Guyana Chronicle 03-28-2021

28th March, 2021

, No.106314

US$10M solar panel project to be approved soon

See story on page 03

–– 30,000 homes in hinterland, rural areas to benefit

Major road upgrades for Good Hope PAGE

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Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar [with garland] and members of the Mon Repos/ La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council examine one of several deplorable streets (Delano Williams photos)

Fmr. GNNL management spent millions in 02 breach of financial rules PAGE

–– over $5M spent in less than four months

‘Operation Hernia’ gives much-needed surgeries to 40 patients PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Fmr. GNNL management spent millions in breach of financial rules ––special audit cites glaring infractions –– over $5M spent in less than four months

THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) has, over the past five years, been the victim of not just political interference, but also imprudent decisions of the previous management who did not have the company’s or employees’ best interests at heart but rather its finances, which were

used without discretion or proper compliance with existing policies. A series of indiscriminate spending was particularly evident between June 2018 and September 2018, when the company had at its helm, a manager, who is a known member of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (AP-

NU+AFC) Coalition.

Notable infractions during that period were so great that the company’s Board of Directors at that time – comprised mainly of known affiliates of the APNU+AFC – had to commission a special audit of the activities; this was done by Chateram Ramdihal Chartered Accountants.

The audit firm was formally asked by the Board of Directors to conduct a special audit on the overall management and governance of the GNNL in the areas of financial management, human resource management and administrative management for the period June 1, 2018 to September 10, 2018.

The objective of the audit was to determine whether there were mismanagement /excessive spending of funds and whether funds were expended in accordance with relevant principles, rules and regulations, and internal control procedures. It was revealed that $5,460,897 was spent without proper adherence to the company’s policy.

Based on a report seen by the Sunday Chronicle, the audit was conducted using the guidelines as set out by the company’s policy manuals, and it was found that there were several instances where GNNL’s tender board rules and procedures were not adhered to.

It was also found that

The Guyana National Newspapers Limited

contracts were not prepared for services acquired by the company; payments were made on invoices with inadequate details; payments were made without passing through the established approval process; and payments were made in the name of individuals which were different from the name on the invoices submitted for payment.

The audit also revealed that payments were made on invoices that bore no mark of authentication, such as a business stamp or signature; cash advances given to a former General Manager for overseas and local travel were not cleared by providing the necessary documents to support expenditures.

Ultimately, there was a clear deviation from the company’s approved budget / plan for 2018 without prior approval. The audit firm indicated that some $4,384,869 was expended through 18 transactions without the provision of two or more quo-

tations, as prescribed by the company’s tender board rules and procedures.

Further, $1,682,554 was expended through nine transactions that did not receive the approval of the company’s management tender committee. In a more detailed breakdown of the indiscriminate expenditures, the audit firm related that a General Manager and the former marketing coordinator travelled to New York for the resuscitation of the New York Edition of the newspaper.

In the absence of a tender committee, the General Manager was expected to seek the approval of the minister with responsibility for information, but there was no formal document to substantiate that the correct procedures were followed. The trip, which appeared more self-serving than professional, cost the company $736,028.

“We did not see the approval of the corporation tender committee/minister for this expenditure as re-

quired by the tender board rules and procedures. We also noted that to date [at the time the report was submitted in 2018] the relevant documents were not provided to support/clear the advance given to offset expenditures,” the audit firm said.

In the period under review, another large sum was expended on repairs to the company’s vehicle, used by the General Manager, without the requisite approval.

The repairs cost the company $721,800.

Not only was the expenditure not authorised, but the audit revealed that there was no contract for work done and payments were made to individuals despite the invoice being in a different name, without the relevant documents connecting the individual to the invoice, such as business registration or receipt for reimbursement.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

US$10M solar panel project to be approved soon

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–– 30,000 homes in hinterland, rural areas to benefit

By Vishani Ragobeer APPROVAL for the US$10 million line-of-credit that will be used for the electrification project geared at providing self-dependent solar power to some 30,000 houses in hinterland and rural areas is expected to come on stream by the end of March, according to Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa.

“We are working on necessary protocols, because it has to come with approval from India, and we are now expecting that approval for that,” the High Commissioner told the Sunday Chronicle last Tuesday. “We expect the approval by the end of this month, hopefully,” he added.

Dr. Srinivasa noted that once approval is granted, the High Commission will work with the local authorities to start the process with the Exim Bank of India for the pre-qualification of the project. After that process is completed, it is expected that Guyana would be able

to work on the procurement of the equipment needed for the project.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during his address to launch the month-long Amerindian Heritage observances in September 2020, had said that the US$10M would be reprogrammed towards reintroducing solar panels, and the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) programmes in Amerindian villages across the country.

In fact, Dr. Ali said that one of the first tasks he undertook as president was to work with Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on reprogramming resources to bring back the solar panels programme to Amerindian households, and to reintroduce the ‘One Laptop’ programme and electricity in their communities.

More importantly, the High Commissioner noted that as per the project proposal, each household is expected to have its own solar panel, an inverter, and the basic fittings. This means that each household would be able to generate electricity on a

The High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa (Delano Williams photo)

self-dependent basis, and the proposed 30,000 households are expected to benefit.

This project falls under the Hinterland Electrification Project, which was launched

in 2011, and intended to extend access to clean and affordable energy throughout Amerindian communities in the hinterland. It was also a component of the Low-Car-

Fmr. GNNL management ....

FROM PAGE

Additionally, there were no payment receipts nor evidence of work, certified satisfactorily completed. Invoices provided for payment were also not authenticated by business stamps nor official signatures.

Another instance of indiscriminate and unauthorised spending was seen in the alleged ‘enhancement’ of Guyana Chronicle’s social media presence, for which $2,346,549 was expended.

This was the case although the company’s plan/budget for 2018 did not cater for such an expenditure.

According to a breakdown of the allocation, some $454,000 was expended to livestream videos; $404,000 on Facebook boosts; and $1,488,049 to establish a social media department. That aside, the former General Manager spent $2,584,925, to purchase office furniture and equipment that were not provided for in the company’s plan/budget for 2018.

Due to non-adherence

to the tender board rules and regulations and lack of adequate documentation, the audit firm was unable to determine whether the company received value for money from any of the expenditures. The former manager has since been severed from the company, but the effects of his actions still haunt the company to this day.

Imprudent management coupled with political interference in the affairs of GNNL has left the company with a task of not only rebuilding the image of the newspaper, but also staying afloat by managing mounting liabilities created mainly by legal suits against the company.

Judgements have already been awarded against GNNL to the tune of over $50 million. Some of the judgements against GNNL include Yokohama Trading, whereby the court awarded $12.5 million; Pasha Global, whereby the court awarded $12.5 million; and Clifton Bacchus, with the

court awarding $27.5 million.

In these cases alone, GNNL was exposed to claims for over $6 billion.

Further, based on court documents, should the judgement in some of the pending cases be in favour of the plaintiffs, the company could suffer further losses of millions of dollars more. The mounting liabilities, coupled with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, are not only restricting the company’s ability to provide salary increases and conduct other critical administrative work, but are also driving the entity to insolvency.

According to GNNL’s current Board of Directors, the company faces an uncertain future, adding that without intervention, the requisite capital expenditure to continue operations cannot be contemplated. Further, efforts are being made to monitor the legal claims, as well as other areas of impropriety, illegal spending and

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uncleared monetary advances taken by former general managers of the company.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, had said that the new management of the company is working through the adversities to ensure that employees remain away from the breadline.

“We have to continue to work this through to be able to make sure we save the workers… because many workers rely on the company to make a daily living and to earn a livelihood.

“We have skilled people and professionals and it is a task for us to make sure that the government, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), creates a pathway to the survival of the company and its workers,” Minister McCoy related.

bon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Importantly, however, the LCDS will be expanded, given that it has been quite some time since that strategy was crafted. President Ali, in his inaugural address to Parliament, highlighted that the strategy would be broadened to include wider environmental services, water resources management, climate resilience, biodiversity, renewable energy, and the marine economy.

It is expected that the updated LCDS will be able to create employment opportunities, and allow Guyana to earn revenue. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh recently highlighted that the updated LCDS will also incorporate Guyana’s status as a burgeoning oil-and-gas producer.

DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner also

highlighted that the mobile and fixed heavy-duty drainage pumps which were procured via a line-of-credit financing from India in 2020 are in the final stages of installation.

“We believe that by the end of this month, that should be done, and we hope that by next month we can have a formal inauguration of all of these pumps,” Dr. Srinivasa highlighted.

These pumps are being installed at locations across the coastal plain as part of the efforts to improve the drainage network, and mitigate flooding woes.

Additionally, the High Commissioner noted that several industry experts from India will be coming to Guyana to aid in the improvement of the local agricultural sectors, and that specific focus will be directed towards the sugar and aquaculture sectors.

Gov’t upgrading Aishalton District Hospital to a central healthcare hub DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, says the government would be investing in upgrading the Aishalton District Hospital to a central healthcare hub for the Deep South Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

Dr. Mahadeo and a team, including the Ministry’s Hinterland Coordinator, Mr. Michael Gouveia, are currently in the region to engage the hospital’s management, community council and Toshao, Michael Thomas, on the most urgent medical needs there. They also discussed plans to renovate the hospital.

“We agreed that work needed to be done, and in this year’s budget, Region Nine would have improvements for delivery of healthcare and, through the Ministry of Health, we would have budgeted for Aishalton

District Hospital, based on your requests.

“The architect and engineers need to now have a floor plan because there are monies in this year’s budget to build a theatre and everything that goes with a theatre, so you will have surgical capacity, X-ray capacity and laboratory capacity,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

He said the idea is to ensure persons have easy access to healthcare, in keeping with a mandate issued

by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “So, services that are done in Lethem right now will be done right here, and more than that, you will be provided staff. You already have a doctor that has been assigned here and one to come to also operate an ultrasound machine. So, you don’t have need to go to Lethem for ultrasound,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

No damage recorded after second Reg. 9 earthquake

–– data will be retrieved, studied next week THERE has been no damage recorded thus far following the second earthquake that struck Region Nine (Upper Takutu - Upper Essequibo) on Friday, according to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)’s acting Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Salim October.

During a telephone interview with the Sunday Chronicle, the Major confirmed that the CDC did not receive any reports of damage as was the case when the first earthquake struck the region on January 31, 2021.

The earthquake in January had a 5.7 magnitude, while Friday’s earthquake had a magnitude of about 4.7. The second earthquake, according to the Richter scale that characterises the magnitude of earthquakes, is still relatively small. Both earthquakes had a greater impact on the communities of Aishalton, Katoonarib and Sawariwau, in the Deep South area of Region Nine.

The equipment to monitor the aftershocks in ‘Deep South’ Rupununi being installed (Photo provided by the Civil Defence Commission)

On Friday, during a telephone interview with this newspaper, the Major noted that any earthquake — no matter how minor — is a cause for concern. He explained that Guyana sits on

the shelf of a tectonic plate, which is a relatively stable region that is not necessarily prone to such natural disasters. There are some concerns, however, as to why these earthquakes and trem-

ors continue to occur here.

Recently, a multi-stakeholder team installed equipment to monitor seismic activity in four different locations in the south Rupununi area: one close to the epicen-

tre of the earthquake (located somewhere near Katoonarib), and three in surrounding areas, thereby creating a seismic monitoring network.

Professor at the São Paulo University in Brazil, Marcelo Sousa de Assumpção, who has been working with the team, explained in a recent virtual meeting that most of the aftershocks (or tremors) will occur in the same faults where the original earthquake occurred. These aftershocks can be used to study the properties and the geology of the main shock (the January 31 earthquake).

The professor further explained that an earthquake occurs when the rocks or faults on the earth’s crust can no longer sustain the stress (or pressure) that it has been experiencing for a very long time. At that point, there is a sudden movement, known as a failure, that generates a very strong vibration.

He explained that sometimes, some parts of the fault may still have some stress to release, thereby resulting in the aftershocks. And this has been the case in the ‘Deep

South’ area, where the fault running across the region has been releasing these aftershocks.

“The seismometers that are deployed are supposed to be doing all the different analyses to determine whether there is a fault line anywhere in the area and to measure whether there is escalation or de-escalation in the tremors,” Major October also said on Friday.

On Saturday, Major October related that data from the seismic monitoring network will be retrieved over the weekend and sent to the team at the Brazilian university for interpretation sometime next week.

“Sometime next week we should have a good understanding of what took place,” Major October affirmed.

Meanwhile, he assured that stakeholders within the Region have a “direct line” that can be used to contact the CDC in the event of any such further occurrences.

Gov’t upgrading Aishalton District Hospital ....

FROM PAGE

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In addition to the infrastructural upgrades, Dr. Mahadeo said enhanced training

Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo; MOH Hinterland Coordinator, Mr. Michael Gouveia and Toshao Michael Thomas and the team of engineers and an architect who would be engaged in renovating the hospital

would also be provided for medical staff as promised.

“So, I hope you would have identified your community health workers who need

to be trained because they should already be at the central point for when training begins,” he said.

