Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_12_03_2022.pdf

SATURDAY 12th March, 2022

No.106660

‘Building Expo’ returns in July –– 800 persons become new land-owners; 300 titles distributed in ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive

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Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal assists Anita Ramphal in pulling her lot number, while Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, presents a title to one of the beneficiaries at the Dream Realised housing drive at the Guyana National Stadium, East Bank Demerara on Friday (Delano Williams photos)

Two years into ‘COVID’: Search for jobs 16 Russia-Ukraine 11 balancing the country’s made easier with war pushes up flour health and economy 14 launch of job bank prices by 15 per cent PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

GECOM waives vaccination requirement for persons in 14-17 years age group

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has taken a decision to waive the vaccination requirement for persons in the 14-17 years age group.

“GECOM is absolutely cognisant that national registration of all eligible persons is a legal requirement as it is a constitutional obligation for it to register such persons.

However, whereas, the responsibility for creating the conditions for and the actual registration of such persons is vested in GECOM, the Commission could not be unmind-

ful of the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus and the need to ensure the protection and safety of its staff,” GECOM noted in a statement on Friday.

According to the elections body, prior to the commencement of the ongoing Registration Exercise, internal COVID-19 guidelines aimed at protecting GECOM Registration personnel was prepared and circulated to all GECOM Registration offices for compliance.

The guidelines, GECOM noted, were prepared in accordance with the provisions of

Regulation 8 of the Gazetted Subsidiary Legislation – Regulations No. 1 of 2022 – The Public Health Ordinance dated Friday January 28, 2022, which stipulates that “every employer under this regulation shall ensure that appropriate COVID-19 guidelines are prepared and implemented to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus among workers to protecting employees against becoming infected with the COVID-19 Virus.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, GECOM stated that many persons in

the 14-17 years old age range might not have been able to be vaccinated for want of being in possession of national identification cards, because they were never registered.

GECOM noted that this decision was taken in consultation with the respective Chief Scrutineers of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), respectively.

In this regard, an Internal Memorandum dat-

ed March 9, 2022, was dispatched electronically to all of the Commission’s registration officers, instructing that the vaccination requirement be waived to allow for unvaccinated eligible persons between the ages of 14-17 years old to be registered.

However, persons within this age range visiting any GECOM Registration Office to apply for registration must adhere to the routine COVID-19 preventative measures, e.g. correct wearing of masks, sanitising, and practicing social distanc-

ing.

Further, GECOM stated that with specific reference to the provision that requires persons 18 years old and over must be fully vaccinated in order to visit any GECOM registration office to conduct registration transactions, the commission will deliberate on this matter at its next statutory meeting, to determine a conclusive approach regarding this category of unvaccinated persons who may wish to conduct registration transactions.

‘Game-changer’ tourism app launched

KAIETOUR, a newly launched booking app, is set to become a “game-changer” for Guyana’s tourism sector, according to its creator, Saludeen Nausrudeen.

During a simple launch ceremony held at Herdmanston Lodge on Friday, he said the app will not only showcase the country’s tourism destinations and stakeholders, but will also allow

potential visitors and tourists to book their flights, accommodation, tourist experiences and transportation services beforehand.

“It’s a proud moment for the Kaietour team to deliver to the Guyana tourism operatives and stakeholders and to the nation of Guyana, a robust and digital platform that will place Guyana’s unique and rich tourism product

online for greater exposure and global marketing,” Nausrudeen said.

Nausrudeen further explained that the aim of the application is to provide Guyanese tourism operators with a platform to market their services to international customers.

“Kaietour was developed because we believe that Guyana tourism operators were at Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and founder of the Kaietour app, Saludeen Nausrudeen sharing a light moment at the brief ceremony on Friday evening (Carl Croker photo)

A glimpse of the Kaietour application

a disadvantage, invisible to the world. We need to have our tourism inventory easily and efficiently reach tourists and our diaspora and have their bookings reserved but confirmed,” he said adding: “Kaietour will fundamentally address this gap and will put Guyanese tourism online around the world.”

The application offers global flights, car rentals, taxis, hotels, bed and breakfast, resorts, tours and holiday packages, all of which can be paid for through Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), the country’s leading mobile money wallet, which allows persons to conduct money

transactions with ease.

Simplified, Nausrudeen said, “Kaietour allows you to do a complete booking a search, find, booked and paid.”

Meanwhile, subject minister, Oneidge Walrond, during brief remarks, stated that the country’s melting pot of experiences should be marketed and displayed on all platforms as she welcomed the launching of the application.

Minister Walrond noted that the Government of Guyana has been continuously working on strategies to further develop the tourism market, including facilitating

private investments.

“What we have done is facilitate the investment in high quality hotels. We have launched experiential tours, last year we have done seven, so that the tourists and the visitors can come to Guyana and they can have many experiences,” she said.

“The government has embarked on a comprehensive strategy for developing tourism in Guyana and experience in every single region, so that the economic effects of tourism can be felt in [every] region so that we can see equitable development in all of our regions,” the minister added.

‘Building Expo’ returns in July

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

–– 800 persons become new landowners, 300 titles distributed in ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive

By Rabindra Rooplall EIGHT hundred Guyanese became landowners, and approximately 300 Land Titles and Transports were distributed on Friday as the Housing and Water Ministry kicked off its first ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive for 2022 at the Guyana National Stadium, at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The house lots fall within the Grove Diamond Block-1 Housing Development, and are being allocated to moderate, middle, and high-income citizens. Both subject ministers were on the ground, assisting persons with sector-related concerns.

Further, within the next two weeks, persons who were allocated house lots in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five(Mahaica-Berbice), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will be able to see the lots they have been allocated, as some infrastructural works have been accelerated in Stewartville, Edinburgh, Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, and Meten–MeerZorg within Region Three; Prospect, Little Diamond, Annandale, Mon Repos and Vigilance/Bladen Hall/Stratsphey in Region Four; Experiment in Region Five, and Nos. 75 and 79 Villages, Ordinance Fortlands and Williamsburg in Region Six. Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal also

A section of the gathering at the first ‘Dream Realised’ Housing Drive for 2022 at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara on Friday announced that the ‘Building Expo’ will return in July 2022.

The ‘Building Expo’ began under the stewardship of the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration during the tenure of then Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, who is now the President of Guyana.

“His vision guides us today, not just in housing, but in every facet of life in Guyana,” Minister Croal said, adding: “His foresight saw an explosion in the construction sector that is unmatched; we want to capitalise on this. This ‘expo’ was always well

received, as it brought together stakeholders under one roof, and was a forum to showcase new and innovative developments within the local sector. We will host the launch next month, and I’m looking forward to the grand event which will take place right here at the National Stadium.”

Further, he said that the ministry’s target for 2022 is set at a modest 15,000 allocations, as several other similar housing drives are planned to achieve the delivery of 50,000 house lots by 2025 as promised.

EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS However, he said this promise cannot be fulfilled without changes to the way business is done at the ministry, and this means making the services provided more efficient and effective, as well as expanding the role of the ministry within the infrastructural trajectory set by the government.

“As you have seen in the past 15 months, the Ministry of Housing and Water has added the construction of major roads to its portfolio. This new role is continuing to expand;

we have new contracts that are now in the signing stage, which will see rapid infrastructural development in several housing areas,” Minister Croal oted.

The East Bank Corridor, he said, is seeing an injection of infrastructural projects from the government as well as the private sector.

He said that this augurs well for the future of the community, and he is happy to report that infrastructure works at Prospect, Little Diamond, Great Diamond and on the four-lane highway from Mandela to Eccles are nearing the completion

stage, while those at Providence Blocks 1 and 2 are fully completed, and are to the tune of $6.8M. “We are now embarking on new infrastructural projects in other areas within Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Little Diamond and Peter’s Hall, as well as upgrading roads at Herstelling, Perseverance, Peter’s Hall, Experiment and Eccles. These infrastructural projects and road upgrades will cost close to $14.8 billion. Contracts for these projects are awarded, and are in the signing stage; works are slated to begin shortly. When the cost for the construction of the new four-lane highway from Eccles to Great Diamond, which stands at $13.3B, is added to the new stock of projects, the total sum for new investments in the East Back corridor is expected to be a staggering $28 billion,” Minister Croal said.

Further, he said that in keeping with the targets, the Ministry of Housing and Water, CH&PA and GWI have sought to improve the quality and accessibility of the services offered.

The CH&PA, he explained, has introduced e-applications and submissions for land allocation for both residential and commercial uses.

“So, when before you had to travel from Essequibo or Berbice or Linden to get a status update on your application, now See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Brent crude fluctuates at end of volatile week

BRENT crude fluctuated at the end of a volatile week as Russia’s war in Ukraine kept markets on edge and talks on an Iranian nuclear deal stalled.

Futures in London added 0.7 per cent on Friday, the smallest move in a week that’s seen the biggest swings on record. West Texas Intermediate’s trading range has been the widest since it turned negative in 2020.

