Guyana Chronicle News 05-16-2021

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16th May, 2021

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A focus on hol

Investments in poultry top US$67M in 12 months –– trial project of 250 acres corn, soybeans nearing commencement, says ‘Agri’ Min. in NC New d agenda e pack

No.106362

SEE PAGE 03

404 boys abused during first quarter of 2021 02 PAGE

‘Nationwide clean-up’ for 55th Independence Anniversary 04 PAGE

Risking their lives to keep death at bay –– nurses at the ‘COVID hospital’ tell their stories

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Some 700 children 04 removed from parental care PAGE

A section of Sheriff Street was covered with asphalt on Saturday, as works steam ahead on the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue expansion project (Delano Williams photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

404 boys abused during first quarter of 2021 –– says Min. Persaud, as Guyana observes Int’l Day of the Boy Child

IN observance of International Day of the Boy Child, today, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has extended a special plea for parents and guardians to also pay keen attention to the well-being of their sons and the boys under their care.

In a message to mark the occasion, Dr. Persaud said that while girls often account for the majority of child abuse cases, many boys are also victims.

“I’m sure you’ll agree with me that the tendency has been to pay more attention to the girls and protect them, while we show less consideration to the boys. While it is true

that more girls are abused, sexually and otherwise, let’s not be deceived into thinking that the same thing doesn’t happen to boys,” Dr. Persaud said.

She pointed out that statistics compiled so far have revealed that a total of 404 boys have been abused during the first quarter of 2021, as compared to 635 girls.

“The types of abuse reported include physical, sexual, verbal, neglect, and abandonment,” Dr. Persaud posited.

As it relates to the age range of the male victims, 110 were below the age of three; 95 of the victims were between the ages of four and seven years old, while 147 of them were ages eight to 13. There

were also 52 victims between the ages of 14 and 18.

“Our boys are hurting and they need us. While they are also groomed for sexual abuse, we don’t get them to talk easily about it,” Dr. Persaud noted.

She added, “I would like to appeal to parents to pay attention to the safety of their boy children, their education and the messages that boys receive very early in life about respecting females and using dialogue to resolve conflict.”

Dr. Persaud also underscored the importance of ensuring that boys are exposed to both positive male and female role models in their foundation years. “Many boys

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, interacts with a young boy during a ministerial outreach have had to shoulder responsibilities very early in single-parent homes in the absence of fathers and this impact on their later relationships and choices,” Dr. Persaud recognised.

She also pointed to the troubling fact that fewer boys are pursuing tertiary-level education as compared to girls, and that this has created a shift in the workforce.

“The point is, while

we will be working consistently to empower girls through the ministry, boys will benefit also from access to developmental opportunities and engagement as we recognise that they must be engaged early to counter escalating issues of domestic violence, crime, substance abuse, and unhealthy self-perceptions and coping mechanisms,” the minister

added.

She said that child abuse is an area of much concern for the ministry, and that systems are being instituted to lessen the figures.

“The ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency, quite ably headed by Ms. Ann Greene, has been working to promote more awareness of the issue,” Dr. Persaud noted.

Investments in poultry top US$67M in 12 months

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

–– trial project of 250 acres corn, soybeans nearing commencement, says ‘Agri’ Minister

By Navendra Seoraj

INVESTMENTS in Guyana’s poultry industry have increased exponentially over the past year, with available statistics showing that private injections into this industry have surpassed more than US$67 million ($14.4 billion).

Traditionally, the demand for outputs from the poultry industry has always been high, but the zero-rating of this commodity and other adjustments, between August and now, have created the conditions for wider investments and more lucrative results.

It was announced late last year that there will be no Value Added Tax (VAT) on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides and key inputs in

the poultry sector including poultry feed, building materials and packaging. The government also gave the poultry industry zero-rated VAT status.

Since those adjustments, there has been a stark increase in investments in this industry, with about 500 new farmers getting into poultry farming between August and December, 2020, alone.

This increased interest in the industry augurs well for Guyana, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha had said, adding that it will supplement the growth stemming from the country’s oil-and-gas sector.

Let alone poultry, some US$3.3 million was invested into beef production and US$670,000 into small ruminants, predominantly

sheep and goats. The livestock sub-sector contributes approximately 13.6 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 2.8 per cent of the total GDP. Livestock is commonly defined as domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labour and commodities such as meat, eggs and milk, among other things.

In this Region, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has predicted that the demand for food will increase by 50 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050. And, according to the FAO, livestock production constitutes a very important component of the agricultural economy of developing countries, a contribution that goes beyond direct food production to include multi-

A local chicken farm

purpose uses, such as skins, fibre, fertiliser and fuel, as well as capital accumulation.

Furthermore, livestock are closely linked to the social and cultural lives of several million resource-poor farmers, for whom animal ownership ensures varying degrees of sustainable farming and economic stability.

Considering the potential of the livestock industry, the government has taken steps to not just encourage direct investments, but to also initiate the production of feed material locally.

Minister Mustapha told the Sunday Chronicle that the government is investing $500 million to enhance the infrastructure in the intermediate savannahs, so that the private sector would be able to invest in corn and

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha soy beans.

“If we can produce the amount of corn and soya beans required to become self-sufficient in proteins for our poultry industry, those funds can be used to further develop the sector.

As a government, we are also working to reduce Guyana’s food import-bill and food-import dependency,” Minister Mustapha had said.

Guyana’s national feed consumption for the poultry industry is 113,000 tonnes annually, with ‘broilers’ consuming approximately 100,000 tonnes of feed, and ‘layers’ consuming approximately 13,000 tonnes of feed annually.

This feed comprises 60 per cent gain (corn and rice), which is equivalent to approximately 68,000 tonnes, and 30 per cent soya bean meal, which is equivalent to approximately 34,000 tonnes per year. Dependence on the importation of feed material could soon be reduced significantly, since

the $500 million investment is already clearing the way for the commencement of a trial project which encompasses the cultivation of 250 acres of corn and soy bean.

It was reported recently that six local companies and a regional firm have joined together to undertake a massive project that could see Guyana on the path to becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

The seven-member team has been aggressively engaging the relevant bodies, and is expected to commence this massive project within the next few months.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Some 700 children removed from parental care

By Mesha Sealey

APPROXIMATELY 700 children have been removed from the care

of their parents or legal guardians and put into formal care this year, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA),

‘Nationwide clean-up’ for 55th Independence Anniversary WITH the intention to pursue vigorous physical enhancement of communities as part of the Ministry of Public Works Independence Programme, a stakeholder consultation on Friday last resulted in mutual agreement of a ‘nationwide clean-up’, beyond the norm, in preparation for Guyana’s 55th independence anniversary celebrations.

The Ministry of Public Works in a press release noted that participants of the virtual stakeholders’ meeting were informed that the intention is to seek the participation of local authorities, private-sector bodies, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, and citizens in general, to improve the aesthetics of communities.

Some of the proposals that were endorsed to do so include, but are not limited to, cleaning of parapets and drains; cleaning of shorelines, sea and river defences; flagging and decorating of light poles; erection of motivational banners, painting of community bridges; cleaning and painting of community open spaces; painting of pedestrian crossings; en-

hancement of bus stops and surroundings.

The discussion also resulted in the emergence of novel ideas which include a ‘Best Village’ competition and the erection of decorative frames nationwide, so that persons can take ‘selfies’ to showcase Guyana’s independence on various social media platforms. Bumper stickers, which are already produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Communications Taskforce, with messages of patriotism will also be encouraged.

The press release stated that stakeholders raised the concern of maintenance during the consultation, and emphasised aggressive public education and enforcement by statutory bodies. It also noted that the ministry’s road and sea defence maintenance programmes will be engaging small contractors in the clean-up exercise.

Communities and organisations are encouraged to engage the ministry to be a part of the programme and persons who are interested in being part of this initiative can contact the Ministry of Public Works for more information on 231-8127 or 231-8128.

Sunday May 16, 2021 – 04:00hrs

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene (left) with Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud (DPI photo) Ann Greene, has disclosed.

During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Greene stated that all of these children were removed from their home environment due to domestic abuse, neglect—which, she said, is a very serious form of abuse—and sexual abuse.

She explained, however, that excluding cases of neglect, sexual assault and physical abuse, separation of a child from their parent or legal guardian is usually not mandatory.

“We won’t usually remove the child if we get the parents to cooperate. They start to work with us, and understand that there are other methods of disciplining a child, and so on… We might have to remove [the children] if the parents are

not willing to cooperate, and the children are at risk.”

Greene further explained that since the child is the priority in these scenarios, institutional care would only serve as a last resort, in the scenario where a next of kin is unavailable to take the child under their care.

“We will usually go and find a next of kin… an aunt or a grandmother, who is willing to care for this child.

So, we make them the temporary guardian of this child, pending the investigation.”

Earlier this year, Greene had stated that child sexual abuse is of great concern to the CPA, due to the rising number of reports in this regard. During her recent interview, she reiterated this issue, noting that aside from neglect, sexual assault con-

tinues to account for a large percentage of the reported cases of child abuse.

“Sexual abuse is really done in the home, by people who the children trust and know. You hardly hear of strangers sexually abusing children. It’s usually persons who the children trust and know within their homes.”

In these cases, removal of the child is usually necessary, because parents prove to be enablers of recurring sexual abuse, Greene related.

“The parents are supporting the abusers. They hardly want to believe their children,” she said.

A report conducted by the Childcare and Protection Agency for the period January to October 2020, showed that almost 900 of the 4,030 child abuse cases reported were sexual in nature. In 2019, 890 cases of child sexual abuse were reported.

Greene had noted that this was not due to low prevalence, but rather to a drop in the number of persons reporting child sexual abuse.

“It’s only the tip of the iceberg, because a lot of

children are being abused, but it’s not known. Sexual abuse is something that is done behind closed doors.

A lot of times children don’t have a voice to tell of being abused. Some children don’t even know it’s abuse. It’s a norm. That is the extent of the sexual abuse,” she had said.

On Tuesday last, in a visit to Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini), Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, had urged residents to use the 914 hotline that is currently in place to guard against sexual abuse and violence, and reminded residents that it is toll-free and confidential.

She had said this in the wake of various complaints, including cases of child sexual abuse and incest, and urged both residents and officers to do their part in acting against wrongdoers.

“Sometimes, people don’t have anyone to look out for them, so the community needs to. We have to begin thinking of the word ‘together’,” the minister said.

Health Ministry says woman did not die due to COVID vaccine THE Ministry of Health has rejected the claim published on social media that a 40-year-old female resident of Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) died after receiving her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The Ministry categorically rejects as mischievous and unsubstantiated claims on social media that a Resident of Region Six died on May 13 after taking the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” a statement from the Health Ministry highlighted.

It further stated: “According to our records, the 40-year-old woman was administered her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on April 17 at the Skeldon Hospital and was due to return for her second on May 19, 2021.”

This newspaper understands that while the woman did die on May 13, she death was not related to her receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In fact, the Ministry stated: “The Ministry wishes to clarify that there is no evidence that her death is linked to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Earlier in May, the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said that since Guyana rolled out its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, there has been no reported case of anyone dying after being fully vaccinated.

He also noted that the Health Ministry has been closely monitoring persons who have received their first and second doses for drastic changes in their health.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Full assessment of O&G industry necessary to aid sustainable development –– says WWF Guianas; welcomes move to have Exxon pay for excess flaring

AS Guyana develops its oil and gas industry, WWF Guianas has reissued its calls for a full environmental and social assessment of Guyana’s oil and gas industry so that economic development does not eclipse Guyana’s low-carbon, sustainable future.

According to a press release from WWF Guianas, the full development programme for offshore oil-and-gas production is yet to be known, and as such it is difficult to anticipate and plan ahead for what potential environmental impact may be brought on as the development of the industry continues.

“Environmental and social Impact assessments, done at a project, sector or policy level provide a strong and objective means to help stakeholders to better understand issues that will affect them, their communities and the environment to which they are connected,” the WWF stated.

It was also noted that such assessments can lead to the co-creation of long-lasting and sustainable solutions that are less costly and less conflicting.