Aishalton is a titled Am-

erindian community located in Deep South Rupununi with a population of over 1,000 people. Its district hospital also serves several satellites communities in-

The Aishalton District Hospital

cluding, Shea, Maruranau, Awarewanau, Churikadnau, Karaudanawa, Achiwuib, Bashaizon, Parabara and Gunns (Masakanari).

It is located about 60 miles

southeast of Lethem and can be accessed by road; an 18-hour drive or one and a half hours by air from Georgetown.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

‘Let the spirit of Holi forge national fraternity’ – Hindu Dharmic Sabha urges As the world celebrates Phagwah, I extend fraternal and joyous greetings to all of Guyana on this lovely occasion. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha reminds all of the powerful and unifying messages enshrined in this ancient and lovely festival on the Hindu calenda which resonate with all people; the triumph of good over evil and removal of all negativities and vices, equality and brotherhood, the promotion of love and unity.

The word “Phagwah” is derived from the Hindu month, Phalgun. Its synonym Holi comes from the Sanskrit word “hola’ meaning grains, reminding us of the festival’s linkage to agriculture and a bountiful harvest. It also heralds the advent of Spring and the Hindu New Year.

Phagwah or Holi is the festival that reminds us emphatically of the love we should share with all.

Smearing colours representing the blooms of Spring on each other effectively erases differences and epitomizes the message that the world is one family. The very act of smearing each other with these vivid colours effectually removes barriers and differences and sends visible signs that hatred and enmity must never win over love and unity.

Phagwah is embraced by Guya-

nese and is a unifying and inclusive festival that encourages people of all walks of life to participate and celebrate in togetherness. Over the years, in our beautiful land of Guyana, people of all walks of life, ethnicity and faith have engaged in playing Phagwah, and the world has admired our togetherness. Let that spirit always prevail in our country to forge national fraternity cutting across every divide to remind us that our destinies are intertwined and that our common goal is the good of our country.

Spiritually, Phagwah advocates implicit faith in God and urges the aspirant to embody divine and positive qualities which will bring them closer to God. The festival also espouses optimism and a strong sense of confidence in Bhagwan Krishna to alleviate all adversity in our lives.

I urge the Hindu community to attend their mandirs for satsangh and the burning of Holika, and to have deep and unflinching faith in Bhagwan as Prince Prahalad did.

Holika Dahan epitomizes the triumph of good over evil within and without. It reminds us all to stand strong against adharma (unrighteousness) and embrace the power of prayers. As Prahalad did, let us always fight against injustice and unrighteousness so that all people

can prosper in love, peace and unity. Every mandir must ensure that their Holika Dahan satsangh reverberates with prayers and chants and that upon the burning of Holika that the melodies of spring reverberate in the air. Chowtaal, ulaara, jati and dhamar will remind us of the advent of spring.

You are invited to join the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha at the Shri Krishna Mandir, Campbelville for Holika Dahan satsangh and burning of Holika at 6:30pm on Saturday, March 27th.

On Phagwah Day, attend your various mandirs for special Phagwah or Holi satsanhg, pray, sing and color each other affectionately with abrack and abeer spreading love and hope.

Join the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha on Phagwah morning at the Rama Krishna Dharmic Mandir, Barr Street, Kitty for special Holi Satsangh. As you observe Phagwah under the COVID-19 pandemic environment, I encourage you to celebrate safely and in adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines.

Holi ke Shubh Kaamnaye to all!

President of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

The essence of Phagwah

TODAY, Guyanese, more particularly Hindus, will not take to the streets and temples to celebrate the ancient Spring Festival of Phagwah, also called Holi or the Festival of Colours, in the same manner they have grown accustomed to doing in the years prior to the advent of COVID-19.

While some celebrations would occur, it is advisable that these remain in compliance with the national COVID-19 guidelines. In a nutshell, this means that it would be better if the celebrations happen within home circles, masks are worn at all times, the six feet social distancing is maintained, and there must be regular hand washing and sanitisation.

Quite a lot to do and very uncharacteristic of a festive occasion, but safety must come first as these good actions will enable adherents to triumph against the evil pandemic that is called COVID-19.

The story of the holy, but merry festival, has been passed down from generation to generation and is a celebration of good over evil.

It has its genesis in the story of a tyrannical king, Hiranyakashyapu, who tried all he could to kill his son Prahalad, because the boy refused to worship him as God. According to legend, the king, blinded by wealth, lust, deceitfulness and arrogance, became lost to his real purpose in life, and eventually thought of himself to be God, and the only one worthy of worship.

His son Prahalad, given in divine birth, while recognising the importance of obedience to parents, also recognised that no mortal should be treated as a Divine Being.

King Hiranyakashyapu’s action flourished as it happened at a time when his Kingdom was in moral decay, but even with this, his son remained a devotee of Lord Vishnu (the Sustainer of the Universe).

And the purpose of his birth was to help correct the unrighteousness that prevailed, allowing for the restoration of decency, piety and uprightness, which were lost to arrogance, greed and lust -- the latter three of which constitute his father’s persona.

When adharma (unrighteousness) becomes norm, God advents Himself, as told eloquently in the holy scripture, the Bhagavat Gita (Songs of the Devine) Chapter: 4.

Verses: 7 and 8, which state: “Whenever there is decline of righteousness (Dharma) and rise of unrighteousness, O Arjuna, then I manifest Myself (7), for the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness; I come into being from age to age (8).”

Prince Prahalad’s birth was not a case of happenstance but one geared at restoring God’s authority,

and the advent of the Lord himself to vanquish the evils of the day.

The despotic king was granted a boon by Brahma (the Creator) that he would not be killed by any living or non-living creature created by him (Brahma); will not die within or outside his residence during the day or night, on the ground or in the sky, or by any weapon; and have no worthy rival in the battlefield.

These powers made the king changed from being a devotee of God to believing that he was no longer a mortal and has become God. Never failing in His promise, and always a preserver of righteousness, the Lord visited King Hiranyakashyapu as a half-man, half lion at twilight (which is neither day nor night); on the verge of his courtyard (which is neither indoors nor out); and put the king on his thighs (which is neither earth nor space). And using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons,

he slayed the evil king.

In doing so, the Lord established that unrighteousness, arrogance, haughtiness and all other evils have no permanent place in society or anywhere else on earth.

Regardless of power and stature, all bad things must come to an end; and it is within this context that Phagwah is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil.

It also implores upon all to be clean in thoughts and action since these are imperatives for a transparent, progressive and respectful society.

The celebration of good over evil is a celebration of unity and a celebration of courage to shun evil acts.

The country and the world as a whole will be a better place if all of us emulate Prahalad—remain humble and always eschew evil.

Happy Holi to all!

GECOM must get rid of all rogues and lone rangers!

Dear Editor,

THIS month, the anniversary of the infamous public rigging attempts by staff in the secretariat of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) awakens the freshly inflicted wounds on our nation. No doubt, the Guyanese people are certainly looking forward to President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to constitutional and electoral reforms. The public outcry has been immense, spewing from every nook and cranny, with demanding drivers of necessity emerging from even those who were regretfully conned into supporting the crookery.

The recognised infiltration of the GECOM secretariat was demonstrated through the shameless dirty work of many of its leading officials, which stands tall in justifying a most urgent forensic review and ultimate cleansing. While the casual factors of this critical undertaking must not be delayed, these reforms, understandably, will have to be dealt with through adequate consultations. The organisation must move to prove its worthiness of service that would engender improved national confidence.

It is disappointing that those at the helm of GECOM still seem to be pussy-footing around waiting on the courts to interpret and determine what is credible, or rather, acceptable performance by staff members under their monitoring control. The courts have already ruled definitively regarding the commission’s role and authority to supervise matters related to the selection of staff and the work of the secretariat. Given the level of public defiance exemplified by members of the secretariat to the commission itself, it now baffles one why the level of hesitancy towards necessary action at the administrative level.

GECOM can no longer be a nesting ground for lone-rangers and rogue personnel. Failure to act concerning this apparent rule-of-thumb disciplinary position is indeed an aberration of the organisation’s constitutional mandate. The level of advanced indecency is tantamount to the PNC/APNU’s claim in the no-confidence motion that 33 was not greater than 32, and abusive to our national investments in education. Such insulting, unconcerned posture must therefore be immediately dispelled, and GECOM must ensure that actions are taken to realign the functionality of the organisation with our constitutional ideals for acceptability.

It would be another disaster of catastrophic proportions if the current GECOM leadership falls short of being appropriately objective. A measure of hope was discerned when the Chairperson Justice (retired) Madam Claudette Singh made some tough, but necessary and instructive decisions during the enforced five-month hiatus (March to August 2020).

Although the foregoing followed court matters, they led to the eventual correction and release of the election results following the publicly held recount after a most threatening period of disaster-filled possibilities. The number of occasions the lone-ranger chief elections officer had to be instructed to correct deliberately presented incorrect results, demonstrates his patent incompetence, and outright partisanship.

The slowing down of assertiveness concerning the commission’s functionality and directions raises numerous further questions and highlights the vice-like grip of pervading uncertainty. I share the humble but solid rationale that had this been a court matter held before the retired chief justice who now chairs the commission, CEO

Lowenfield and many of his acolytes would have long been confined to a stinking jail cell.

It is simply not business as usual and the worms of rotting contamination in GECOM have to be exterminated now.

Editor, local and international observer missions to the March 2020 elections have submitted reports containing myriad positive recommendations to the Chairperson of GECOM. Yet, the nation has not witnessed any significant remedial action. It seems not to matter concerning the way the organisation is seen at home and through the lens of the global democratic community.

The damage done by the thieving attempts and delays is immeasurable and Guyana cannot be placed on hold to extend this impacting cancer for further years under the Lowenfield vice-grip. Consequently, it is imperative that GECOM immediately get down to the business of preparation for this year’s Local Government Elections (LGEs), and this demands the necessary cleansing of all ‘lone rangers and rogue elements.

GECOM must put on its agenda LGEs scheduled for this year. Standard operational procedures have to be activated to put in place appropriately competent staff and operationalise the necessary new period of continuous registration, followed by a period of claims and objections.

This will cleanse and update the voters’ list, realising an acceptable position for the commission to proceed.

GECOM must get down to the serious task of employing staff that will win the trust and confidence of the nation. The training of staff must be objective and never be allowed again to be infiltrated. Therefore, stakeholders’ concern with the attitude and performance of election day staff must be also addressed and remedied.

For the LGEs, the constituency boundaries must be properly demarcated with appropriate consultations and timely notification.

The presiding officers must be women and men with integrity. Polling clerks and ballot clerks along with the others who will be at the polling stations must be trained to work closely with all respective parties’ polling agents for transparency and clarification purposes. The theme for smooth polling-day transactions, therefore, must have the cumulative effect of reconciliation with the presiding officers following all the established procedures to do the necessary counting of the ballots to realise the accurate preparation of the Statements of Poll.

With the Statements of Poll, the respective contesting parties will know the true results from which the calculation of the number of seats won in the various constituencies would be determined. The system of employment must produce the best and highly trusted persons to work at GECOM, while the organisation must ensure the operationalisation of a strong and heavy penal system to deter the emergence of all riggers and fraudsters.

GECOM itself must lobby for penalties for electoral offences to carry strong jail terms and a mechanisim for the collection of evidence towards the establishment of violations enforced. If this cannot be done, Guyana’s history of continuous ‘rigging of elections’ will not be corrected. This nation was put to shame at the last National and Regional Elections and this must not be allowed to continue. The Chairperson of GECOM must be decisive now and get rid of the “riggers.”

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

ERC did not function effectively when most needed and eventually lost its way Dear Editor AS a commissioner who publicly expressed concerns over what I believe to be ineffectiveness, a lack of consistency and timeliness by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on aspects of its functions in keeping with its mandate, it is with a sense of compulsion that I offer this response to a letter from another commissioner, Ashton Simon, captioned, “ERC functioned and never lost its way,” and which was carried in the Thursday, March 25, 2021, edition of the Stabroek News.

Functioning, in my view, can generally be effective or ineffective and with regard to the commission never losing its way as professed, I believe that public sentiments and my own letter of February 28, 2021, would suggest otherwise. In the past, I did mention publicly that the good work the commission did through messaging for racial healing and numerous interactions with stakeholders across the country, would be overshadowed by what appeared to be a sense of partisanship by some that constituted a majority, specifically regarding events pre and post the March 02, 2020 elections.

The commission’s performance or functioning has to be viewed from a holistic standpoint. Surely, Commissioner Simon cannot be oblivious that the commission was heavily criticised for not meaningfully responding and for its failure to take action within its remit on constitutional transgressions and electoral fraud as declared by the courts during the period following the December 2018 no-confidence motion (NCM) and August 02, 2020. Those events led to a heightening of ethnic tensions and many Guyanese who beseeched the commission to act, were left woefully disappointed.

The commission and Commissioner Simon cannot claim to have been unaware of what transpired during the almost 18-month period following the NCM since, even internally, myself and a few other commissioners in the minority, brought those developments to attention and urged actions/ interventions within its remit.