Oil headed higher after Iranian nuclear negotiations were halted in Vienna, with no indication of when or whether they will resume.

Prices had earlier dipped as President Vladimir Putin noted “positive movement”

in talks with Ukraine. The market has been whipsawed this week by news of a US ban on Russian crude imports and what looked to be signs of OPEC+ disunity.

There continue to be indications that Russian oil is being shunned more broadly, with no buyers in a recent tender for crude from the country’s Far East.

The fallout from the war has rippled through commodity markets from wheat to key fuels such as gasoline and diesel, increasing inflationary pressure around the world.

Rystad Energy AS has predicted Brent could soar to an eye-watering US$240 a barrel this summer if countries

March 09, 2022

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I 6 13 14 15 19 22 2

The market has been whipsawed this week by news of a United States ban on Russian crude imports and what looked to be signs of OPEC+ disunity (File: Taylor Weidman/Bloomberg) continue to sanction Russian tility perhaps says something oil imports. about several things: degree “Extreme intraday vola- of uncertainty, the nature

11/03/22 - 02, 11, 12, 18, 20

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of the news flow, the spillover from some chaotic spot markets and the relatively low liquidity levels at some points,” said Paul Horsnell, head of commodities research at Standard Chartered Plc. Mounting penalties against Russia have prompted fears that an already tight oil market may be stretched further, though OPEC has stressed there’s no shortage of barrels. Banks such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. have said only demand destruction can halt the price rally.

Open interest in the main oil futures contracts has plunged to a six-year low in recent days as traders re-

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treat from risk. Volatility has rocketed, and exchanges have boosted margins, effectively raising the cost of buying and selling. Brent has been as high as US$139 a barrel and as low as US$105 this week.

The UAE on Wednesday called on OPEC+ to boost output faster, though the nation’s energy minister appeared to later temper that message. The cartel, which counts Russia as a key member, has so far resisted calls from consumers to pump more, arguing that the surge in prices is driven by geopolitical tensions rather than a supply shortage. (Al Jazeera/ Bloomberg)

11/03/22- 3, 7, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

US to ban Russian diamond and vodka imports US President Joe Biden has announced a ban on imports of Russian diamonds, seafood and vodka in the latest response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The US, European Union and other allies also plan to revoke Russia’s status as an equal trade partner, paving the way for further economic punishment.

The moves add to sanctions that have isolated Russia economically since the invasion.

Its currency has collapsed, while global firms rush to exit the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has likened Western sanctions on banks and oligarchs to a declaration of war. Moscow has also threatened to nationalise production plants or factories where work has been suspended.

Western allies announced further economic retaliation on Friday.

The European Union said it would ban imports of key Russian iron and steel products

and bar new energy investments in the country, while the UK put sanctions on hundreds of Russian politicians.

The US, EU and UK also said they would cut off shipments of luxury goods to Russia.

Biden said the latest steps will be “another crushing blow to the Russian economy”.

Under international rules, designating a country a “most favoured nation” provides reciprocal trade privileges such as lower tariffs, taxes imposed at the border.

Stripping Russia of that status clears the way for higher tariffs on key products it sells such as mineral fuels, fertilisers and metals.

Biden said he was coordinating the plans with the European Union and other advanced economies, including Canada and Japan, each of which will take similar steps.

In the US, Congress, which must act for the move to go into effect, has already declared itself in favour of the move. (BBC)

Photo credit: EPA

Sesame Street star Emilio Delgado dies aged 81 ACTOR Emilio Delgado, who appeared on Sesame Street for more than four decades, has died at the age of 81.

Delgado was a presence in children’s lives for 45 years, playing the fix-it shop owner Luis on the long-running series.

His wife, Carol Delgado, confirmed he had died from the blood cancer multiple myeloma, which he had been battling since 2020, at their home in New York.

In a statement, producers said he was a “beloved member of the Sesame family”.

Delgado, who was Mexican-American, joined the show at a time when there were few ordinary Latino characters on TV. His character Luis, who first appeared in 1971, at-

tracted praise for avoiding the Latin American stereotypes which were commonplace on television at the time.

“There really wasn’t any representation of actual people,” Delgado recalled in a 2021 interview on the YouTube series Famous Cast Words. “Most of the roles that I went out for were either for bandits or gang members.”

Shop owner Luis was an exception to that, and Delgado’s role saw him star alongside a diverse group of children and the famous puppets Elmo, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

Delgado was cast in the show’s third season without having to audition.

The actor recalled producer Jon Stone “didn’t want actors... he wanted real

people”.

The actor took a yearlong break from the show in the mid-1980s but returned to continue playing Luis, who was popular with viewers.

In a widely-viewed 1988 episode, his character married his co-worker Maria, played by Sonia Manzano.

The storyline was Sesame Street’s first attempt to teach children about romantic love, with the fix-it shop employees falling for each other after caring for a sick kitten.

They first realized they might be in love when Big Bird spotted them holding hands and asked, ‘’Why would grown-ups need to hold hands to cross the street?’’

‘We wanted to show a couple who are nice to

each other and have fun together,’’ said Manzano, who also wrote for the show, told the New York Times in 1988.

Delgado’s “warmth and humour invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations,” Sesame Workshop said in their statement.

“At the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly laid claim to the record for the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series. We are so grateful he shared his talents with us and with the world.”

Delgado’s other TV credits included Quincy M.E., Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and House of Cards.

He left Sesame Street in 2016 when his contract

Emilio Delgado appeared on Sesame Street from 1971 until 2016 (BBC/GETTY IMAGES) was not renewed during a revamp of the show. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in late 2020.

He was honoured by former New York mayor Bill de Blasio, who declared 15 October 2019, “Emilio Delgado Day”.

“At a time when, if you saw diversity on television, it often was with

stereotypes, and not the good kind of stereotypes,” he said.

“Emilio was one of the people who broke the mould, created a positive role model, for everyone, but particularly for children who didn’t get to see or hear people who looked like them and spoke like them.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Smart Policing

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has disclosed that government plans to develop and implement ‘Smart policing’ systems to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the Guyana Police Force.

The system would allow for the strategic implementation of technology in the day-to-day operations of the Police Force.

This disclosure was made at the recent opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

This is, indeed, a commendable initiative by President Ali, which would impact positively on the reduction of crime in Guyana. And while there has been some significant progress in terms of crime-fighting over the past few years, much more can be done in terms of strategically positioning the Force to fight crime.

Crime and criminal activities have become much more technologically-driven today than in the past, and the Police Force has to be in a position to respond through better and more sophisticated crime-fighting technologies and intelligence-gathering systems. This is exactly what President

Ali, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is doing.

There is no question that the security forces in the country have been significantly strengthened in recent years in terms of capacity-building and institutional strengthening. And, according to the Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, there was an 18 per cent reduction in serious crimes in 2021 compared to the previous year, which he credited to innovative strategies being employed by members of the Police Force.

This is good news, for which the Police Force must be commended. As Guyana becomes more tourism-oriented, the need to ensure a safe and secure environment becomes a national imperative, and the idea of smart policing, as envisaged by the President all the more critical.

The fact is that the country is today enjoying a level of prosperity never before experienced. Guyana is definitely on a fast growth trajectory, and, as observed

by President Ali, “aggregate investments, both private and public, are increasing; citizens are investing in new homes, cars and other personal belongings; businesses

are expanding; those making these investments are doing so with the understanding that the country will boost security to protect them and their business.”

This is exactly what smart policing will do; it will help to create that environment of safety and security of person and property. Indeed, a major element of smart policing is the implementation of a digital platform for tracking crime, including traffic offences. In this regard, discussions have already started with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), with the intention of having that feature incorporated on all of the major highways. This system will incorporate fixed-speed radars on main roads in order to identify those who violate the traffic laws of the country, and to have such infractions photographed for necessary action.

This is a forward-looking move, and will greatly eliminate allegations by motorists of police harassment and bribe-taking. Indeed, this development will bring Guyana in line with that of the more advanced countries in terms of speed control measures and ticketing procedures.

As noted by President Ali, the infra-

structure of such a facility could be costly but necessary as the country progresses along the lines of a modern and law-governed society.

It is no secret that the attitude of some members of the Police Force leaves much to be desired, both from the standpoint of ethics, morality and professionalism.

Thankfully, such actions are not pervasive, and do not in any way characterise the Force, but it does underscore the need for training and re-training. In this regard, the disclosure by President Ali of the proposed establishment of a Regional Police Academy is a forward-looking move which could raise the bar and enhance of the professionalism and integrity in the sphere of policing and security.

The President could not have been more candid on the issue of security when he said that when it comes to the security of the Guyanese people, it cannot be “business as usual”.

Safety of the Guyanese people is a top priority of the PPP/C administration, as could be seen from the massive injection of $47.9 billion into the security sector in the 2022 national budget.