“While a few may have a grasp of the issues, the average person has little chance to engage on most of these issues in a fact-based or rational manner,” the release stated, adding: “The reality is that the oil and gas sector will cause double-figure GDP growth over the next few years, starting from a growth rate of 43.5 per cent in 2020 according to CARICOM.” The organisation, however, noted that Guyana’s reputation faces a risk over the reception that it is forsaking its low-carbon and sustainable future to embrace the oil and gas industry. The WWF Guianas pointed out that Guyana’s carbon emissions have already increased as a result of the gas-flaring offshore, making the country a carbon emissions exporter.

“Though not a silver bullet, a full assessment of the oil and gas industry will certainly help. People need to be aware and fully

engaged on such a mammoth transformational development that will make Guyana the biggest per capita petro-producer in the world in a few years’ time,” the release underscored.

It added: “A well-structured, transparent and equitable mechanism is needed for the country to have any chance to ensure that the oil and gas sector does not destroy our society as has happened in most other oil-producing developing countries, much less to ensure Guyana’s continued commitment to a low-carbon and sustainable future.”

Cognisant of the impact flaring has had on the environment, it was also noted that the WWF welcomes a recent announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that ExxonMobil and its partners CNOOC International Ltd and Hess Corp. will have to pay US$30 per tonne of CO2eq that they release from unregulated gas- flaring from their offshore operations.

“We also welcome the stricter enforcement of planning permits and application of the law on specific project developments related to this new sector of the economy. These are good, specific steps, but the issues are much bigger,” the WWF stated too.

The WWF also took note of the recent destruction of mangroves along the West Bank of the Demerara river and gave a reminder that destruction of the vegetation should not be accepted without great deliberation as to the costs versus benefits to society.

The WWF noted that mangroves protect the

coastline and riverbanks in Guyana, from erosion and flooding; they connect saltwater from the ocean to the freshwater produced by rivers.; they support Guyana’s rich biodiversity, as they feature complex ecosystems where aquatic wildlife, coastal birds and other animals thrive; and they have climate-protection and mitigation benefits. It was also noted that mangroves are known for their exceedingly high carbon-storage potential that rivals terrestrial forests and for many communities, mangrove forests are also a key source of their livelihoods.

The release noted that the WWF continues to be committed to working with government and other stakeholders to mainstream sustainability in Guyana’s development efforts and help to reduce the environmental impact and protect sensitive habitats that will be irrevocably damaged by the oil and gas industry.

Meanwhile, the swathe of mangroves on the WBD is being cleared by TriStar Incorporated, a company owned by Guyana-born Krishna Persaud, who hails

from Region Three, but is a naturalised United States (U.S.) citizen. The man has the intention of establishing a US$100 million proposed shore base and wharf facility at the said locality.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, pointed out that the eastern bank of the Demerara river, which now houses stellings, wharfs and shore base developments, was once lined with mangroves, which had to be cleared to facilitate those developments, as “development comes with changes.” He explained that the same is necessary for the western section of the Demerara River.

He, however, noted that the developer has included “hard structures that will be built to mitigate flooding” and protect properties from flooding, in the engineering design.

He lauded the development by TriStar, noting that the facility will create some 150 jobs for Guyanese, which is in alignment with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) elections campaign promise of creating 50,000 jobs.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Business confidence and economic progress

FISCAL policy is generally constrained by the need to build or restore confidence in the sustainability of public debt and, with short-term interest rates close to zero, the effectiveness of monetary policy to stimulate growth is reaching its limits.

The question arises, henceforth: can policymakers do anything to improve the short-term economic outlook? Some have argued that deregulation will help stimulate business activity. Though this is likely to be correct in the long run, it may not have much effect in a severely demand-deficient environment. Researchers argue that a powerful instrument to restore growth is a clear and credible policy to encourage investment in welfare-enhancing activities that need public support to be commercially viable. The low-carbon and wider ‘green’ sector is taken as an exemplar field for this. Standard macroeconomics and the economics of market failure tell us that the best time to support investment in such activities is during a protracted economic slowdown. Resource costs are low and the potential to crowd out alternative investment and employment is small. In addition, although public budgets are stretched, there

is no shortage either of private capital available for investment, or of investment opportunities with potential for profitable returns.

The most appropriate area for government to target is investment that the private sector would otherwise under-provide or not provide at all. That is, sectors prone to so-called market failures, missing markets and externalities. It is argued in this policy brief that policies to encourage low-carbon investment offer broad and effective opportunities to restore confidence and to leverage additional, rather than displaced, investment.

The private sector is not heavily investing in green innovation and infrastructure because of a lack of confidence in future returns. The lack of confidence in this policy-driven sector is due to uncertainties surrounding current energy and environment policy. It is argued here that governments should incentivise such investment by themselves taking on elements of this policy risk. Because the public sector ‘controls’ this risk, there is a lot it can do to encourage investment. This should be seen as an opportunity. By backing their own low-carbon

policies, governments can stimulate additional net private sector investment, and thereby make a significant contribution to economic growth and employment.

It is important to understand that stimulating confidence in an economy has little or nothing to do with the kind of economic policies being administered, because if confidence is lacking, then people would not spend, and firms would not invest if confidence is dim about the future survivability of the ventures.

For this reason, the actions of governments play a vital role in stimulating confidence which must go beyond policies and incentives. The Marriott project, for example, was an important project, particularly geared towards stimulating confidence in the economy on the simple notion that, if foreign investors do not want to invest in such a project, where there is a need for a top international branded hotel in Guyana, and the local investors also do not want to make such investments, owing lack of confidence and capital constraints, then it makes sense for the government to do the bold thing and undertake the investment.

Fast forward to today, that was a worthy

investment which would now yield, conservatively, 10 times the return on investment should the government put up its shares for sale – which it should do.

Proponents would argue, however, that governments should not get involved in business. This is even further reinforced with arguments where it is evidenced that business cases such as the old GNCB bank, GuySuCo, and almost every state-controlled enterprise in the history of Guyana failed. But in the case of the Marriott project, because it involved an international brand, the project largely succeeded because though the government virtually owned the entity, they did not get involved in management of the entity. The entity was, in fact, and still is, governed and managed by industry professionals of international calibre. Hence, this is one of the reasons why it is also a success today – apart from being part of a strategic national development plan that was developed since 1996.

This argument is also applicable to the Berbice bridge investment, which was the first of its kind in Guyana -- a public-private partnership.

GECOM must stop pussy-footing Dear Editor, THE call for electoral reforms in Guyana could not be more adamant, given the plethora of internal and other issues that contributed to the almost derailed March 2020 General & Regional Elections.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as the administrator of electoral laws, ought to play a pivotal role in advancing necessary changes. However, there is a sense of ongoing pussy-footing that raises serious concerns for Guyana as a democratic nation.

Obviously, with GECOM as the recipient of election reports from internal and external sources, the institution is well-positioned to make public numerous recommendations. Although it is clear that GECOM has lost much face and the confidence of the Guyanese people, the nation is yet to see any definitive

action to suggest proactive corrections. The laid-back approach advances a waitand-see-who-will-make-themost-noise attitude, in the face of the existence of overwhelming evidence of this necessity.

The way forward, clearly, must be driven by the focal ideals of efficiently and transparently delivering free and fair election results at all times. It is recognised that many of the challenges to this come from the continuous filibustering approach of some in the commission itself, who have been biasedly self-serving to the PNC-R party contrary to their constitutional obligations.

However, all are aware that the current construct of the commission allows the chairperson a casting vote, which must be used to rationally address the means to GECOM’s readiness.

The logical question, therefore, is Why was the re-

cent GECOM meeting aborted? The commission must assert itself and get down to serious and urgent work. It is known that the International Republican Institute (IRI) after consultations with the Attorney-General representing the government and the leader of the opposition was scheduled to make a presentation to the GECOM Chair and Commissioners on the proposed electoral reforms that are desperately needed for GECOM to hold free and fair elections. Is the commission still bending backward to the whims the fancies of the PNC directors?

Certainly, this pussy-footing by the commission must stop. It is a known fact that representatives of the PNC-R who largely stood to benefit from the March 2020 thievery attempts, would not want to proceed with these reforms. The obvious reason is that the current structure favours their unprincipled

approach and allows the continued skulduggery.

The PNC-R representatives have long been very vocal about the need to keep the current status quo. The Demerara Waves article ‘APNU+AFC cautious about electoral reforms that may further politicise GECOM’ published Sunday, October 20, 2020, reports PNC-R Executive Mr. Norton as saying that ‘the Coalition would not “rush” into electoral reforms that could risk handing over the electoral machinery to political operatives who are disguised as civil society.

What Mr. Norton and the PNC never wanted is the levelling of the playing field.

Vincent Alexander, on the other hand, has led all of the disruptive, suffocating manoeuvres in the commission. He is a well-known ‘obstructionist’ and vindictive PNC discard, who continues to try to make himself relevant. His track record

confirms removal as Chairman of the Young Socialist Movement, and also the Regional Executive Officer by President Desmond Hoyte, before being kicked out of the PNC. Further, he was removed from Parliament.

After the passing of the No-Confidence Motion on the night of 21st December 2018, Alexander’s clandestine manoeuvres and skulduggery took to a heightened level to postpone the National and Regional Elections.

He raised ID card issues, tried valiantly to defend the continuance of the illegal house-to-house registration.

Further, he supported the manipulation of activities related to the staff selection, but eventually, all his ill-fated efforts were thwarted.

At the commission’s meeting last Tuesday, he once again demonstrated tremendous fear of electoral reforms and concocted representation, which prevented

the commission from getting the most valued information on the way forward from the (IRI). His frivolous objections led to the frustration of the meeting. However, it must be noted that the IRI has already held fruitful meetings with the Attorney-General and the Leader of the Opposition, and his team. It is recalled that the same Alexander played a big role in the frustration of the ‘Special Task Force’ that was set up after the 1994 local government elections to introduce local government reforms.

Local Government Elections (LGEs) are due this year and GECOM has been allocated enough money to fund these elections.

Hence, while we are looking at electoral reforms, it is imperative that GECOM immediately remove the “riggers” and prepare to hold the LGEs Continued on page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Role of Guyanese in institutionalising Islam and Eid festivals in NY

Dear Editor,

ISLAM and the celebration of Eid and other festivals have been transplanted to New York, primarily among the Asian community, by Indo-Guyanese and other Caribbean Muslims since the late 1960s.

Today, there are several Guyanese-oriented masjids in NY in addition to masjids for every Islamic ethnic community. Each ethnic community prefer to patronise a masjid of their own nationality for Rojah (breaking of fast) and celebration of Islamic festivals.

Muslim Guyanese and “Trinis” started making New York their home during the late 1960s, after the 1965 Immigration Act that opened up immigration to non-White countries. Guyanese and “Trinis” initially came as (technical career) students and visitors and decided to settle down after their studies or their visas expired. They concentrated in lower and mid-Manhattan and in Jamaica, Queens where the technical career institutes were

located during the 1960s and 1970s.

I have had experience being among friends who observed Rojah (fasting) and Eid among Indo-Caribbean Muslims going back to the late 1970s. There were no Islamic centres for gathering to pray and break the fast and no public celebration of festivals. Initially, when Guyanese Muslims came to New York, they clustered in small communities at various locations. Hindus and Muslims lived together sharing rooms during the 1960s and 1970s. Most of them lived in Clark Apartments and other low-cost hotels in mid-Manhattan. Strict fasting was not observed by Muslims and even by Hindus during the Navratri period; they fasted some days as it was difficult to go to work, study, and fast daily.

In some hotels, a room was rented by Hindus and Muslims and they took turns observing festivals relating to their faiths. They helped each other to commemorate or observe religious festivals.

Prayers during Ramadan

GECOM must stop ...

From page 6

this year.

There cannot be anything so disastrously wrong to prevent the holding of these elections mere months after the national and regional elections were held.

In operationalising its SoPs, there must be a period of continuous registration, followed by the necessary Claims and Objections period to update the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and be ready for the 2021 LGEs. It is of note that the PNC cabals prevented the Carter Centre from coming to Guyana to witness the recount process and are also trying through their operatives to condemn any agency of repute that will lend to fairness in the reforms. The Guyana

Human Rights Association, which could not find its voice during the relentless attempt to change the results of the election, is now making recommendations. It is important to recognise that changes to the associated legislation in many instances will require a two-thirds majority in the National assembly.

