Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_02_10_2021

SATURDAY 2nd October, 2021

' No.106502

Child of Guyanese heritage among top achievers at Barbados ‘Common Entrance’ exams

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Agriculture sector set to 03 undergo major transformation PAGE

–– region’s food import bill could be cut by 25 per cent, President Ali says

Education is power –– period poverty must not deprive girls their right to education, says First Lady

––as Menstrual Hygiene Initiative launched in Regions Three, Four and Five

GECOM advertises 08 to fill top positions 02 PAGE

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COVID-19 survivor 04 puts ‘rumours’ to rest PAGE

–– relates she received ‘good treatment’ during 10-day stay at Liliendaal facility

First Lady Arya Ali hands over a supply of sanitary pads to a West Demerara Secondary School student during the roll out of the Menstrual Hygiene Initiative in Region Three. The initiative was also launched in Regions Four and Five on Friday. More than 3,890 girls will receive one year’s supply of sanitary pads in the coming weeks, the Office of the First Lady said (Office of the First Lady photograph)

Daughter, ‘hitman’ sentenced to death for murdering 27 Ruby businessman PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

GECOM advertises to fill top positions

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has begun advertising with the intention of filling some of the key vacancies within its secretariat after those positions became vacant when some recalcitrant officials were dismissed.

GECOM, as its statutory meeting on Tuesday last, approved advertising for seven senior positions to be filled within the agency. Notably, these posts are Chief Elections Officer (CEO) which was previously occupied by Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer, which was occupied by Roxanne Myers.

The other positions are Assistant Chief Elections Officer, Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Logistics Officer and Civic and Voter Education Manager. These vacancies will be advertised for a period of

two weeks. The advertisement commenced on October 1, 2021.

The commission in a press release explained that it is adamant that the hiring process would be transparent and the process would be completed within the shortest time possible, so that the work programme of the agency could proceed.

The vacancies are being advertised through a combination of media, including but not limited to newspapers, radio, television, GECOM’s website and social media and interested applicants can access the job description and terms of reference for each role at www.gecom.org.gy/ home/vacancies.

In August 2021, after weeks of deliberation and multiple delays, GECOM voted to terminate the employment contracts of its three statutory officers, Lowenfield, Myers and

District Four Returning Officer for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, Clairmont Mingo, who have been accused of electoral fraud.

The terminations stemmed from the successful passage of three motions piloted by the commission’s PPP/Civic-nominated Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan and were possible only after the motions received the support of GECOM Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

The appointments of persons to these key positions will clear the way for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGEs) which are due this year. Several high-ranking government officials had expressed strong reservations regarding going into Local Government Elections with the same

persons who are accused of attempting to steal the March 2020 Regional and General Elections at the helm of the commission’s secretariat.

Currently, Lowenfield is faced with three counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and three counts of Forgery, while Mingo is charged with four counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and Myers with two

counts of Misconduct in Public Office.

In addition to Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers, Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence; Opposition activist, Carol Joseph; the CEO’s clerks, Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings; Elections Officer, Shefern February, and Information Technology Officer, Enrique

Livan, were also charged.

They are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four, Guyana’s largest voting district, to give the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition a majority win at the March 2, 2020 polls, when in fact the PPP/C had won the elections by 15,000 votes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

Agriculture sector set to undergo major transformation –– region’s food import bill could be cut by 25 per cent, President Ali says

GUYANA’s agriculture sector is on a transformative pathway, and can become the “agricultural heartland” of the English-speaking Caribbean, President Ifraan Ali said in his message on the commencement of Agriculture Month.

President Ali said that government envisions that Guyana will play its part in helping the Caribbean community to reduce its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

“The envisaged transformation of the local agriculture sector will involve an inclusive approach, which will include the active participation of the government and the private sector, and continued engagements with farmers, agriculturalists, agronomists, veterinarians, food exporters, importers, academia, the scientific community and other stakeholders,” President Ali said.

He added: “Guyana’s agriculture sector is on a transformative pathway.

An exciting future lies ahead; Agriculture Month 2021 is an opportunity for us to plan and prepare for the future.”

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha, in his message,

President Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasised that Guyana cannot keep doing agriculture the way it has been done, and, therefore, must move to a more technologically advanced level.

“We need forw a r d - t h i n k i n g game-changing approaches for agri-food system transformation; we need to be more innovative to have a high uptake in technologies that will transform and modernize our food,” Mustapha said.

He commended those involved in the agriculture sector for their contributions in helping to build a strong and diverse Guyana. The minister noted that this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

Essequibo bus driver remanded to prison on rape charge AN Essequibo bus driver of Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison on a rape charge when he made his first appearance before Magistrate Christal Lambert at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The man was not required to plead, and was remanded to prison until October 13, 2021.

The charge stated that on Sunday, August 29, he had sexual penetration with a child under the age of 13.

many of the Agriculture Month activities will be held virtually, or in limited small gatherings during regional outreaches.

O b s er v ed an n u ally during the month of October, Agriculture Month is used as an opportunity to look at the importance and pivotal role that Guyana’s agriculture sector plays in the economy and society. This year agriculture month is being celebrated under the theme, “Transforming our Food Systems: Achieving Food and Nutrition Security”.

“This theme is quite appropriate, given the dire need to change our agriculture and food system, so that it addresses the many food security challenges encountered due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020, and then the unprecedented floods in May/June 2021,” Mustapha noted.

This month, Guyana will also be joining the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in celebrating World Food Day on October 16. This event would be celebrated under the theme, “Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life,” he said

before outlining the ministry’s vision for the sector.

“Our vision for the agriculture sector is to have a competitive, dynamic, diversified and environmentally sustainable agrifood system by 2025. To achieve this vision, the agriculture and food systems sector in Guyana must be repositioned and transformed,” Mustapha said.

He noted that going forward, the ministry’s vision towards 2025 will be focusing on four priority areas which will be: To build a diversified and competitive -agriculture sector, to address impacts of climate change with resilient infrastructure, increase access and satisfaction in agri-service delivery and to enable agri-businesses to access markets.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha The minister also noted that the government and ministry is committed to building back our productive capacity from the May/June floods, which affected over 27,000 crops and livestock farmers, and households.

“Transforming the

agri-food system will require significantly greater public financing as well as private capital from national, regional and international partners. International support, institutions, and bilateral partners will be critical to ensuring a more resilient agricultural sector through financing, technology and creating an enabling environment.”

He also noted that the government is committed to ensuring that the right solutions are implemented.

“The government will continue to work to ensure that Guyana’s agri-food system is resilient and sustainable and that we are not only food secure but that we continue to be a leader in agriculture matters and the food basket of the Caribbean,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

COVID-19 survivor puts ‘rumours’ to rest –– says she got ‘good treatment’ during 10-day stay at Liliendaal facility

GIVEN all of the “rumours” surrounding the treatment rendered at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, one 57-yearold woman who recently spent 10 days at the facility recovering from COVID-19 wanted to set the record straight and has insisted that there is nothing to fear.

Though she has asked that her identity not be revealed, the mother of six does want to share her experience. By doing so, she hopes that it could prevent others from having the kind of anxiety she had when she found out she had been tested positive and had to be admitted to the facility which is often referred to as the COVID hospital.

“From my experience I can tell people the Oceanview hospital is a nice place...

You are relaxed, you are treated well, you are fed well.

You can talk to your doctors if you have any doubts, or

any fears,” she said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

She recalled that from the time she arrived at the hospital on September 9, she found everything about the facility to be the exact opposite of what she had been hearing over the past few months.

“It was way off from what I was hearing. From the moment I got out of the ambulance and the attendants put me in a wheelchair to take me up to the ward, the good treatment started then…From then until I was discharged I never had not even one second of bad treatment, neglect or anything like that,” she shared.

The East Bank Demerara woman was released from the hospital on September 18, and though she now sings nothing but praises for the staff at the facility and the treatment she got, her opinion is a far cry from how she felt before she was admitted.

“I was just so worried

that if I go in, I might not come out alive. I was scared because of all the rumors, the one that stood out for me is that ‘when you go there you die,’ and how they got people lying down in the corridors, how you have nurses treat you bad, they don’t give you good food and all of that.

That in itself sparked a lot of fear in me,” she explained.

But more than just coming out alive, she shared that she got one of the best hospital experiences she has ever had, all things considered.

While sharing a few photographs of the facility taken during her stay, she said that she was most impressed

with how clean the hospital was and the quality of the food that was being given to patients.

“People talk about the place being dirty and not good food, all of those are rumors. They’re not true,” she added.

She is calling on other Guyanese to not be afraid of getting tested and to stop trying home remedies for their symptoms, because of the fear which had resulted from the rumours and misinformation being spread about the facility.

Commissioned in July 2020, the $1.6 billion hospital was established at the site

One of the hospital’s wards

Saturday, 02 October 01:30hrs - 03:00hrs

One of the meals shared to COVID-19 patients at the Infecti-ous Diseases Hospital of the former Ocean View for everyone because I have Hotel to house persons who been a single mom for a had tested positive for the long time and have not been COVID-19 virus. anywhere far from my kids The COVID-19 survivor for any amount of time. So, said it was a total shock for when I was admitted into the her when she tested positive hospital, that was a little worfor the virus. She recalled risome for them,” she said. that she decided to get tested Now that she is back after she started to develop home, she said the fobreathing issues. She took a cus has been on “taking COVID-19 test at the Her- it easy” and regaining her stelling Health Centre, but full strength, following before she could get the which she hopes to take results her symptoms wors- one of the COVID-19 vacened. cines.