Some PNCR leaders fight among Please themselves and are far removed from reality don’t do it

Dear Editor,

THE people of Guyana will no longer be seeing Joseph Harmon within the corridors of the National Assembly.

This opposition leader was a powerful figure in the failed Coalition of convenience, APNU+AFC. Over the past weekend, media reports have been circulated that Joseph Harmon, opposition member, has resigned from the National Assembly, effective March 15th, 2022.

Under the David Granger-led administration, Mr Harmon held several key positions and was a Minister of State and probably the de facto President of Guyana.

Joseph’s departure from the National Assembly is most welcome, as he has failed to contribute anything meaningful to the 12th Parliament.

It was only in January that Mr Harmon resigned as the Leader of the Opposition after much public and internal pressure. It was over for Harmon since December2021 after he lost a poorly contested People’s National Congress Reform election.

This saw him being severely trashed by his opponent Aubrey Norton, who won 70 per cent of the votes. Mr Harmon’s unpopularity is known, even among his former party members and colleagues. He was appointed Leader of the Opposition by David Granger when the APNU+AFC lost the 2020 General and Regional Elections to the People’s Progressive Party /Civic.

Notwithstanding his defeat to Norton in 2021, Harmon attempted to play it out. This tactic was most unsuccessful as the People’s National Congress Reform, who controls the political faction of A Partnership for

National Unity and the Alliance For Change demanded that their leader Aubrey Norton be the new Leader of the Opposition and be allowed to enter Parliament. These demands were intensified with the resignation of former Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry.

Ms Henry’s resignation from the National Assembly early in February this year, was supposed to make way for Aubrey Norton to enter into Parliament. However, this resignation does not take effect until March 31st, 2022. At this juncture it is obvious that Norton’s political aspirations are being held hostage by David Granger, the leader of the list and former President.

With the resignation of Mr Harmon, a senior personnel within APNU, the opposition Coalition APNU+AFC (PNC) is now weaker

than ever. This comes in the wake of several of their members resigning or moving away from the PNCR and the sham Coalition APNU+AFC. This further strengthens the theory held by many political commentors that most of the APNU+AFC politicians were merely political opportunists who never cared for Guyana.

The deception of the APNU+AFC must not be allowed to take root and hinder our progress on this road to prosperity.

Joseph Harmon’s resignation is supposed to take effect on March 15th, 2022. This, he clarified on March 9th, 2022.

Aubrey Norton as the potential Leader of the Opposition is sure to welcome this.

Yours sincerely, Nkosei Williams

Dear Editor, NEITHER GECOM nor any other agency in Guyana has the right to demand that Guyanese be vaccinated.

To arrogate such power is to subvert the Constitution of Guyana.

Respectfully Robin Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Remembering two towering presidents on a memorable day (Part II)

By Earl Bousquet IT’S again time to remember Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Guyana’s two towering Presidents of the Republic who, together and each on their own, left eternal footprints in the sands of Guyana’s time.

Together and alone, they also led the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) throughout their lives; each revered and respected at home, in like and different ways, by the majority of Guyanese -- appreciated more by some than others, but known to all for the roles in their everlasting struggles for the ultimate independence and political freedom of British Guiana from the clutches of British colonialism and American-led imperialism.

Those who still speak of the Jagans in ill terms choose to for reasons they choose to hold on to, but Cheddi and Janet will eternally remain household names in Guyana, and permanent figures in the nation’s 20th and 21st Century history, from the formation of the PPP in 1946, to Cheddi’s departure in 1996, and Janet’s in 2009.

Working with both for the first six years (19931999) following the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections in 1992, was more than a pleasure or a duty; more of a mission than a task or assignment; my daily work;

less of a job than fulfilment of what could only have been a dream until that blessed calling.

Cheddi and Janet both had unfathomable depths of memory, predicting courses of unfolding global events, and commanding recollections of facts and figures, of fine details of events decades past, in ways that expected would have been erased by, with and over time.

They explained the most complex world events to Guyanese of all walks of life through messages in the simplest language, easily and equally understood by stevedores, estate workers and Amerindians as by University of Guyana (UG) graduates, Queen’s College (QC) students or primary schoolers.

I remember accompanying Dr. Jagan, as President, on a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter to a faraway, mountainous hinterland area from which came an iconic photograph of the President of the Republic wearing a ceremonial Amerindian headgear over European wear, explaining -- with chalk on blackboard -- the economic inequality faced by Guyana compared with the USA, UK and Canada, and how it affected them in Region One. I remember Janet, as elected President, still coming to The Mirror, as per usual, after Cheddi’s death to fulfil editorial duties,

often having to be reminded that her presidential security detail was still waiting downstairs while she plugged away on her ribbon typewriter.

Janet sometimes appeared more comfortable at The Mirror than at State House or the Office of the President, and even when she was advised to stop driving, she’d spend most of her day at her South Ruimveldt editor’s office.

The first woman President, in advanced age, and with the most lifelong experience as a party leader, was succeeded by the youngest-ever PPP candidate for the presidency, much to the anguish of others who measured their qualification for succession by years of membership, while Janet looked a quarter-century ahead.

She barely tilted under pressure after her husband’s death, bearing her pain within without letting go, assuming his leadership role instinctively, ensuring all was done to send him off by spreading his dust over Guyana’s three counties and major rivers after the biggest send-off ever seen in Guyana at Babu Jaan in Berbice.

As I watched Cheddi’s body turn to ashes, I was looking at an eternal piece of Latin American and Caribbean and world history that would never be dusted.

Janet was the first woman to be elected President of Guyana.

To her political oppo-

Alleged ‘ganja’ trafficker granted $300,000 bail

MARVIN Bharrat who is accused of having 2,000 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking, was, on Friday, released on $300,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly.

During an appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded not guilty to the offence, which was allegedly committed on March 8, 2022.

According to reports,

the accused was apprehended with a bulky bag which, when checked, contained cannabis leaves, seeds and stems.

The case was adjourned to April 8, 2022.

nents, who preferred to punish her for where she was born, that Janet was the longest-serving parliamentarian (with over 50 years) in the National Assembly when her husband died was simply not enough to even qualify her for candidacy for the presidency.

But, never mind the claim that her birthright disqualified her from continuing to serve in public office like she always did, Janet was elected free-and-fair, and fair-and-square.

Janet would eventually opt to Give Peace A Chance while her political opponents warred on the streets over her selection and election.

The PPP would also agree to a CARICOM proposal for introduction of a two-term limit, obviously seen by many in the party as a mechanism to reduce its ability to field a re-electable presidential candidate as popular as Janet or Cheddi.

But the proposal was

welcomed by the political opposition as the hopeful beginning-of-the-end of what they referred to as “the Jagan political dynasty”.

Term limits have ensured neither party can field a popular candidate for a third time, and that need arose only once since.

But political ingenuity never, ever being in short supply in Demerara, British Guiana or Guyana, the PPP has not at all been robbed of continuity in political leadership since Cheddi and Janet died as the only General Secretaries and effective Party Leaders since 1964.

Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and Irfaan Ali have each led the country at key periods as part of a united and collective party leadership that continued to adopt and adapt strategies and tactics based on political philosophies and actual realities, creatively applying countless years of accumulated scientific yardsticks to measure causes and

effects before discussing and debating proposed solutions and arriving at final conclusions.

Current PPP General Secretary and Vice-President Jagdeo has emerged from being the youngest-ever Guyana President to the best Vice-President that neither Cheddi nor Janet ever had.

But while the term-limit formula formally robbed Brazil of the continuity of ‘Lula’ Da Silva as President after lifting over 300 million Brazilians from poverty in two terms, that’s definitely not been the case in Guyana, where continuity was robbed, in both Janet and Cheddi’s cases, by other than conspiratorial political means.

That they will both be honoured on March 13, a date of major importance in the political history of CARICOM, is also very significant, and will be the subject of my next column on that day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

PPP/C’s fiscal discipline in line with Jagan’s philosophies – says VP Jagdeo

THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has brought a modern-day context to the same fiscal discipline and philosophies held by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the management of the country’s oil-and-gas resources, and the openness of the party to all people.

This was noted by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday as he delivered remarks during a night of reflection on the life and work of Dr. Jagan. The event was held by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre at the Red House on High Street, Kingston.

Dr. Jagan, a former president and founder of the PPP/C, passed away on March 6, 1997, and every year since then, activities are held during the month

of March to commemorate his passing as well as that of his wife, Janet Jagan, also a former president and PPP/C founder.

VP Jagdeo was among several party members who delivered remarks at the event.

During his remarks, Jagdeo said he wanted to answer the question of how Dr. Jagan would’ve dealt with the country’s resources had he been alive today, and emphasised that Dr. Jagan was all about fiscal discipline.