The PNC is fully aware that they were humiliated at the last two LGEs which were held when they were in power and it will be even more difficult for the PNC to win votes at the upcoming LGEs. Let’s have the electoral reforms now!

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

and Eid were conducted in the hotel room. Eid was also celebrated at hotel rooms among friends and family members.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, as family members joined them, Guyanese and “Trinis” moved to larger apartments in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Celebrations were held in apartments where families or friends lived. Around the mid and late 1980s, Guyanese and “Trinis” started acquiring homes. Muslims broke the Ramadan fast at their home. During the late 1980s, Eid was celebrated at school auditoriums (when it fell on weekends), or halls, or hotel ballrooms. Meanwhile, students at City College founded an Indian Club in 1977, the initiative of Vassan Ramracha, Baytoram Ramharack, myself and others. I used to organise refreshments for celebration of all festivals – Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. The Muslim members were not particularly keen in observing their festivals.

For Eid, I used to reserve a hall that had a kitchen and would prepare Sirni, Sawine or Vermicelli, and gulgula.

As the Guyanese Islamic community steadily grew, the religious groups sought to have their own place of worship. By this time, Arabs had established masjids in Queens, and Black Americans had already established masjids since the late 1960s and 1970s in mid-Manhattan and Brooklyn. Indians and Arabs preferred to worship in their own ethnic communities. Thus, they estab-

lished their own masjids in Queens and later Brooklyn and Bronx.

Guyanese and “Trini” Indians gravitated towards Richmond Hill and would eventually establish places of worship. Hindus were the first to found temples during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. They were followed by the founding of masjids by Guyanese and Trini Muslims in late 1980s and early 1990s in Queens, and then churches were established by Christians during the early 1990s.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Caribbean Islamic centres and mosques were established by Guyanese and Trinis in Richmond Hill. These centres were acquired by donations from Muslims. It was also funded by some Hindu businessmen. Ramesh Kalicharran, for example, donated a significant amount of funds to Muslim organisations that acquired properties that were transformed into Islamic centres or masjids. Imams like Haji Zakir of Guyana and Safarally of Trinidad played significant roles in institutionalising Islam in New York. Pandit Oumadatt Maharaj was a friend of both as they lived like brethren in Manhattan. And Clyfee Madhu who hosted a radio programme on Sunday mornings on WLIB assisted in the propagation of both faiths.

Islam became institutionalised through these centres, masjids, and observance of festivals. Safarally used to organise Tadjah celebra-

tions on the West side in mid-Manhattan with support from his Hindu friends; I patronised that festivity for several years. During the late 1980s, Muslims broke their fast at home or at these centres and masjids. Initially, houses and other buildings were transformed into masjids during the early 1990s.

Later, new buildings were constructed with domes.

The Indian-Muslim community is very tight-knit, giving solidarity to each other. They co-operate and collaborate during Ramadan or Ramzan (Rojah), Eid, and other Islamic celebrations.

The Indo-Islamic culture has been very strong in areas where the community is settled. Adherents of the faith usually come together to observe festivals such as Rojah and Eid. They zealously observed Rojah and celebrated Eid in the greater New York area. They tend to throng mosques across NY and other cities in the US. The celebration among the Caribbean diaspora Islamic communities in NY is almost the exact same as that of Muslims in Guyana or in Trinidad or Suriname.

The observance of Rojah and Eid gave Muslims an opportunity to come together for brotherhood, cooperation, and celebration. For Eid, masjids in NY were/are beautifully decorated with colourful lights, trimmings and crescent moons just like in Guyana or Trinidad or Suriname. At festivals, masjids were packed with worshippers during dusk for the breaking of the fast, as

well as for Eid celebration.

During normal times, worshippers would overflow from the masjid on Liberty Ave or 95th Ave and 102 Street during festivals and at other masjids. The institutionalisation of Eid festivities was largely the work of Haji Zakir, who organised public celebrations since the 1980s and who invited non-Muslims to join in the celebrations as observers. I was invited at several functions that I attended as a reporter.

In NY, as in Guyana, people dress conservatively for the breaking of the fast.

The fast was usually broken after prayers with the consumption of dates. For Eid, people put on their best, fanciful and most colourful traditional clothing – kurthas, Nehru suits, and shalwar kameez -- standout clothing.

Eid is among the most important, auspicious days for Muslims, but it is not an official holiday in NY. However, NY City has accorded recognition to the celebration by suspending parking rules and closing schools.

Muslim-owned businesses, including medical offices and halal shops, were closed to mark the holiday on Thursday. Muslims, including doctors, and government workers took the day off (were excused) from work.

Normally, they would hold community lunch and or dinner.

This year, because of COVID, there was restrained celebration.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Risking their lives to keep death at bay –– nurses at the COVID-19 hospital tell their stories

By Rehana Ahamad

EVEN though International Nurses Day 2021 was observed on Wednesday last, there is no denying that a oneday observance cannot begin to honour the contributions and sacrifices made by nurses over the past year.

In Guyana, nurses have been showing up in their numbers to care for patients suffering from various illnesses, knowing full well that at any time, they could be tending to someone carrying the deadly coronavirus which has taken millions of lives and brought global devastation.

Over at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, the doctors and nurses there have been consciously and purposely risking their lives to keep death at bay. For them, facing COVID-19 is not a possibility; it is a reality; it is their reality.

Yunita Baird is 24 years old, and she has only been a nurse for two years, one of which was plagued with a plague.

In September 2020, the young nurse voluntarily moved from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to the

‘COVID-19 hospital.’

The young Buxton, East Coast Demerara resident told the Sunday Chronicle that nursing for her is not a job, but a passion that runs deep.

“I have always had a love for the profession, and I have always wanted to become a nurse so that I can help people and comfort people,” Baird said.

For half of her young career, Baird has witnessed the death of many of her patients, and as the local COVID-19 figures continue to rise, it is likely that more persons will lose their battle with the virus.

“The most challenging part of the job is to be caring for someone and reassuring them that all will be okay, but then, despite my best effort, they deteriorate and die. It makes me feel helpless and makes me wish I could’ve done more,” the young woman said.

She added, “Sometimes it really gets me really heart broken, but then in a next sense, you have to move on and see what you can do for a next patient. Sometimes what you didn’t get to do for one patient, you try to do for the next one.”

Baird noted that her daily reality continues to take its toll on her mental

health.

“It has been tough, but thankfully we have a mental health advocate we talk to, who helps to keep us grounded,” Baird related.

She said that even though her job is characterised by much heartache, there are days that bring joy and fulfillment.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment when a patient is able to return home better than how he/ she came to the facility,” Baird said.

Unlike many of her colleagues, Baird does not reside in the living quarters provided by the government; she returns home on a daily basis.

The young woman said that initially, her fears of contracting the virus and infecting her family were intense, but she takes comfort in wearing her protective gears and adhering to the strict sanitisation protocols that are compulsory before leaving the facility.

“Taking every precaution keeps my mind at ease,” Baird posited.

She explained, “When we leave our unit, we have to take a spray down with 100 per cent alcohol, and then we have to shower before leaving the facility; once we reach home, we have to shower again before going around our fam-

Yunita Baird has only been a nurse for two years ilies. We don’t go home with the same clothes we work with and so.”

Baird said that a source of concern for her is watching persons parade the streets and go about their usual business without taking the requisite precautions to tame the pandemic.

“As a frontline worker, I advise my patients to always wear their masks and sanitise or wash their hands as often as they can,” Baird said. She acknowledged also that often times, many of her patients do not live long enough to be able to follow the guidelines.

The young woman said that even as persons complain about the discomforts of wearing something as simple as a mask, she and her colleagues are subjected to wearing hazmat suits that are not only heavy, but can cause one to develop claustrophobia.

The young woman said that even with all the challenges and heartaches that come with being a nurse at the COVID-19 hospital, it is an experience that she treasures, and one that she uses as a means of serving her country.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Baird asserted.

AN HONOUR TO FIGHT Her colleague, Alex Garnett, also 24, has been a nurse for two years, five months. He says that his career has so far been an unstoppable rollercoaster that seem to revolve around dark and frightening occurrences.

“The most challenging thing for me is witnessing patients suffering and not recovering, despite effec-

Alex Garnett is honoured to serve tive nursing care given,” Garnett confessed.

More than just a job, the Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara resident considers being a nurse on the frontline a noble duty.

“I continue to risk my well-being because I want to be a part of history as somebody who helped defeat the dreadful disease.

I’ve read a lot about past pandemics and it’s an honour to be on the front line,” Garnett said.

He noted that his family continues to be the pillar of strength that keeps him focussed to execute his duties. “ They have helped me a great lot to cope,” Garnett said. Currently, the young man is taking every precaution by living in the staff quarters of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

As Guyana’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Garnett is calling on the government to consider a full lockdown.

A DECADE, BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS Meanwhile, John Allen, age 32, has been a nurse for almost 10 years, and in all of his career, he has not witnessed as many deaths and devastation as he has from March 2020 to present.

He began working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the ‘COVID hospital’ in November, and over the past few months, he has had to muscle the courage to remain positive on the gloomy days that seem to go on and on and on.

“Sometimes you have to face these patients, knowing that their intentions are to get better and return home, but not all of

John Allen encourages all Guyanese to take the vaccines them are able to do that,” Allen said.

He noted that the most difficult aspect of nursing COVID-19 patients has to do with the uncertainty of their wellbeing.

“Sometimes you might have a patient looking well, being on oxygen just via face mask, but then tomorrow, you see them on a ventilator…Its very traumatic; at any time, a patient could have a cardiac or respiratory arrest, and things could take a turn for the worse,” Allen informed.

Allen said that he is particularly troubled by the fact that COVID-19 patients either get better and go home, or they die at the facility in the absence of their loved ones.

“It is also very difficult to know that these patients have families who are unable to see them; and to know that they might not ever return home is hard,” Allen told the Guyana Chronicle.

He said that the spike in cases over the past few months has made it even more difficult for doctors and nurses at the COVID-19 hospital. They are now subjected to more heartaches and disappointments as more patients continue to die.

“The more we keep breaching the COVID guidelines, the more we are going to have rising cases,” Allen posited.

Collectively, Allen, Baird and Garnett are calling on all adult Guyanese to take their vaccines and to do better in adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.

They are just three of the many health workers who continue to risk their lives to protect the nation from the deadly coronavirus.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Understanding Energy

Suriname’s latest oil auction finds limited interest from investors THE results are finally out for Suriname’s months-long offshore oil lease auction. In mid-November 2020, Suriname invited bids from oil companies for the rights to explore and develop eight shallow water offshore blocks in the emerging Guyana-Suriname Basin.

But despite high expectations, bidding closed on April 30 with only three of the blocks near the Guyana-Suriname maritime border receiving bids.

While these bidding rounds were not as successful as Suriname had hoped, the competitive, open bidding process is an important one for new and developed oil countries to consider as they sell development rights.

Competitive auctions are seen as a key indicator

on several fronts. They show how much interest companies have in an area of a particular basin, like the shallow areas of the Guyana-Suriname Basin, how well a country’s contract terms and financial attractiveness measure up, and they indicate the general level of risk tolerance for major investments in exploration globally.

When a country decides to open up its oil blocks to international markets, it is essentially holding a public auction for the leases to develop onshore or offshore areas.

It can also decide to not have an auction. Once it opens the auction, companies can bid for the right to explore and develop those acres, similar to what has been occurring throughout the Guyana-Suriname Basin. While the leases

determine who will own the licence for a block, companies are still bound by contract structures with the home government if reserves are found.

Once regions are more established, some countries turn to public auctions in the hope of creating a bidding war and generating additional revenues. Transparency is especially critical throughout this process. Once selected blocks are announced, international oil companies, both large and small, and state-owned oil companies can “bid” for a certain block or blocks, offering both cash and sometimes specific commitments to exploration or development timelines.

These rounds become more competitive when many companies believe the block for sale will be

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

the door of the fire- filled room.