If the commission functioned seemingly impeccably as Commissioner Simon seems to be suggesting, then why a motion became necessary to have the said commission merely recognise the role of CARICOM and the recount in an effort to have the political impasse resolved? With every

passing day then, that impasse exacerbated racial tension. So, if the commission had to be forced to even acknowledge (which it hasn’t) efforts to help resolve the then situation and for tensions to be lowered, how then did it function and didn’t lose its way? Why up to now the commission hasn’t submitted its report, having observed the March 02, 2020, elections?

With the entire commission branded as ineffective and a complete failure with regard to a lack of action on constitutional transgression during the extended election period, each commissioner has a right to publicly clarify and to distance him/herself if so desired in the context of integrity. If the intent is to achieve that through facts, as I did, how is that having “ulterior motives” as articulated by Commissioner Simon regarding commissioners who wrote to the press?

If, by his principle, writing to the press is having “ulterior motives,” then the same can be levelled against him.

He mentioned that the current deputy speaker was summoned before the commission to answer for comments made and cooperated. That is true; however, the commissioner failed to state why leaders of the previous government and

others involved were not summoned, as advised by the legal officer, to denounce statements made during the violence at West Coast Berbice following the heinous killings of the Henry cousins. Why was a vote necessary to decide on something as simple and routine of sending a letter to a current opposition Member of Parliament to caution him over his public utterances? If one were to conclude that’s a derivative of the seeming partisanship alluded to, then it could be a reflection of the commission not functioning effectively and was losing its way.

Over time, the fact that every head of department within the commission being of one ethnicity was discussed and, while no affirmative action was officially agreed to bring some balance, it was articulated that efforts should be explored.

With such a small organisation and, by extension, even smaller departments in some instances, internal advertisements for two specific vacant senior positions attracted one and two applica-

tions respectively. Subsequent recommendations from the Human Resources Sub-Committee would have resulted in persons of the same ethnicity as the other heads being appointed, thereby continuing the imbalance.

With the sole intent of exploring mechanisms to bring ethnic balance to the senior staffing, through a motion and by vote by a majority of one, a decision was taken to advertise vacancies for those two positions externally. Monies were expended and the deadline for submission was January 28, 2021. Applications received showed diverse and very capable candidates. To date, interviews are still to be held despite the urging of myself and a few other commissioners for them to be conducted. With the life of the commission coming to an end on April 01, 2021, more than likely those interviews will not be done. Inexcusable excuses were given for not holding the interviews, despite taxpayers’ monies spent to advertise.

Myself and other commissioners were racially attacked on social media for voting to have the vacancies advertised externally. That information could have only come from someone present at that meeting. The commission promised an investigation over the leakage of information. To date, I am yet to be informed on the format and status. I can question if there was an ulterior motive.

Given what I have articulated now and previously in the public domain, it is my humble view that, barring measurement of impact and in spite of the commendable work the commission did in public awareness, it did not function effectively as expected, especially when it was most needed and lost its way at some point. To say otherwise would be a conservation in truthfulness.

Yours sincerely, Neaz Subhan Commissioner

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Racism, equality and political discrimination

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

GUYANA has come a far way since the beginning of the struggle against racism, inequality and political discrimination in this hemisphere. Specifically, it has passed through certain phases where different groups of people lobbied against the State for protection from the ongoing and senseless racial discrimination whenever it started raising its shameless head and creeping into society.

These groups lobbied hard and long so that the Government-of-the-day would adopt a policy of equality, equity, non-discrimination and anti-racism into our laws which forms part of the Constitution.

The struggle against inherent racism and institutional discrimination began in the early 80s and 90s using all available and new campaigns in Guyana. The message would be to end racism and discrimination on all fronts, especially political discrimination which had its set of consequences as seen

by Guyana’s own makeup.

This message got across to everyone, it would seem, and slowly a wave of change started engulfing Guyana. People became much more respectful and tolerant of each other’s race, traditions and cultures leading to a rich multicultural society today.

But the threats of racism, inequality and political discrimination would always be present and would stirup strive against various groups in the society from time to time. And Guyana’s history has shown that politicians who thrive, win or whip-up massive support by fanning those flames of racism, inequality and discrimination where it did not exist or without evidence must be strongly disciplined, condemned and challenged at every turn that they argue.

It is a fact that racism exists. Even more so is the case for political discrimination.

But it is not being sponsored by the State or Government.

It could not be part of policies articulated by this Irfaan Ali administration or the legislative branch in the National

Assembly nor the judicial branch.

Therefore, everyone has the right to claim they “feel like they are being racially profiled and discriminated against”. There are entities charged with the responsibility of investigating such claims to the end. There is the Government, Judiciary, the Ethnic Relations Commission, Rights Commissions, lobby organisations and UN-affiliates both regionally and internationally.

So, what this Government is doing, in the discharge of its mandate, is not racist. It must not be seen as political discrimination or fostering inequalities. It is practising good governance by taking the alternative approach to witch-hunting and persecution.

Note that every single time you hear the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) speak they are trying hard to convince the public that there is racism and discrimination afoot. But they stop short of providing the irrefutable evidence that could stand the test of scrutiny.

Almost, every time they

talk about “the ethnic cleansing” of the public service they are only talking about their agents and supporters who have publicly declared their non-support of the Government and seek to frustrate the efforts towards change on the ground whether quietly or otherwise. This is what any Government would do if you have known APNU+AFC party personalities stacked in key roles and frustrating the process of development.

There is no race-based discrimination because of the colour of your skin. If you were any other race, once you breach the rules or your contract ends and Government now doesn’t favour renewing, you were gone.

This is the same for the business interests. How come the APNU+AFC does not make the claim that Government is racist or being discriminatory with the cases related to BK International, Larry Singh and Maraj Contracting Service et al? These businessmen it is alleged are not doing the work how they were supposed to and the Government is wasting no time in seeking to recoup mil-

lions of dollars of taxpayers’ funds. Are they just collateral damage in the APNU+AFC racial and discrimination diatribe?

The alleged corrupt land deals involving Trevor Benn and others, and the alleged elections scandals involving the now famous Volda Lawrence, Keith Lowenfield, Clairmont Mingo and Roxanne Meyers are not cases of racial and political discrimination. The latter four allegedly tried all they could to rig an election by reportedly engaging in gross misconduct of their offices and themselves. It just so happens that they are from the same racial grouping.

As the Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, places it, “Now, every single person knows that they committed illegalities. It just so happens that they are Afro-Guyanese.

But these are people that we fought against (their) illegalities… The Caribbean Court of Justice said this guy (Lowenfield) was acting like a lone ranger. They hid the Statements of Poll, criminal behaviour. This is not an indictment of Afro-Guyanese,

it is against those who committed elections fraud, and if there are Indo-Guyanese who’re in that too, they too should face the consequences. So, in the future, nobody again will want to do that when they see these people face the consequences.”

And he pointed out that, “The people who are the most racist, who thrive on racism, they have the most self-righteous ways of accusing others of racism. That is what is happening, and they’ve gotten away with it for a very long time because people in Guyana like to tiptoe around these issues.”

The APNU+AFC is a weak opposition, fractured and battered by the loss that they suffered at the polls.

There are now going back in time to use expressions from the Robert Corbin and Desmond Hoyte, Forbes Burnham eras cause the David Granger era is replete with too many faux pau and errors to mention. Mr Joseph Harmon, the Opposition Leader will have to change course pretty soon because this bandwagon is getting old and stale.

Understanding Energy

National Oil Companies 101 THE new administration in Guyana is considering options for the role of government in managing the growing oil and gas sector.

During a recent conference, a speaker pointed to Suriname’s experience and raised the possibility of establishing a national oil company. Such organisations are sometimes popular because they promise

to facilitate technology transfers or provide more control over oil projects, but they also come with challenges that can be difficult to manage.

National oil companies, sometimes referred to as NOCs or state oil companies, are fully or majority-owned by the government. They can provide governments with more control over the decision-making pro-

cess during development since they are direct investors in oil development.

Because they are direct investors, national oil companies also participate directly in the planning and budgeting process, including timelines for production and depletion. This often helps locals gain management experience in the sector.

Some countries, like

Norway and Malaysia, have successfully used national oil companies to accumulate both wealth and experience in the industry. These countries have done so by creating strong institutions and regulations and enforcing separation of regulatory agencies and national companies. In successful cases like these, governments are often removed from the national

oil company’s decision-making process. This provides insulation from day-to-day political pressures that may take away from a successful national oil company’s focus on long-term growth.

In other countries with successful oil and gas sectors, such as the United States and Canada, governments decided to forego national oil companies.

Like Guyana, they take part in the oil and gas sector by granting permits to private companies to develop oil regions in exchange for taxes, royalties or a share of the profits. This helps reduce the risks that come with national oil companies, which can be considerable.

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How Guyanese institutionalised Phagwah in America

By Vishnu Bisram

THE spirit of Phagwah has traversed a great distance from India where it originated, to the Indian diaspora, including Guyana, where it is a holiday.

Phagwah has been transplanted in New York over the last three decades and is now being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Florida, New Jersey, the Bronx, Ft. Lau-

derdale, and Toronto, among other North American cities.

The vibrancy of the festival is cherished by Indo-Caribbeans everywhere (and also enjoyed by others) and hence its public observance in places alien to Indo Guyanese Hindu culture.

A Phagwah parade culminating with a large gathering is the star attraction of the festivities.

The parade and celebration associated with Phagwah are institutionalised in the psyche of

the Indo-Caribbean population, with some people from other ethnic groups also partaking in the festivities in New York.

People eagerly look forward to the festival which has been transplanted by Indian (Hindu) immigrants from Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname and has become an institution in the Richmond Hill community, the Bronx, Jersey City and elsewhere. Without a parade there is no Phagwah celebration be-

cause there would be no public avenue to celebrate the joyous festival known for its vibrancy of colours. The parade has gained recognition in Queens and the Bronx, elsewhere if not in the wider city with politicians offering assistance to help pull it off; mainstream media report on it. Politicians and community leaders march in it. And the police provide guidance and protection for the marchers.

Thus, congrats are in order

for the conceivers, founders, planners and organisers of the annual parade which was initiated in 1990 by Kalicharran, Ramlall, Dr Satish, Yashpal Soi, among others.

The parade has brought people together. Everyone who played a role in starting the celebration should be recognised and applauded for his or her contributions, never mind that they are divided and fail to see they are hurting the community

through their division. It is a great disappointment that the parade was not held last year and this year. The festival was celebrated with fervour, zest and gusto among the several thousands who showed up for the parade annually for 30 years. Peoples’ clothing were dyed with hues of a spectrum of colours. Hugs and embraces were exchanged. Revellers TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

The Impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS – Part 1

Contributed By: Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Programme Manager National AIDS Programme Secretariat

THE coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency. With the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 globally, many vulnerable populations are experiencing negative consequences such as job loss, food insecurity, and inability to manage existing medical conditions and maintain preventive measures such as social distancing and wearing of personal preventative gear. Some of the most disadvantaged in the COVID-19 era are people living with HIV (PLHIV) along with other high risk groups.

There is great concern about the impact of COVID-19 among the nearly 40 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide. HIV treatment centres and care delivery systems have been adversely impacted in several countries during this pandemic but have created an opportunity for application of alternative strategies like multi-month pre-

scription, decentralising HIV care in low-resource settings and introducing telemedicine in high-resource settings, retention in care programmes, direct observation of treatment which can be critical in mitigating shocks to healthcare systems in the future.

Like HIV/AIDS, coronavirus has a greater impact on people who are already marginalised. As a result, there is great concern as the pandemic spreads to poorer countries and those with higher HIV rates. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 16.7% of COVID-19 patients in intensive care are immunocompromised with underlying health conditions and their chances of recovery are much lower.

GROUPS AT MOST RISK For COVID-19, failure to adhere to physical distancing or hand washing recommendations constitute behaviours that increase risk for contracting COVID-19. People who are older in age or who have pre-existing conditions such as chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer and diabetes are at greater risk of being infected with coronavirus. It is well established that HIV disproportionately affects groups already marginalized, including racial/ethnic and sexual or gender minorities, as well as those living in poverty. It is quickly being recognised that COVID-19 also disproportionately affects minority groups, which is not surprising given existing health disparities and economic instability HEALTH DISPARITIES As with HIV, the COVID-19 pandemic reveals the systemic inadequacies

How Guyanese ...

It is a great disappointment that the parade was not held last year and this year. The festival was celebrated with fervour, zest and gusto among the several thousands who showed up for the parade annually for 30 years.

Peoples’ clothing were dyed with hues of a spectrum of colours. Hugs and embraces were exchanged. Revellers thronged the streets and the park smearing faces with coloured powder and sprayed abeer to celebrate the festival of colour and joy, which heralds the advent of spring. People hugged each other wishing “Happy Holi” as a dozen floats made their way with groups singing and dancing behind to the accompaniment of drums or loud chowtaal music.

The meaning of Phagwah is to bury differences and organisers have resolved conflicts to come together to plan

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the celebrations. Lord Krishna and Swami Dayanand preached that message. Unity would help in achieving a lot of goals and objectives for the Guyanese community, whereas infighting would defeat the purpose of having organisations. With greater unity in the community on observing festivals, politicians would come forward to provide greater assistance to them.