“So many people here see Doctor Jagan’s philosophy from different perspectives. Some have formed their view of him through his writing, his works, some through close personal interactions, and some through fleeting interactions from which they discerned some

of his traits that people speak so glowingly of,” Jagdeo said, adding: “I want to answer that question of how Cheddi Jagan would operate: He would do so with the same fiscal discipline that this party imbues. One of the reasons our party was successful for so long is because we’re the most viable party.”

Jagdeo noted that the PPP/C was able to transform the country from insolvency to making it one of the most viable economies in the Western Hemisphere with the lowest debt figure in this region.

“It is because we are guided by some principles.

It is the principles that often matter. It’s the underlying principles that were embedded in the party that would

allow us to be successful,” he said.

“When a lot of people talk out there about departure from Cheddi Jagan philosophies and all of that, it’s utter nonsense. You discern big philosophies from small interactions.

I remember how intense he [Dr. Jagan] was about understanding basic things that you would think he had no interest in,” he added.

Jagdeo also pointed to how the party has remained an open one, which caters to all levels of class and race of people.

“Our party can show inclusion.

We can show that we’ve worked for Guyana; that the entire country moves forward. Afro-Guyanese did better under the PPP’s tenure, because our party remained open. And because we’re open, we are viable, and we will grow from strength to strength,” he said.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

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‘Building Expo’ returns ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

From page 3

you can do that by just visiting the website and inputting your information.

Additionally, we have established offices in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) where you can make inquiries about your allocation status,” Minister Croal said.

Noting that land acquisition can be a painstaking process, Minister Croal said, “We have promised to allocate house lots in areas that have at least the basic infrastructure like electricity, water, roads, green spaces and other similar elements that makes the area complete.”

WORKING TIRELESSLY In this regard, Minister Croal explained that GWI has been working tirelessly to improve access to safe, reliable and affordable water supply along the East Bank Corridor.

As a result, treated water is projected to expand to more than 45,000 households, an increase in water coverage from 52 to 95 per cent.

He explained that the water treatment plants at Eccles and Covent Garden have been upgraded and expanded, and there’s now a new plant at Caledonia, which will service from New Hope to Soesdyke, EBD. More than 13 Km of transmission and distribution mains, Minister Croal said, will be installed to provide treated water service to the new housing schemes located in Little Diamond, Prospect, Providence and the communities to be developed along with the Eccles to Diamond Four Lane Road, including the current lots where the owners have not yet commenced construction.

In addition, the minister noted that a new well will be completed at Providence by the end of April 2022, and another new one is planned for Eccles to provide expanded service and improved service

quality to the residents across this corridor.

These improvements, the minister said, will positively affect the lives of the most vulnerable, women and children, but they can also be time-consuming, “so we ask for your patience”.

“We recognise that simply being allocated a house lot does not always translate into a completed house. We know that there are challenges that you experience, from getting access to loans to having to pay quite a bit for building materials; we know, too, that some of you lack the knowhow to get around these challenges. We have sought to provide assistance to you by, for example, inviting the banks and insurance companies to participate in events like this one,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues said that owning a home is very empowering, especially for women, since 30 per cent of all the house lots that have been distribut-

Staffers at the Ministry of Housing engage persons with questions pertaining to housing allocations (Delano Williams photos) ed have gone to single women.

“We speak about home ownership, and not about house lot allocation. We want you to move beyond having a plot of land; we want you to achieve home ownership. That is why we have made so many interventions like zero-rating con-

struction materials, like inviting the banks at every single allocation exercise, giving you access to them, so that once you receive your allocation, you can approach the banks and find out how to qualify for a loan, what are the requirements, how long will the process take and you can start to plan

financially to get to that point,” she noted.

Further, Minister Rodrigues said government wants life and vibrancy in all housing schemes, and not just a plot of land left in the open, and as such, occupancy is being promoted by building road networks and utilities.

Scenes from Dream Realised housing drive at the Guyana National Stadium (Delano William photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Scenes from Dream Realised housing drive at the Guyana National Stadium (Delano William photos)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Russia-Ukraine war pushes flour prices up by 15 per cent

NAMILCO Guyana has increased flour prices by 15 percent with immediate effect to ensure continued supply as the price of wheat has skyrocketed.

According to a statement issued by the company on Friday, manufacturing companies worldwide are experiencing unprecedented increases in the costs of raw materials, freight, packaging materials, energy and other inputs.

The media, the company noted, have shared the reasons for these increases with the latest events in Ukraine only serving to exacerbate the problem for manufacturers.

“NAMILCO Guyana has not been spared the impact of these rising costs, and when forced to implement price increases last year, we absorbed as many of these cost escalations as we could, only passing costs on to our customers where there were no other options. The

Duo charged for alleged ‘ganja’ trafficking, ‘ammo’ possession TWO men, Mark McLean and Lewis Banks, were, on Monday, jointly charged for allegedly trafficking in ganja and being in possession of ammunition and were released on $200,000

bail each by Magistrate Leron Daly.

During their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, they denied the charges which alleged that on March 8, 2022, at Dad-

anawa Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville, they had in their possession eight .4 mm ammunition along with 184 grams of cannabis.

They will return to court on April 8, 2022.

price of wheat today is 40 per cent higher than it was on February 15, 2022, just three weeks ago. During this period, we have also seen increases in the cost of packaging, additives, and just recently, fuel. Consequently, we can no longer sustain our operations at our current

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flour price levels,” the company stated.

The company added: “We will work at leveraging economies of scale available to us (e.g., through wheat vessel ownership) to mitigate some of the adverse impacts of freight logistics, market access and raw material supply.”

The company added that their customers’ best interest continues to be their priority as ways are being sought to minimise disruptions to food security, nutrition and culture.

“I am sure you will be heartened by the fact that even at the new prices, our flour remains pound for pound a less costly alternative than other local provisions.

NAMILCO thanks you for your continued loyalty as we work together to address these unprecedented challenges,” the company stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Minister Manickchand visits families of trio killed in De Willem accident EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand on Thursday night visited the relatives of the men who were mowed down on Monday night on the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), when a teen driver crashed into the Sharmilla Harikissoon Sports Bar. “My thoughts and prayers are with these families who have been left heartbroken and without fathers, husbands, children and breadwinners,” Minister Manickchand stated in a Facebook post.

On Friday, Matthew Ambedkar, who was driving the car involved in the horrific accident, appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Ambedkar, 19, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East

Bank Essequibo (EBE), was not required to plead to the charges which were read to him by Magistrate Zamilla Seepaul-Ali. It is alleged that on March 7, 2022, he drove motorcar PVV 1051 in a dangerous manner along the De Willem Public Road, which resulted in the death of Kiran Ramprashad, known as “Rocky”, a 48-year-old fisherman of Zeeburg, WCD; Carlito Gobin, known as “Carlos”, a 22-year-old Venezuelan national of De Willem; and 44-year-old Ayube Mohammed, a fisherman known as “Quarter”, of Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD. Ambedkar, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Konyo Sandiford, was remanded to prison until March 24, 2022.

This newspaper had previously reported that the

teen, who was driving his father’s Toyota Raum (PVV 1051), was allegedly racing another car identified as a Toyota 212. The whole ordeal was caught on surveillance cameras from nearby businesses.

They were heading in the direction of Parika, EBE, when Ambedkar lost control and crashed into a parked Nissan X-Trail (PYY 9456), and then ploughed into three persons at the Sharmilla Harikissoon Sports Bar. He received injuries to the left side of his face, while the trio received injuries about their bodies.

They were all taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where they were seen and examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced Ramprashad, Gobin and Mohammed dead on arrival.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand consoles the relatives of the accident victims during her visit to the various families

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

MoL to ‘prep’ students for world of work

COGNISANT that many students leave school without the skills necessary to properly conduct themselves in the world of work, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) is preparing to roll out a “Work Readiness Programme” in secondary schools across the country.

The programme will be specifically targeting Grade 10 and 11 students who are writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

Proper work ethics and responsibility, resume and curriculum vitae-writing, application writing, and how to dress for and conduct themselves at job interviews are just a few of the areas that the ministry hopes to address through this programme.

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton recently told the Guyana Chronicle that the programme will help to make the students job-ready by the time they complete their secondary education.

“The programme is to prepare young people, fifth form and sixth form students who are writing CSEC and CAPE, for the world of work. My experience is that these students are not prepared for the world of work. They might have the CXCs but this is

work and so we will run a programme in the secondary schools preparing young people for the world of work,” Hamilton said.

The programme will be run through the ministry’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Minister Hamilton explained to this publication that the two departments are currently working out the framework of the programme, after which the ministry will reach out to the Ministry of Education (MoE) seeking the necessary permission to engage the students.

“I suspect in a couple of weeks we should have all of that concluded,” Minister Hamilton said.

The minister noted that it was following the re-establishment of the MoL in 2020, when he assumed office, that he realised that many young people sending in applications were not aware of how to go about properly structuring their applications or how to conduct themselves, even though they would have excelled at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams.