Once outside, she screamed for help. Neighbours came to her rescue.

Someone called the ambulance, and the dispatcher advised that her body be kept cool until the emergency vehicle arrives.

A neighbour threw water at her, while others attempted to extinguish the blaze in her apartment.

Recounting the incident, the Seventh-Day Adventist pastor said, “My head felt as though it would blow off and my skin was experiencing an unbearable sensation.” She had experienced second-degree burns from her toes to her hip.

Questions as to what

Noelia Sounthwell had happened, “The gas bottle exploded,” she replied.

Despite the excruciating pains in her legs, which were swollen, she remains very grateful for life and is thankful to God that she could walk again.

Pastor grateful for life after gas bottle explosion

SOME three weeks ago, Noelia Sounthwell was cooking her favourite meal-- boiled and fried ground vegetables -- on a six-burner gas stove in a rented one-bedroom apartment when a cellphone notification, signalling an incoming message, distracted her.

Then suddenly, there was a loud explosion. It rocked the apartment. Sounthwell was flung across the room, landing on her back against the wall.

An unseen hand, she claimed, seemed to have placed her on her feet before pushing her through

lucrative. Once all bids are in, the auction closes and the government has the opportunity to evaluate which is the most beneficial to the country.

Ultimately the auction process represents bets from all sides. It is inherently risky. Companies are betting that blocks will have enough resources to make back the money spent on the lease and on exploration. Meanwhile, governments are betting that their blocks are desirable enough that the bids will come in. Suriname, which saw ten total bids but only for three of its blocks, shows exactly how this bet can lead to mixed results.

The type of companies bidding on oil blocks is an indicator itself, often indicating the perceived risk and maturity level of a basin. Smaller oil companies are sometimes more likely to take on higher risk frontier prospects in the hope that an early stake in an area that later becomes desirable might pay off, similar to speculation in a

real estate market. In many cases these companies are counting on farming out or selling the block later to a larger company that has the resources to develop a find. Conversely, many larger companies are reluctant to bid on high-risk speculative blocks.

That calculation of risk versus potential payoff is a complicated one. Location is a major factor. But government contract terms can play just as much of a role in attracting investment.

This dynamic has been on display even in Brazil, a prolific oil producer which boasts extremely desirable offshore leases.

Nevertheless, the oil lease auctions over the last two years failed to net nearly the amount of bids and interest that the government had hoped—an issue many analysts attribute to contract terms that make companies wary, ongoing corruption issues and local content policy requirements that would be difficult and costly to meet.

Together, these factors were enough to make the

“above ground” costs of Brazilian oil too high for many investors.

Comparatively, Guyana’s competitive contract terms prior to discovering oil helped attract companies and ultimately drove it to the top of investor priorities for the coming years. According to a recent report by Westwood Global Energy, Latin America and the Caribbean will boast the most exploration in the coming years, driven by growth in Guyana and Suriname.

Now boasting its own proven oil reserves, Guyana is considering its own path forward. Large areas of offshore acreage that could hold oil remain unsold and largely unexplored. In late December, the government announced that it was considering putting some of these blocks up for auction as early as this year.

As the administration prepares to do so, it’s worth carefully watching the experiences of other countries and what lessons they hold.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

The Science of COVID-19

HIV and COVID-19

Contributed By: Dr Mallika Mootoo, MD Pediatrician/ HIV Clinician St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

THE Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus which causes HIV infection. The abbreviation “HIV” can refer to the virus or to HIV infection.

The virus targets a person’s immune system and attacks and eventually destroys the infection-fighting CD4 cells. As more and more CD4 cells are destroyed the immune system becomes weakened, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and lead to AIDS. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

HIV is transmitted through contact with HIV infected bodily fluids. It is spread mainly by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV, sharing a needle with an HIV infected person and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery and/or breast feeding.

HIV infection is a lifelong disease for which there is still no cure. There is, however, effective anti-HIV medication which when taken correctly, allow people with HIV to live long and healthy lives.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day.

ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. ART prevents HIV from multiplying, which reduces the amount of HIV in the body (called the viral load).

Having less HIV in the body

protects the immune system and prevents HIV infection from advancing to AIDS. ART can’t cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

A main goal of ART is to reduce a person’s viral load to an undetectable level.

An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test.

People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partner through sex.

COVID-19 COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) first learned of this new virus on

31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China. In March 2020 the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces.

You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.

To date more than 100 Million people have been infected worldwide and more than 2.2 Million people have died from this disease.

COVID-19 AND HIV We are still learning about COVID-19 and how it affects people with HIV. Based on what we know so far, we believe that people with HIV who are on effective treatment have the same risk for COVID-19 as people who do not have HIV. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease or obesity might be at increased risk of severe illness. Chronic smokers are also at risk for more severe disease.

People living with HIV who are either not on treatment or are not adhering to their treatment regimen have a compromised immune system and are therefore at risk of having severe disease should they be infected with SARS CoV2 virus.

This includes people with a: Low CD4 count (<350 cells), High viral load (>1000c/ ul) And/or a recent opportunistic infection (eg: Pulmonary Tuberculosis).

People living with HIV who are not on treatment or failing their current treatment regimen, are also more susceptible to respiratory tract infections. For this reason, it is important for HIV+ patients to remain on their medication as prescribed by their healthcare provider.

Similarily to the general population, older people with HIV who have other underlying health conditions should adhere to the prescribed treatment regimens for those conditions.

COVID-19 Vaccines Many new vaccines have been developed to help stop the spread of this pandemic. In December 2020 several countries started giving emergency approval for the vaccines to be used.

We are also hopeful that we will soon start offering vaccines to everyone. The vaccines which have been

Dr Mallika Mootoo, MD approved for use are all considered safe for people living with HIV. To be approved, vaccines must pass multiple safety trials, and be reviewed by national regulators to ensure they are both safe and effective.

Several of the COVID-19 vaccine trials included people living with HIV. As with the general population, for people living with HIV, the vaccines help your body to develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 – so you are able to fight it off if exposed. Even after being vaccinated, it is important to continue to take steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission until cases of the virus have fallen to a safe level.

KEY POINTS: * People living with HIV and on effective antiretroviral treatment (ART) do not appear to be at greater risk of getting COVID-19. * Our understanding of the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in people living with HIV is evolving.

Current evidence suggests that HIV is less of a risk factor for severe COVID-19 than other health conditions. * People living with HIV not on treatment or virally suppressed may be at a greater risk. Speak to a healthcare professional for more information on how to stay healthy. * As with the general population, older people living with HIV and those with other underlying health conditions should take extra precautions to prevent illness. * Try to have at least a 30 days’ supply of ART in your home. If possible, ask for three months. * The current COVID-19 vaccines are believed to be safe for people living with HIV. * We are continuing to learn about COVID-19.

Remember to keep in touch with your healthcare provider and follow government advice.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Politics & Society Forum Challenges of Indian Integration in British Guiana between 1920 and 1940

PERHAPS readers might have noticed that I have been writing a series on Indians in the decades following indenture, the formative years of Indian presence in Guyana.

My purpose in doing so is to bring about a better understanding of Indians in this important and transitory period as well as to recognise the concept of the Indian heritage month of May. In this space, I examine the challenges Indians faced in the aforesaid period with the hope and expectation that reckless labels of them from so-called leaders might be a practice of the past.

Arguably, migration, in whatever form or fashion, allowed Indians to explore opportunities beyond their indentured yards. In so doing, the period under discussion witnessed some great advancement in the Indian immigrant community turned permanent settlements. Most noticeable were economic development and cultural reconstruction in and beyond Indian communities.

What percentage grabbed migration opportunities is not precisely known. What is known is that some segments of the Indian population did engage in migration to benefit themselves amid myriad challenges. Life was difficult but not miserable. The experience of migrants in any society is rarely without problems. Indians were no different. Indians also experienced the transformation of their social structure, namely, from caste to class, as well as the survival of an elastic form of Hinduism and other Indian customs in British Guiana. Since their arrival to British Guiana, they have been in constant motion, trying to defend, retain and revive their cultural mores with some remarkable success. Indian music, especially religious and film songs, has

been retained and displayed at religious functions, homes, and over the public space such as over the radio and on television. Traditional folk drama like Savitri (Love Conquers Death), Leelas, and reading from the Rig Veda, have been ubiquitous across Guyana.

Despite these successes, problems abound. One troubling problem Indians faced following indenture was integration into British Guianese society which had limited experience with people from Eastern civilization. So, while Indians were making significant inroads in British Guiana, they were not tolerated or accepted of who they were by the wider society. It has been a common practice in Guyana to label Indians as “Coolies”, the Indian “C” word. The British Guiana East Indian Association (BGEIA) noted in the 1940s that there was “a deliberate attempt to de-nationalise the Indian; to get him to forget his language; to change his habits and customs; to marry outside of his race”, according to the Indian Opinion in 1945.

The BGEIA argued that the “Englishman living in the colonies does not forget his English Culture, his customs, his comforts, his tradition, or his race…and eventually marries his own race. In the process, no one blames him.

If the Indian did the same thing, he is accused of sectionalism and racism.”

What was going on regarding Indian integration after indenture at the national level was a gradual development into the cross between the culture of the East and the culture of the West. The Indian community in British Guiana was following the independence movement in India and desired an independent India free from British colonial domination. Some prominent Indians such as

J.A. Luckhoo wanted an Indian colony in British Guiana for internal self-development.

Educators like P. Ruhoman sought to eradicate the stigma of “Coolie” with racial and ethnic pride. Other Indian leaders, some emotional, believed that in the process, the culture of the East would eventually disappear. One hundred years later after that remark, we know now that was not entirely the case.

Indian leaders did point out, however, some accuracy on the then-current situation of Indians, which is still prevalent in Guyana. They noted excessive rum drinking, high rates of suicide, vulgar mannerisms, and children under thirteen working on the plantations. Most notable was the gradual deterioration of the Indian culture. The younger generation could not, by the 1920s, read or speak their mother tongue of India. Their original mode of dressing, music, dance, drama, and tradition had disappeared.

The challenge to effective integration was compounded by the fact that a large percentage of the Indian population was non-illiterate when indenture was abolished. The lackluster approach to education in the Indian community by both the colonial government and Indians themselves led to inter-generational low-level literacy in the Indian population. The 1876 Education Act that required Indian children to be in school until fourteen years old was not seriously instituted. Indians themselves were eager to put their children to work to bring in supplemental income. Economic endeavors substituted educational achievements.

Illiteracy was particularly high among Indian women and children. Janet Jagan (J.J) wrote in 1945 that illiteracy was the main obstacle to growth and development, owning property, and voting

rights among Indian women.

She espouses that Indian men and leaders were yet to display respect for women’s individuality in terms of exploring their own interests so that they could move away from “the status of maids of all work.”

The Indian community through the BGEIA rec-

ognised this problem and subsequently engaged in promoting education by collecting funds to build Hindu schools and insisting on the importance of education. Within a short period, there was, for example, one Hindu School at Bush Lot named Maha Mandal Sabah.

Fifty -four boys and

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine fifty girls attended, and the following words were voiced to encourage education in the Indian community: Loyalty, Patriotism, Individuality, and Unity – these attributes build strength and eventual victory, according to the Indian Opinion (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

$4.8M spent to provide safer blood transfusions – as ‘Blood Bank’ introduces leukoreduction process

IN a bid to provide safer blood transfusions, especially to more vulnerable patients, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) has spent $4.8 million (US $23,000) to procure 1,000 kits that will be used to remove white blood cells from donated blood.

Director of the NBTS, Dr. Pedro Lewis, recently told the Sunday Chronicle that the initiative was taken to start a leukoreduction process at the NBTS’ blood donation site at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) compound.

This process, Dr. Lewis explained, involves removing the white blood cells from the blood collected from voluntary donors. The blood is passed through a filter that is able to remove those blood cells.

“As we know most of the viruses live in the white blood cells and when you remove the white blood cells, you remove the virus,” Dr. Lewis said, explaining that the removal of the white blood cells reduces certain infections when an individual receives donated blood.