Let me take this opportunity to applaud the organisers of the parade for their hard work. I hope they will use their unity to help empower the community politically through the large number of people who celebrate the festival.

I, therefore, urge Guyanese community elders to work together to strengthen the community.

Yours truly Vishnu Bisram

that produce health disparities.

There is a disproportionate burden on already vulnerable populations experiencing poverty and other systemic stressors. The United Nations 2020 report has indicated that increases in food costs and market stockpiling has had the most harmful impact on vulnerable communities, particularly those in low-income nations.

Although vulnerable populations vary across nations, those with stigmatised or marginalised intersecting identities often experience the highest burden, including MSM, transgender women, people who inject drugs, commercial sex workers, young women, and youths (15–24), who account for a third of all new HIV infections.

Furthermore, immigrants are at increased risk of infectious diseases, including both HIV and COVID-19, as are other people who are displaced.

Additionally, PLHIV in rural areas may experience additional barriers that inhibit access to care such as the lack of adequate technology to support telemedicine, lack of finances for transportation to attend clinics, and additional costs and complexity required to provide care during the current pandemic.

BIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HIV TREATMENT HIV persons whose disease is not well managed and whose condition is not virally suppressed along with comorbidities are placed at an increased risk for contracting and expe-

riencing complications related to COVID-19, in addition to complications related to HIV disease progression. Given the lifelong prognosis of HIV, it is imperative for PLHIV to regularly visit their healthcare providers and adhere to treatment.

PLHIV are also more likely to contract opportunistic infections e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, etc., than those without compromised immune systems. They may experience delayed treatment due to COVID-19. This can occur due to overcrowding in an already taxed healthcare sys-

tem. PLHIV who seek out urgent care may face an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 among other illnesses while in healthcare settings.

COVID-19 has taken a dramatic toll on HIV health care services. Lockdowns and associated changes have hampered the ability to deliver normal health care services to test new PLHIV, diagnosing positive cases, getting newly diagnosed positive persons on treatment, enrolment in clinics, continue adherence to treatment including dispensing of antiretroviral drugs

(ARVs) and ultimately lower rates of viral suppression.

Those associated changes include closing clinics, community health workers’ inability to visit PLHIV, the inability of support groups to meet, and the shortage of personal protective equipment for health providers. Evidence already shows an overall decline in persons coming to facilities for HIV testing, as well as, clinical care and treatment.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Local elections will provide a latticework to fill and address the controversial squares in GECOM THE announcement that local elections would be held by the end of this year may not sound like music to the ear, given the straitjacket embedded in governing GECOM. Some might have choked on their drinks when receiving the news that the PPP/C administration would carry on with the local elections in 2021.

Since the failed attempt to steal the March 2, 2020 general election to favour the APNU+AFC Coalition, nothing of significance has changed, other than deepened distrust of GECOM. It appears that the PPP/C has a plan in place to iron out the kinks insofar as providing the right mechanisms for fair and reliable local elections coupled with the confidence that the staff in the electoral machinery would observe and obey the fundamental principles of conducting elections. The

European Union Election Observation Mission’s 26 recommendations come to mind. I am not convinced that the PPP/C administration is poised in such a short time to meet the contradictory challenges in GECOM. I suspect that the PPP/C administration is determined to uphold the local electoral rhythm every two years to facilitate the drumbeat of democracy and to venture out from the licitly of the past, namely, the absence of local elections. This is not a mawkish position since local elections will not lead to the changing of guards at the national level, and elected leaders at the local level would have the opportunity to speak and address issues affecting them. I foresee no qualms here.

If anything at all, local elections will provide a latticework to fill and address

the controversial squares, the diachronicity in GECOM. If most of the staff is retained, especially the embattled ones in Region 4, then this would provide them with the opportunity to show that they are not what they have been accused of, an attempt to steal the general election to favour the Coalition. This is an unfortunate burden of comportment to carry, but arguably, it was self-inflicted within GECOM, not an imposition from the citizenry.

Even if the exigencies of public service are met in the 2021 local elections that does not mean exoneration from the excesses of the March 2, 2020 general elections. I might have to call in the psychologist on this one.

The local elections will also indicate to each political party and the citizenry where they stand in relation to amassing votes and gauging the level of support they

receive. I am assuming that the PNC and AFC in the Coalition will go to the local election polls individually, a move that will provide a base to assess their individual political relationship with voters. If the Coalition goes to the polls collectively, we will still have an opportunity to compare the local (2018), general (2020) and local (2021) elections to fix some challenges associated with GECOM. The purpose of both local and general elections is obviously different but the procedure of conducting a fair and free election is unchangeable.

I will go further and add one crucial dimension to the local elections. The time has come to depart from the way Mayors of our towns are elected, a colonial carryover to the modern period. In Georgetown, for instance, which comprises a fourth of Guyana’s population, the people do not vote for their Mayor. Instead, a Council of 30 people -though they may not be from Georgetown - decides who should be the Mayor of Georgetown. It is no secret that nepotism is the buzzword in the 30-member council.

The political-affiliated party in the Council with the most

seats generally dominates, and therefore, voting on vital issues is merely a decorative exercise designed to meet procedural mandates. This explains why some Mayors have had prolonged periods of leadership modelled after “scratch my back” and “our turn” syndrome. This occurs even when the Minister of Local Affairs in the sitting government has the final say in urban matters. I opine that any different system other than what we have now would be a step forward in choosing our Mayor. In the United States, the people vote for their Mayors, not a chosen few, amid limited friction.

The above has added to the heightened awareness of politics across the tranche of Guyana so much so that if not tackled we might be fooling ourselves.

First off, institutions matter more than individuals or political parties so that within GECOM we must establish forms of social control over individual actions. We ought to socialize individuals to meeting and conforming to the logic of appropriateness. This can be achieved by setting down strict rules that contain and direct behavior

that exposes good as well as bad actions at any given time. In this process, the logic of consequence is achieved, and, that is, those who are entrusted to perform impartial duties, such as in GECOM, must be cognisant that there are consequences based on reward and reckless actions. I know that what I have said here is up against a radical upswing of behaviour and ideas since the Opposition was ousted from power. But what alternative do we have if individuals in the line of duties and responsibilities are not socialized to understand what sociologist Max Weber calls “national-legal authority.” Impartial behaviour governed by law and reason is the defining feature of legitimate authority (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

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National Oil Companies...

National oil companies, like all state-owned businesses, are vulnerable if government agencies seek to maximize short-term revenues over investing in the long-term health and growth of the sector. Some oil experts criticized Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the national oil company in Venezuela, for short-sighted, politically-driven decision making that ultimately led to reduced production and left the country overly dependent on volatile oil revenues to cover social programs. It can be hard for governments to make smart long-term decisions about diversifying the economy when the lure of short-term oil profits is strong.

Similarly, direct government involvement in a lucrative industry can also lead to corruption risks if officials use the contracting process to enrich themselves, as was widely alleged to take place in Brazil. Conflicts of interest can quickly multiply and be hard to manage when a state

agency is overseeing a state company.

Finally, the potential benefits from national oil companies’ direct investment—technology transfers, increased decision-making and local management experience— come with the responsibility to make substantial upfront investments in projects. A $9 billion (USD) project for example, would require a 10 per cent partner to make a $900 million investment prior to production revenues.

Under Guyana’s current arrangement, private companies make 100 per cent of the up-front investments for exploration and development.

Those investments are only re-paid when revenues begin, often five to 10 years after the first investment. Sometimes they aren’t repaid at all, if exploration is unsuccessful, projects stall or oil prices are too low. If the governments of state oil companies are required to borrow heavily to cover their company’s share of the costs, it can lead

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to higher sovereign debt and greater risk.

Right now, Guyana is avoiding many of the risks that national oil companies present, but there are concerns that the current institutional arrangement does not capture some of the benefits it could, one reason that the government is considering additional regulations. A national company is an important idea for Guyana to consider, especially as it becomes a more sophisticated and experienced producer.

Guyana is not alone in this situation. Oil and gas producing countries across the world continue to tinker with the “best” way to develop natural resources.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to oil development because producing countries themselves are so varied. National oil companies come with potential benefits and risks that the new administration, and all of Guyana, must consider.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Celebrating Phagwah under the new norm

By Naomi Parris

REVERED as one of the most colourful, electrifying and unifying festivals of the year, Phagwah also called Holi will be a quiet affair this year due to COVID-19.

On this much-anticipated day, Guyanese of every age, race, religion and creed would have been celebrating with a kaleidoscope of colours, sweetmeats and religious ceremonies but not so this time around.

Under normal circumstances, many would have congregated at the National Stadium or at a common place to colour each other with gulal, which are coloured powders and other forms of dyes to celebrate Holi. The day would have been followed with various forms of entertainment and the sharing of sweet meats and other delightful cuisines.

PHAGWAH AND ITS MEANING Holi, popularly known as Phagwah is the Hindu festival of colours that celebrates the triumph of good

to Holika Dahan, melodies of chowtaal and bhajans can be heard at Hindu temples and homes across the country.

Flashback: A scene from Holi, also called Phagwah, celebrations in 2017

over evil, good harvest, and fertility. The festival loosens the normal social restrictions by bringing people together not based on religion, status, and/or age.

Many visit each other’s homes to distribute sweets and greet each other. Men, women, adults and children all take part in dances and

other cultural programmes during Holi. People dress in pure white and gather together in a common place to colour each other with gulal, which are coloured powders and other form of dyes. A popular activity is the throwing of water-filled balloons at one another, sometimes called lola.

Holi celebrations start on Basant Panchmi which is the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu month Omagh.

On this day, in keeping with tradition, homage is done to Saraswati Devi, the goddess of knowledge and a castor oil tree is planted as a symbolic act. During a period of 40 days from Basant Panchmi

TRIUMPH OVER EVIL While Holi is celebrated as a spring festival, the significance of the festival derives from a story of good prevailing over evil.

Hiranyakashipu was a king in ancient India who performed extreme penances and austerities (Tapasya) until he was transformed into a good man in the eyes of the gods. The divine as a reward offered him three wishes. His first wish was that he could not be killed or die anywhere on the earth; his second wish was that neither by night or day could he die; his third wish was that he could not be killed by either man or animal. All three wishes were granted.

The king now grasped he was immortal and he was suddenly transformed into a corrupt egotist. In this fall, arrogance, greed and love for power completely consumed him. He declared he was God and compelled his subjects

to attend their temples and worship him or face the pain of death if they did not. He trampled over every right the citizens had and fear and terror took over the country.

Without warning, Hiranyakashipu’s very young son, Prahalad refused to worship his father as God and declared that he would continue to worship God. The king immediately decided that Prahalad must die a painful death by being burnt alive.

He, therefore, built a huge pyre and arranged with his sister Holika who could not be harmed by fire, to sit in the burning pyre and hold Prahalad in her lap until he was completely burnt to ashes. As soon as Holika and her nephew got on the pyre, it was set alight. Next morning when the citizens went to the pyre, they found that Holika was burnt to ashes and Prahalad, the playful child, quite unharmed since her power of being safe from the fire was transferred to Prahalad while he was sitting in her lap.

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10 Bethany Village families get houses ––as Food For The Poor Guyana continues housing drive

By Indrawattie Natram TEN vulnerable families of Bethany Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), now have access to adequate housing, with the construction of 10 two-bedroom houses in the community by Food for the Poor Guyana, through its housing drive.

The houses, equipped with sanitary facilities and rain-harvesting mechanisms, were officially handed over to the beneficiaries on Friday.

At a simple ceremony, Senior Manager of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., Andrea Benjamin, said that the organisation is happy to be able to improve the lives of the beneficiaries.

Not only are the houses well-constructed, they are also equipped with rain-harvesting mechanisms for safe storage of water, beds, a gas stove and a solar panel system, among other things.

The solar panel and the rain-harvesting mechanism are critical elements of the package, since the community, which has about 590 residents, has no access to electricity and potable water.

“Access to housing is a

Senior Project Manager at Food for the Poor Guyana, Andrea Benjamin (right), facilitates the ceremonial ribbon-cutting exercise as part of the official handing over of one of the houses to a beneficiary

basic human right articulated in goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; this includes access to adequate, safe and affordable shelter, sanitary facilities and clean water,” Benjamin said.

The senior manager said that the organisation has been playing an active role in boosting the housing conditions in Bethany over the past 10 years.

She said, too, that to date, over 60 houses were constructed in the community and families are now living more comfortably.

Apart from Bethany, Benjamin said Food for the Poor has constructed over 690 homes in the Pomeroon, Region Two area, more specifically in indigenous communities such as Mashabo,

Lake Capoey, Lake Mainstay, Tapakuma, Karawab, Akawini, and Kabakaburi.

As is the case with every donation, Benjamin urged beneficiaries to care their new houses and elevate themselves where possible. Each beneficiary received a certificate of ownership from Food for the Poor.

One beneficiary, Paula Thomas, extended gratitude to the organisation and said that she was living with her mother-in-law, but the space was becoming limited.

Zeeta Thomas, a widow, said that, prior to receiving the house, she was living in a one-bedroom house which was deteriorated. Thomas is, as such, very happy to be a recipient of one of the houses.