“People had good CXC… 11 Grade Ones, but for some of the CVs, the bottom is at the top and the top is at the bottom. I had instances where people sent an application with no

how they can engage and be successful. And that might be the reason why many

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton signature. I had instances of people even using penmanship to make an application.

I have had people come to see me requesting a job and they come in their designer jeans, females coming with armless and not properly dressed,” the minister said.

With the ministry being responsible, through the CRMA, with job placement and preparing persons for that placement, the minister thought it best to address the issue from the school level.

“I think we have failed them by thinking that because they have all of these CXCs they are prepared for the world of work. My assessment is that they are not that prepared as regards

of them are as qualified as they are would have been unsuccessful.

And we all want to help and I believe we have a responsibility,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Two years into ‘COVID’: balancing the country’s health and economy

By Shamar Meusa

CREATING a sustainable balance between the health and safety of the population, and the strength of the economy is essential in managing a pandemic that forces periodic shutdowns and national curfews.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony made this observation in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Minister Anthony was asked to address the Dr Irfaan Ali-led administration’s management of the pandemic, as this March 11 marks year two since Guyana’s first recorded COVID-19 case.

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020.

On this day, Guyana recorded its first case and death by the contagious respiratory virus.

The country’s index case was a 52-year-old woman who had travelled to Guyana from Queens, New York, six days prior to her death.

When the virus’s presence in Guyana was first recorded, the country was still awaiting the results of the

2020 General and Regional Elections (GRE), which would eventually conclude within six months.

Since then, the ascent to office of President Dr Irfaan Ali and his government marked an impending shift in management of the pandemic as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) while in political opposition had raised many concerns.

Early Stages and Changes During the early stages of the outbreak in Guyana, a very low number of cases were recorded in the country, largely attributed to a low number of tests being conducted by the then Ministry of Public Health, headed by subject minister Volda Lawrence.

This led many to a distorted idea of the virus’s spread across the country.

In his interview, Dr Anthony said when he was appointed Health Minister in August 2020, his team immediately recognised the country’s poor testing numbers as approximately five Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests were being done every day.

Dr Anthony recalled that

there were also restrictions on how those tests could be used, which limited the use of PCRs as not everyone who believed they were exposed was eligible for testing.

He knew this had to change. On average, he contended, when samples were taken to the National Public Health Reference Lab (NPHRL), results from the tests were returned to those persons within seven to eight days.

The use of an old PCR machine also lengthened the process, Dr Anthony added. His intention was to transition the testing method from a manual method to an automated system, which would speed up the turnover time for results and return them sooner to persons who had been tested.

At this point, 2000 tests can be done within 24-hours which, the Health Minister contends, is a marked improvement from what had obtained under the previous system.

Emergency Health Measures As far as the laws surrounding management of the pandemic are concerned, Minister Anthony said in the

Line graph showing the total number of monthly recorded cases from March 2020 to March 2022 (Data provided by Ministry of Health)

Bar graph showing number of COVID-19 tests conducted from January 2021 to March 2022 (data provided by the Ministry of Health) first stages of the pandemic, the emergency health measures implemented by the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government were ineffective as they were too rigid and persons did not comply.

Dr Anthony plugged the need for public education to complement any set of emergency health measures.

As far as balancing the economy and public health is concerned, the Health Minister in his time was to ensure persons in Guyana could return to their income-generating activities and do so in a safe way, while ensuring public safety.

This, he said, required stakeholder engagement and education on why they should follow the government-mandated emergency health measures.

While other countries implemented rigid lockdown measures, Dr Anthony further added, these periods of lockdown were sometimes followed by a surge in COVID-19 cases once the countries reopened.

Guyana instead opted for a gradual opening of the country while monitoring and building the health system to ensure that if persons did get sick, there would not be a burden, Dr Anthony explained.

“Because of that approach, at no point was our healthcare system overwhelmed because we had adequate amount of beds at the hospital level, and we made sure that we bought medication to be able to treat people; and then of course, we introduced vaccination,” the Minister of Health indicated.

Added to that, Dr Anthony said his colleagues in government recognised Guyana’s existing Public Health Ordinance had provided for the Central Board of Health’s role in pandemic management and created provisions for this.

Where is Guyana now?

When asked if the country is nearing the endemic stage of the virus, the health minister noted that that will have to be reviewed.

He explained that with

diseases there are three broad categories ranked by severity of spread and impact: pandemic, epidemic, and endemic.

“So moving from a pandemic, where almost all of the countries in the world have been affected, we will first want to move from there to bring it to an epidemic, and then probably to an endemic.

“So, I think with the level of vaccinations and the different waves of variants that we have had, we will have to monitor and see how the immunity that people would have developed is holding,” Dr Anthony said, adding: “I think we would see that shift from pandemic to epidemic and then eventually to endemic.”

Dr Anthony bemoaned the fact that there are still parts of the world where many persons have not accessed the vaccine, which hinders the global move from pandemic to epidemic.

Continued vaccinations globally would eventually help Guyana move to an endemic stage, he concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

‘Chucky’ admits to killing Better Hope pensioner FIVE years after 76-yearold David Ramkissoon was killed during a robbery at his Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home, Godfrey Gill called “Chucky” has admitted to the gruesome crime.

On Thursday, Gill was arraigned for murder before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court. However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The 27-year-old admitted that, on August 21, 2016,

he unlawfully killed Ramkissoon during the course of a robbery.

Justice Morris-Ramlall deferred sentencing until March 24, 2022. He is represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Smartt, while prosecutor Caressa Henry presented the State’s case.

Gill’s co-accused, Sherwin Clark, is on remand awaiting the commencement of his High Court trial.

According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question, the victim was at

Duo accused of trafficking $6.5M in cocaine remanded TWO men, who were allegedly nabbed by the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) with $6.5 million in cocaine, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a drug trafficking charge and were remanded to prison.

Devon Simon, 43, of West Ruimveldt and

Devon Simon and Winston Hazel Winston Hazel, 35, of Gibson Street, Tucville, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

They denied that, on March 8, 2022, at Guyhoc Park, Tucville, they had 5.814 kilograms of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The magistrate remanded the duo to prison until March 17, 2022.

On March 8, 2022, CANU ranks intercepted the motorcar with the men and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of five parcels of suspected cocaine.

The men were arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the suspected narcotics which tested positive for cocaine.

home when Gill, along with others, invaded the building and robbed him. During the robbery, his throat was slit.

The matter was reported to the police after relatives returned from the creek and discovered his body.

According to reports, the two accused had a dispute over the division of the loot. As a result, police were tipped off and they were both arrested after being told of the allegation.

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Godfrey Gill called ‘Chucky’ and the late David Ramkissoon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Labour Ministry launches virtual job bank

By Tamica Garnett

THE Ministry of Labour (MoL) on Friday during a ceremony held in the boardroom at its Brickdam office, launched its online “National Job Bank” which will be a virtual space that connects job-seekers and employers.

Job-seekers can post their credentials and employers can post vacancies, using the facility, which can be accessed at www.jobs.gov.gy. Both the job-seekers and employers will be required to register and create accounts before using the services of the job bank.

In his remarks, subject minister Joseph Hamilton noted that last year President Dr Irfaan Ali gave him the charge to create the job bank as a means of keeping up with the massive job creation currently

ongoing across the country.

“Some time last year the President was in Linden having a meeting with some young people, and the conversation of job and placement came up and the President indicated to those young people that the MoL will initiate a platform to help them to navigate the issue of employment and placement and to find employment across the length and breadth of this country,” he said.

The job bank will be managed through the Ministry’s Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), which will also be working along with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), which is the department in the ministry that is responsible for training.

“The BIT and CRMA are twins here because they have

The homepage on the National Job Bank website

From left: MoL Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer (ag), Yolanda Grant; Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton and MoL Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen (Elvin Croker photo) to work together and collaborate. It’s not just the training, but about finding the medium to ensure that people can find a job. That is why this job bank is important to us and to the nation as it develops,” Minister Hamilton explained.

Also present at the launch ceremony were MoL Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen; Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer (ag), Yolanda Grant; Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Dhaneshwar Deonarine, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn.

Giving an overview of the project, Kuppen related

that the design of the job bank took into consideration the needs of employers and job-seekers and was structured to allow for synergistic interactions between them without the intervention of any third party.

“Job seekers and employers can interact with each other in an easy-to-follow process through this important government initiative. It is important to note that there are no fees or cost associated with using the services of the job bank because it is fully funded by the government and will serve to supplement the government’s job-creation

initiatives,” Kuppen noted.

According to Kuppen, the development of the job bank took into consideration accessibility and customisation to allow job-seekers and employers in all 10 regions, including various villages and communities within those regions, to take advantage of the countrywide services provided by the job bank The job bank will be accessible from any location where internet service is available. The MoL is also currently working on the creation of an app that will be used alongside the online platform.

“Employers will now have

this valuable cost-free resource to list their vacancies to find suitable candidates to fill their vacant positions.