He also related that in

some occasions, when a patient receives the donated blood, the patient would usually experience fevers or cold sweats. He said that this occurs due to generation of cytokines in the blood. And, he affirmed that with the removal of the white blood cells, the production of the cytokines would be reduced.

What the NBTS will be doing is referred to as prestorage leukoreduction.

This means that the blood will be filtered before it is stored and as such, before it is given to a patient in need.

“This method here is

very simple but it is very expensive… the filter is very expensive,” the Director said, later stating that 1,000 of the blood bags used in the leukoreduction process were procured for about $4.8 million. The blood bags are not reusable. He also noted that this process will be used primarily for those patients who need multiple transfusions, such as those individ-

uals who are diagnosed with sickle cell, premature babies and patients with kidney failure.

He, however, noted that the NBTS is hoping to work along with the local authorities to increase the number of blood bags procured next year. In future, he said the goal is to engage in the leukoreduction process for all the units of blood donated

Director of the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), Dr. Pedro Lewis

A unit of blood being leukoreduced at the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) blood bank in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)

for use.

When asked about the cost-benefit analysis of introducing the costly technology, the Director emphasised that it is better to offer safer transfusion to patients in need.

“We have approximately 4-5 per cent of people in our population with sickle cell and thalassemia disease, we also have a lot of patients with kidney failure,” he said, noting that the leukoreduced blood would reduce the risk of infection and discomfort when these patients are given the blood.

Specifically on preventing discomfort caused by fevers and cold sweatsboth reactions that may occur after transfusionsthe Director also noted that using leukoreduced blood would reduce the need to use prophylactic hydrocortisone or prophylactic piriton to mitigate those reactions.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

US Gov’t pledges $300M to support Guyana’s fight against HIV

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, says the government is grateful for the approximately $300 million (US $1.5 million) grant to support the fight against HIV in Guyana.

Minister Anthony made this statement following a guided tour of the National Care and Treatment Centre (NCTC) on Friday, which was built with support from the United States (US) Government. The minister was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and NCTC Director, Dr. Abiola Jacobs.

The grant, which comes directly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will help Guyana to reach the 90-90-90 goal. The goal is to ensure that 90 per cent of all people living with HIV know their status; 90 per cent of those diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 per cent will experience viral suppression.

“So, for us to really work to achieve the 90-90-90 and even to get to the 95-95-95 by 2025, there is still a lot of

work to do and that’s why it’s so important that this grant is coming at this time, this extension of the US$1.5 million.

“It is going to help us focus on all three of these 90s and try and get us close to where we ought to be, and even aspire to get to 95-9595,” Minister Anthony said.

He said the government is very grateful for the partnership. “When we talk about this partnership, it’s really a deep and profound one. It goes back many years, and we have been able to build capacity so that we could manage and do so many things … We do value this partnership.

“We had various U.S. Agencies that came to Guyana: CDC and others and, of course, a number of universities who came here and worked very closely with us,” Dr. Anthony said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Lynch said the U.S. Government was also proud of its long-standing relationship with Guyana.

“Since 2004, via the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – or PEP-

FAR, has provided more than $185 million to support HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment services in Guyana, and we are thrilled to be able to provide an additional $1.5 million to support the fight against HIV in Guyana,” the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Lynch added that funding will support the Ministry of Health and civil society partners through September 2022.

The U.S. Ambassador also commended all partners: the Ministry, civil society, faith-based organisations and private clinicians for this exceptional effort during the pandemic. She said many persons, including the staff at the NCTC have been pulling double duty for more than a year to respond to the dual pandemics of HIV and COVID-19.

The U.S. has worked closely with Guyana on multi-million-dollar programmes for education, prevention, and treatment for those persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, contributing significantly to the country’s healthcare capacity.

Fairfield man charged for murder of brother TWENTY-two-year-old Rameshwar Gouvia, of Fairfield Village on the Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged in connection with the murder of his brother, Ganga Persaud, which occurred on May 9.

Gouvia was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison until June 3, 2021.

An autopsy on the body of Persaud, 32, revealed that he died from perforation to his lung and artery due to a stab wound. The autopsy was conducted on Thursday at the Suddie Mortuary by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

The suspect reportedly told police detectives that he stabbed his brother in self-defence. During the incident, another brother, Muneshwar Persaud, a fisherman from Wakenaam

Rameshwar Gouvia was remanded to prison Island, was injured to his head.

The incident occurred around 22:00hrs at Fairfield village, Region Two. Reports indicate that the brothers were imbibing at their mother’s residence when Muneshwar and his wife had a misunderstanding and the brothers intervened.

During the argument between Muneshwar and his wife, Ganga Persaud

Dead: Ganga Persaud took a rum bottle and lashed Muneshwar to the head after which Gouvia armed himself witha knife and stabbed Ganga to the chest.

Ganga was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Gouvia then fled the scene and hid in the backdam.

However, he later returned home and his mother took him to the Suddie Police station.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

$68M ‘Massy Mini’ opens at Montrose

THE Massy Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the Caribbean, on Friday opened a $68M Massy Stores Mini supermarket at Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The decision to open the mini supermarket comes as a way to connect customers with easier access to the wide range of services offered by the company’s stores locally. Additionally, the facility is expected to not just allow easier access to customers, but will also serve to provide employment to 13 persons.

Christian Bobb-Semple, a Massy Group executive, who has responsibility for the Massy Mini, noted that the opening of the store is in keeping with the group’s commitment to providing Guyanese with unique customer-friendly shopping options with comfort and access in mind. He explained that the store will serve as an accessible and affordable medium of shopping for all Guyanese, especially those on the East Coast of Demerara.

“We truly believe Guyanese deserve better options, couples [sic] with a focus on enhanced shopping experience and that is what we are making accessible. So, while we are targeting all customers, our initial circle of influence will touch from Plaisance in the west to Mon Repos in the east. Our goal in outfitting the store is that everyone regardless of income bracket must be able to come and get what they need, we will guarantee freeness, we will guarantee quality,” said Bobb-Semple.

Massy started its operations in Guyana just over 50 years ago and since then, the conglomerate has grown and is participating in industries such as information technology, automotive, gas products, in-

dustrial equipment, financial services and distribution and retail. Massy Stores Mini is the third store from the Massy chain that has been established in Guyana.

General Manager Robert Singh noted that with a total of 48 locations across the Caribbean, the Massy chain is credited with having transformed the retail supermarket space and sets the benchmark for customer service, accessibility and quality.

He noted that similar quality service is expected to be upheld at Massy Stores Mini, noting that the company’s core values will be upheld. Singh further noted that the Massy Group is committed to the protection and consideration of both its employees and its customers.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our stores have invested in and implemented a number of protocols which reinforce that safety is our number one priority. A workforce of over 100 Guyanese focusing on delivering exemplary customer service and creating centres of excellence across our operations,” Singh stated.

Further, Singh noted that the company has always worked to ensure it provided innovative in-store value-added services which include on-site pharmacies, which are staffed by qualified pharmacists; as well as money transfer and bill payment services, namely Money Gram and SurePay, to allow customers the opportunity to maximise their visits to any Massy facility.

Massy Stores Mini brings the total Massy Group Guyana stores to three, which include the “Massy Stores Mega” in the MovieTowne compound at Turkeyen, and the Massy supermarket at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.

The newly commissioned $68M Massy Stores Mini supermarket at Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) (Delano Williams Photo)

Consultation to commence in June to amend Condominium Act STAKEHOLDER consultations to streamline the amendment of the Condominium (Regulation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act is slated to begin by the first week of June, 2021.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, made this announcement during an update of housing projects, on Friday. Minister Croal stated that the Attorney General’s Chambers is in the process of completing the draft amendment.

“The first draft we’re expecting by the new week and then it goes through the consultative process with our key stakeholders, for example, the banks, insurance companies and other relevant institutions who will have to give their input,” Minister Croal said.

Feedback garnered from the stakeholder forum will play an integral role in develop-

ment of the legislation. The minister anticipates that by September, the draft will be presented to the Parliament for consideration.

The amendment will pave the way for owners of condominiums and duplexes to access titles for their land. Additionally, commercial banks would also be able to accept the properties as collateral and offer loans to the homeowners for expansion and insurance companies will also be allowed to issue policies for protection.

Currently, the Act caters for the regulation and division of properties into parts that are to be owned individually and parts that are to be owned in common, and to make provision for the use and management of such properties, and to make provision for the assignment of certain properties owned by the government.

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Iwokrama achieves key outputs despite revenue decline

“LIKE many organisations globally, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Iwokrama’s field operations, substantially affecting revenues,” said Dane Gobin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iwokrama’s International Centre.

He said that even though the centre’s operations were closed in April and most of 2020 was plagued with production and demand challenges due to travel restrictions, the

monitoring,” Gobin added.

He reminded that of all the sectors, tourism was most affected by the emergence of the coronavirus which quickly escalated to a pandemic. “Global travel restrictions continued to limit opportunities, which resulted in cancelled visits and low domestic visitation despite very attractive pricing and marketing initiatives,” Gobin indicated, adding that even research visits from students were forced into cancellation.

Gobin said that even

A pie chart showing the audited 2020 financial inflow for the Iwokrama International Centre Iwokrama team was still able to deliver some of its key outputs.

“We were able to continue our biodiversity research project in partnership with Kent University and [the] University of Guyana, which includes a PhD scholarship, and the completion of some key research projects including Post Harvest Silvicultural Surveys and Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs),” Gobin said in his report.

He acknowledged that COVID-19 restrictions forced the centre to examine new ways of managing and promoting the forest.

To this end, Iwokrama was able to partner with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to produce a road map for a large-scale Virtual Reality (VR) project for Iwokrama and the North Rupununi, successfully producing a mini-VR game as the first step.

“Iwokrama also signed MoUs [Memorandum of Understanding] with Environmental Management Consultants, Guyana’s premier environmental consultants and the Guyana Meteorological Office for water quality and weather

with the notable “downtime”, work still continued to improve facilities and develop new opportunities at the centre, in anticipation of the opening of the travel market in 2021.

“The centre maintained its austerity programme and continued to seek additional funding in support of research and science. We expect that the sustainable businesses will continue to make substantive contributions to core operating costs, despite current global challenges,” the CEO hoped.

Gobin noted that even though COVID-19 severely affected Iwokrama’s operations, the centre was only able to deliver on its major plans, primarily owing to the support from the Government of Guyana and its partners.

Iwokrama’s audited financial report shows that 33 per cent of the centre’s income came from government support, while 20 per cent was a result of external grants. Further, 13 per cent of the centre’s inflow was as a result of sustainable timber, while sustainable tourism accounted for only eight per cent.

Specific to tourism, the report indicated that the Iwokrama River Lodge was closed from March 2020 to November 2020. During the months outside of that period, the facility attracted only 314 guests. It reopened in December 2020, after receiving conditional approval from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). In keeping with strict guidelines instituted by the National COVID-19 Task Force, Iwokrama was required to develop a document outlining the facility’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s, in keeping with COVID-19 protocols.

Further, the Iwokrama team said that it was able to develop new, shorter tours, conduct extensive repairs and maintenance to the Fred Allicock Building and one of its cabins, as well as clean and sanitise the entire Iwokrama complex.

As it relates to forestry, the report said that sustainable timber-harvesting operations were halted in March 2020, also owing to national COVID-19 restrictions.

“During the national lockdown, existing partners – FML/McV-Guyana opted to close operations in the Iwokrama Forest; the agreement was terminated in April. Iwokrama advertised for a new partner and got a preferred bidder – Evergreen Forest Products Inc., a 40-year-old company who has been supplying the United States with Guyana’s hardwoods for the past 15 years,” the report said. The new partnership agreement was subsequently signed in May, 2020.

A major component of Iwokrama’s work revolved around fighting illegal mining along the Siparuni River.

“Illegal mining activities increased in the forest during the year, as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in reduced staffing and monitoring patrols.

The miners took advantage of the reduced patrols and intensified their operations, employing the use of small dredges which caused significant damage, including the removal of trees,” the report noted.

Despite a number of joint efforts to curb the situation, illegal mining

The Iwokrama International Centre continues to be a challenge, with threats of activities moving beyond the buffer zones to possibly spread into the Iwokrama Forest itself.