She was rushed to the Due to a previous mediGeorgetown Public Hospital cal condition, she was awaitCorporation (GPHC) and ing her doctor’s clearance was immediately admitted. before being vaccinated.

A second test was admin- She had gotten the go ahead istered and when the result a few days before she tested came back positive, she was positive. transferred to the Liliendaal Now she is looking forfacility. ward to getting herself pro“I was admitted right tected against the virus. away, and the fight was for “My doctor told me me to breathe. I had no time when I’m strong enough, to think about what would then I can go and get it happen. All I wanted to do done. I just want to build was survive,” she shared. myself a little more because She said the whole expe- COVID-19 has taken a lot rience was a traumatic one, from me, healthwise. I’m particularly for her children. going to wait another week “It’s still affecting them to build myself enough and onto now. It was traumatic then go,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

New request for proposals to be advertised for Guyana/Suriname Bridge

PUBLIC Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill said there has been a change in the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname.

The minister made this disclosure Friday, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Minister Edghill said eight firms have already been shortlisted to submit proposals, adding that the construction of the bridge remains a priority for both countries.

Minister Edghill said prior to the change, the request for proposals from

the firms only required them to produce a feasibility study and design for the high-span bridge. However, following the recent bilateral summit between President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, a decision was taken to procure the Corentyne Bridge as a ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain’ (DBFOM) model.

“It means that some amendments will have to be made to the RFP that went out to the various firms, and we are looking at having a DBFOM contract advertised soon. And we want this to be ready in terms of proposals coming

in by the third quarter of 2022,” Minister Edghill said.

The bridge is expected to be 1.17 kilometres from Guyana to the abutment on Long Island, 2.15 kilometres road through Long Island and a 2.5 kilometres bridge from Long Island to South Drain in Suriname.

Minister Edghill said discussions surrounding the change are ongoing.

“That adjustment is being made; active discussions are taking place between myself and my counterpart, Minister of Public Works of Suriname, and we are to have a final meeting to ratify our approach with some of our other colleagues and we

are all set to go,” he said.

In October 2020, Minister Edghill, along with Surinamese Public Works Minister, Dr. Riad Nurmohamed visited the proposed site for the bridge.

The following month, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the bridge during a joint press conference. President Ali had said back then that the bridge will link not only Guyana and Suriname but the rest of South America.

“We recognise the enormous benefits that this can bring in the area of tourism, transportation and trade. To this end, we have expanded our discus-

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill sions where we can jointly promote business opportunities and tourism opportunities for both countries. It is therefore expected that the proposed road alignment will create within its vicinity the possibilities for free trade zone, en-

hanced land value, reduce the cost of doing business and increase the ease of doing business,” President Ali stated.

Guyana and Suriname have shared diplomatic relations since November 25, 1975.

Over 920 Guyanese admitted to Indian university

THE Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and the Indira Ghandi National Open University (IGNOU), on Friday, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) as 922 Guyanese have been admitted to the university.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Guyana, Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, lauded the initiative by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who listened to the needs of the people during the elections campaign.

During his travels, the President noted the people’s need for more opportunities for higher learning, and acknowledged the need for quality tertiary education.

The minister noted that the first batch of 922 students from the 10 administrative regions will pursue studies in 25 different programmes. This opportunity, the minister said, will pave the way for better opportunities and a brighter future for the beneficiaries.

She urged students to perform to the best of their ability.

“When you are educated, no one can take that away from you, it is perhaps the most valuable asset that you will have in your life-

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag time,” Minister Parag noted.

She pointed out that Guyana is on a transformational cusp and human resources in many areas are necessary at this time.

Minister Parag wished the new students success and offered her assistance should they need it.

The minister also noted the benefits that Guyana has enjoyed in 22 years of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, where many were trained in various skills.

The minister said the commitment by IGNOU shows that the special relationship will continue with India.

Professor Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, in his feature address, noted that the institution has been accorded A++ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in India that assesses and accredits higher education institutions.

He noted that interactions between the two agencies began 10 months ago and are now being put in a MoA. Professor Rao assured learners that they “will gain a lot in terms of the knowledge, requisite skills and exposure which is required for the particular programmes”.

He noted that IGNOU has collaborated with countries around the world and is a popular university.

“Our prime consideration is support services to learners of Guyana, offline as well as online learning,” he said.

The learners will be given all online and offline support needed to successfully complete their programmes with specific requirements.

Head of the GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, said the MoA was long awaited and he looks forward to the partnership and the support the students will enjoy.

IGNOU was established in 1985 and is the world’s

largest university with the largest enrollment rate.

The university regularly updates its curriculum

to keep up to date with the changing dynamics of learning and has fulfilled its mandate of providing

accessible, equitable affordable and quality education for students around the world. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

No Room for Complacency

THE Government of Guyana will benefit from 100,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccines which, along with the other vaccine types will go a far way in terms of arriving at the position of herd immunity. The vaccines, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, are approved by the US Food and Drug Department (FDA) and are expected to arrive in the country in a week’s time.

This is second batch of vaccines received through the Covax mechanism, which is a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Pan American Health

Organisation/World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). The idea behind the COVAX facility is to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines against COVID-19.

Guyana has already received a supply of the vaccines from COVAX in May this year and this additional allocation will be a great boost to the vaccination drive in the country. The country is one of 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are receiving vaccines at no cost from this facility. It will be recalled that Guyana had benefitted from a donation of 146,250 Pfizer shots earlier as a donation from the

United States which are being used to vaccinate adolescents.

Only recently, the government was able to source another shipment of the Sputnik V vaccines to allow for those persons who would have been awaiting their second shot of the vaccines.

Guyana is well-positioned to vaccinate its entire cohort of adult population, something which many countries are still to achieve. This speaks well of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and his PPP/C administration. The approach taken in the procurement of vaccines and other supplies has been highly proactive. So far, the response by the public has been encouraging. The vaccination programme is

clearly picking up momentum with nearly 10,000 persons being inoculated Wednesday last, the highest vaccination rate in any single day.

The message is sinking in, due in part to a number of high profile deaths in the past days involving persons in the prime of their youth and in their professional lives. It is unfortunate that some individuals still seem to entertain doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, despite the fact that the vast majority of COVID-19 deaths are from among the unvaccinated, a trend that sadly still continues until today.

The good thing is that Guyanese on the whole are much more aware of the

dangers posed by the COVID-19 virus and are simply not taking chances. A total of 358,237 persons which amounted to nearly 70 per cent of the adult population have already taken their first dose of the vaccines while 192,672 or 37.6 per cent took both doses.

We are not doing badly in terms of both the supply of vaccines and uptake levels but there cannot be any room for complacency. Scientists are already on the lookout for new coronavirus variants beyond Delta, even as the Delta continues to be worrisome.

Tests are currently being done on suspected cases of new variants such as the Lambada and the Mu variants which,

according to experts, can strike the unvaccinated and in some cases the vaccinated at a much faster speed than the COVID-19 virus.

Getting more people vaccinated against COVID-19 is critical in the overall response to the pandemic as large groups of the unvaccinated give the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate into new variants. As such efforts must be stepped up to prevent new variants from emerging, in addition to bringing an end to the current COVID-19 strain, which has already taken a heavy toll on the lives and livelihoods of people globally.

Rohit Persaud was a compassionate worker and political activist Dear Editor,

IT is with sadness I read of the passing of Rohit Persaud, a PPP stalwart who served the party and the country with distinction, honour, integrity, commit-

ment and dedication. While we were not friends, I admired and engaged him because of our Port Mourant connection and his service to Corentyne. He was a hero of political struggle and serving others. He sac-

rificed his life, family, high office, and wealth for the party and nation.

I left Port Mourant at the tender age of 16 in 1977 for tertiary education abroad. I knew of the political activism of Rohit. In America, I con-

tinued to monitor political activities in Port Mourant, the Corentyne, and the nation. Like Rohit and others, I remained committed to the struggle for free and fair elections and against the food ban. Whenever I visited

Someone in Moray House is attempting to redefine the word ‘expert’

Dear Editor,

DAVID Patterson, who failed to deliver a single new megawatt, nay watt, to the Guyana power grid during the five years of Granger’s administration is scheduled to speak at the Moray House forum entitled “Shifting Power: Guyana’s energy mix”.

Someone in Moray House is attempting to redefine the word ‘expert’.

Patterson was part of the promise by APNU+AFC to move Guyana to a 100

per cent renewable energy supply by 2025! Wind, hydro, and solar were the touted solutions. No need to inform that none of this materialised. Patterson had a chance to move the gas-toshore power plant forward, feasibility studies were done by the IDB and the Japanese Government (Mitsubishi), despite the favourable opinions delivered, Patterson failed to identify a route for the pipeline despite being asked repeatedly by Cabinet. A suspicion that friends and cronies

were being given the lands where the pipeline would come ashore were rife and were given credence by the strange allocation of half of the Demerara River to an APNU supporter.