Job-seekers can now also have a cost-free resource to browse the job bank database to review jobs, in the sectors and locations they want to be in,” Kuppen related.

The CRMA will be providing customer support for the job bank.

During her remarks, Grant said the creation of the job bank was “opportune and timely,” which aligns with the agency’s goal of not only catering for a boom in employment, but also to provide opportunities whereby everyone will reap benefits.

“There is great anticipation and expectation that this national job bank will revolutionise the modus operandi of linking job-seekers. With the expanding labour opportunities, job-seekers will be able to access jobs that match their skillsets, competencies and career choices, concomitant with the expressed needs of the employers in their respective entities,” she noted.

During the launch there was a demonstration of how the website is expected to function.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Greater Guyana Initiative puts $120M to Hinterland Poultry Project

THE Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) has funded a Hinterland Poultry Project valued more than $120 million (US$608,000) to boost the poultry industry in the hinterland regions.

According to a release, the initiative, also called the ‘EggSandwich Project’, is the first regional socioeconomic project to be funded by the GGI. It is focused on enabling the hinterland residents raise their local

poultry capacity, thereby enhancing consumer access to high quality local poultry products and economic independence.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on February 22 with local company, The Consultancy Group (TCG), which is the implementation partner for the project. TCG will work with the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) to grow

Left to right: ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie; Socioeconomic Manager, Susan Scott; TCG Lead Consultant, Timothy McIntosh; ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge; TCG Company Secretary, Cladia Van Sluytman; CPGL’s Regional Manager, Anand Gohil and Projects Controls Manager, Huang Zhao

ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge and The Consultancy Group’s Cladia Van Sluytman sign the MOU for the poultry project in Region Nine

poultry production in the hinterland.

Explaining their role in the project, TCG’s Lead Consultant, Timothy McIntosh, said, “Our job is really to take them at a place where they’re able to take the really fantastic work that they’ve been doing in the Rupununi outwards to the other hinterland regions. Our job is really as stewards to help them along, get them to where they need to be.”

The consultant noted that, in 2018, an estimated $300 million in poultry

meat was imported into the Rupununi from Brazil. This project, he said, can benefit some 25,000 people from the hinterland as it will have a positive impact by reducing imports, and providing a fresh and healthy alternative.

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, noted that the project was geared towards sustainable development as part of the Greater Guyana Initiative.

“It is exciting. It is where we implement the GGI. ….

So far, we’ve been getting traction with the educational

part of it, whether it’s TVET, the University of Guyana … this is the first significant project which is getting to the sustainable economy part. Education, of course, builds that foundation but this is helping more practically,” he said.

Routledge stressed the importance that EEPGL places on ensuring that Guyanese across the country benefit from the petroleum sector, not just through revenue but by projects such as GGI. CNOOC Petroleum

Guyana Limited’s (CPGL) Regional Manager, Anand Gohil and Projects Controls Manager, Huang Zhao, were also in attendance at the signing.

The Greater Guyana Initiative was launched in February 2021. It is a 10-year, US$100 million programme under which ExxonMobil and its co-venturers Hess and CPGL will fund capacity-building projects in keeping with the country’s overall development objectives, the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Canada announces 700+ short-term scholarships for Guyanese, Caribbean students CANADA has announced the availability of 700+ short-term scholarships for international students, some of which target Caribbean students specifically, including Guyanese students.

A release from the Canadian Embassy said the due date for applications this year is March 22.

In 2020, the Government of Canada announced the Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships, as part of its scholarships programme to enhance the skill sets required to advance the sustainable development of CARICOM countries, while strengthening the linkages between post-secondary institutions in Canada and those in the region.

The scholarship programme is funded by Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Programme and is open to all CARICOM post-secondary students.

The Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships is a four-year (2020-2024) programme to provide students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with short-term exchange opportunities at publicly-funded Canadian colleges and in-

Below are the available Canadian scholarships and the guidelines on how to apply.

You can also visit the EduCanada website for further details on the programs: 700+ short-term exchange scholarships in Canada for international students and faculty (educanada.ca); or contact the High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname on Facebook at @CanadainGuyanaandSuriname.

stitutes.

The scholarships support study in programmes or disciplines related to the green economy, which include but are not limited to climate-smart agriculture, coastal and fisheries management, renewable energy, sustainable building techniques and agro-forestry.

The initiative builds on Canada’s existing Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) programme and includes all member states of the CARICOM.

“This new short-term exchange opportunity in Canada is now available to students from CARICOM countries, who are pursuing certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in disciplines related to climate change and resilience building. The applications closing date is on March 22, 2022. For short-term exchanges, the programme requires a student exchange agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the local and Canadian institutions,” the release said.

Under the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) project, there are existing MoUs in Guyana with the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) and the Bina Hill Institute (BHI) with the College of the North Atlantic, Durham College and Mohawk College.

“Where there are no existing agreements with post-secondary institutions, our trade office can help to facilitate,” the release said.

Available scholarships: Short-term Exchange Programs Eligible countries/regions Details Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program Latin America and the Caribbean Study in Canada Scholarships (educanada.ca) Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program CARICOM member states Study in Canada Scholarships (educanada.ca) Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships CARICOM member states Study in Canada Scholarships (educanada.ca) Interested candidates should contact their home institution’s student’s office to learn about institutional partnerships and collaborations with Canadian institutions. Home institutions will then provide the eligible candidates’ documentation to their partner post-secondary institution in Canada.

Canadian post-secondary institutions must submit scholarship applications on behalf of students, faculty and international liaison officers/managers from eligible countries/territories

by March 22, 2022. Only applications submitted directly by Canadian post-secondary institutions will be considered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Farmers and farmers’ groups get much-needed tools, input –– through generous donation from Countryside Agri Centre

F A R M E R S a n d f a r mers’ groups in rural areas will soon benefit from much-needed agricultural tools and inputs following a donation made to the Ministry of Agriculture by Countryside Agri Centre.

According to a release, the presentation was made last Wednesday, in the presence of Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul

Cheung, by the company’s Chief Execuitive Officer (CEO), Lalta Digamber.

While receiving the donation, which comprised of bugs/saturation pumps, power sprayers, brush cutters, seedling trays, and potting soil, among other things valued at approximately $6,620,000, Minister Mustapha said the donation will help farmers in rural communities to build capacity and improve their production.

“These equipment will help farmers to build capacity, especially among those residing in rural communities.

These tools will be handed over to farmers and farming groups that need help with improving their farming practices. Today’s donation is a testament to your commitment as a representative of the private sector to the development of Guyana’s agriculture sector and your interest in giving back to the

Some of the items that were donated (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

From right: Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha; Countryside Agri CEO, Lalta Digamber and PSC Chairman, Paul Cheung, with some of the items donated (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

sector. Agriculture is one of the most important activities in our country and it is once again taking the spotlight in Guyana and CARICOM,” Minister Mustapha noted.

Meanwhile, Digamber, an agriculturalist with over 25 years of experience and one of the country’s top suppliers for agricultural machinery and inputs, said he hopes the tools will assist the beneficiaries with producing better quality products for both the local and CARICOM markets.

“I was a farmer before I became a businessman. As a businessman now, I want-

ed to make this donation because the government has been promoting the sector and working to make the sector more modernised which will help our farmers to deliver better quality products for both the local and CARICOM market. This donation will help our farmers in the rural areas to develop their farms because most of the farmers in these rural areas are small-scale farmers and we want to partner with the government to help these farmers to improve their production,” he said.

Digamber further stated that this year he plans to

return to farming on a largescale and will make his farm available to other farmers to be used as a model farm.

The Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, said that the private sector has been in partnership with the government to promote development across all sectors in the country and that the donation made demonstrates the execution of those set goals by the commission to encourage private sector buy-in to government’s efforts to improve the lives of the citizens of this country, the release noted.

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Teen driver in De Willem fatal accident remanded

MATTHEW Ambedkar, who was driving the car involved in the horrific accident at De Willem, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Friday, appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on

three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Ambedkar, 19, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was not required to plead to the charges

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

which were read to him

by Magistrate Zamilla Seepaul-Ali. It is alleged that, on March 7, 2022, he drove motorcar PVV 1051 in a dangerous manner along the De Willem Public Carlito Gobin, Kiran Ramprashad and Ayube Mohammed Road, which resulted in the death of Kiran Ramprashad, known as “Rocky”, a 48-year-old fisherman of Zeeburg, WCD; Carlito Gobin, known as “Carlos”, a 22-year-old Venezuelan national of De Willem and 44-year-old Ayube Mohammed, a fisherman known as “Quarter” of Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD. Ambedkar, who was represented by attorney-at-law Konyo Sandiford was remanded to prison until March 24, 2022.

This newspaper had previously reported that the teen who was driving his father’s Toyota Raum (PVV 1051) was allegedly racing another car identified as a Toyota 212. The whole ordeal was caught on surveillance cameras from nearby businesses.