Another beneficiary, Desmond Thompson, said that getting a new house is a dream-come-true. He said with the house, there will be more privacy and space, especially for his children.

Toshao of the Bethany Village, Sonia Latchman, said that the housing initiative is good and she is happy that families from her community were able to benefit.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021 FROM PAGE

Celebrating Phagwah ...

Hiranyakashipu was furious with anger and went to the largest temple, shouting that all must bow to him as God and as he strutted about the temple, in his rage, he slashed one of the columns with his sword and as he did so, a man-lion, Narasingha, jumped out of the column and attacked him. They began to fight and struggle until they reached the door and fell upon the steps. At that point, Narasingha seized the king by the neck, lifted him up and strangled him. Hiranyakashipu was killed by a being who was neither man nor animal; he was killed at dusk which is neither day nor night, and he was strangled in midair and not on land. God had incarnated Himself as Narasingha to save humanity.

On the news of the death of the tyrant, the people burst out into wild rejoicing and festivities and everyone literally embraced everyone else in good fellowship and Phagwah, each year enacts the celebration of the demise of the tyrant.

CELEBRATION IN ISOLATION This year, the celebration in Guyana will be limited to mostly celebration in the family circle and not big public

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celebrations as obtained in the past. During an address to the nation, on Wednesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said that while there are several religious and cultural events ahead of the country over the next few weeks — including the celebration of Phagwah and Easter and the observance of Ramadan — citizens should adhere strictly to the approved COVID-19 guidelines.

“The COVID-19 Task Force has been asked to pursue charges against owners of establishments that are found in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines,” he underscored.

The task force, which incorporates members of the Joint Services, will be keenly monitoring activities on Sunday to see whether establishments are breaching these COVID-19 restrictions.

Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Phagwah celebrations will be restricted. According to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Phagwah events at the mandirs, including cultural programmes, chowtaal samelan and satsangh/ services, are only allowed at 40 per cent capacity. These guidelines state that mandirs are encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces where available.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Major road upgrades for Good Hope

–– rehabilitation of community’s lone access bridge being considered

By Jared Liddell FOR years, residents of Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara have unavoidably traversed near impassable roads and the community’s lone access bridge, which has outlived its time, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the over 2,000 residents, as plans are in place to rehabilitate critical infrastructure in the area.

The community’s main access road, Eleventh Street, Phase Two – First Street, and several interconnecting streets will be upgraded, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said following a visit to the community on Saturday.

Not only is the existing infrastructure deplorable, but it is also archaic and much unlike the modern, asphalted roads found in communities not too far from Good Hope.

It is for this reason that Minister Indar committed to ensuring that the earthen roads are redone with asphalt, so as to create better conditions for commuters, who have faced the added burdens of vehicle repairs and, in some cases, physical injuries.

One project that residents are particularly interested in is the pending rehabilitation of the community’s lone access bridge, which has been utilised without repairs for about 15 years.

Consistent vehicular traffic into and out of the community has destroyed most of the critical links, leaving it to hang almost like a canopy walk in the rainforest.

In responding to concerns about the bridge, Minister Indar said that he will review possible ways of facilitating the rehabilitation of the bridge, since $112 million has already been allocated in Budget 2021 for bridge repairs countrywide.

“The one-way trafficked bridge that grants access is also set to undergo some restorative

Sukdai Seepersaud

Resident, Julian Persaud

Badrudeen Shaw

The lone access bridge at Good Hope

work. Anyone can imagine how coming into the community and getting out is difficult, especially during the mornings when everyone is trying to get to work or to get their children to school.

“That in itself is an issue that we plan to address in the future, but for now the bridge needs a bit of rehabilitative work and we are going to try to facilitate that,” Minister Indar assured residents.

HIDING PLACE Further, he said that sev-

eral residents have written to the Ministry of Public Works complaining about the dumping of derelict vehicles along the parapets of the community.

Residents lamented that those vehicles are sometimes used as a hiding place for rogue elements in the community.

“I am asking residents if we can remove those vehicles, the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] chairman has written to all of them on numerous occasions

to move out these vehicles and they are not doing so, I am asking residents to please comply with the local NDC. “It is not fair to other residents to suffer because of the vehicles that are being placed there, it’s doing three things, it is harbouring water on the road and it is destroying the road and it's providing an environment for criminals to hide and rob people and all that, and it is affecting the NDC’s ability to maintain the drains,” Minister Indar bemoaned.

Badrudeen Shaw, a resident of the area for over 10 years, said that the road has long been an eyesore and danger to residents of the community.

In relaying his concern to Minister Indar, Shaw said: “"The road has been bad a very long time since 2012, and they kept getting worse and all the residents are affected personally; it’s not just unhealthy but it’s also a danger.

“I get a granddaughter that living at the back, in the

last street, she was getting a baby and because the road so bad taxi wasn’t going in there and a day she was walking coming out and slip and lost the baby, that’s how much the lives of the residents are affected here.”

Pensioner Sukdai Seepersaud echoed similar sentiments, but commended the government for promising to repair the infrastructure in the community.

“Our road in this area is like 10 to 15 years like that and getting worse. The minister’s commitment gave me a little bit of hope that we will have an area that is liveable and that we can be proud of and not have to be pressured during the rainy season, cause we would be able to move in and out without having to go through all those gorges and mud water and all that,” Seepersaud related.

Additionally, Julian Persaud, who raised several issues on behalf of her community, including the issue of crime, said that she is especially grateful that the road work would be beneficial to all members of the community, especially those persons with children.

“In this community, there are persons with vehicles and families with small children and it would be better for all of us because persons living here wouldn’t have to face added expenses of repairing their vehicles more than necessary, just because the road is bad, and I think that would make any of us happy.

“Not just the vehicle owners are going to benefit but also the persons who have children; a lot of the time when it rains and it’s a school day you see small children having to walk through that mud and dirty water and that’s very unhealthy,” Persaud said.

Husband claims self-defence in attempted murder of pregnant wife –– denies setting house on fire THIRTY-year-old Richard Mohamed, a farmer of Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has reportedly confessed to the attempted murder of his pregnant reputed wife, under the pretext that it was self-defence,

but has denied setting their house on fire.

The chopping incident occurred in the wee hours of March 25; the 23-year-old remains in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Police said she

lost several fingers and was also chopped to the head and other parts of the body.

The young woman, who has five children from a previous relationship, is said to be six weeks pregnant.

A police source told the Sunday Chronicle that the

Richard Mohamed

suspect alleged that the woman would usually torment him, and on the day of the argument, she pulled a knife on him and placed it to his throat. The suspect claimed that he then took a cutlass and chopped the woman in self-defence. The suspect further alleged that the woman had previously threatened to kill him.

Screams from the woman on the day of the incident led neighbours to her rescue while the suspect escaped. He was later arrested and remains in police custody. He is expected to be charged on Tuesday.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Subraj Foundation wraps up five clinics

–– Over 1,000 residents benefit from free services IN completing its 40th mission here in Guyana recently, the George Subraj Foundation, out of New York City, was able to help at least 1,000 residents from locations all across Guyana to access a number of free health services.

Five clinics were held this time around, again in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara; East Canje, Berbice; Parika, East Bank Essequibo; and Kwakwani, Region 10 and with the Guyana Police Force.

Many individuals, who

turned up at the clinics for eye tests and reading glasses, spoke about the high cost of having to acquire such privately.

“I think the places that offer this service are doing a good job as compared to other countries, but still, many cannot afford. So, after an individual tests their eyes and receives their glasses, I am always thrilled when I hear the words: ‘I can see bright, bright again’,” Project Coordinator, Richard Mahase told this newspaper.

Many of the individuals were given readers, distance glasses and shades and there was no shortage at any of the locations. In fact, approxi-

mately 600 pairs were given out on some days, including to children. The teams also saw some surprising numbers doing glucose and blood pressure testing. Fortunately, the GPHC team was on hand to offer advice and referrals.

This mission was planned to observe the birth anniversary of the late George Subraj, who founded the organisation, and Mahase said that without the support of some of the critical institutions in these times of the pandemic, it would not have been possible.

“At the grass root level, we are a people known to stop our personal work and help others. This has not

changed and I was touched by the number of individuals at each clinic who came forward to help. Overall, we can say their cooperation typifies the nature of what’s known about us internationally: hospitable!”

As many as 100 persons were already waiting when the teams arrived to start the day’s clinics. Anticipating this, Mahase said they planted tents with spaced seating from overnight, so there would be adequate social distancing. While the number of persons who showed up at the clinics was about 25 per cent less than previous ones, Mahase said an earlier cut-off point than usual was set to

The teams saw many coming for glucose and blood pressure testing

avoid unnecessary build-up or last-minute rush.

He said the foundation is grateful to the Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital Complex, Rudolph Small, and other officers there who helped to facilitate the trip to Kwakwani; and also, to Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain; Dr. Shailendra Sugrim of GPHC, and Regional Health Officers of Regions Four, Six, and 10.

With members based in New York, the foundation has been coordinating

various health initiatives in Guyana since in the early 1990s, doing so with personal funds in an effort to give back to the country.

The late George Subraj had pioneered Guyana’s first kidney transplant in 2008 and had completed dozens of missions, participating in both kidney and cornea transplants.

His team also initiated the Nationwide Health Education Programme (SEVAK) providing free hypertension and glucose testing.

‘Let us build bridges – Minister McCoy urges in Phagwah message The trip to Kwakwani was successfully organised

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy

See below full message in observance of Phagwah from Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy: The celebration of Phagwah or Holi for us Guyanese marks a significant moment in our social continuum as a nation, as we give pause to the noise and haste of everyday life, to offer fellowship with our fellow citizens and human beings.

This commemoration of the arrival of spring, must also signify the blossoming of love for us as a people, as we gradually but steadily set aside our differences in pursuit of common grounds.

Since returning to office in 2020, our President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has been marking

relentless strides to bridge the various divides in our beloved country and lay the ground work for Guyanese to mend differences, offer forgiveness and repair broken relationships damaged by politics, mistrust and other vagaries of our human existence.

Indeed, these celebrations this year offer a most timely opportunity for us to build bridges and renew our personal and community commitments and hope, for oneness and unity as a nation.

Just as the annual festival epitomizes rebirth and renewal in the newness of the spring, for Hindus across the world, let us all join with our Hindu brothers and sisters here in Guyana to usher the arrival of a healing spring for our nation.

Let us use this time to reflect, play and laugh with each other across ethnic and political lines, even as we take care in the process to protect ourselves and others by strictly observing the national COVID 19 Protocols at all times.

On behalf of the directors and staff of the Public Affairs Secretariat and the State Media, I wish you all a very rewarding Holi 2021.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

‘Operation Hernia’ gives muchneeded surgeries to 40 patients

By Vishani Ragobeer THOUGH there have been limitations on surgical procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 40 patients successfully received much-needed hernia repair surgeries during the two-day ‘Operation Hernia’ done at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last weekend.

According to one of the surgeons involved, and registrar of general surgery at the hospital, Dr. Christopher Chung, a hernia is colloquially referred to as a ‘goadie’ but it is actually a weakness in the abdominal wall (the stomach). That weakness causes a protrusion of the intestines or some other organ within the stomach.

The surgeon explained that in males, the hernia can go down into the scrotum and that would prevent individuals from doing any heavy lifting or strenuous work. The hernia surgery, in men and women, involves repairing the damaged tissue with prolene mesh (a type of plastic that helps to strengthen the abdominal walls). This is what is done in Guyana and in many other countries.

Dr. Chung also noted that a primary repair can be done, whereby the body’s own tissue is used for the repair, or it can be done laparoscopically, whereby a small incision is made and a scope is sent through.

“There are a lot of patients that suffer from this condition,” another surgeon and registrar, Dr. Gabrielle DeNobrega highlighted, emphasising: “It affects their work, and if they can’t work, they can’t make money, and they come with a lot of complaints to the clinic, and there is only so much that we can do.”

Prior to COVID-19, about eight hernia surgeries would be done each week by four surgical teams. These surgeries add to all of the emergent and other elective surgeries they would have done throughout the week whether for wounds incurred due to violence, cancer treatment or otherwise.

This year’s ‘Operation Hernia’ was the third one done; the earlier operations featured about 60 surgeries.

The number of surgeries were reduced, however, because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There were four teams involved and they ran all the theatres (at the GPHC). That went from Saturday morning to Saturday evening, and then again on Sunday morning to Sunday evening,” Dr. DeNobrega highlighted.

An average hernia surgery, she explained, takes about 45 minutes to complete. More complicated surgeries or surgeries on patients who are ‘high-risk’ would require a longer surgery.

Though this year’s ‘Operation Hernia’ featured patients who required the varying types of attention, the doctor noted that all 40 surgeries were successfully completed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health services to adapt their systems and procedures, due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus. These concerns prompted the hospital to indefinitely postpone elective surgeries - that is, a surgery that does not involve a medical emergency. The medical team have, however, been trying to offer some surgical procedures, particularly to those persons who need it the most.

Before these 40 patients underwent their surgeries, they all had to be screened.