After the Granger administration fell to a motion of no-confidence in December 2018, Patterson accessed monies illegally to build a long-overdue 46 Megawatt power plant in a desperate bid to appease the electorate. Patterson was among the APNU+AFC candidates rejected by the

electorate and now sits on the opposition benches in Parliament.

The attempt by Moray House to rebrand a failed minister as an ‘expert’ is to fall prey to the flash and bling persons like Patterson display; Moray House should seek instead, persons with competence, knowledge, and proven ability to deliver megawatts to better inform the public.

Yours sincerely Robin Singh

Port Mourant during holiday breaks, I would engage Rohit. So I knew of his politics and leadership, especially after Cheddi Jagan appointed him Chair of Region Six in 1992. And we had engagements post-Regional Chair.

He wanted to tell of his political life and his views of politics. Rohit was a kind, caring, and compassionate worker, political activist, and Regional Chair. He was honoured by President Cheddi Jagan for service to nation.

Persaud underwent depravations similar to those encountered by PPP postIndependence under the dictatorship. But his persecution made him more determined to champion the rights of people. He did not betray friends or party.

There were/are few like Rohit in the PPP and in the country who committed their life the way he did to uplift the lives of others, particularly the working class (sugar

workers and farmers). I know of his political work because of my grounding in Port Mourant where his name was well known (and beyond) from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Today’s PPP politicians may not know him. Some had had no regards for his contributions during very hard days of the 1970s and 1980s. He helped to build the party, to get into office in 1992. He was an outstanding party organiser and a dedicated warrior against the Burnham dictatorship. I grew up admiring the political activism of the likes of Rohit, Swasi Deola, and others from Port Mourant. As it was for so many of us during the era of our youths, Dr. Jagan was their hero. Rohit, like Swasi, and several others were committed foot soldiers, fearlessly organising activities for Jagan’s party. He was a committed Jaganite, a man of Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Promoting and facilitating agro-processing and value-added is the way to go WITH every passing day, we hear our government ministers, more so the Minister of Agriculture promoting agro-processing and value-added. Presentation and longevity of basic agricultural commodities are now taking precedence in the minds of our consumers when deciding on what to buy and from which manufacturer. Stressing on the importance of making products more value-added, the government is definitely on the right track with en-

suring the development of Guyana’s agriculture sector is done holistically.

If Guyana is going to realise its full potential as the agriculture powerhouse in this hemisphere, areas like agroprocessing and value-added must be discussed and the necessary investments must be made to facilitate this.

Many raw commodities have intrinsic value in their original state, but when transformed, they can be some of the most sought and consumed commodities on the market.

The ‘produce-and-then-

From page 6 principle and integrity, refusing lucrative offers to betray the party and leader.

A story was related about his encounter with Burnham who made a financially rewarding job offer to him. Rohit had driven to Georgetown for a party meeting at Freedom House.

On his way back to Port Mourant, his vehicle broke down on the East Coast at dusk. Burnham happened to pass the same time. Burnham’s vehicle drove past Rohit’s old, broken down car on the parapet and recognised

Rohit. After being driven for some two miles past Rohit, Burnham ordered his driver to turn back and stopped next to Rohit’s disabled vehicle.

Burnham came out of vehicle and warmly greeted Rohit, telling him: “Comrade Rohit, look at your condition! Look at how Jagan punishing you.

Sand flies and mosquitoes are eating you now. Join me and you will have a better life.

Here is my phone number.

Call me tomorrow. Any job, any position you want is yours. And you will also get a vehicle.”

Rohit related the incident

Dear Editor,

sell’ mentality of the commodity business is being replaced by the strategy of first determining what attributes consumers want in their food products and then creating or manufacturing products with those attributes.

With the continuous shifting of the global economy, the international market for value-added products continues to grow. Market forces have indeed led to greater opportunities for product differentiation and adding value to raw commodities because of increased consumer demands regarding health, nutrition,

convenience, efforts by food processors to improve their productivity, and technological advances that enable producers to produce what consumers desire.

Producers involved with adding value will become more than commodity producers, absorbing all the shocks brought about by global markets in this transitional period of agriculture. They should think of themselves as producing products for end-users, instead of producing only raw commodities.

During the 2021 National

Budget exercise, Minister Mustapha had announced plans to retrofit approximately five agro-processing facilities across the country.

Plans were also announced to retrofit a packaging facility in Region One. The government, therefore, understands that for change to take place, the accompanying facilities must be made available to its citizens.

Once completed, the agro-processing facilities will enable farmers to transform their products, making them more value-added. The processing facility should

also help farmers with the value-added aspect. Making products more appealing to consumers is a basic way of adding value.

I would like to encourage farmers to make full use of the opportunities that lie ahead once these facilities become operable. For the first time, I am excited about where Guyana is heading in terms of agroprocessing and agricultural development and diversification.

Yours truly, Joy Spencer

Rohit Persaud was a compassionate worker and political activist to Jagan and several of his colleagues. I too heard of it.

Jagan was worried that Rohit would cross over to Burnham as several opportunists did and pleaded to Rohit not to join Burnham. Rohit was a man of principle. He would never entertain the thought of joining Burnham. He was a Jagan loyalist. Rohit declined Burnham’s offer. He could not join a man who oppressed and persecuted people and who rigged elections. He remained committed to his party to the point that he became estranged from his family.

I’ll never forget how Rohit, Swasi Deola, and others travelled around by bicycle and on foot throughout the greater Port Mourant area soliciting funds and goods to help striking workers during the long strike of 1975 for GAWU recognition.

Regrettably, Rohit would become disappointed in the politics of the country. He was deeply hurt by Moses

Nagamootoo’s betrayal of the party. His comrades told me that while others benefitted from his political struggle, he was neglected.

During the last decade, while party comrades seemed to have forgotten about him, I regularly queried about his welfare in visits to the Corentyne. I also visited him a few times at his Topside residence. He

felt very honoured that I visited him. He applauded my political activism and writings and revealed a lot to me about his views of politics and about party figures. He cheered the return of the party to government last year.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

Education is power –– period poverty must not deprive girls of their right to education, says First Lady –– as Menstrual Hygiene Initiative launched in Regions Three, Four and Five

By Naomi Parris

FIRST Lady Arya Ali spearheaded the launch of the Menstrual Hygiene Initiative across Regions Three, Four and Region Five on Friday as she continues her efforts to end period poverty across Guyana, The First Lady during her address to the girls at the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three; President’s College in Region Four and the Bush Lot Secondary School in Region Five, said the aim of the initiative is to ensure that no adolescent girl is deprived of her right to education because of period poverty.

“Last year I made a commitment to all girls in this country that I will do everything within my power to ensure that they were given equal opportunity to realise their potential,” the First Lady Ali said.

She further stated that the project is more than just the distribution of sanitary products, but one that is geared

towards the empowerment of girls across the country.

Additionally, the First Lady disclosed that her office is currently strategising a plan to ensure that the Menstrual Hygiene Project will be an initiative that will see girls across Guyana being provided with a yearly supply of sanitary pads.

“These supplies will last for one year and we are currently working on a strategic plan to ensure that every year sanitary pads are distributed to girls in public schools free of cost,” she said, adding: “Minister Manickchand and I have already travelled to four regions to start the distribution there and talk to our girls about their menstrual health and we will continue to [do] so until we cover all 10 administrative regions.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who was also present at the launching ceremonies, charged the young women to extend a hand of gratitude to other young girls who may not be fortunate enough to

afford the luxury of having a regular supply of sanitary pads or tampons.

“Multiply this goodness that the First Lady is doing by giving it to someone you know who doesn’t have; sending it to [a] region that does not have; sending it into the riverine communities; giving it to one of your friends in the classroom without telling the whole world,” she said.

The minister further reiterated that the aim of the project is to ensure that the delivery of education to adolescent girls is not hindered by their menstrual cycle.

Additionally, Minister Manickchand encouraged girls to not feel ashamed of their bodies and the natural cycle that is their menstruation.

Since the official launch of the initiative, the First Lady has distributed sanitary packages to girls in six of the 10 administrative regions.

This project was funded by donations and several fundraisers that were held by the First Lady’s Office.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand handing over a supply of sanitary pads to a student

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

151 CSOs graduate from BIT skills training programme

ONE hundred and fifty-one Community Service Officers (CSOs) from Indigenous communities across the country, on Thursday, graduated from a skills training programme during a simple ceremony held at the Hinterland Scholarship Dormitory, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The training programme was the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA), and the Ministry of Labour (MoL) through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

In attendance at the graduation ceremony were Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; MoAA Permanent Secretary, Sharon Hicks; MoAA Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ryan Toolsiram; and Minister of

Housing and Water, Collin Croal.

The graduates, who came from all 10 administrative regions, received training in photovoltaic systems, and tractor driving and maintenance.

While delivering the feature address at the cer-

emony, Minister Hamilton posited that more attention should be given to technical and vocational skills since it is a key pillar to our country’s development.