“No mining is allowed in the buffer zone which serves to protect the Iwokrama Forest.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the

police continue to give valuable support and increased monitoring and enforcement is expected to occur in 2021,” the report posited.

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Three more women die from COVID-19; 180 new cases

THREE more women, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), succumbed while receiving medical care between May 13 and 14, a statement released by the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

Two of the now deceased women, aged 80 and 72, were residents of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), while the third, aged 40, was from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The total number of COVID-19 deaths is now 338, with 39 of those recorded for this month.

The Ministry of Health has also recorded 180 new cases of COVID-19 from 1,053 tests.

Of that total, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded four; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), six; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 30; Region Four, Demerara-Mahaica 98; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 20; Region Six (East Berbice-Curentyne, two; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), two; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), one; Region Nine (Upper

Takutu-Upper Essequibo), five, and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 12.

The newly infected persons were 82 males and 98 females.

Presently, 16 persons occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 106 are institutionally isolated, 1,822 are isolated at home, and ten are institutionally quarantined.

Of Guyana’s 15,168 confirmed cases since the arrival of COVID-19 here, 1,954 are currently active, while 52 of the 12,886 recoveries were

recorded within the past 24 hours.

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 curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Minister of Health has also urged persons 18 years and older to take the COVID-19 vaccine, to immunize themselves against the deadly virus.

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

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Guyana could become major food supplier to Caribbean

TEREZA Cristina, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil, and Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, held a meeting to promote bilateral trade and the production of food in Guyana to supply the Caribbean. Manuel Otero, Director-General of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), also took part in the meeting.

Brazil and Guyana also aspire to strengthen an extensive co-operation agenda in several areas, including trade, infrastructure, animal health, and technology transfer. Following this first encounter facilitated by IICA, it is expected that the ministers accelerate negotiations with an in-person meeting likely to be held in August, as proposed by Minister Tereza Cristina.

“The agenda includes

the possibility of co-operation in the areas of agricultural defence, technical assistance, research, and family agriculture initiatives”, stated the Brazilian minister after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha expressed an interest in increasing the annual quota of 10,000 tonnes of rice exported to Brazil; in signing an agreement with Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, for specialised training in biotechnology and agri-processing; and in receiving support for development projects in the cane sugar industry.

He also expressed that Guyana’s sea port could be a future alternative for the flow of Brazilian products to international markets.

“We want to transform our agricultural sector and we need the support of partners like IICA—for technical co-operation—

and Brazil to achieve that transformation. I believe this will be the first of many meetings to set the foundation for co-operation,” expressed Mustapha. The minister also informed that the Government of Guyana is holding meetings with potential Brazilian investors in the agriculture sector and others.

Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, noted that “Brazil has become one of the planet’s most important countries in terms of agricultural production and trade, and Guyana is an important supplier of food, especially for the Caribbean, and could be for other markets as well.”

Mustapha pointed out that Guyana is the agricultural leader of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a key country for regional food security.

Tereza Cristina, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of Brazil, and Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, met to set in motion an extensive co-operation agenda. Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, also took part in the meeting “Our President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is leading a work group with several CARICOM ministers to implement the food security agenda in the Caribbean,” he stated.

Among the co-operation priorities with Guyana, Minister Tereza Cristina included the regional fight against the carambola fruit fly, deepening economic complementation agreements between the two countries, and issuing an international health certificate that would allow Brazil to resume meat exports to its neighbour to the north.

In terms of trade, in addition to importing rice,

Brazil could import cashews, lemons, cassava, lemon juice, cashew juice, soybean, and peanuts from Guyana. Meanwhile, it could export soybean oil, sugar, chocolates, other candies, and pet food.

“At this meeting, IICA once again exercised its role as a bridge to bring countries together and contribute to building supranational public goods. The meeting resulted in a series of topics on which to build a bi-national co-operation agenda”, said Otero.

The Director-General of IICA also underscored three aspects that unite Brazil and Guyana: “An extensive border span-

ning 1,600 kilometers; the fact that both countries, to scale, are agricultural powerhouses; and they share the Amazonian identity.

IICA’s role is to transform this encounter, through its representatives, into a technical co-operation agenda for countries, institutions, and agriculture.”

Gabriel Delgado and Wilmot Garnett, IICA Representatives in Brazil and Guyana, respectively; Guy de Capdeville, Director of Research and Development at Embrapa; officials from different sectors of both countries; and diplomats also took part in the meeting.

(IICA)

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Civilians heading Police PR unit based on UK’s advice –– says Top Cop

A DECISION by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to appoint civilians, Mark Ramotar and Stan Gouveia, to head its Public Relations (PR) unit was in keeping with recommendations outlined in a report from a United Kingdom (UK)-based consultancy team, Police Commissioner (ag), Nigel Hoppie has said.

The appointment of Ramotar as Director of Communications at the GPF, and Gouveia as Deputy Director in March this year, has since been questioned, particularly by opposition Member of Parliament Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who moved recently to the National Assembly for answers.

While not responding directly to Chandan-Edmond, Hoppie, in a recent appearance on radio programme “The Police and You,” said the appointment is in keeping with the recommendations outlined in a PR consultancy report, which was prepared by consultants

out of the UK. The consultants, Dr. Joan Boyd and Susan Corbett, who both visited Guyana in 2019 through the British High Commission to conduct a training seminar with the GPF’s PR unit at that time, recommended that the appointment of civilians to the PR unit should be considered by the police force.

It was reported that both Dr. Boyd and Corbett worked as journalists in Northern Ireland and have also worked very closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They are reputable Media Consultants spanning the areas of Public Relations, Communications, Crisis Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, Corporate Communications and Social Media.

Considering their vast experience in the field of communications, the consultants were equipped with the knowledge and expertise to analyse the PR unit of the

GPF and even provide advice on methods that could be employed to improve not only the channels of communication, but also the structure of the unit.

“Several recommendations were made, and one of the recommendations was that civilians should occupy the upper echelon of the public relations department,” Hoppie related, adding: “This forms part of the strategic plan 2019-2021 which has five priority areas, and so we have performance, developing people, operational priorities, infrastructure and partnership.”

Further information from the GPF states that the inclusion of civilians in the PR unit stems from the demand for accountability, transparency and regular dissemination of information, as well as recommended police reforms.

Part of the mandate of the new PR unit is to build a ‘harmonious’ and ‘friendly’ relationship with the community, as this relationship is crucial to every aspect of law enforcement.

“The Guyana Police

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie (centre) with Director of Communications at the GPF Mark Ramotar (left) and Deputy Director Stan Gouveia (right) Force has realised that while police officers have been performing these functions traditionally and historically, the administration of the GPF thought it best that these functions should now be performed by civilians who are duly trained and qualified,” the Guyana Police Force said.

In outlining the skillset of the recent appointees, the GPF said Ramotar has a rich journalism background and brings with him a wealth of mass media experience.

He was Editor-in-Chief of the state-owned Guyana National Newspapers Limited for several years, and also the Editor of INews

and Guyana Times. Ramotar studied journalism at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, where he won several awards, including that of best-graduating student.

He also completed several media training programmes including one with the UKbased Commonwealth Press Union (CPU).

The Director of Communications at the GPF also has a Master Degree in Business Administration (MBA) as well as specialised training/certification in project management, philosophy, conflict resolution and digital marketing. Gouveia, on the other hand, brings to the

table almost three decades of experience in the field of broadcasting, having spent two-thirds of that time at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation/National Communications Network Inc. Up to December 2020, the veteran broadcaster served as the Public Information Officer of the Civil Defence Commission.

Gouveia holds qualifications in Communication Studies from the University of Guyana, and several certifications in journalism and healthcare, having worked in the field of HIV/ STI counseling/testing and treatment.

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Electoral reform and political buffoonery

AFTER the 2020 elections, there have been a lot of discussion and talk about electoral reform and its role in strengthening Guyana’s democratic processes.

Even before then, it was

agreed, in principle, that every opportunity would be welcomed, explored and if the conditions exist, then implemented.

The idea was to achieve, basically, some form of

“change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results”. This would naturally include changing the governance arrangements that relate to electoral constitu-

encies and election district borders, ballot design and voting equipment, and the use of scrutineering (election monitoring by candidates, political parties, etc.)

While the government and opposition must play a fundamental role in the reforms process, there is a civil society component.

Understanding that dynamic, the International Republican Institute has no doubt framed its electoral reforms project to strengthen the areas where the government and opposition need much resources and help to get the job done.

It, therefore, has identified the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Attorney-General’s Chambers and Guyanese CSOs who will collaboratively consolidate and improve local electoral and constitutional law knowledge, establish an internal timeline to address electoral reform, improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritise electoral and constitutional law issues while promoting reform through citizen engagement.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, after being briefed about the project, its timeliness as well as outcomes, has given it his support. His thinking is that these reforms will go hand in hand with those that President Irfaan Ali committed to publicly, and the plethora of investigations that is being done or will be done covering the March 2, 2020 elections process right-up to the declaration. After all, the President seems adamant in his quest to have constitutional reform and save the integrity of democratic organisations from being unnecessarily questioned.

But the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, appears to be suspicious about the US-supported project. He has since asked for a “full disclosure” because the project has caused “considerable unease and anxiety” among his supporters. Also, Harmon does not believe there was “consultation” with him or

combined opposition.

Similarly, a meeting to be briefed on the project was thwarted at GECOM on Tuesday with the opposition commissioners saying unless GECOM gets approval from both the opposition and the government, or the parliamentary Constitutional Reform Committee, they will oppose it.

Now, enter the Guyana Human Right Association (GHRA) with its condemnation of the project. It said the IRI was a “bizarre choice” and, given its leadership, could not be trusted. Arguing that “Guyanese have nothing to learn from an institution whose parent body is a leading influence in global fascism”, it noted the timing of the project as “wrong”, the implementing agency as “unacceptable” and labelled the preparatory work as “having not yet begun”.

The meat of the matter is more than meets the eye.

Firstly, it would appear that the opposition wants to play a game of Chinese Checkers with the government and people. It isn’t about “consultations”.

Though the IRI should accede to their request for more information, the opposition wants to stall the project. It is clear that they don’t trust the US and their intentions with reforming the electoral process. Also, they don’t have the confidence in the Guyanese people to do what they think is right for themselves and Guyana.

While the consultation process is indeed ideal to ensuring good governance, Guyanese must not lose sight of the facts that these same politicians are the ones who tried to steal the election last year causing its true results to be delayed for five months.

Then they are part of perpetuating the ‘Big lie’ of the election being stolen from them, without proof. How else can you explain them failing in every court of Law to produce the evidence and their SoPs publicly?

This behaviour is similar to riggers to be consulted

in the proposed electoral reforms as akin to intended inmates of a penitentiary demanding to be consulted in the security features that will inhere in the construction of that penitentiary.

Secondly, they believe the PPP has smartly crafted them into a new coil just like they did to the PPP in the lead-up to 2015. Do you remember the “Vote Like a Boss” campaign in the runup to the 2015 elections?

Do you know it was run and funded by the very IRI which the APNU+AFC had no issues with? Do you know it received their support back then? Do you see how dishonest and duplicitous the APNU+AFC and their surrogates are?

The reasons proffered by the likes of Vincent Alexander are comical and hold no weight in the minds of rationale thinkers. It is buffoonery at best. GECOM should urgently listen and be briefed on what the IRI intends to do in terms of electoral reforms in Guyana. GECOM will get a helping hand as it tries to navigate the muddy waters of rebuilding the electoral confidence and its image in lead up to local government polls this year.

And finally, GHRA has woken from its almost 5-year slumber to criticise this IRI project. But why doesn’t the GHRA have the same confidence it did in 2015 in the IRI? While Guyana was fighting off the threats to its freedom and democracy, the GHRA was sleeping like a toothless puddle. Who are the true principals, authors and thinkers at work behinds this very partisan entity?

The position and arguments of GHRA should be cast aside or dismissed. Let it continue to sleep!

The IRI-funded project is good and must not be sacrificed at the altar of political buffoonery. If the opposition opposes electoral reform then there must be a solid reason behind it.

The truth will come out as clear as day.