They were heading in the direction of Parika, EBE. He lost control and crashed into a parked Nissan X-Trail (PYY 9456) and then ploughed into three persons who were at the Sharmilla Harrikissoon

Matthew Ambedkar Sports Bar. He received injuries to the left side of his face while the trio received injuries about their bodies.

They were all taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they were seen and examined by the doctor on duty who pronounced Ramprashad, Gobin and Mohammed dead on arrival.

The teen driver who was admitted as a patient, was recently released from the hospital.

Robbery with violence accused granted $60, 000 bail

DEQUON Robinson, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a robbery with violence charge and was granted $60,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly.

He denied that, on March 9, 2022, at Railway Embankment, Kitty, he used personal violence to rob Boze Ramdass of a Samsung Galaxy A10 valued at $28,000.

Reports are that Ramdass was waiting for a taxi when Robinson allegedly came up to him on a motorcycle and demanded that he hand over his valuables. After Ramdass refused, he was dealt a hit to his face with an unknown object and Robinson escaped with the cellphone.

Robinson was later arrested by police with the stolen phone in his possession. He was unable to provide a reasonable explanation as to how it came to be in his possession.

The case was adjourned to April 8, 2022.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

Sainz sets ...

FROM PAGE 28

conditions began to cool and times tumbled.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was briefly interrupted by a stoppage at the pit exit to bring out the fifth red flag with just over an hour remaining. In P7, he again took the wheel for the whole day in the absence of an unwell Daniel Ricciardo.

Sebastian Vettel finished eighth after taking morning duties for Aston Martin, a reliability issue seeing him stop off-track. When he did emerge to complete the morning session, the FIA’s red-flag test cued a swift retreat to the pit lane for the four-time champion.

As the day ended, another red flag emerged – this time resulting in a practice rolling start for the field to end all but Haas's session.

Kevin Magnussen made his return to the cockpit then continued running after the chequered flag was flown, as Haas make up for lost time having encountered freight delays that stopped them from running on Thursday morning.

Magnussen would actually end up setting the fastest lap of the day, posting a 1:33.207s during his solo laps of the Bahrain International Circuit in the evening.

Team-mate Mick Schumacher was 12th - an exhaust problem seeing the young German step out of the car prematurely before lunch.

Rounding out the top 10 was Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsunoda with more than 100 laps to his name over the day.

09:55 hrs Gallic Chief 10:30 hrs Un Deux Trois

Arab Emirates Racing Tips Jebel Ali 08:15 hrs Verboten 08:45 hrs American Dancer 09:15 hrs Carpe Momentum South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:40 hrs Eternal Life 09:20 hrs Mr Flood

English Racing Tips Ayr 09:00 hrs Lissen To The Lady 09:35 hrs Better Getalong 10:10 hrs Destiny Is All 10:45 hrs Hasty Brook 11:20 hrs Don Brocco 11:55 hrs Niceandeasy 12:30 hrs Cellar Vie Sandown 09:15 hrs Langafel 09:50 hrs Peejaybee 10:25 hrs Onemorefortheroad 11:00 hrs Eabha Grace 11:35 hrs Danny Kirwan 12:10 hrs Powerstown Park 12:45 hrs Nocte Volatus Wolverhampton 09:31 hrs Zarzyni 10:05 hrs La Tihaty 10:40 hrs International Angel 11:16 hrs How Impressive 11:51 hrs Fountain Cross 12:26 hrs Leopold Bloom 13:04 hrs Enlightenment Irish Racing Tips Navan 09:40 hrs Bodhisattva 10:15 hrs Dartington 10:50 hrs Noble Birth 11:25 hrs Daily Present 12:00 hrs Notebook 12:35 hrs Call The Tune 13:10 hrs Brandy Harbour 13:45 hrs Don Chalant American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Cupids Girl Race 2 Even Thunder Race 3 Magnificent Chrome Race 4 Bunty Windermere Race 5 Total Effort Race 6 Sweet Mission Race 7 Pretty Clever

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

High-flying West Indies would remain grounded – Selman

FLYING HIGH: West Indies not getting carried away by success

(CMC) – Experienced seamer Shakera Selman said high-flying West Indies Women would remain grounded as they go in search of their third straight win, against India Women at Seddon Park here, today (Friday, 21:00hrs Eastern Caribbean time).

The Caribbean side have been the surprise of the ICC Women’s World Cup, beating hosts New Zealand a week ago then following up earlier this week with another shock victory over reigning champions England.

With the two wins, Selman warned teams would now be gunning for West Indies, leaving the remainder of the group stage as a tough assignment.

“Obviously, (it’s been) really good to get off to a good start,” Selman told a media conference here yesterday.

“We’re pumped to have won our first two games especially against two highly ranked sides – two teams we haven’t done well against in recent times.

“First time we’ve beaten New Zealand in New Zealand, and the first time we’ve beaten England in an ODI World Cup, so we’re really excited as a team.

“But we’re not getting carried away. We know that we’re going to have to keep fighting. It is going to get harder – our coaches have reminded us that we came into this world pretty much under the radar.

“Now teams are going to be focusing on us, so we know it’s going to get tougher.”

Both victories came in dramatic circumstances - West Indies defending 259 in Mount Maunganui to beat New Zealand by three runs

with a ball to spare and then also defending 225 to get the better of England by seven runs with 14 deliveries left in Dunedin.

Prior to the start of the tournament, West Indies had enjoyed very little success against either side and the Stafanie Taylor-led side find themselves in the same position against India, having lost five of their last six meetings.

India, one of the pre-tournament favourites, have struggled especially in their batting losing one of two games, and Selman said West Indies have taken notice with the hope of capitalising.

“We obviously have discussed it as a team. We saw the change from Shafali Verma to Yastika (Bhatia) at the top,” Selman said about India’s batting.

“We have no idea what they will bring tomorrow but we are prepared for whatever they try.

“We have been doing well with the ball and we’re just going to focus on our strengths and hopefully it turns out that we will be able to exploit their weaknesses.”

She added: “I think our off-spinners are probably looking at their batting lineup, but like I said, we have no idea what change we will make tomorrow.

“The good thing for us is that Shafali didn’t do well in the first game either so maybe it’s more an issue for the India team to figure out who they are going to send against us.”

West Indies are one of three teams with perfect two-out-of-two results, along with Australia and South Africa.

Sainz sets fastest lap on day two of F1 testing FERRARI'S Carlos Sainz set the fastest lap on day 2 of pre-season testing in Bahrain on a day punctuated by a number of red flags.

At lunchtime Sainz took over from teammate Charles Leclerc and set the benchmark of 1:33.532s on soft tyres, midway the afternoon. He finished half a second ahead of Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver finishing P2 yesterday.

With 40 minutes left, the reigning champion battled wheel-to-wheel with Sainz, the pair putting on a late-braking display late in the day.

Aston Martin driver, Lance Stroll, fin-

ished third to drop Lewis Hamilton to fourth, the Mercedes driver having taken over from George Russell, who finished 13th with 67 laps in the morning.

Esteban Ocon, fifth, crawled to a halt with just over 90 minutes of the session remaining – the morning leader bringing out the fourth red flag of the day with more than 100 laps under his belt. He did emerge later on to bolster his lap count on what was a more promising day for Alpine.

In P6 was Ferrari’s Leclerc, his time good for runner-up spot in the morning before TURN TO PAGE 27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

CWI announces Emerging Player Academy

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced the formation of a new Emerging Players Academy, aimed at supporting the development of world-class players from the Caribbean.

The Academy, which will run annually, will utilise the facilities at the Coolidge Cricket Ground – the new Home of West Indies Cricket, where the best young male and female cricketers will come to Antigua throughout the year for several High-Performance training and development camps.

The first intake for the CWI Emerging Players Academy will start in July 2022 and run for a year. Up to 30 players, aged between 19 and 25 years will be selected from both the Men’s and Women’s talent pools.

The aim is to bridge the gap after the West Indies Under-19 level and assist their progression into one of the six Territorial Board Franchise squads, with the intention that they will graduate to earn one of the 15 retainer contracts available in each team.

Players selected for the CWI Emerging Players Academy will be first expected to meet the CWI minimum fitness requirements

before they will be exposed to high-quality training programmes and camps in Antigua.

The programme will focus on developing the players holistically and include specific aspects of the game away from the pitch, such as media engagements, financial management, personal development, and leadership.

Players will also enjoy playing opportunities through the CPL Emerging Players’ partnership with CWI and the Emerging Players team that participated in the annual CG Insurance Super50 Cup. Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket stated: “For some time, CWI has been looking at ways of bridging that critical gap between our junior and professional levels and this Academy initiative provides us with a great start towards achieving this.

The programme will play an important role in building regional capacity within High-Performance player support – technical, physical, mental, and personal development.