Dr. Chung explained that another reason the set of surgeries were done at the weekend was because the screening would only be valid for a short period of time. If too much time has elapsed, there is a greater possibility that the patient could have been exposed to the SARA-CoV-2 virus (that causes the disease, COVID-19).

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT Beyond these health considerations, hernias are one type of pathology that cause significant discomfort to persons but it also has a socio-economic impact on patients.

“When we do these kinda things, it’s not just that we’re fixing this hernia- that is just a one-dimensional aspect of what is going on,” Dr. Chung reasoned.

He explained that if a man’s hernia is repaired, the man would be able to return to work, provide for his family and, by extension, contribute to the economy.

Additionally, when surgeons are able to operate, they are able to build their repertoire of skills and improve with each additional surgery.

“More surgeries done for

One of the surgical teams operating on a patient during ‘Operation Hernia’ (Photo provided by Dr. Christopher Chung)

the population, for a disease that can cause socio-economic distress, the better the outcome for the economy. It

is not about looking at it from a one-dimensional standpoint, but to mesh everything together,” the surgeon em-

phasised.

And it is for this reason Dr. Chung contended that the team of surgeons did not

mind sacrificing their weekend to engage in ‘Operation Hernia.’ Moving forward, both doctors indicated that they have expressed an interest in doing more general surgeries, but doing it in a way where the lives of all the staff - whether medical or supporting staff - can be protected, too. In this regard, Dr. DeNobrega indicated that the National COVID-19 Task Force has already been engaged.

“We’re trying to get things back to normal, but the population just has to understand that there is a new normal… but we are trying to work around all the issues we have right now,” Dr. Chung emphasised.

Selected quote from Dr Cheddi Jagan "The tropical Rain Forests of Guyana are in the main still intact unlike the forests in most other parts of the world. And this could not have been so had it not been for the ecological prudence of Guyanese – Amerindians”.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

Shulinab gets first resident doctor

DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, says a resident doctor has now been installed at the Shulinab Health Centre, to serve the mixed Macushi and Wapichan community, in Region Nine.

Dr. Mahadeo made this announcement during a twoday outreach to the region.

“It is the first time this facility is going to have a doctor. This is based on the request made during our last visit for more services to be

offered here,” he said.

The Director-General also commended the doctors who have agreed to serve in remote communities across the country to ensure that persons have access to quality healthcare. At Shulinab, Dr. Mahadeo said he was confident of Dr. Petriana Surajpaul’s ability to serve the village. Dr. Surajpaul was recently assigned there after serving at Sand Creek and surrounding villages.

“First of all, I want to say thanks to Dr. Surajpaul

The Shulinab Health Centre

for being here, for taking up the challenge. She is one of the doctors that we need to

commend because when she was advised that she would be coming to the hinterland,

she willingly came to the hinterland.

“It would be a year now.

I want to say continue to serve, and thanks on behalf of the Ministry of Health and people of Guyana for taking on that challenge,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

With the new resident doctor, additional medical services would be available and vulnerable residents, such as those who are bed-

ridden, would be treated.

Shulinab also has several satellite villages, including Meriwau and Quiko.

The resident doctor said she looks forward to serving and has an interest in ensuring the upward mobility of the Community Health Workers (CHWs).

“I will work with them to enhance their skills,” she said.

65 new COVID-19 cases –– 13 in ICU GUYANA, on Saturday, recorded 65 new cases of COVID-19 from 665 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases since March 2020 to of 10,072.

Of the new cases, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) recorded three; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), seven; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 45; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), six, and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), two.

Of the newly infected persons, 26 are males and 39 females. There are 13 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 52 are in institutional isolation, 992 are isolated at home, and 19 are in institutional

quarantine.

There are 1,076 active cases and a total of 8,842 recoveries.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six-feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

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Janet Jagan remembered at wreath-laying ceremony

Supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Saturday, organised a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cheddi Jagan play park in remembrance of the late Janet Jagan, founder of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and former President of Guyana

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 28, 2021

The Festival of Colours

BORN out of a story rooted in unshakable belief in God, Holi or Phagwah is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

The story of the colourful celebration was first introduced here over 180 years ago with the arrival of indentured servants from India to work on the sugar plantation.

It is immortalised in the legend of Prahalad and has been told and re-enacted from generation to generation in homes, places of learning and temples.

It is a story about a despotic King Hiranyakashipu who commanded his subjects to worship him, but was met with obstinate rejection by his son Prahalad.

King Hiranyakashipu, angered by the action of his son, ordered that he (Prahalad) and his aunt Holika, who was believed to be immune to fire, sit on a pyre which was set ablaze.

According to legend, Holika was burnt to ashes but young Prahalad, a devotee of Vishnu (The Preserver of the Universe), remained unscathed.

The boy thereafter de-

creed that his aunt will be remembered ever year, thus the burning of the Holika (pyre made of branches) on the night before Phagwah is celebrated.

From the stories told, King Hiranyakashipu was no ordinary being. He was granted a boon by Brahma (the Creator), after great penance, that he would not be killed by any living or non-living creature created by him (Brahma); will not die within or outside his residence during the day or night, on the ground or in the sky, or by any weapon; and have no worthy rival in the battlefield.

These powers blinded King Hiranyakashipu to humanity and made him into a tyrant who later believed that there is no God but himself, forcing the Lord to advent himself to restore his authority.

Mindful of the boon granted to the king, Lord Vishnu came in the form of a halfman, half-lion and paid him a visit he would not live to tell.

KILLED Abiding by the boon granted by Brahma, Lord Vishnu visited the demonic king at twilight (which is neither day nor night); on the verge of his

Before COVID-19: Phagwah celebration in full swing at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (file photo)

courtyard (which is neither indoors nor out); and put the king on his thighs (which is neither earth nor space). And using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he gutted the demon king; bringing an end to his tyranny.

It is in this light that Phagwah is the celebration of triumph of good over evil.

The story of Prahalad, though the most popular in Guyana, is not the only legend associated with the Spring

Festival.

Another version tells of the enduring love between the dark skinned Lord Krishna playfully applying colour to the face of the fair and beautiful Radha.

The central ritual of Holi is the drenching of friends and family with water and applying coloured powder on them, thus the name “Festival of Colours”. These would not occur this year as happened before due to COVID-19.

Phagwah is also a celebration of the coming of Spring with all its beautiful colours and vibrant life.

ALL EMBRACING CELEBRATION Before COVID-19, on Phagwah Day, Guyana also erupts in a colourful spectacle as persons of all ethnic groups be it from Skeldon, Berbice; Albouystown, Georgetown; or Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, join in the celebrations.

They did so in moving water trucks, water carts or by joining bucket brigades parading on roads and the streets, trying to drench all in their path.

The children who cannot fetch a bucket, are equipped with water guns and those who are not playing, move around villages in bands singing Chowtaals (religious songs).

In some places, the celebrations are so crazy that celebrants assume temporary complexions of red, yellow, green and other colours, for the day. Stained roads and streets are evidence of the boisterous celebrations.

It is a kaleidoscope to behold and day of great sweetmeats from gulaab jamoon, gojha and gul-gula to pholourie.

Of Guyana’s 747,000 people, some 39 per cent are East Indians and 28 per cent of them are Hindus. Only Nepal (81 per cent), India (79 per cent), Mauritius (48 per cent) and Fiji (30 per cent), according to the US State Department and CIA World Factbook, have a higher per cent of Indian population.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 28, 2021

By Rehana Ahamad

LAST Friday night I left work around 22:30hrs. I was exhausted and all the way home I kept fantasising about curling up on the sofa, munching on a bowl of warm cornflakes, while I catch up on my missed episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.

My night was going to be perfectly calm and restful.

I lowered the music, drove into the yard, grabbed my stuff, and locked the car, then the gate. So far, so good; I couldn’t wait to get inside, shower and then listen to Meredith Grey complain about her worries as a surgeon.

ready for revenge. The “attackers” sought to run and I geared up to chase, but they had back up; my father began to bomb me with water balloons.

I started to get angry and I was ready to cry, but they started to laugh and I couldn’t give them the satisfaction, so I angrily bolted to my room, slammed the door, and went to take a shower. It’s not that I’m a spoiled sport, but I really was looking forward to a peaceful night. I might have also been a tad bit ‘hangry,’ considering that I hadn’t had lunch, and I was tired.

Nonetheless, the shower calmed me down. I was

If you are not unrecognisable after playing Phagwah, then chances are, you have not been playing it right

As soon as I turned away from the gate to approach the house I was startled by two men, a woman and a young boy; they were armed with guns. Before I could react, shots were fired! My hands were instinctively positioned as a shield, but I was too late; the damage had been done. I could feel four separate forces of water hit me about the body and face. I struggled to catch my breath as the water penetrated my eyes and forced its way into my nostrils.

I had suffered a Phagwah attack that lasted for almost two minutes. Once the guns were emptied, I raised my head to assess the situation. The “attackers” were my two brothers, sister-in-law and boyfriend.

Luckily, my phone is waterproof, so there was no notable damage, but I was

ready to greet my loved ones with the usual love and kindness, but when I exited my room, nobody was there. The kitchen was empty, the bedrooms were vacant. I even called a few times, but there were no answers. I came out of the house and made my way to the front yard; there they were, “liming” by the gate. I was making my way over to them when I sensed Ashraf, the older of my two brothers, run to me from behind, pouring a five-gallon bucket of water on my head.

I turned around hastily, on the verge of crying, when I noticed my 10-year-old brother Irshan creeping up behind him, and plastering a healthy handful of ketchup all across Ashraf’s face, blurting out the words, “Ketch yuh!” Mischief was written all over his face.

I had to laugh. Within seconds, all my anger subsided. I didn’t crave sitting in front of the television any more. I was surrounded by the people I loved, and we were all safe, happy, healthy, and laughing heartily. That night, I went to bed and reflected on all of my most treasured Phagwah memories; Saturday morning, I woke up and decided to share some of these with you, our valued readers.

Phagwah (Holi) is undoubtedly one of Guyana’s most treasured holidays. Although a Hindu religious occasion, the Festival of Colours is well loved and celebrated with much pomp and exuberance

by Guyanese from all walks of life.

UNIFYING FORCE It is a time when strangers become friends and enemies mend ties over colour-

ful powders and gallons of water. As we all know, the advent of the coronavirus makes it difficult for us to celebrate the occasion in our usual Guyanese style, but it seems to be an ideal time for us to reflect on our most treasured Holi experiences.

Let me take you back to my childhood days at my grandmother’s home in Novar, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. The night

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before Phagwah entailed playing ‘dog and the bone’ in the yard, and just before bed, hide and seek during the black out. Bedtime meant all the uncles sleeping downstairs, while my grandmother, mother and aunts occupied the bedrooms; the children would spread out on three-four mattresses in the upstairs living room.

Phagwah morning, most

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 28, 2021 FROM PAGE 19

of the cousins were awakened by loud screams; I was startled, and somewhat frightened, but then there was uncontrollable laughter.

Most of us cousins gathered on the veranda to get glimpses of the action. I remember how happy I was to see most of my aunts, uncles and cousins running each other with buckets of water and water guns. It was all fun and laughter until someone grabbed me from behind and walked me downstairs

where an ambush awaited.

My face was lathered with powder and for some unexplained reason, some of my younger cousins and I ran in the yard for hours trying escape the blackened ‘abeer.’ At seven/eight years old, it was a beautiful day.

Fast forward to 2006ish, I was about 11 or 12 years old, and I had come to realise that Phagwah was my father’s favourite holiday. He would ensure that he always has that day off,

and his celebrations often start the night before. My parents had just moved from my paternal grandmother’s home in Mahaicony and had built their first, and very humble home in Grove, East Bank Demerara. We didn’t have many riches back then, but we had a beautiful life.

One night before Phagwah, my brother Ashraf, my sister Fazana and I had just showered and gone to bed. It was not a regular occurrence for daddy to come home

early. Both he and mommy always worked hard to give us a wonderful life.

Nonetheless, we had just gone to bed when we heard mommy and daddy arguing outside. This was out of the ordinary, so we all bolted off our beds and rushed out to the ‘back-shed’ to see what the problem was. As soon as we dashed out the door, daddy grabbed the garden hose and sprayed us until we were soaked. Mommy was angry; she felt it was im-

mature and irresponsible for daddy to play Phagwah with us at 9pm. To make matters worse, daddy rallied his troops and had us hit the streets to play with our neighbours. Initially, mommy wasn’t too pleased about that either, but her anger seemed to have disappeared after she saw how happy we were.

ECSTATIC Eventually, she even joined us as we went door to door to play Phagwah that night. My siblings and my friends and I were ecstatic. In those days, holidays in Grove were like a village party. All the neighbours would be out on the streets and the gate to every yard was sprawled open, as if inviting every passerby

and a glass of juice in front of him, and then asked, “you ah who pickney, son?”.

I blurted out in laughter; mommy didn’t realise it was her favourite child; his voice was hoarse and his face was unrecognisable – seemingly a mixture of black-pot, powder and abeer.

A few years later, we moved to a more comfortable home in Little Diamond, where all my neighbours were staunch Hindus.