He emphasised the need for more young women from hinterland villages to be included and exposed to

A graduate collects her certificate from Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

Soldiers join Heritage Month closing activities at Kaikan A TEAM of senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) joined the community of Kaikan, Region Seven on Thursday to close the curtains on heritage celebrations, following a week of inter-community sports competitions which also involved neighbouring communities.

Last week, Toshao Marlon Williams and other community representatives received a donation of sports equipment as part of the force’s contribution towards making the event a reality.

Lieutenant Colonel, Eon

Murray; Majors Nigel Langhorne, Dr. Meer Khan and Captain Lloyden Layne represented the Force along with Shameena Haniff of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) at the official close of heritage celebrations in the community.

Toshao Marlon Williams, expressed gratitude to the GDF for their continued support to the development of the Kaikan community.

He observed that the community was grateful for strengthened relations with the GDF. “We are still working to build a great relation-

ship but we are thankful for the GDF’s continued support in sports, health and education,” he asserted.

In November, as part of anniversary celebrations, the Guyana Defence Force has planned a medical outreach to the community in collaboration with the CIOG. The outreach will be conducted on November 11 and 12. Force Medical Officer, Major Nigel Langhorne made the announcement to residents at the event.

The announcement was met with cheers of approval.

Officers of the Guyana Defence Force being greeted by residents of Kaikan

the technical training programmes.

“The development we talk about in this country, unless we pay attention to technical and vocational skills, we will miss the boat. We have to repose and pay attention to needs of the society and understand the importance of technical skills in the development of Guyana,” the minister noted.

He also encouraged the CSOs to make recommendations for training programmes that are needed in their villages and communities and collaborate with the BIT to roll out more programmes that will significantly build and provide more opportunities in the hinterland.

Also delivering remarks to the graduates was Minister Croal, who emphasised the critical role such training programmes play in bridging the gap between the hinterland and the coastland.

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, handing over a certificate to one of the graduates “Your journey has only that gap,” he said. started, the receipt of a To this end, he exlicence or a certificate it pressed much satisfaction doesn’t end there. with the initiatives rolled The communities in out by the BIT in hinterland which you live will need villages thus far. the skills that you now “I am particularly possess. More important- pleased that the Board ly we are committed to of Industrial Training bridging the gap with- has many relevant proin the hinterland and the grammes that are geared coastland, so training pro- towards creating emgrammes like these will ployment opportunities,” certainly help in reducing Minister Croal stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 2, 2021

359,222 adults, 24,460 adolescents vaccinated –– Region Four leading with 78.3 per cent of population receiving first dose

SOME 359,222 adults and 24,460 adolescents have received their first dose of one of the vaccines the country has made available to citizens as it advances the vaccination campaign to achieve herd immunity.

These numbers, when broken down, means that 70 per cent of the country’s adult population and 39 per cent of its adolescent population or persons between the ages of 12 to 18 have received their first shot of the COVID-19 ‘jab’.

With the exception of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines, for persons to be considered fully vaccinated with the locally available vaccines, namely, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Pfizer for adolescents, they must be administered both components of those vaccines.

In terms of second doses, the statistics show that as of

Thursday last, 39 per cent of the adult population has been fully vaccinated, representing some 199,978 persons, while 11,601 adolescents received their Pfizer second shot.

The country’s vaccination drive continues to be rapidly rolled out as 9,510 doses of one of COVID-19 vaccines available locally were administered on Thursday last alone, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed.

Region Four has been leading vaccination efforts as 78.3 per cent of the region’s adult population has received their first dose. Region Nine follows with 71.6 per cent and Region Six with 71.3 per cent.

In terms of second doses, 44.8 per cent of the Region Four adult population is fully vaccinated, followed by Region Five with 41.2 per cent and Regions Six and Nine

with 39 per cent respectively.

Region 10 has seen the lowest vaccination numbers as only 29.7 per cent of the region’s adult population has received at least a first dose of one of the COVID-19 ‘jab’ while only 13.2 per cent of the region’s adult population is fully vaccinated.

“So we know that vaccines can help to reduce transmission, they also would certainly help to reduce persons going into hospital and reduce deaths so if you have cases going up and vaccination rates are low we are going to see a lot of people coming into the hospital,” the Health Minister said. “… those regions where they have relatively low vaccination rates, I want to make a special appeal to them to ensure that they get people out to go and get their vaccines,” he added.

In a bid to further push vaccination among the popu-

lation, the Ministry of Health will be conducting a vaccination drive at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac, Hadfield Street, Georgetown this weekend.

All vaccines are currently available with the exception of the AstraZeneca first dose. The country’s stock of AstraZeneca first doses has depleted and only the remaining second dose, which is to be administered four to 12 weeks after the first dose, is available.

This would mean that in addition to the AstraZeneca second dose, both first and second doses of the Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines, as well as the sin-

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony gle shot Johnson and John- both doses of the Pfizer son vaccine, is available for vaccine are available for the adult population, while the adolescent population.

Locals complain foreigners taking jobs, says GCCI THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has reported that it has received several complaints from its membership alleging that they are being “bypassed” for work in favour of foreign-owned companies.

This phenomenon is occurring in spite of the indigenous Guyanese enterprise being both commercially competitive and possessing the technical capability, GCCI said in a press statement on Friday.

The chamber noted that

a high volume of trucking, logistical and other support services are being operated by foreign-owned companies, particularly as it relates to the oil and gas sector, but foreign-owned companies

are also handling a number of infrastructural works.

The GCCI said it remains supportive of foreign investment in Guyana but has contended that this cannot be done at the expense and displacement of indigenous Guyanese companies.

“The chamber has been encouraged by the posture of the government as it relates to local content and calls on the government to table local content legislation before the end of the year,” GCCI said.

Bicycle bandits rob hapless driver –– at Goed Fortuin Housing Scheme TWO bandits on bicycles robbed a driver on Thursday after creating a diversion at Goed Fortuin Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara.

The 42-year-old driver was robbed of one LG cellphone, one transition lens and $10,000.

Reports indicate that the driver was heading west through the Goed Fortuin Scheme, and while passing the suspects, who were on a pedal cycle at the southern side of the road on a bridge,

he heard one of them shout, “Who is you coming through this area?”

The victim claimed that as he continued driving west to pick up a family member, he noticed the two suspects on the bicycle behind his vehicle.

As they drew alongside the vehicle, one of the suspects hit it with the palm of his hand, causing the victim to stop and disembark. And as he did so, one of the suspects tossed the bicycle at him.

Then, realising that they had him well and truly cornered, they both approached the hapless driver, and proceeded to kick and cuff him until he fell to the ground.

And after relieving him of whatever valuables and money he had on him and in the vehicle, they decided to call it a day and beat a hasty retreat.

The matter was duly reported to the police, but efforts made to locate the culprits have thus far proven futile.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Minister Bharrat endorses upcoming International Energy Conference and Expo MINISTER of Natural Resources with responsibility for Petroleum, Vickram Bharrat has endorsed the International Energy Conference Expo Guyana 2022 (IECEG2022) billed for February 2022.

M i n i s t e r B h a r r a t ’s endorsement comes at a time when the conference continues to receive tremendous support from the local, regional and international business communities, regional government leaders, and industry experts.

Minister Bharrat, in a release from his ministry, said he is pleased to be associated with the event which is being held under the theme, “Charting a sustainable energy future”.

The energy conference and expo is expected to be held from February 15 – 18, 2022 here in George-

town, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Minister Bharrat said, in his statement, “The hosting of this conference is timely, and will further strengthen Guyana’s recognition as an emerging oil-and-gas leader, and as a country with enormous potential for investment and business opportunities.

It is anticipated that this event will catapult Guyana into the spotlight that will continue on a path of economic and infrastructural transformation.”

The minister pledged the Ministry of Natural Resource and the Government of Guyana’s full support in hosting the energy conference and expo, and remains committed to supporting the organisers of this very strategic event that is geared towards creating partnerships and prospects for all participants, both

Minister of Natural Resources with responsibility for Petroleum, Vickram Bharrat foreign and local.

This International Energy Conference will act as a catalyst to promote, strengthen and enhance local content, which is an integral component for oil-and-gas development

Girl, nine, killed while crossing Islington Public Road

A HONDA CRV motor vehicle struck a nine-yearold girl down, killing her as she was crossing the Islington Public Road, East Bank of Berbice (EBB), on Friday.

Dead is Carleisa Lewis of Islington, East Bank Berbice. The driver of motorcar PJJ 2394 involved in the accident has been identified as Anthony Persaud of Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice.

Reports indicate that the motorcar was proceeding along the Islington Public Road when it is alleged by the driver that the child ran from east to west and collided with the front portion of his car.

As a result of the collision, the child fell onto the road surface where she received injuries about her body.

She was picked up in an unconscious condition by her sister and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by the driver of the motorcar where she was seen and examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced her dead on arrival.

The vehicle involved in the fatal accident The body is at the New Amsterdam Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination.

A breathalyser test

was conducted on the driver and it returned negative. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

in Guyana. It is expected that the conference and expo will showcase Guy-

ana as the oil-and-gas investment destination, create and build effective industry relationships, and provide the medium for local businesses to access collateral and joint ventures, which is in keeping with the goals and objective of the Local Content Policy.