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Glasgow man overcomes critics to have blooming grapevine

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric AS a boy, Devon Gilead fondly remembers a neighbour who would travel overseas and return with apples and grapes. His family would be given an apple and four grapes, which had to be shared among his siblings.

Dissatisfied with having just a grape, he endeavoured to one day own a grapevine, where he could have as many as possible.

Many years later, Gilead, would have sought advice from agriculturalists, but was told that the fruit could not be grown in the tropics, but in cool temperature areas.

He was determined to prove them wrong. After conducting extensive research, he discovered that the

Devon Gilead in his vineyard at New Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice contributing factor for a successful grape harvest was the ph. factor of the soil. The soil ph. is measured by the alkalinity or acidity of the soil. A ph. of 5.5 to 7.0 is generally recommended for grapes.

Despite criticism of his plan, Gilead, who has no formal training in agriculture, singlehandedly started his cultivation with a few grape cuttings, brought by a friend, from overseas. A plot of land at his Lot 649 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice home was prepared and from then, there was no looking back.

He had expected the flowering of the vines after 24 months but was pleasantly surprised that the vine flowered at just eight months, followed by bunches of red globe, a succulent seeded grape, the largest round berry of all grapes. They have a dark ruby red colour and are mildly sweet and flavourful when ripened.

Grapes have been shown to fend off artery hardening, reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, curb blood clotting and lower inflammation. Research indicated that grapes also help reduce cholesterol by decreasing the absorption of the compound into the blood.

Byproducts of grapes are raisins, wine, juice, vinegar, oils and sweet spreads such as jams, jellies and marmalade.

The average lifespan of a grapevine is twenty five years but are actually capable of producing grapes for more than 100 years. According to Guinness Book of World records in 2010, the oldest living grapevine as proven by genetic testing is located in the Solvenian City of Maribor. The age of the vine is confirmed to be over 400 years.

Gilead would be grateful if he is afforded the opportunity to get government lands to expand his cultivation.

Cultivating of non-traditional crops is nothing new for him. His yard space is filled with cauliflower, purple cabbage, peanuts, sweet potatoes, peppermint, dragon fruit, jackfruit and other traditional plants, along with apple, strawberry, blueberries, raspberry and other seedlings.

Gilead, popularly known as “Bee Man”, loves the soil and believes that his hands are blessed to cultivate. He has grapevines for sale and has expressed a willingness to assist persons who are interested in its cultivation.

He is of the opinion that abandoned sugarcane fields can be transformed into vineyards which will be beneficial to Guyana for generations to come.

Gilead can be contacted on 661-9766.

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John and Jeffrey win Stage One and Stage Two of Independence Cycling Meet

SEASONED cyclists Briton John and Raynauth Jeffery won the opening stages of this weekend’s Independence Cycling Meet, which were held yesterday in Berbice and Georgetown (the second stage finished in the Capital City).

The two cyclists and several other top riders will look to push themselves this morning in the final stage of the event, which rides off from Kara Kara in Linden to Banks DIH in Georgetown.

Despite picking up the win in the long afternoon race, the USbased Jeffery, who was out of the top five in the morning race, will have some catching up to do.

At the end of every stage, the top six cyclists benefit from bonus time, which will be subtracted once the final leg is finished.

It, therefore, means that this morning’s third stage will be considerably different from yesterday ‘group race’, given that those behind in terms of time, will need to make up valuable seconds in order to stand a chance at overall victory.

John with a victory and a fourth-place finish, Paul DeNobrega with two third-place positions and former national champion Jamual John with a fourth place in the morning and a second place in the afternoon will fancy themselves in the final race.

According to unofficial tabulation, Jeffrey, Christopher Griffith, Alex Mendes, Steve Fernandes, Walter Grant Stuart, Kemuel Moses and Paul Chooweenam in that order are also in the top 10 on the leader’s board.

FIRST STAGE The first stage of the event was the Berbice leg, with cyclists battling through wet conditions and at times, muddy roads, due to farming activities in the communities.

In the end, it was the sprinting prowess of Briton John, the current Guyana Cycling Federation points’ leader so far this season, which decided the outcome.

Adealie Hodge was ahead of the pack with two miles to go, but four chasers were hot on his trail and closing in. Michael Anthony dropped from that pack, while Briton John, who fancies his sprints was able to surge ahead of Hodge to finish the 46-mile event in a time of 1:44:37.

DeNobrega was able to pull ahead of Jamual John for the

third position, while Christopher Griffith placed fifth and Mario Washington sixth.

Jeffrey and several other big names entered soon after in a large second pack.

SECOND STAGE Needing to make up time, Jeffery, who is hoping to make the national team for the Caribbean Cycling Championships, scheduled for the Dominican Republic in July, took an early lead in the second race, but he was caught.

In that race, cyclists battled from the Berbice Harbour Bridge, Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown for the finish.

Towards the end, it was Griffith who surged ahead and he looked solid. By Lusignan, he had a 100M lead, but it began to decrease and soon the pack engulfed him.

The riders then kept that group intact, with each sprinter being caught and reeled back in.

It looked like it would come down to a sprint finish and it did.

In the end, when Jeffery took off he could not be caught.

Jamual and DeNobrega followed soon after, with Briton John in fourth and masters’ cyclist Alex Mendes in fifth. Griffith finished sixth.

Jeffrey later told Chronicle Sport that he trusted his sprinting skilling towards the end.

He said that he is always happy to race back home and that the win has given him confidence for the third stage.

This morning, the seniors and masters cyclists will compete in a 64-mile battle to decide a Third Stage winner and the overall champion.

According to the federation, the juniors and female cyclists will not compete in the third stage, so the first two stages will decide the respective winners.

The Independence Three-Stage race is the flagship event of the GCF. It was first held in 1983 and was an annual event until 2016. This year, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Sport has helped to resuscitate it.

It comes one week before the National Championships peddle off.

Leicester City win FA Cup for first time

YOURI Tielemans produced one of the great FA Cup final goals to give Leicester City the trophy for the first time in their history with victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

The Belgian settled a closely contested encounter with a spectacular right-foot drive that flew beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into the top corner from 25 yards, in the 63rd minute.

It sent manager Brendan Rodgers down the touchline in celebration although Leicester City’s fans - inside Wembley as 21 000 supporters formed the biggest attendance since lockdown - had to survive a nerve-jangling closing phase before they could celebrate the win in their first final since 1969.

The Foxes were indebted to two crucial saves from keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who turned former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell’s header on to a post then produced an even better stop to turn Mason Mount’s powerful shot wide.

And in a final act of drama, Wes Morgan bundled into his own net following a last-minute goalmouth scramble before it was ruled out by the barest of margins following the intervention of VAR. Leicester closed out the win to spark emotional scenes as those inside Wembley rejoiced in a landmark victory.

‘I can’t hear a word you’re saying!’ – 20 000 fans create raucous atmosphere RODGERS’ OUTSTANDING WORK GETS ITS REWARD Foxes boss Rodgers had a smile that illuminated Wembley as he joined Leicester City’s players in joyous scenes of celebration after the manager and his players had written their name into the club’s folklore.

Tielemans, the gifted 24-year-old, will claim the glory for the sheer quality of the strike that won this FA Cup final and the rest of his performance oozed the quality that saw him named man-of-the-match.

The Foxes had heroes elsewhere, particularly in veteran keeper Schmeichel, who was well protected for most of the match but made a huge contribution when required. His second key save from Mount, one-handed diving away to his left, even had Rodgers turning around and blowing out his cheeks in relief and admiration.

Youngster Luke Thomas was composed and Leicester even survived the premature loss of the experienced and influential defender Jonny Evans, who was a doubt before the game and suffered a recurrence of his heel injury, to keep Chelsea at bay.

And for Rodgers, who cleaned up with Celtic in Scotland, this was another significant addition to his CV, as his expert guidance of Leicester - who are in a strong position to finish in the Premier League’s top four and face Chelsea again at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday - now has a tangible reward in the shape of the FA Cup. This was the result of outstanding work by Rodgers and his players and the rest of the season may yet produce another high point if they can clinch a

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place in next season’s Champions League.

CHELSEA SUFFER BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he was in “angry mode” after the surprise home loss to Arsenal suddenly put pressure on their top-four hopes in the Premier League - although the Champions League final against Manchester City could yet prove the most glittering safety net.

He certainly looked an angry man throughout this final, the body language increasingly frustrated right up until that final twist when a late equaliser was snatched from Chelsea’s grasp by VAR. Chelsea now face a massive game against these same opponents in midweek but they will have to recover swiftly from this disappointment and the knowledge they did not do themselves justice.

They certainly had their moments and will complain of ill-fortune, about a suspicion of handball before Tielemans’ goal and those magnificent saves from Schmeichel but this was a stuttering Chelsea, not the smooth machine that saw off Real Madrid with such comfort in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Timo Werner seemed a particular source of frustration to Tuchel, the manager enraged when he lost a physical challenge to Tielemans, and it may be he regrets that he did not start with the improving Kai Havertz.

And Chilwell, left out for Marcos Alonso, was a source of real danger when he was eventually introduced as a substitute, almost rescuing Chelsea twice.

Chelsea and Tuchel now face a huge fortnight with the fight for the top four in the balance and that Champions League final to come against Manchester City - and the manager will know they will have to perform better than this.

FANS RELISH WEMBLEY RETURN This was the day atmosphere: emotion and deafening noise returned to English football as 21 000 supporters made Wembley sound like it was playing host to a capacity crowd.

Fans relished the traditional FA Cup fanfare from the Coldstream Guards and the hymn Abide With Me before throwing themselves wholeheartedly into an experience they have been largely deprived of since lockdown last March.

And how it showed in those final stages and Leicester’s fans suffered frayed nerves as their team held on for history while Chelsea’s followers urged their side on in the hope of a comeback.

At the final whistle and then the trophy celebration, it was just like old times as those thousands of Leicester supporters stayed in their seats to join and take in scenes that will live with them forever while the Chelsea end was a scene of desolation before it became a sea of deserted red seats.

It only emphasised once more that football quite simply is not the same in any form without fans.

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32

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

Greg Chappell proposes radical overhaul of Aussie summer GREG Chappell has proposed a radical overhaul of the Australian men’s domestic cricket programme, warning the country faces slipping further behind both India and England unless major structural changes are considered.

Chappell, the former Test captain who retired as Cricket Australia’s national talent manager in 2019, wants the Sheffield Shield to start as early as August or September each year to fit in a full 10-match season before the KFC BBL gets underway.

The post-BBL period would then be reserved for a beefed-up Australia A schedule to provide another, perhaps even stronger, level of first-class cricket beyond the Sheffield Shield.

The Marsh One-Day Cup could be played in February-March or between Shield matches before Christmas.

Chappell also believes an

Australian Football Leaguestyle draft system, as well the introduction of another team or two, could stop more populous states from “warehousing” the best young talent.

of years,” the 72-year-old told cricket.com.au ahead of the Greg Chappell Foundation’s fourth annual dinner in Sydney on Wednesday.

“I’m seeing a bunch of

Young Aussie batsmen Will Pucovski (left) and Cameron Green

“Historically we’ve been one of the best at developing young players and keeping them in the system, but I think that’s changed in the last couple

young players with great potential who are in limbo.

“That’s unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose one player.

“India have got their act

together and that’s largely because (India’s academy chief and former Test captain) Rahul Dravid has picked our brains, seen what we’re doing and replicated it in India and with their much larger (population) base.

“I think we’ve already lost our position as the best at identifying talent and bringing it though. I think England are doing it better than we now and India are doing it better than we.”

Chappell believes that if Australia’s cricket system was being designed from scratch today, it would not resemble its current form.

He recognises the BBL is essentially the crown jewel of the men’s domestic calendar and understands it must occupy the prime spot at the height of summer in December and January, though he laments that India are able to hold their equivalent T20 league, the IPL, after their

domestic season concludes.

His solution is for Shield to begin around August-September in the Northern Territory or Queensland, where the climates are conducive to pitch preparation at that time of year, before climaxing in November-December, with games to be held at the major Test venues once they become available following the end of the AFL season.