It was there that I got my first glimpse of clean, authentic Phagwah celebrations. The years of celebration in Little Diamond enabled me to truly appreciate the religious connotations of Phagwah, and even today, I hold those memories dear.

I have had many other notable Phagwah expe-

After I was ambushed on Friday night, it was a challenge to get the kids to bed

to join in the celebration; it always seemed as though every home was stocked with unlimited goodies for everyone else to part take in. After a few hours of sleep, Phagwah Day came and it was even better than the night before. I distinctly remember my brother Ashraf coming home after hours to have lunch; he sat at the table under the ‘back-shed’ and asked, “please fuh some food.”

My mother placed the food

riences, but as I attempt to type them, my editor is growing more and more impatient for the story, so I must conclude here.

I encourage you to use this year’s Phagwah to reflect on the exciting celebrations you have been part of, and commit to ensure the continuation and strengthening of our Phagwah traditions, so that the “quarantine chirren” can also have stories to tell.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 28, 2021

―President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

President Irfaan Ali

ON behalf of my family and I, I extend greetings to all Guyanese, but especially to our Hindu brothers and sisters, on this joyous occasion of Phagwah.

This is one of the country’s most colourful and cheerful festivals; it is enjoyed by persons of all ethnic persuasions, and marked by public outpourings of fun, joy and happiness.

This year’s observances, however, have had to be moderated on account of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the spiritual significance of this resplendent festival remains undiminished.

Phagwah reminds us that our lives are like the seasons; subject to fortune, uncertainty and vicissitudes, but that renewal and rebirth follows every unwelcome circumstance.

Phagwah is a celebration of rebirth; it commemorates the

regeneration of the land. Also known as Holi, Phagwah is a time to renew and reconcile our relations with friends and family. The festival provides an opportunity to recommit to the values of love, friendship, empathy and sharing.

As we celebrate Holi, let us continue to exercise the discipline and restraint which are imperative at this time to overcome the pandemic. The vaccination campaign which we have launched will help to protect our people, and eventually allow us to exit this pandemic. Of that we can be sure!

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We can be confident that by next year, we shall be able to return to the exuberant public celebrations traditionally associated with this most splendid and glorious festival.

Happy Holi to all Guyanese! Be safe! Stay strong, and let’s do this within the guidelines of COVID-19!

God Bless you all!

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―PPP urges in Phagwah message THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially our brothers and sisters of the Hindu communities here and in the Diaspora on the occasion of Phagwah, or Holi. This joyous occasion has become a truly national festival that Guyanese from all spheres of society look

forward to and participate in.

Like our other national observances, Phagwah encourages the coming together of our people in the various events that are associated with it.

Heralding the season of Spring, the kaleidoscope of colours epitomises our nation’s rich diversity, in a demonstration of a vibrant fusion. Unfortunately, the usual vibrant celebrations

across our dear land will be curtailed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our Party urges that all necessary precautions are taken, including the wearing of masks, social distancing and compliance with guidelines issued by the COVID-19 Task Force. This is of utmost importance, even as the COVID-19 vaccination programme is being rolled out across the country.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 28, 2021

Further, the People’s Progressive Party urges that we be inspired by the significance of Phagwah, through its pertinent messages which speaks, in general, to the triumph of good over evil.

This message becomes even more relevant, on reflection of how our country and people navigated and overcame the various challenges faced within the past year.

Let us be motivated by what this colourful festival signifies, and be emboldened in hope that, through resoluteness in the face of adversity and despondency, the messages of Phagwah speak to truth inevitably prevailing. As Guyanese mark the occasion, our Party once again extends best wishes, and urges caution, tolerance and respect in the celebrations.

Shubh Holi to all!

Former President, David Granger celebrating the Hindu festival of Phagwah

THE People’s National Congress Reform extends greetings to all Hindu devotees, and to Guyanese citizens everywhere on the occasion of the joyous festival of Phagwah. Phagwah is an ancient observance that still has sacred and secular significance in present-day Guyana, and is enjoyed by everyone.

Its sacred significance has been related through the ages by the stories of the trials and triumph of Prahalad, which remind us today of the virtue of a steadfast belief in God, and the eventual triumph of good over evil.

P h a g w a h ’s s e c u l a r significance rests in celebrating the regeneration of nature, the fertility of

the land, and the bountiful harvest which it provides to Mankind.

Phagwah’s social and cultural significance can be seen in the way that it has broken down the barriers of separation, suspicion and insecurity in society. It is a festival of social cohesion that enriches the country’s multicultural character.

The People’s National Congress Reform, on this happy occasion, greets all Guyanese, regardless of their race, religion, region of residence, social rank, political persuasion or wealth, to eschew hatred, and to contribute to the common good by strengthening social cohesion. Happy Phagwah!

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 28, 2021

―says Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber HOLI, the festival of colours, which is one of the most exciting festivals celebrated in Guyana, is here.

It’s time to celebrate this vibrant festival with family and friends. While celebrating the festival with full fervor and enthusiasm, do not forget to stay safe.

Holi is a popular ancient

GOGEC President, Manniram Prashad

Hindu festival, also known as the “Festival of Love”, the “Festival of Colours”, and the “Festival of Spring”.

Holi, for many, is a festive day to meet others, enjoy and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

It also signifies the triumph of good over evil. It originated, and is predominantly celebrated in India, but it is also spread to other regions of Asia, and all parts of the world through the Diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.

Holi has something unique and charming about it; it drives more energy into our being, and reminds us that good will always conquer evil and emerge victoriously after every challenge.

The President, Mr. Manniram Prashad and the Directors of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) would like to extend to all Guyanese a Happy Holi, especially to all those who are involved in the Oil and Gas Sector.

―City Mayor, Ubraj Narine THE yearly Festival of Colours, known as Holi or Phagwah, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring, good harvests, and the fertility of the land. Hindu festivals are always both moral and religious, commemorating the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated day and night, from the evening of the last full moon day of the Hindu calendar month.

Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine

The eve of Phagwah (Holi) is known as Holika Dahan, where Hindus gather to perform their religious rituals, pray, and prepare for the morning celebrations.

Traditionally, Hindus wear white on that day of the celebrations, throwing ‘abeer’ on each other. ‘Abeer’ is a harmless liquid dye that signifies victory. Family, friends, neighbours, and foes

come together on that day to enjoy the celebrations. Many delicacies, food, and drinks are also shared, and looked forward to on this day.

Guyanese from different races, religions, class, and culture look forward to this auspicious occasion, so that they can fill their water balloons for this colourful festival. This festival should urge our political leaders to come together as one for the benefit of all Guyanese; it is a time for not only Hindus, but all Guyanese to come together in unity to share joy, laughter, and love amongst each other.

As the Chief Citizen of the City of Georgetown, I hope to see a victorious City and Country at large, as we learn from these festivities.

Unfortunately, we are still experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we must take all precautions possible to protect our brothers and sisters. If you take part in any of these activities, I ask that you do so cautiously, and please adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

We do hope that by next year, everyone will have received their vaccines, and we can enjoy these festivities traditionally.

I wish everyone a funfilled, safe, and Happy Phagwa (Holi)!

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Politics and protest in sport: Have FIFA’s rules changed?

By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Over the years FIFA has been opposed to players, teams and fans engaging in protests or sloganeering, but it seems global soccer’s governing body is perhaps now prepared to tolerate a blurring of the line it once drew between politics and sport.

Last Wednesday, Norway’s national team wore t-shirts declaring, “Human rights - on and off the pitch” as they lined up before their World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar and the following day, Germany made a similar protest before their qualifier against Iceland in Duisburg.

In both cases, the players made it clear that the protests were aimed at Qatar.

The Gulf state is hosting the 2022 World Cup finals and has faced allegations, which it has denied, of poor treatment and a lack of rights for migrant labourers.

Those gestures, in the recent past, would have almost certainly resulted in disciplinary procedures and likely fines from FIFA, but world soccer’s governing body said no action would be taken.

Over the years FIFA has

been opposed to political protests or sloganeering during games or in stadiums.

The regulations restricting the displaying of slogans on shirts or undergarments are contained in Law 4 of the Laws of the Game but broader regulations on political gestures are contained within the Disciplinary and Ethics codes.

The rules, however, are less clear about garments worn immediately prior to a game, and FIFA and European governing body UEFA’s stance in general has evolved over time.

Former Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler was fined by UEFA in 1997, for displaying a t-shirt supporting sacked local dockers after scoring in a Cup Winners’ Cup match.

In 2013, Croatian defender Josip Simunic was banned for 10 matches and missed the following year’s World Cup after shouting slogans with fans at the end of a game.

“The disciplinary committee took note that the player, together with the crowd, shouted a Croatian salute that was used during World War II by the fascist ‘Ustase’ movement,” FIFA said.

In July 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine FA 30,000 CHF

England paceman Archer to have hand surgery

England pacer Jofra Archer set to undergo hand surgery tomorrow

(AFP) - Paceman Jofra Archer is set to have hand surgery tomorrow and has received a further injection to manage his ongoing elbow injury, England cricket chiefs have announced.

Archer, 25, left England’s tour of India after the Twenty20 series as a result of pain in his right elbow, which ruled him out of two Test matches earlier in the trip.

A medical consultation determined an operation would not be necessary at this stage but the fast bowler will go under the knife to correct an issue that dates back to January and had not previously been made public.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday that Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in January shortly before flying to India. The inju-

ry was managed by its medical team and did not impact on his availability.

“Jofra Archer will undergo a procedure to his right hand following a scan and subsequent consultant review since he returned to the UK on Tuesday,” said a spokesman for the ECB. “He has also had a further injection for the right elbow injury that had seen him declared unfit for selection for the current ODI (one-day international) series versus India.

“The procedure on Jofra’s hand will take place on Monday, March 29, so he can recover during the planned break following his elbow injection.”

England and India are level at 1-1 in the three-match ODI series. The home side won the Test series 3-1 and the T20 series 3-2.

($31,887) after players stood behind a banner bearing the slogan ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ (The Falklands are Argentine) on the pitch before a Buenos Aires friendly win against Slovenia the previous month.

is very complicated, so it’s easier to say it’s got no place in the game,” said IFAB board member Jonathan Ford of the Welsh FA. The issue returned though in 2016 when FIFA fined England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for their use

the wording of its laws on player garments to allow the poppy, or similar “permitted slogans, statements or images” if opposing teams and the competition organiser agreed in advance.

Nonetheless, while the wording of FIFA’s regula-

Germany players pose for a photo displaying a Human Rights message on their t-shirts before the match v Iceland in Duisburg, March 25, 2021 (Pool via REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz/File Photo)

BLANKET BAN Responding to a number of cases of players raising their shirts to reveal slogans, often harmless messages such as birthday wishes, FIFA’s law-making body IFAB adopted a blanket ban.

“To determine what is right and wrong between different countries and cultures

of the poppy to commemorate Armistice Day, deeming it to be a political symbol.

The Football Association of Ireland was also fined for displaying a “political symbol” for a badge commemorating the 100th anniversary of an uprising against British rule.

Following criticism of the poppy decision, FIFA altered

tions remain open to subjective interpretation, as is the concept of what is political, slogans have tended to be restricted to official campaigns, such as UEFA’s ‘Respect’, anti-discrimination campaign.

FIFA fined and reprimanded Qatar’s football federation in 2017 after their players

warmed up for the game wearing t-shirts with an image of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to show their support for him.

FIFA’s stance shifted further last year when in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, killed in police custody in the United States, some players in Germany’s Bundesliga displayed slogans supporting the protest movement.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the players deserve “applause and not punishment”.

Players in England’s Premier League have ‘taken the knee’ in support of the movement, before games, for the past year and last season wore Black Lives Matter logos on their sleeves -- a gesture supported by the league and football authorities.

FIFA took a similar line this week when responding to the Norway protests over Qatar.

“FIFA believes in the freedom of speech, and in the power of football as a force for good,” it said in a statement.

“No disciplinary proceedings in relation to this matter will be opened by FIFA.”

Nigeria qualify for Africa Cup of Nations after rivals draw

(AFP) - Three-time champions Nigeria qualified for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations yesterday after Lesotho and Sierra Leone drew 0-0 in Group L. The result in Maseru guaranteed the Super Eagles a toptwo finish in the section ahead of their top-of-the-table clash away to Benin in Porto-Novo later yesterday.

Nigeria have eight points, Benin seven, Sierra Leone four and Lesotho three. The countries finishing first and second qualify for the 24-team tournament in Cameroon next January.

Nigeria pose before defeating Tunisia to finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt

Benin need one point from the match against Nigeria to also secure a place at the finals of the premier African national team competition.

Nigeria travelled by sea to west African neighbours Benin on Friday after players raised concerns about the poor road network linking the countries.

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe have qualified, leaving seven places to be filled.

Pakistan’s white-ball squad departs for South Africa LAHORE: Pakistan’s whiteball squad left for South Africa on Friday via a chartered flight to play three One-Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals.

According to details, the 34-member squad included 21 players and 13 team officials.

10 members of the Test squad will depart for Zimbabwe on April 12.