The government intends to highlight its complement of spin-off oil-and-gas investments, in addition to national infrastructure projects in the short to medium term.

Interim Chief Executive Officer of the IECEG2022, Angenie Abel, said, “This announcement by Minister Bharrat is a signal that we are moving in the right direction as we look to create the much-needed forum for

the further development of Guyana’s energy sector.

The IECEG20200 team welcomes this announcement by the Minister of Natural Resources, and, by extension, the Government of Guyana.”

Abel added: “This is just one of many more to come in the upcoming weeks and months leading up to February 2022.

We have seen, so far, an outpouring of persons who want to have a seat at the table, from exhibitors to attendees who have so far started the pre-registration process.”

The registration portal for the conference and expo can be found on the IECEG’s website, www. guyanaenergy.gy.

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Distribution of one-off grant, 2022 pension books to commence Monday THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security stands poised to begin the massive rollout of the oneoff $25,000 cash grant for pensions, public assistance recipients, and persons living with disabilities on Monday.

Thousands from all across Guyana are expected to benefit with pensioners being able to collect their books for 2022 at the same time. The one-off vouchers will be valid until November 30, and persons are advised to cash them before then.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, and her team from the ministry have been making every effort to enable a smooth distribution process and have been putting several systems in place to ensure that the recipients can uplift the grants in an easy, uncomplicated manner. This is following the announcement

by President, Irfaan Ali last month.

“I want to make this distribution safe, seamless and hassle-free for recipients and we are trying to avoid people having to make several trips to uplift these vouchers,” Dr. Persaud emphatically stated, adding, “The process will allow persons to cash their October month voucher and uplift their $25,000 voucher at the same time, and for the

first time, pensioners will be able to receive their pension books for the next year early, because the 2022 books will also be distributed at the same time.”

Minister Persaud is urging persons to check the media and flyers which will be circulated in their communities so that they will know where and when to turn up. The ministry’s social media pages are also regularly updated to reflect the schedules and other relevant, timely information that may be needed.

Dr. Persaud is advising persons to use the entire week identified for their specific region to collect vouchers.

She noted that perhaps overcrowding can be avoided if everyone does not choose to turn up on the first two days of the exercise.

Importantly, she has also reminded that the initiative captures only persons who are registered on the ministry’s database. “If persons living with disabilities have not yet registered with the ministry, because they are not receiving public assistance, they can do so through the ministry’s data collection officers based at their countrywide offices and NDCs. This data collection process closes on September 30,” Minister Persaud explained.

Times for direct payments; remote and shut-in, will be communicated to pensioners by the officers in their regions. Shut-in pensioners are advised that the officers will visit their homes to deliver the voucher, books and pension as usual.

Regional schedules which include post offices and alternate venues in villages/ communities; Moneygram, Western Union and SurePay are as follows: October 4 -9 – Regions Four and Seven; Regions One and Nine will commence in some locations; October 11-16 – Regions Five and Six; October 18– 23 – Regions Three and 10; and Region Eight will commence in some locations.

The hinterland regions (One, Eight and Nine) will be advised of specific delivery locations by the officers in their regions through the direct delivery system.

All pensioners who utilise the banking system are advised that the $25,000 will be deposited in their account in October. These pensioners are reminded that their life certificates must be presented every three months utilising the WhatsApp call system to ensure continuity of their monthly bank deposits.

If persons miss the specified periods in October, pension books and one-off cash

Child of Guyanese heritage among top achievers at Barbados ‘Common Entrance’ exams A TOP achiever at the ‘Common Entrance Examination’ said Tuesday that he felt like he was going to explode with excitement when he received his results on Monday.

Preparing for the 2021 examination, which was held in July, was “really hard” for Asher Gafoor of the St Angela’s School.

Asher is the grandson of Executive Chairman of Gafsons Industries Limited, Sattaur Gafoor.

He needn’t have worried; the youngster scored 100 in Mathematics, 85 in English, and an ‘A’ in Composition, earning himself a place at the prestigious Harrison College.

Said he: “I feel very excited and very happy; I felt like I was going to explode. I was really happy as soon as I

Asher Gafoor and his mother, Shereefa Gafoor heard I was going to Harrison College.”

He readily admits that when he came out of the examination, he was nervous and anxious about what his results would have been.

Mom, Shereefa Gafoor, shared her son’s nervous anticipation throughout the preparations, as she was unfamiliar with the Online teaching environment occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. And she realised

her son was not alone.

She said: “It was quite a challenge for everyone. I commend all the teachers for encouraging them; they have all done a remarkable job in keeping the kids motivated, and making learning fun for them. I am just very happy.”

St Angela’s also produced this year’s top performer, Elena Bohne, who scored 100 in Mathematics, and 98 in English, and will be headed to Queen’s College. (BarbadosToday) AH

vouchers will still be available throughout the month of November at the ministry’s offices across the country, Minister Persaud pointed out.

Measures have been taken to have persons go to the post office or alternate venue closest to their address within their district. Large tents with seating, sanitisers, masks and other measures aimed at keeping persons safe will also be put in place at all venues.

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Elderly urged to embrace digital world THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is urging the elders to embrace the digital world, especially during this time of the pandemic.

The ministry makes the call in light of International Day for Older Persons which is being observed on October 1, 2021, under the theme, “Digital Equity for All

Ages”.

In a message to mark International Day of the Elderly, the ministry noted that the pandemic has emphasised the need for the elderly to enhance their knowledge of technology to access services or connect with loved ones.

Social distancing has taken a toll on many older folks and many

become depressed because of loneliness.

Apart from the digital divide, the ministry has noted that another area of concern regarding the elderly has to do with their health.

Over the next three decades, according to the United Nations, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, values the contributions of elderly ones and continues in her efforts to craft and implement programmes that are specific to their needs

double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050 and 80 per cent of them will be living in low-and middle-income countries.

With this said, the ministry recognises that it has a huge task on its hand to look out for the interests of the elderly population and design and implement programmes that are specific to their needs.

The ministry, though, cannot get the work done on its own.

“So we call on all to work along with us in keeping this section of the population safe and healthy. In this dreadful pandemic, of utmost concern to all should be ensuring that our older folks are fully vaccinated. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pointed out that although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions,” the message noted.

COUNTRY-WIDE DISTRIBUTION Beginning on Friday, October 1, the ministry will roll out the coun-

try-wide distribution of the $25,000 cash grant for pensioners and persons with disabilities, and will also make the 2022 pension books available at the same time. The ministry has taken several steps in ensuring that the process will be smooth and hassle-free for the older folks.

Meanwhile, on a different note, subject minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, continues to appeal to the public to report instances of elder neglect and abuse through the recently launched 914 Hotline and has been emphasising that elderly abuse has serious negative impact on seniors including physical injuries, and harmful psychosocio-economic effects.

Minister Persaud is also encouraging elderly residents to be more vocal about the abuses that they endure and her ministry has been exerting every effort to have active engagements with relevant agencies to have this issue addressed and expand its capacity to deal with it.

At the launch of the 914 hotline, Minister Persaud, in encouraging persons to use it, had said: “Let us make 914 a hotline with a

difference because it is answered and behind that answer, there is tangible help; help that can change someone’s life, help that can give them a future and help that can save a life.”

She added: “Once that person calls in and the necessary is done at the police station and hospital, they will be linked to a survivor’s advocate who will be able to walk with them, take their hand and hold it all the way to the conclusion of their case.

That is the kind of support we want to see the people have.”

When a call is placed between the hours of 8:00 hours and 16:30 hours, it would be routed to a trained customer service operator, who, in turn, will connect the call to a social worker. Calls made after working hours and during weekends will be routed to the mobile handsets of social workers where all calls will be addressed with confidentiality, the ministry said, noting that the social workers will provide necessary consultations and refer children and parents to local service providers and other relevant agencies.

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Guyana Lottery Company opens store at Enmore Mall

THE Guyana Lottery Company (GLC), on Friday, officially launched its second company store with the new location being at the Enmore Mall, East Coast Demerara.

According to a release, the ‘BLAST Gaming Centre’ is a $25M investment that will cater to gamers who enjoy the company’s Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs).

The centre provides employment for five persons.

With an ambiance that is unmatched anywhere in Guyana, gamers will get a chance to ‘cash-in’ on amazing prizes in the comfort of a secured environment.

In 2017, The Guyana Lottery Company expanded its portfolio with the launch of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) with the Brand Name BLAST; a new and exciting addition to the dimension of

games of chance already offered.

Available in more than 30 gaming rooms countywide, from Berbice to Port Kaituma and Kwakwani to Mahdia, BLAST is a favourite pastime in all 10 regions of Guyana.

“The expansion and accessibility are important factors on the Guyana Lottery Company’s radar to ensure that those who wish to play our games are able to do so conveniently.

“The Guyana Lottery Company will continue raising the bar by offering new and improved games that thrill and captivate players and will be rolling out company-owned stores offering fantastic player experience, a safe and secure environment, responsible gaming protocols and COVID-19 regulations,” the release said.

A look inside the $25M BLAST Gaming Centre at Enmore

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

GTT unveils ‘Wall of Hope’ at Pinktober 2021 launch

GTT’s CEO, Damian Blackburn, cuts ribbon at the “Wall of Hope” in the National Park to officially launch Pinktober 2021.

