tournament featured 5 teams including Berbice Strikers, Premier Eagles and Laluni. The Warriors eventually whipped their opponents from Castrol by a handsome scoreline 2522, 14-25, 15-13, wrapping up the final leaving their opponents to settle for second best and Berbice Strikers in third place.

Pakuri Warriors ace spiker, La Cruz, was adjudged Most Valuable Player/Best Spiker. Prizes for La Cruz included a trophy and $10 000, compliments of

FEMALE Division Saints defeated MisFits 3-0 Goals: Saints (3) – Tekeisha Deleon 2, Nicole Eastman 1

GVF female champions Pakuri Warriors

sponsors Trophy Stall and Heavy Equipment Technical Training Institute.

Meanwhile, Alianna Charles represented Castrol Strikers with efficiency to cop the Best Setter award.

Meanwhile, Warriors

bagged additional prizes after the likes of Sunita Causeway won the Most Senior Player prize while Berbice Females Strikers’ Tiea Issacs was named Most Promising Player of the tournament.

comers GCC War Dogs by 5-0. Sean Sookhai and Naresh Mahadeo each scored doubles to lead the scoresheet for the match.

GCC had a tough night in the second division as Hikers Cadets came from behind to edge GCC Pitbulls 2-1 in their second division clash.

Games will continue all week in the evenings from 17.00hrs and conclude on the weekend beginning at

15:00hrs on those days.

Full results are as follows: MALE Division Pepsi Hikers defeat 50 Not Out 10-3 Goals: Pepsi Hikers (10) – Aroydy Branford 4, Robert France 2, Jamarj Assanah 1, Orlando Machado 1, Randy Hope 1, Shane Samuels 1 50 Not Out (3) – Philip Fernandes 2, Orson Ferguson 1 Guyana 40s defeated YMCA Old Fort 3-0

MALE Second Division Saints Sensations defeated GCC War Dogs 5–0 Goals: Saints Sensations (5) - Sean Sookhai 2, Naresh Mahadeo 2, Jabari Lovell 1 Hikers Cadets defeated GCC Pitbulls 2–1 Goals: Hikers Cadets (2) – Orlando Machado 1, Edmund Chinian 1 GCC Pitbulls (1) – Samuel Woodroffe 1

Van Lange falls to Vinajera in Round-of-64 … Paraguay down Guyana in doubles CUBAN Rene Vinajera topped Guyana Jonathan Van Lange in the Roundof-64 stage at the Table Tennis segment at the ongoing Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia.

The 14-year-old Van Lange, came against the 19-year-old Cuban - the tournament caters to up to Under-23 players - lost 4-0 and was knocked out of the competition.

He lost the first set 11-5, came back strong to narrowly lose the second 12-10 before surrendering the third and fourth sets 11-8, 11-7.

Van Lange, who attended the event as a Universality selection had spent the last few weeks in the United States of America at a high-performance camp.

Additionally, in the men’s doubles, where he partnered with Miguel Wong,. they lost to Paraguay 3-1.

They claimed the first

National table tennis players, Jonathan Van Lange (left) and Miguel Wong (right) with coach Idi Lewis

set 11-9 but failed to take another set losing 11-5, 11-8, and 11-8. Wong who qualified by virtue of world

ranking into the singles round of 32 played Elias Lopes of Argentine, yesterday evening.

Permaul praises Warrican partnership after maiden five-wicket haul in Tests SPIN TWIN: Veerasammy Permaul (94) is embraced by Jomel Warrican after claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests

GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Veerasammy Permaul has hailed the partnership with fellow leftarm spinner Jomel Warrican as key to West Indies’ strong performance on day two of the sec-

ond Test against Sri Lanka here Monday.

The 32-year-old snatched career-best figures of 5-35 – his maiden Test five-wicket haul – while Warrican, 29, finished with four for 50 as

West Indies knocked Sri Lanka over for 204 in their first innings at Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka had resumed on 113 for one but lost their last nine wickets for 9 1 r u n s , TURN TO PAGE 31 ►

Nkrumah Bonner (left) celebrates a wicket with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul yesterday, the second day of the second Test.

Permaul, Warrican give Windies strong footing on shortened day GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul cashed in on his first Test in six years with a five-wicket haul as West Indies enjoyed perhaps their best day of the current tour of Sri Lanka here yesterday.

The 32-year-old snatched five for 35 at Galle International Stadium as the hosts were bundled out for 204 in their first innings after resuming the second morning of the second Test on 113 for one.

Sri Lanka were cruising on 139 for one at one stage but lost their last nine wickets for just 65 runs,

with the other left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claiming four for 50.

Pathum Nissanka was only able to add 12 to his overnight 61 while former skipper Angelo Mathews hit 29 but no other batter passed 20.

In reply, vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood missed out on a half-century with 44 while captain Kraigg Brathwaite finished unbeaten on 22, as West Indies reached 69 for one before rain ended play 25 minutes before the scheduled tea break.

With rain having already rav-

aged day one with only 2-½ hours play possible, West Indies enter the third day of the contest 135 runs in arrears, the game still tentatively placed.

The visitors’ position was owed largely to Permaul, the veteran Guyana spinner having little impact towards the end of day one but rebounding to pick up three of the first four wickets to fall yesterday, and hand West Indies the early advantage.

“I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity. I’m very overwhelmed by getting my first

Test match five-wicket haul,” said Permaul, who had taken 18 wickets in six previous Tests.

“Over the years I’ve been working hard to get back in the team and now it’s really paid off.”

Warrican struck in the morning’s seventh over, when Oshada Fernando edged a cut behind for 18 after resuming the morning on two, and stretching his second-wicket stand with Nissanka to 33.

However, it was Permaul’s introduction, replacing off-spinner Roston Chase 20 minutes before the first drinks break, which changed

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

the course of the morning.

He hit Nissanka in front with the second ball of his second over and two deliveries later, removed new batter Dhananjaya de Silva for two to a catch at the wicket, wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva taking the offering on the second attempt.

When debutant Charith Asalanka (10) lobbed a catch to Nkrumah Bonner at short leg in the third over after the drinks break, Permaul had a third scalp to leave Sri Lanka wobbling on 169 for five.

Dinesh Chandimal (2) missed a sweep TURN TO PAGE 31 ► WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021