The programme will also set a template for our territories to mirror as they build their individual High-Performance pathway programmes.

DCB/Premier Insurance U15 Inter-Association 2022 Tournament …

Georgetown maul Upper Demerara by 129 runs

Georgetown continued their winning ways

A RAMPANT Georgetown side ripped through Upper Demerara to claim their third win as the DCB U15 Inter-Association competition continued yesterday.

The day was blessed with bright sunshine. Georgetown won the toss and chose to take first strike, recording a well composed 183 all out from 46.1 overs. Opener Lomar Seecharran scored a useful 39 and was supported by Reyaz Latif’ (33 mot out) while middle-order batter Dhanesh Persaud chipped in with 27 and captain Dave Mohabir with 13.

Left-arm pacer Dishon Ashby snatched

4-29 while Corey Charles and spinner Keron Phillips collected 2-26 and 2-34 respectively.

Shaukel Fiedtkou claimed 1 for 16.

Upper Demerara struggled and fell for 54 from just 19.1 overs as pacer Shane Prince clinched 3-12, Johnathan Mentore took 2 for 11 and Darwin La Rose, Kwesi Wilkinson and Joshua Charles collected a wicket each.

Georgetown won by a convincing 129 runs.

In the upcoming game tomorrow, East Coast will oppose West Demerara at Enmore ground at 09:30hrs.

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Ravi and Robert's Birthday Golf Tournament set for today siren to tee off.

Prizes will be awarded to the top five finishers, the nearest to the pin on hole 4, and the longest drive on hole 5.

According to information from one of the

sponsors, Pandit Ravi, the event is also geared to promote golf as a major sport in Guyana.

Players are reminded to observe all COVID-19 protocols.

ECB interacts with Wakenaam Cricket Committee

The presentation ceremony for today’s tournament was held earlier this week.

From left to right: Pandit Ravi, Maxim Mangra and Robert Hanoman

THE LUSIGNAN Golf Club will host a birthday golf tournament today at its nine-hole golf course on the East Coast of Demerara.

The annual Pandit Ravi and Robert Hanoman 18-hole Birthday Golf Tournament is

expected to tee off at 12:30hrs via a stableford format.

Some 41 golfers had registered up to yesterday afternoon for the competition.

Once on their respective tee boxes, players must await the sounding of the horn or

President of ECB with other officials and members of the Wakenaam Cricket committee

MEMBERS of the Essequibo Cricket Board on Thursday visited the Wakenaam Cricket Committee and interacted with members.

According to the president of ECB, Daleep Singh, the visit is part of the board’s plan to engage all area committees and to listen to their concerns.

During the meeting he shared ECB’s plans on the promotion of cricket in the various communities.

He also emphasised the importance of inclusivity and explained the need for everyone’s participation so as to further develop

the sport on the island.

The ECB head informed the Area Committee that very soon his board will embark on a coaching clinic for U-15, U-17 and U-19 players in the cricketing region, where the sessions will be conducted by professional personnel from Trinidad and Tobago.

Singh also informed the gathering that he is working around the clock to ensure that inter-county cricket comes back to Essequibo.

The president during his visit also made a donation of cricket balls to the Cricket Committee and promised another visit shortly with other cricket equipment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

England stretch lead through Crawley century, Root half-century

Zak Crawley helped England knock off a first-innings deficit vs West Indies, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day, yesterday (Getty Images)

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Joe Root looked genuinely impressed by what he was seeing. As Zak Crawley drove Kemar Roach down the ground for a boundary - not exactly sweetly struck but with the momentum of his considerable levers behind it - the England captain met him in the middle of the pitch for a couple of fist-bumps and approving nods, chattering away in encouragement and eliciting a broad grin from his young charge.

Given that it was boundary number eight of 16 and counting, for Crawley, who was compiling the second Test century of his career, the exchange may not have been unusual but in the circumstances, it stood out.

After a dirty day three when Root more commonly wore a look of anguish as his attack failed to capitalise on prior opportunity, not to mention a tumultuous start to the year, England turned the tables on West Indies with an unbroken second-wicket stand worth 193, a century and fifty so far to its protagonists and a 153-run lead heading into the final day.

The hosts failed to make further inroads when Kemar Roach removed debutant opener Alex Lees, lbw in single figures for the second time in the match, to put the tourists at 24 for 1, still 40 runs in arrears.

On a pitch that had admittedly offered nothing for

the bowlers all match, West Indies bowlers leaked runs, Veerasammy Permaul particularly expensive in conceding 51 runs off his 10 overs.

Fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, meanwhile, had been one of the brighter lights for England, bowling 20 maidens - almost half his overs - as he took 2 for 79, including West Indies' last wicket with the third ball of the day as the hosts took a 64-run first-innings lead.

Quick Jayden Seales also went for 51 runs from his 12 overs. But Roach, who was getting considerable swing with the new ball on the fourth morning, set Lees up with a series of deliveries

that moved away from the left-hander before banging one in full and straight to beat the inside edge and slam into the front pad.

Lees reviewed, perhaps in hope after seeing Crawley successfully overturn an lbw decision from umpire Gregory Brathwaite in the first over only to have it confirmed that the ball was crashing into leg-stump.

Crawley was yet to score when he was reprieved the first time, with Hawk-Eye showing the ball was missing leg stump by some way.

He had moved to 18 when West Indies burned a review shortly after Lees' dismissal when Crawley was adjudged

not out to a Roach in-swinger that hit him high on the back leg outside off-stump.

He had to wait out a 10-minute rain delay and Alzarri Joseph’s maidens either side of it on 49 before he regained the strike from Root and flipped Roach off his hip for a single to bring up his fifty off 100 balls.

Crawley peeled off his next fifty from 81 balls as he and Root hit full flow and West Indies floundered for ideas despite trying seven different bowling options.

Caught behind off Seales for just 8 in the first innings, Crawley tightened up his defence but played expansively where it was warranted,

pulling the short ball with authority, cutting anything wide and finding the boundary with the sweep and drive also.

Root raised his half-century late in the afternoon session with a four off Permaul through third, and Crawley survived a hearty shout by West Indies, thinking he'd been caught at slip off Permaul, but replays showed he had edged the ball into the pitch before it bobbed up to the fielder.

Having scored 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in August 2020, his eighth Test, Crawley had made 12 single-figure scores - including two ducks - in 21

innings since.

Called back into the side for the first time since the English summer for the last three Ashes Tests when England initially dropped Rory Burns and then Haseeb Hameed, Crawley scored a second-innings 77 in Sydney and survived the post-series clear-out, which also saw Lees called up to accompany him at the top of the order.

Just like 19 months before, Crawley again lived up to the potential that put him there as he and Root gave England something to smile about before the intermittent rain that had punctuated play briefly a few times set in.

Kemar Roach traps Alex Lees lbw vs England, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day, yesterday (Getty Images)

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 311 WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 373 for nine)

Overton 32-7-85-2 (w-2, nb-1), Wood 17-445-1 (w-1), Leach 43.3-20-79-2, Stokes 287-42-2, Root 5-0-30-0, Lawrence 2-2-0-1.

K. Brathwaite c Overton b Wood 55 J. Campbell c wkp. Foakes b Overton 35 S. Brooks c Root b Stokes 18 N. Bonner c wkp. Foakes b Lawrence 123 J. Blackwood c Overton b Woakes 11 J. Holder c wkp. Foakes b Stokes 45 J. Da Silva lbw b Leach 32 A. Joseph c (sub.) Pope b Overton 2 K. Roach run-out 15 V. Permaul not out 26 J. Seales lbw b Leach 0

ENGLAND 2nd innings

Extras: (b-3, lb-3, w-4, nb-3) 13

Bowling: Roach 13-2-31-1 (nb-1), Seales 12-2-51-0, Holder 10-2-24-0 (nb-2), Joseph 14-3-35-0, Permaul 10-0-51-0, Brathwaite 4-0-14-0, Bonner 0.2-0-6-0 (nb-2).

Total: (all out, 157.3 overs) 375 Joe Root celebrates his half-century vs West Indies, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day, yesterday (AFP via Getty Images)

Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-101, 3-111, 4-127, 5-206, 6-279, 7-282, 8-326, 9-372.

Bowling: Woakes 30-6-88-1 (w-1, nb-2),

A. Lees lbw b Roach Z. Crawley not out J. Root not out

6 117 84

Extras: (b-3, lb-2, nb-5) 10 Total: (1 wkt, 63.2 overs) 217 Fall of wicket: 1-24 (Lees)

Position: England lead by 153 runs with nine second innings wickets intact.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2022

England stretch lead through Crawley century, Root half-century

Kemar Roach traps Alex Lees lbw vs England, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day, yesterday (Getty Images)

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Zak Crawley helped England knock off a firstinnings deficit vs West Indies, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day, yesterday (Getty Images)

High-flying West Indies would remain grounded – Selman

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FLYING HIGH: West Indies not getting carried away by success

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022