In photo are members of the GTT Senior Management team, sponsors and Pinktober partners (GTT photo)

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), on Friday, fulfilled another promise of strengthening the community as it launched its annual Pinktober initiative during a small ceremony in the National Park.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has once again resorted to hosting a virtual 2021 Pinktober event to safeguard supporters, a release from the company said.

The small launch saw GTT’s Senior Management Team, Pinktober Coordinator along with representatives of the Ministry of Health, Protected Areas Commission and several nongovernmental organisations unveiling a “Wall of Hope” and ribbon-

cutting at the south entrance of the National Park.

Introducing the “Wall of Hope” to this year’s Pinktober observance, Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens said the structure was mounted to allow cancer survivors, victims, family, and friends to share positive messages to motivate and raise awareness even in the pandemic.

“While we may not be able to walk, run or engage in any social activities again this year, we know many persons traverse the national park for various reasons. It is our hope they stop and share a message of hope or stop and be uplifted by the messages persons will leave throughout this month,” Gittens said.

She encouraged sup-

porters to come together once again in the spirit of unity to support cancer survivors and victims across Guyana by following and supporting the company’s monthlong activities in collaboration with the ministry and NGOs. “The NGOs will be offering VIA screening and several awareness webinars to educate persons on cancer,” Gittens said.

She highlighted that the company has sourced a range of new Pinktober items to help raise funds as it continues to provide tangible support to several charitable and outreach organisations that are on the frontlines of the cancer support fight.

“These items will be on sale at our retail stores and partners at economical prices. Persons can visit our web-

site at gtt.co.gy/pinktoberbottle to order items,” Gittens said.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of GTT, Damian Blackburn reminded of the company’s unwavering commitment to strengthen the community through initiatives like Pinktober.

Blackburn said, “This is our fifth hosting of this initiative, and it is a continued fulfillment of our promise to strengthen the community, that is one of the pillars in our recently launched ‘Together we Rise’ brand position. Together we Rise underpins the hopes of Guyanese for a bright future, with strong communities. That is why we have mounted the ‘Wall of Hope’ as a fitting gesture to launch this year’s Pinktober edition, as we come together in these

very challenging times to offer each other support and to overcome the challenges that face us.”

Offering congratulations to GTT on its fifth Pinktober initiative at the launch was Occupational Health and Safety Officer of the Protected Areas Commission, Rhonda Brotherson, who expressed gratitude to company for its invaluable investment in cancer awareness.

“GTT continues to be a leader in demonstrating how the private sector can contribute to nation building, not only by providing important products and services to ensure a better quality of life for Guyanese, but also in understanding their corporate responsibility to society, and the value of their contribution in areas of health

and community building,” Brotherson said.

This year, GTT has outfitted the national park with an eyecatching Wall of Hope, an attractively decorated entrance, colourful tree-wrappings, among other highlights to create an appealing atmosphere as it promotes cancer awareness and show its support during October.

S u p p o r t e r s a re urged to follow GTT’s social pages including Facebook to stay updated on activities taking p l a c e t h ro u g h o u t the month. Among some of the activities planned are Weekly Pinktober Happenings with local celebrities on Facebook and Wear it Pink Fridays.

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Man gets community service for drug possession; cousin granted bail for attempted bribery A FORTY-FOUR-year-old man, who was accused of having ‘ganja’ in his possession, and his cousin, who was charged for attempting to bribe a senior police officer, on Thursday, appeared before the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Earl Goodheart appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and admitted that on September 27, at Craig, East Bank Demerara, he had five grams of cannabis in his possession.

He was fined $20,000 cash along with three weeks of community service.

Meanwhile, his 35-yearold cousin, Wilwert Watts,

was charged for attempting to bribe a police officer with the sum of $32,000 to forgo the investigation and to free Goodheart.

Watts pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $20,000 bail. His case was adjourned until October 20.

According to reports on September 27, Goodheart was arrested for cannabis possession and was taken to the Golden Grove Police Station. It is alleged that Watts later went to the police station and attempted to bribe a senior police inspector for the release of his cousin.

Caribbean observatory for sexual and reproductive health and rights launched THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through the Spotlight Initiative (SI), and in collaboration with the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation and the European Union, launched the Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) on Thursday.

According to a release, the SRHR Observatory contributes to regional cooperation to prevent and respond to family violence in the Caribbean. The observatory will advocate for strengthened policy and programmatic linkages between family violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights, which will improve coverage, access to, and the uptake of both sexual and reproductive health and genderbased violence services.

It will also provide timely and independent analysis and advocacy for the change of harmful social norms across the Caribbean. The launch of this SRHR Observatory included the participation of Alison Drayton, Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Caribbean, and Luís Maia, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM. Presentations were also delivered by Davina GayleWilliams, SRHR Programme Analyst at UNFPA, Rev. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA), and Eugenia Lopez Uribe, Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

The CFPA will be hosting the SRHR Observatory, utilising its strong regional presence of 12 island Member Associations, six Associate Member Associations in the Caribbean, and four partner Family Planning Associations (FPAs), which are leading SRHR focused civil society organisations in the Caribbean.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It seeks to ensure that women and girls realise their full potential in a violence-free, gender-responsive and inclusive way.

UNFPA, as the Sexual and reproductive Health and Rights agency of the United Nations, is a critical partner in advancing SRHR, and is committed to continuously providing support to CFPA and all other partners to ensure that the Caribbean Observatory executes its functions effectively during the Spotlight Initiative and beyond, the release concluded.

Subsequently, Watts left and returned with $32,000 which he handed over to the inspector in the presence of a corporal. Watts was immediately arrested and charged.

Earl Goodheart

Wilwert Watts

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

50 households in Bashvale Village receive relief supplies FIFTY households in a Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) village called Bashvale/Mountain Foot received food hampers with basic supplies fol-

lowing the recent rainy season which left them unable to plant their crops.

“For this year’s Amerindian Heritage cel-

ebrations, we wanted to give back to a community where one of our team members is from,” Subrina Algoo, Director of N&S Algoo Licensed Cus-

The hampers were delivered to Bashvale/Mountain Foot by Air Services Limited

toms Brokerage Services told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

The employee, Curtis Samuels, joined the company four years ago. The community he is from depends mostly on farming as a means of income; hence, the recent heavy rains left most villagers in an economic struggle.

“After hearing of their plight, and understanding that groceries are sky high there, we have decided to undertake the responsibility to arrange for 50 households to receive food hampers,” Algoo related.

The venture, which cost the company approximately $1M, includes fleece blankets and masks, as were requested by the villagers. They were especially happy at the gesture, as no company in the private sector has reportedly ever done this for them.

The hampers were delivered by plane via Air Services Limited, with Neslina Samuels (Curtis Samuels’ mother) representing the company in

Mr. and Mrs. Algoo with Neslina Samuels (centre)

ensuring that the hampers are distributed to the families.

“We wish that more companies follow suit and give back to communities that are in need of help, and our Amerindian brothers and sisters surely need our support,” Algoo expressed, adding, “Team Algoo’s giving back is not only our social corporate responsibilities, but we

have attached our personal touch for humanity.”

Algoo Brokers is a large customs brokerage firm in Guyana that has been in existence for about two decades. Nandalall Algoo has been a qualified broker since 2001, and both he and his wife, Subrina, have years of experience in the brokerage and shipping industries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Daughter, ‘hitman’ sentenced to death for murdering Ruby businessman

Linden Lewis and Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean BIBI Nazeela Habiboodean and the man she allegedly hired to kill her 76-year-old father were, on Friday, sentenced to death after a jury found them guilty of the gruesome crime.

Habiboodean and Linden Lewis, called ‘Bullet’ were on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for murdering the elder Habiboodean on February 15, 2008 at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo.

A 12-member jury, after deliberating for over two hours, returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.

Before passing his sentence, Justice Kissoon considered the circumstances of the crime and the fact that Bibi was the daughter of the victim.

According to the judge, Bibi was motivated by greed and wealth and in order to get her father’s assets she hired Lewis to carry out the crime.

The judge told the convicts that they will be taken to a lawful prison to suffer death in a manner authorised by law.

The state was represented by Senior State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, while attorneys-at-law Latchmie Rahamat and Roger Yearwood were on record for the accused.

It is alleged that Bibi not only hired Lewis to kill her father, but also

helped him to gain access to his home on the day of the murder.

Reports are that when the “hitman” entered the businessman’s home, he found the elderly businessman sitting in a chair, and proceeded to strike him repeatedly, causing him to later succumb to his injuries at a hospital.

Bibi was charged along with another man, shortly after the murder was committed, but they were both discharged by a magistrate due to insufficient evidence.

Lewis, who had fled to the “interior”, was arrested by the police two years later.

Word is that the police got a breakthrough in the case after Lewis and four others were detained for the murder of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, who were reportedly burnt to death at their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home in 2016.

While in custody, someone tipped off investigators that Lewis had vital information about Habiboodean’s death. He allegedly confessed and told the police that he was paid by Bibi to kill her father.

Shortly after, Bibi turned herself in to the police, and reportedly provided investigators with a statement that was consistent with that given by her father’s alleged killer.