Earlier, uncapped middle-order batsman, Saud Shakeel was withdrawn from the ODI squad after suffering a Grade-1 quadriceps tear in his left leg during Wednesday’s 50-over-a-side practice match in Lahore.

The selection committee, in consultation with the team management, has replaced Saud with Asif Ali, who is already part

of the T20I squad.

On the South Africa tour, Pakistan will play three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches from April 2-7 and four T20Is from April 10-16 in Centurion and Johannesburg.

Green Shirts will then depart for Harare for three T20Is and two Tests, before returning home on May 12.

1st T20I – April 10 – Saturday – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 2nd T20I – April 12 – Monday – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 3rd T20I – April 14 – Wednesday – SuperSport Pak, Centurion 4th T20I – April 16 – Friday – SuperSport Park, Centurion

Schedule for ODI series: 1st ODI – April 2 - Friday – SuperSport Park, Centurion 2nd ODI – April 4 - Sunday – The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 3rd ODI – April 7 - Wednesday – SuperSport Park, Centurion

PAKISTAN SQUADS: T20I: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohamamad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Arshad Iqbal, Usman Qadir

Schedule for T20I series:

ODI: Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Saud Shakil, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir TEST: Babar Azam (C), Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Sajid Khan.

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Saving a Test just as important as winning one: Simmons NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Head coach Phil Simmons believes the sterling final day effort to save the opening Test against Sri Lanka was just as valuable as a victory, as it highlighted the growing maturity in the West Indies batting ranks.

Set 375 for victory at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, West Indies safely navigated the final hour of the penultimate day to end on 34 for one, before batting the entire final day on Thursday to reach 236 for four.

In doing so, West Indies batted 100 overs in their second innings, marking the third time in as many Tests they had batted 100 overs or more in an innings.

“That is huge. That keeps getting better and better.

For us to be batting over 100 [overs] is one of the things we said [we wanted to do],” Simmons explained.

“We’re looking at [batting] 125 overs each innings – first

innings especially. We didn’t manage that in the first innings [in this Test]; there were a few soft dismissals.

He continued: “It is just as important to save a Test match as it is to win a Test match and it gives me more

Nkrumah Bonner (left) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite confer during their half-century stand on the final day of the opening Test

But that’s the mentality, that’s the attitude we want in the team, that I’m going to stay there and I’m going to bat. It’s also about time; the more you can bat time-wise, the more you give yourself a chance.”

joy knowing we have saved a Test match batting over a hundred overs than if we had won the Test match.

“Because now we’re maturing, we’re understanding what the situation brings and

National youth cricketer Nandu lands Adidas endorsement via Cricket Zone USA

GUYANA Under-17 batting star, Matthew Rohan Nandu, became the latest Brand Ambassador of Cricket Zone USA, recently landing a 2-year endorsement deal with major sport brand, Adidas.

Cricket Zone USA, North America’s largest cricket retail store, has been on a mission to sign Guyanese talents over the years, with 17-year-old Nandu joining a list that already includes opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Kevin Sinclair and middle-order batsman Kevlon Anderson.

Last Thursday, Nandu, a national Under-17 batsman, received a full Adidas kit from Cricket Zone USA, which is owned by Guyanese entrepreneur and sport enthusiast Ravi Etwaroo.

Alfred Madray, who made the presentation on behalf of the company, said Etwaroo is passionate about the sport and developing young talents, especially those in his homeland.

Etwaroo is of the belief that Nandu has a bright future in the sport, and as such, signing the young man was a no-brainer.

He advised the youth to remain steadfast to his goals, tread the path of discipline and remain grounded regardless of the success that may come his way.

Nandu is one of the brightest young batting talents in Guyana, and the left-hander, who speaks with a level of confidence and maturity that belies his age, has his eyes set on one day playing international cricket.

His parents, who now reside in Canada, lived two

houses away from the legendary Guyana and West Indies batsman Rohan Kanhai at Port Mourant, Berbice, and naming their son after the cricketing great seemed the natural thing to do.

It is their hope he can achieve the level of greatness Kanhai managed. Matthew himself takes inspiration from legendary pair of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara.

On receiving the endorsement, Matthew said: “I’m speechless. I’m thankful for the support. I especially want to thank Ravi for seeing my

talent and wanting to support me.”

Matthew’s father Arjune played youth and senior cricket for Guyana, and also represented West Indies Youth side in a brief career between 1988 and 1992.

The elder Nandu expressed gratitude to Etwaroo and Cricket Zone USA for their benevolence towards his son, noting that he has been instilling in the youngster the traits of discipline, commitment and hard work that are so crucial to success in the sport.

At right, National U-17 batsman Matthew Nandu receives the gear from Alfred Madray, a representative of Cricket Zone USA

what we have to do in the situation.

“So our attitude has changed, we want to bat that hundred overs, we want to stay at the crease, we want to spend time – patience is important so we’re getting there.”

The effort was underpinned

by Nkrumah Bonner’s unbeaten 113, the right-hander resuming the day on 15 and producing a masterclass of concentration to carve out his maiden Test century.

Last month in Bangladesh, West Indies batted 96 overs in the first innings of the opening Test before batting another 127 in the second innings, as they chased down a record 395 to win on the final day.

And in the second Test at Chattogram, the Caribbean side occupied the crease for 142 overs in the first innings as they piled up 409, before going on to win by 17 runs on the fourth day.

The most overs West Indies

batted in four innings on the tour of New Zealand last December were 79 in the second innings at Wellington.

“For us as a coaching staff, this [draw] is even bigger for us than the wins in Bangladesh, from the point of view that it’s been a long time we’ve been able to bat a day without fighting for a result,” Simmons pointed out.

“In Bangladesh we chased and we knew what we were going at. Here, we had to bat and bat properly.

It’s great to see how Bonner batted again. He deserved a hundred two Test matches ago but he got it [on Thursday].

“Just the way the guys put their heads down and batted is pleasing to us in the fact that we couldn’t win. At lunch time we decided we couldn’t win and we needed to bat so that was great to see.”

Bonner was also a key figure on the tour of Bangladesh, averaging nearly 58 with two

high class half-centuries to be adjudged Man-of-the-Series.

And having made his debut in the Dhaka first Test at age 32, Simmons said the Jamaican had shown the only thing critical at the highest level was performance.

“The thing that we need to take from it is that age doesn’t matter right now,” stressed Simmons.

“Test cricket is about how you settle in, how you perform using your strengths and he had started to trust his defence in Bangladesh because the two [fifties] in Bangladesh had a lot of what we saw [in his hundred], and [on Thursday] he just carried on and got to where he wanted to get.

“It says a lot about players’ development. Sometimes players learn late. You can learn something about late developers and he can be one of them.”

West Indies face Sri Lanka again in the second Test starting here tomorrow.

CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers ...

El Salvador stay alive with win over Haiti, Honduras … go atop Group B after draw with Canada JOSHUA Perez bagged a brace to lead El Salvador to a 2-1 win over Haiti in their Group B finale of the 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship last Thursday at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.

With the victory, El Salvador’s hopes of reaching the knockout round are still alive, pending the result of the Canada-Honduras match.

El Salvador then regained the lead right before halftime, with Perez following up his header that deflected off the post and finishing with his left foot to make it 2-1 to El Salvador.

El Salvador were keen to add to their lead to start the second half and had several looks at goal, but were unable to find a way past Haiti GK Alan Jerome.

Joshua Perez #11 scored a brace to lead El Salvador to a win 2-1 in a Group B match over Haiti in the CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying at the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 25, 2021 (Photos: Mexsport/concacaf.com) El Salvador started off by pokThe reprieve sparked Haiti to ing and prodding the Haitian de- life in attack and Louima, along fence before breaking through in the with Peterson Joseph, suddenly had 19 minute with a superb strike from the Salvadoran defence and Romero Joshua Perez, who received a pass on their heels. in-between a pair of defenders and Danley Jean had one final look fired in a left-footed shot to make it at goal for Haiti, but was unable to a 1-0 El Salvador lead. convert, allowing El Salvador to see The joy was short-lived though, things out to claim the win. as less than two minutes later Haiti Meanwhile, Honduras claimed pulled back level 1-1 when an El the top spot in Group B of the 2020 Salvador giveaway in their own half CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualled to a quick break, with Roberto ifying championship by virtue of a Louima fighting off a trio of de- 1-1 draw with Canada in their group fenders and beating El Salvador GK stage finale on Thursday night at Tomas Romero for the equaliser. the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara,

Mexico.

The Catrachos completed the group stage with five points and a first-place finish and will now face the United States in today’s semifinals in which the winner will advance to the 2020 Olympics In Tokyo.

Canada wrapped up their Group B campaign with five points as well, finishing second on goal difference and will now take on host nation Mexico in hopes of a first Olympic berth since 1984.

Honduras had a bright start and Kervin Arriaga came within a whisker of the opening goal in the 9th minute with a right-footed shot that slammed onto the post and went out.

Canada reacted well and after missing on an earlier header, Derek Cornelius found the target in the 28th minute on his second attempt to give Canada a 1-0 lead by connecting on a cross from Patrick Metcalfe.

Honduras’ response was immediate and two minutes later in the 30th minute Denil Maldonado was first to reach Edwin Rodriguez’s free-kick and headed in past Canada GK James Pantemis to draw the Catrachos level 1-1.

The second half started off with a good tempo and Juan Carlos Obregon was set to give the Hondurans their first lead of the night in the 54th minute, but was unable to head into the net from just a few yards out.

In the 73rd minute it was Luis Palma almost converting on a loose ball in the area but the Honduran attacker saw his shot blocked by Pantemis.

In the end, Honduras were never able to find a second goal, but the result was enough to seal a first-place finish. (Sportsmax)

Assuria 3-Hole Golf tournament rated a success

Dr Joaan Deo (right) won the Women’s Professional Division

THE Assuria General Insurance Inaugural 3-Hole Golf tournament came to a conclusion yesterday after being forced into an extra day’s play due to inclement weather and an extraordinary response by more than 200 persons who participated over the five days of activities.

The event featured lots of trophies, Hole-in-One and Nearest to Pin prizes provided by sponsors Assuria, Copa Airlines and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT).

The inaugural tournament ended with Richard Hanif taking top place in the Men’s professional category ahead of Captain Chen Deo. Dr Joaan Deo won the women’s professional category ahead of 9-time women’s champion, Christine Sukhram.

The men’s amateur di-

vision was won by Laurent Pardigon with second place going to Colin France while the Women’s Amateur division was highly competitive and resulted in a first place tie between Charlise Adams and Serah Singh. There was also a strong showing from Aleiya Mohammed and Fiona Sooklall.

In the Under-21 category, first place was won by Ahesh Shivraj with second place going to Mohan Siwacharan. In the Under-12 division, Cummings emerged as the winner amidst stiff competition from the other junior players.

During the awards ceremony, General Manager of Assuria, Yogindra Arjune, thanked the Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy for the role they’re playing in opening the sport to so many new players.

the start.

Following prescribed COVID-19 guidelines, which includes having their temperature checked, the riders will pedal off from CARIFESTA Avenue and race up to Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara before return-

ing to the starting point.

According to information from the GCF, $83 000 will be up for grabs in the Elite/Senior division.

The champion rider will collect $20 000, with the second-place finisher receiving $18 000. Third-placer will receive $15 000, fourth place $12

Archer Permaul enduring fruitful time at Pan American Championships SEE PAGE

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TURN TO PAGE 33 000, fifth $10 000 and sixth $8 000.

Both the Masters/Veterans and Juniors will battle for $37 000 each.

The winners of both events will receive $15 000, second-place finishers $12 000 and third-place riders $10 000.

There will be a total of six sprint prizes up for grabs.

In February, Marcus Keiler powered his way to the 2021 Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycling title. He is expected to be one of the top performers again today.

In that race, cyclists battled from Georgetown to Belfield and back, approximately 15 miles less than today’s race.

Briton John was second, Alex Mendes third, Christopher Griffith fourth and Marlon Williams fifth.

Over $150 000 up for grabs in today’s 50-mile cycling road race CYCLISTS will battle for over $150 000 in cash when the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) hosts its 50-mile Road Race today.

The event, which is set to pedal off at 07:00hrs, has already attracted a number of local riders, with many more expected to register before

“I also want to again thank past Prime Minister Sam Hinds for not only opening the tournament but actually participating and performing well. My special thanks to Aleem Hussain for a wonderful job as always in delivering a fantastic event with so many new players.”

Arjune went on to say that the game is now at a whole new level under the guidance of Hussain who has taken a different approach to teaching. He also mentioned, “it’s now fun to play golf as demonstrated by the hundreds of women and children who are now involved.”

Former Prime Minister, Hinds, was presented with a token of appreciation from the tournament organisers. “I have discovered a

The cyclists will race up and down the East Coast of Demerara today

Skerritt to face Sanasie challenge at CWI 22nd Annual General Meeting today SEE PAGE

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Devin Permaul shoots at the Pan Am Championships in Monterrey, Mexico SEE PAGE

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Incumbent Ricky Skerritt (right) and challenger Anand Sanasie

Saving a Test just as important as winning one: Simmons

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