Bibi and Lewis were later charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Rains have final say despite Mandhana’s century; Perry bowling Smriti Mandhana's sublime century, Punam Raut walking when the umpire was saying not out and an improved spell from Ellyse Perry were the notable features on another truncated day of the pink-ball Test on the Gold Coast which is now likely to need to some ingenuity from the captains to engineer the chance of an outright result.

Australia chipped away either side of the second new ball before another ferocious Queensland storm sent the players off midway through the middle session.

The forecast for the weekend is good and there will be 108 overs scheduled on both days, but the game will need to move at a pace from here.

The onus, initially at least, will be on Mithali Raj if she wants to push for four points.

Mandhana had departed for a magnificently-constructed 127, ending a second-wicket stand of 102 with Raut, after which Australia made further inroads. That included the wicket of Raut who walked for a thin nick against Sophie Molineux

Smriti Mandhana celebrates her maiden Test century Getty Images

at the same time as umpire Phillip Gillespie was saying not out, although it was not entirely clear if she had seen the initial decision. There is no DRS for this series, so Raut could have survived if she had wanted to; it provided a chance to debate the

merits and spirit of walking.

Perry claimed her first wicket of the multi-format series in what was her best spell of the season to date although she had been denied twice earlier, once when she overstepped to give Mandhana a lifeline and then when

Beth Mooney dropped Raj and shortly before the storm Raj was run out by Annabel Sutherland.

Mandhana, who resumed on 80, was given a reprieve off her second ball of the day when she drove a full toss from Perry to point where

Mooney took what appeared to be a fantastic one-handed catch diving to her right. But any debate over whether it was clean was rendered moot when replays showed Perry's no-ball.

Having said the previous evening that she would not change her game in sight of three figures, Mandhana was true to her word. She moved into the 90s with arguably the shot of her innings, a perfect straight drive off Sutherland, and it took her just another 11 balls to reach the century when she twice pulled Perry for boundaries in the space of three deliveries.

She continued to pick off boundaries, taking her tally to 22 alongside a six, the best of the ones after three figures being a drive wide of mid-off against Georgia Wareham who was finally given her first bowl on debut in the 60th over.

Ashleigh Gardner continued to offer Australia the most control - her spell in the session reading 11-6-121 - and she made the breakthrough when Mandhana was lured into driving to short cover.

With Mandhana departed, India had two batters

together - Raut and Raj whose natural game is a more sedate tempo. Raut continued along in her own bubble until the moment that got people talking while Raj played herself in as the new ball loomed.

Sutherland had been impressive with the old ball but, when given the first chance with the new one, a wayward over cost 11 shortly before the dinner break.

Shortly after the resumption Raj got her life on 23 when she edged Perry into the gully where Mooney shelled Australia's fourth catch of the innings in what has been another fielding display below their high standards. However, Mooney made amends by taking a tougher chance when lefthander Yastika Bhatia, who had settled nicely on debut, was squared up by Perry's movement with the outside edge carrying low.

Raj had played in a very controlled manner but her stay was ended by a direct hit from Sutherland after she had set off for a single to midwicket, been sent back and slipped a little. It what is likely to be her final Test, she will hope for one more innings.

‘The ashes will go ahead’ – Payne (BBC) - Australia captain Tim Paine says the Ashes will go ahead this winter, even if some England players decide not to travel because of Covid restrictions.

Joe Root and other members of the England team have expressed doubts over the tour, citing 'bubble fatigue'.

Some are considering pulling out of the Ashes if their families are not allowed to travel to Australia.

"The Ashes are going ahead. The first Test is on 8 December - whether Joe is here or not," said Paine.

Speaking to radio station SEN Hobart, he added: "It'll be worked out above us and then they'll have a choice whether to get on that plane or not.

"No-one is forcing any England player to come.

That's the beauty of the world we live in - you have a choice. If you don't want to come, don't come."

Cricket Australia has delivered proposals to the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has responded seeking clarification in a number of areas.

Australia has some of the strictest Covid-19 protocols in the world, complicated by the fact the five Tests are due to take place in five different states, which all have their own Covid rules.

"It is so hard to make a decision until we know what it looks like," England captain Root said earlier this week.

Australia retained the Ashes in 2019 after the series was drawn

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Kings keep playoff hopes alive

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Punjab Kings kept their playoff hopes well and truly alive by punishing Kolkata Knight Riders for their off-colour fielding effort. Mayank Agarwal made a quickfire 40 after an early reprieve, KL Rahul anchored the 166 chase with a 55-ball 67 and Shahrukh Khan made an unbeaten 22 in nine balls.

The result ensured that Knight Riders did not break away from the mid-table pack, with only two points separating the four teams between fourth and seventh. It also confirmed Delhi Capitals' spot in the playoffs as they can no longer finish below fourth.

That the Kings had to overcome only a par total of 165 on a batting-friendly surface was courtesy their death-overs bowling from Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. After Venkatesh Iyer fell for a 49-ball 67 in the 15th over, Knight Riders could make only 45 runs in 5.2 overs, finishing well short of a total near 180 that they were on course to achieve. The lack of batting time for Knight Riders' middle and lower-middle order came to the fore as Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik could only make run-a-ball scores of 2 and 11 respectively when the side needed quick runs.

Kings seamers pull things back after Bishnoi burst After being asked to bat, a 72-run partnership for the second wicket between Iyer and Rahul Tripathi helped the Knight Riders recover from the early Shubman Gill wicket.

The Iyer-Tripathi combo hit 12 fours and two sixes. They took a particular liking to Fabian Allen's left-arm spin and Nathan Ellis' assortment of change-ups. Iyer's power-hitting and Tripathi's shots over midwicket and point kept Knight Riders' run rate around eight per over up while they were around.

But it was Ravi Bishnoi, the legspinner on paper with a penchant of bowling more googlies, who dismissed both men. A wrong'un in the 12th over had Tripathi slog-sweeping to deep midwicket and then another slog-sweep from Iyer in the 15th sent him back after his second IPL fifty and his highest score of the tournament.

At the time, the score was 120 for 4 with 32 balls to go. With Nitish Rana in the middle, and Morgan, Karthik, Tim Seifert and Sunil Narine to follow, a minimum of ten runs per over was on. However, Morgan was lbw to a full Shami ball in the 16th over, which went only for four.

Arshdeep dismissed the dangerous Rana for 31 in the 18th. Shami then frustrated Karthik and Seifert in the 19th, and Arshdeep's boundaryless final over, which included his third wicket gave Kings the momentum.

Rahul anchors successfully With Agarwal back in the XI and finding the boundaries in the opening salvo of the chase, Rahul had the liberty of taking his time. It's a template he has followed since IPL 2020 with equal doses of praise and criticism. This time, Agarwal's runs at strike rate of almost 150 allowed Rahul's scoring rate to briefly slip under the radar. What helped Agarwal to get a solid score on his return to the team was a first-over drop by Morgan when the batter had hit a full ball straight to cover.

However, Rahul had made only 14 in 16 balls in the powerplay, and Agarwal's dismissal soon after - off Varun Chakravarthy - started to bring back old memories. Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram failed to be the aggressive yin to Rahul's sedate yang and were out for sub-20 scores.

With Rahul running out of batting partners and his strike rate still in the 120s, it appeared like the Kings would miscalculate another chase.

But with six overs to go, Rahul finally started looking for big shots. He hit Tim Southee for a six in the 15th over to bring the rate down and then struck two fours off the inexperienced Shivam Mavi in the 19th to bring the equation down to five off the last over.

But Rahul could not see off the chase himself. He was out on the second ball of the final over when his big shot found long-off. A few balls earlier, he had survived a close call for caught after Tripathi slid along the ground in the deep to take a low catch. While the catch appeared fair in real time, the TV umpire adjudicated that the ball had hit the ground.

SRK downs SRK's team While Rahul's innings ensured that there never was a situation when two new batters were at the crease, the team needed a cameo from somewhere to make up for Rahul's scoring rate.

And it came from the man who was playing his first game of the UAE leg. Left out of the XI when the tournament restarted, Shahrukh replaced Harpreet Brar in the XI for this game and came in at No. 6 with the Kings needing 32 from 21 balls. His first shot was nearly four, cut off only by an acrobatic effort by Seifert at deep point. Then came a hook for six that had enough legs to just about beat Iyer's effort on the boundary line. A cut in front of square off Southee soon followed, and his three boundary shots took him to 15 off seven balls.

However, it is the final over that worries every Kings fan. After too many close defeats over the last two seasons, the game was still not in their bag entering the 20th, more so when Rahul was out with them still needing four from four balls.

But Shahrukh was not going to take it down to the last ball.

Mavi went length, Shahrukh slogged to deep midwicket, Tripathi failed to take the catch, the ball popped over the skirting for six, and the Kings took home the two points.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Inaugural Sports Conference set for today The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will host their inaugural sport conference today at the National Cultural Centre, with Prime Minister Mark Phillips delivering the feature address at 9:00am.

The first of its kind sports conference, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, will see the invited sports associations and federations, brain storming, in a panel discussion, ways in which they can work together.

Award-winning sports journalists Rawle Toney (NCN/Guyana Chronicle), Akeem Green (Newsroom), Avenash Ramzan (Newsroom) and Franklin Wilson (Kaieteur News) will lead a panel discussion with the 12 invited sport disciplines.

Greene will discuss the topic of governance, nurturing talent and mind set that will involve the Guyana Cricket Board, the Athletics Association of Guyana, Squash and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad.

Toney will moderate the discussion of sponsorship, media and revenue with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Guyana Hockey Board and the Guyana Vol-

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leyball Federation, along with NSC Commissioner Chateram Ramdihal.

The Guyana Football Federation, Guyana Rugby Football Union and the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association, will be joined by NSC Dillon Davidson to discuss nutrition, injuries and psychology with Ramzan as their moderator.

A discussion on tournaments, elite training and international competition will be moderated by Wilson, which will see the involvement of Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, the Guyana Table Tennis Association, the Guyana Badminton Association and the Guyana Amateur Swim-

ming Association.

With the Ministry’s Sports Academy coming on stream some time in November, the sports conference will also present an opportunity for information to be extracted from the local sports bodies on how the sports academy will function.

“Some sports associations are better in their administration than others, some have been able to employ techniques that are better in their outcome,” Minister Ramson told Chronicle Sport.

According to Minister Ramson, “it’s very important for me, having had that monthly engagement (with as-

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sociations) but then, it's great for them to speak to me, but they weren’t speaking to each other and that sport conference

allows for them to do that.”

Minister Ramson said this year’s sports Academy

will be the first of many to come under the PPP/C Government, in their drive to develop sport in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

Stoke ends West Brom unbeaten streak (BBC) - Nick Powell scored the only goal of the game as Stoke City beat previously unbeaten Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.

It looked like being one of those nights in the Potteries when Michael O'Neill's men outplayed the visitors but could not find a way through.

Jacob Brown hit the post in the first half, then Mario Vrancic hit the bar in the second, before Sam Johnstone twice made great saves in quick succession from Sam Surridge, the second of them from the penalty spot after the Albion keeper had brought down the striker.

But on 79 minutes the Potters finally created one piece of real magic for their deserved winner on a night when Albion boss Valerien Ismael admitted that Stoke were the best side they have faced so far this season.

Tommy Smith latched on to a mis-hit pass from Conor Townsend to float a chipped ball through the inside-right channel - and

Powell ran on to lift a perfectly weighted lob over the marooned Johnstone.

Stoke climb to third on the back of their best performance of the season in front of their biggest crowd of the season, 22,703, although that was swelled by the noisy 2,886 travelling Albion fans who made such an occasion of it.

The Potters eventually won it largely thanks to another superb performance from Powell, who, at 27, now looks to be a real class act compared to the teenage hopeful who Manchester United risked £3m on more than nine years ago.

It was Powell who created Stoke's first great chance when he put Brown clean through, only to see his team-mate outfox keeper Johnstone but also find the base of the post. Seconds later, fit-again Joe Allen fizzed a right-foot follow-up just wide.

And, although Albion's Callum Robinson had a powerful left-foot volley straight at home keeper Adam Davies, he was also

Nick Powell has now scored six goals in eight games this season - the last four in successive matches

involved in an incident at the other end.

Stoke thought they had scored when Darnell Furlong, trying to clear the danger back to his keeper, arced a low diving header into the corner. But referee Tim Robinson had already blown his whistle for a supposed foul on Robinson, who appeared to have gone very easily to ground, earning a loud, sustained chorus of booing.

Summer signing Vrancic was next to go close after the break when he floated a left-foot free-kick over Johnstone, which bounced back off the bar.

From Powell's low second-half cross, the Albion keeper then denied Surridge from close range - before there came an even better chance.

Semi Ajayi cleared a goal-bound shot almost from off the line and, in the melee that followed, Surridge was adjudged to have been brought down by Johnstone.

The Albion keeper dived to his right to save Surridge's poorly struck penalty kick with his feet. But it was Stoke who had the last laugh as Powell's winner rubberstamped their promotion credentials, lifting them within a point of top spot going into the international break.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021

ExxonMobil, YGB renew Community Partnership development

Persaud confident of retaining Guyana Open title

Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana (centre) along with Director Sport, Steve Ninvalle (second from right) along with Rayad Boyce, Co-Director of YBG (second from left), and other officials and players at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday

ExxonMobil Guyana and Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) have realigned to develop the sport from a community level.

The YBG Academy is a “Community Partnership” which seeks to provide an alternative in the interim for core student-athletes ages 13 – 19, who have been without structure for almost two years, to train and play safely.

“Through the ExxonMobil Community Partnership, YBG will be allowed to continue its good and firstly it will allow access to expand the YBG Academy in several communities”, YBG’s Co-Director, Rayad Boyce stated.

ExxonMobil Guyana has partnered

with YBG in the past supporting league competitions and investing in the community and this time around their partnership with YBG will offer support to the sport as a vehicle for transformation; educational intervention and support for student-athletes; and Leadership and Community empowerment.

Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, said they are extremely happy to renew their partnership for the “outstanding work” since YBG is not just teaching Basketball but also life skills.

“This is a great to learn and a fun way but remember to you are learning more than just how to play with the

ball”, Routledge told the participants at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The initiative is also supported by G-Boat, California Guyana Basketball Foundation, and the National Sports Commission.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, applauded YBG for their efforts of developing the sport from the nursey level since he noted, the “youths are the future”.

YBG has developed a process of identifying central hubs which are then cleaned and sanitised, and resourced with equipment, administrator, coaches, and a roster of student-athletes within their zone/region.

Petra Organisation saddened at gunning down of Joshua Denny The Petra Organisation has been saddened by the untimely and vicious death of Mr. Joshua Denny The youngster on Thursday, while on his way to work had his life snuffed out at the hands of two bandits.

In a release, the Petra Organisation that Denny’s long lasting relationship started in 2012 when he represented the Redeemer Primary and North Georgetown Primary School as a Pee Wee football player in the Courts U-11 Pee Wee Football Tournament.

Mr. Denny, then went on a few years after to represent the Lodge Secondary School participating in the Milo U-18 Football tournament and Guyoil Tradewind Tankers Football league where his team emerged as the 2019 league champions.

Also, and most notably Mr. Joshua Denny was a key and critical member

of the Lodge Secondary School team that beat tournament favorites Shiva Boys in the KFC Goodwill International Secondary School Football Tournament ensuring that title remained in Guyana.

Denny, has even represented the Comptown Football Club with distinction at the senior level in the Turbo KO Tournament and in the Limacol Football Tournament to both the organisation and his parents delight.

Denny’s parents, particularly his Mom Ms. Afeah Denny and his sisters were present at most if not all the games he participated in to see him play.

The Petra organisation was pleased to see his transition from Pee Wee (Primary) to Secondary Schools and then to the senior level as a disciplined football player.

He remained a very focused, disci-

plined and hardworking youngster and took his game serious and his academic pursuits also by becoming a gainfully employed electrician.

According to the release, the organisation believed that he exemplified what a young person can do to make progress in a society where there are challenges.

The release added that, ‘cannot begin to imagine how devastating this loss has caused his family and the pain and suffering to the hands of his assailants, we (Petra Organisation) would nevertheless and for a long time to come, mourn the loss of ‘Joshie’ with his family, his friends, our Organisation, the football fraternity and civil society.

Heartfelt condolences are being expressed to his family, relatives, his school friends and colleague and to those who knew him.

Avinash Persaud scored three-under par last Saturday.

REIGNING Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud said that he is very confident of retaining his title, when the premier two-day golf event takes place at the end of this month.

In the limited number of tournaments that the 30-year-old champion has played this year, he has dominated.

“When you’re shooting that score, everything is good with your game. I’m very confident of retaining the title.”

The undisputed best golfer in the country has won the prestigious Guyana Open tournament 10 times and is a heavy favourite for the title again this year.

According to information from the club, the event will be held on October 30-31.

To prepare himself for the top event, Persaud played two solid rounds at the Farm Supplies Limited (Farmsup) Golf Tournament last Saturday.

He made an impressive three-under-par over his 18 holes (twice around the nine-hole Lusignan Golf Course).

Playing without a handicap, Persaud finished with a net score of 67. In total, he hit 11 pars (the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course), five birdies (one better than par) and two bogies (one above par).

Second place in the net tournament was won by Naresh Sarwan, who finished with a gross 84 and a net 68 (handicap of 16), while former Guyana Open champion Mike Mangal, who also finished with a net 68 (gross 74) but lost on a countback, settled for third.

Gavin Todd (19 handicap) won the best front-nine with his net 32 (gross 41). Sarwan was also able to win the back-nine with a net score of 31 (gross 39).

The nearest to the pin prize was won by Troy Cadogan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 2, 2021 Flashback! Joshua Denny (front row, third from left) celebrates with his Lodge Secondary school team mates after winning the 2019 TradeWind Tankers football tournament

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Petra Organisation saddened at gunning down of Joshua Denny PAGE

Kings keep playoff hopes alive

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Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul put up another big stand, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2021, Dubai, October 1, 2021 © BCCI 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

Inaugural Sports Conference set for today 49 PAGE

Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jnr.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021