He believes the focus on first-class cricket will be particularly beneficial for emerging batters - a group of players Chappell worries is having its development stunted by the current schedule.

“We’ve got full-time cricketers, so why do we have to be constrained by the regular timing of our cricket season?” he said. “We’ve got access to these guys for basically 10 months of the year.

“One of the things I believe would make a big difference would be trying to play a full block of Sheffield Shield cricket so that guys get a run at red-ball cricket.

“Playing five Shield games and then 50-over cricket and then BBL and then finishing the end of the Shield season just breaks up that opportunity to develop long-form batting, which is a good foundation for the other formats anyway.

“It’s harder for a young batsman to develop the basics of long form cricket than ever before.

“We’ve got to accept we’re not going to be on traditional Test grounds for the whole season, but we’re not doing that anyway in the back-end of the season.

“The back-half of the season I would use for Australia A games. I’d have an Australian Under-23 team either touring or having other teams visiting Australia, just to get another level and a higher standard between Shield cricket and Test cricket.”

Chappell believes Australia’s Test series defeat last summer, their second in three home seasons despite India suffering an enormous injury toll on their most recent visit, highlighted the world No.1 Test side’s superior player development system.

Many suggested the experience of playing against the world’s best in the Indian Premier League had helped a startlingly inexperienced visiting team beat Australia in the Gabba series-decider in January, but Chappell insisted there were other factors.

India’s emerging crop has benefitted greatly, he believes, from an enhanced amount of competitive ‘A’ series in recent years.

Since Australia last beat India in a Test series in 201415, India A have played 32 first-class matches as part of dedicated ‘A’ series, close to three times as many as Australia A (12 matches).

The fact paceman Mohammad Siraj, who has taken 70 wickets at 21.88 in 16

first-class games for India A in South Africa, England, New Zealand, the Caribbean as well as at home, and batter Shubman Gill, who has 870 runs at 88.18 including two unbeaten double-centuries (both abroad) for India A, had extensive international experience before their Test debuts in Australia last summer and meant their immediately strong showings should have come as no surprise.

Australia’s recent debutants Will Pucovski and Cameron Green on the other hand have had limited experience playing abroad; Pucovski has been on one Under-19 tour and one Australia A tour, both to the UK, while Green has featured only in a handful of matches in India while on tour with Australia’s National Performance Squad in 2018.

While the 27-year-old Siraj has had the benefit of time to develop his skills compared to the 23-year-old Pucovski and the 21-year-old Green, the two Australian youngsters are both older than Gill (21).

“When you look at the Indian team that played in the Brisbane Test that had three or four fresh players, and everyone said, ‘This is India’s second XI’ – those guys had played (extensively) for India A,” said Chappell, “And in all sorts of different conditions, not just in India. So when they get picked, they’re not tyros at all, they’re quite hardened international cricketers.

“We picked Will Pucovski out of Shield cricket. Will has hardly had a game outside Australia. That’s the difference.”

Green and Pucovski are the cream of the crop in terms of Australia’s young Test-ready talent, but Chappell is concerned younger players yet to reach that same level are not being adequately served by the state system.

He pointed to players like Josh Philippe, Jason Sangha and Jack Edwards not being able to get a game for their Shield teams at times in recent years.

He nominated a draft system as one way of ensuring young players - the majority of whom Chappell says are coming from the most populous states - are getting regular games.

“We can’t afford for the bigger states to warehouse kids just because they might need them at some stage. I think that’s dangerous,” said Chappell.

“If we were designing a structure from scratch now, we wouldn’t design it the way we have got it. I think New South Wales could possibly have a second team.

“We need to disperse the talent a little bit more evenly, rather than having good talent sitting on the sidelines in Victoria and New South Wales when they could be playing really well.” (Cricket. com.au)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

… CA open to ‘new information’ CRICKET Australia (CA) says it welcomes any “new information” about the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal, after batsman Cameron Bancroft suggested some bowlers were aware of the plot.

Bancroft was banned for nine months by CA for his part in a plan to tamper with the ball using sandpaper in a Test in South Africa in 2018.

Former captain Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year.

CA’s investigation cleared all other players and staff.

Asked in interview with the Guardian if some Australia bowlers knew of the plan, Bancroft said: “It’s pretty probably self-explanatory.”

CA’s investigation confirmed opener Bancroft used sandpaper to damage the ball during the third Test in Cape Town. Television footage showed him hiding the sandpaper down his trousers.

CA found Smith and Bancroft had made “misleading public comments” after they initially claimed yellow tape was used.

“All I wanted to do was to be responsible and accountable for my own actions and part,” 28-year-old Bancroft said.

“Obviously what I did benefits bowlers and the awareness around that, probably, is self-explanatory.

“I guess one thing I learned through the journey and being responsible is that’s where

the buck stops (with Bancroft himself).

At the time, CA said: “It appears to be an isolated incident but if there are other allegations we will take them further.”

CA concluded coach Darren Lehmann was not involved in the controversy, but he resigned at the end of that series in South Africa.

CA chief executive James Sutherland announced he would step down in June 2018 after 17 years in the role.

An independent report in October 2018 concluded that CA was partly to blame for the scandal and condemned a “winning without counting the costs” culture in Australian

INDIA Women outgoing head coach WV Raman has alleged that a “smear campaign” against him has gained unwarranted traction and he has urged the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to stop it.

In an email that Raman also sent to the National Cricket Academy head Rahul Dravid, he wrote it will be “extremely disconcerting” if his candidature was rejected due to reasons other than “my incompetency as a coach”.

Raman was not retained as head coach of the senior women’s team by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which picked Ramesh Powar for the job.

“I presume you might have been told different views about my style of functioning and work ethic,” Raman wrote. “Whether those views conveyed to the officials of the BCCI had any impact on my candidature is of no consequence now.

What is important is that the smear campaign seems to have gained some unwarranted traction with some BCCI officials which needs to be halted permanently. I am prepared to give an explanation should you or any of the officebearers require it.”

Raman said there was no argument if his application was rejected because of “incompetency” as a coach, but he expressed his concern

for the involvement of other reasons behind it.

“If I were to be rejected due to my incompetency as a coach, there is no argument on a judgment call at all,” he wrote. “But what will be extremely disconcerting is if my candidature was rejected due to any other reasons. Especially if it was due to allegations from people who were more focussed on achieving their personal objectives at the expense of the overall hygiene and welfare of the Indian women’s team and the pride of the country.”

former feels constrained to adhere to the culture - then I would leave it to you to decide if the coach was asking for too much.

“In a coaching career spanning 20 years, I have always created a culture in which the team always comes first and insisted on no individual overriding either the game or the team.”

He said that “paying heed to only one individual’s views while disregarding everyone else’s over a long period of time has resulted in gaping holes in the pro-

India Women outgoing head coach WV Raman at centre, speaking to two players

While Raman’s letter did not name anyone, it is understood that he was writing about the star culture that prevails in the team, which he said is probably doing more harm than good.

“If some people in the system have been highly accommodative to the extent of being seemingly obsequious to an accomplished performer for years on end - and if that per-

cess and the system”.

“The time has come for you two accomplished former legends to salvage women’s cricket, falling which things could gather momentum in the wrong direction. I have some suggestions that might help in the improvement of women’s cricket. I will be delighted to share those if you are interested.”

(Cricinfo)

Australia’s Cameron Bancroft says bowlers knew about ball-tampering in South Africa match

cricket.

Smith was stripped of the captaincy and he and Bancroft, who is playing for Durham this summer, were suspended from captaining Australia for at least the next two years.

Former vice-captain War-

ner will not be considered for any team leadership positions for the rest of his international career.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine replaced Smith as Test captain, while opener Aaron Finch is their one-day and Twenty20 skipper.

THE postponement of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for an indefinite time has made the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cautious.

Team India is scheduled to travel to England for participating in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) from June 18 to June 22 against Southampton.

elling to England have been given strict instructions to properly follow the bio-bubble guidelines laid out by the authorities.

The players and staff, scheduled to board the flight to England on June 2, have been asked to assemble in Mumbai on May 19. On their arrival at the BCCI camp, players will have to undergo three RTPCR tests followed by a 14-day quarantine period.

Almost all Indian players, who have been picked for India’s tour of England, have taken the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and are likely to take the second jab in the UK

After WTC, India will be locking horns against England team for a fivematch Test series, scheduled to start on August 4. BCCI doesn’t want to take any risks with WTC or England series and they are taking proper precautions for the same.

All 24 players and the support staff who are trav-

“The players have been informed to consider their tour over if they are found positive on their arrival in Mumbai as BCCI will not arrange another charter flight for any cricketer,” News 18 quoted a source as saying.

BCCI is also working towards making arrangements for the players to get

33

Smith and Warner returned to Australia duty against Afghanistan at the 2019 World Cup, while Bancroft returned for the first Test of the Ashes against England later that year.

“Had I had better awareness I would have made a much better decision.”

In response to Bancroft’s comments, CA said in a statement that it has “maintained all along that if anyone is in possession of new information in regards to the Cape Town Test of 2018 they should come forward and present it”.

It added: “The investigation conducted at the time was detailed and comprehensive. Since then, no-one has presented new information to CA that casts doubt on the investigation’s findings.”

(BBC Sport)

vaccinated. A lot of Indian players including the likes of captain Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja, have already taken the first dose of the vaccine. The players will be in England when they will be scheduled to take the second dose of the vaccine.

Thus, BCCI has asked England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to make arrangements for the Indian players to take the second jab in the UK. However, if the UK government refuses to make the arrangement, then the BCCI will take vaccines from India to give to the players in the allotted time.

“The Indian government has opened vaccination for every person above 18 so the players can take their first dose.

But the second dose is the question here and the BCCI is looking at working closely with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure players can get a second dose in the UK. “If that is not approved by the UK government, we will have the vaccine taken from India for the second dose. Let’s see how that works out in the coming days,” a source close to the development said. (CricTracker)

34

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – All-rounder Roston Chase and stroke-maker Shamarh Brooks have been named in a 30-man training group for a high performance camp starting today in St Lucia, just ten days after being hit with a contract snub by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The pair, along with first choice wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, all lost their central retainers for Tests, and were three of 11 players axed from the list of central contracts for the year starting July 1.

Dowrich, 29, who abruptly left last December’s Test tour of New Zealand and has not featured since then, has not been called up to the camp.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and the fast-bowling pair of Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph will be unavailable due to their commitments in the ongoing County Championship in England while leading all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested and will join the squad at month end instead.

The camp, which will be

PAKISTAN cricket and controversies indeed go hand in hand. While there have been numerous infamous episodes in Pakistan cricket, their selection policy has been mainly under the scanner in recent times.

The likes of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, and Wahab Riaz have alleged favouritism, biasedness, unfairness and many such things in the national selection. Now, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has backed their claim with strong words.

Malik accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of nepotism. The 2017-Champions Trophy winner claimed that selections are made in the team on the basis of connection rather than performance. The star all-rounder even said that Pakistan cricket can only go forward if players are selected based on merit and not via links.

Malik, who retired from ODI cricket after the 2019 World Cup and Tests much earlier, himself has been out of the national side of late.

He last played for Pakistan in the T20 series in England last September. However, the veteran cricketer said he’s ready to put his career at risk rather than being quiet on the matter.

staged at the Darren Sammy National Stadium, is in preparation for South Africa’s twoTest tour in St Lucia bowling off June 10.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

upcoming Test Series against South Africa and for the rest of our busy and exciting summer,” said head coach Phil Simmons, who will oversee the camp.

lots of hard work ahead of us.”

Several players without international experience have been included, with selectors calling up the likes of fast bowlers Jayden

Roston Chase

Shamarh Brooks

South Africa also play five Twenty20 Internationals in Grenada immediately afterwards.

“This camp is very important for our preparation for the

“Whatever is in my fate is in the hands of the Almighty and not in any person’s control. I will have no regrets if I am not asked to play again, but I would have felt more regret if I had not spoken up on be-

Shoaib Malik retired from ODI cricket after the 2019 World Cup

half of my fellow cricketers,” Malik asserted.

“We have a system of liking and disliking in our cricket, which is something that is present in the rest of the world as well, but seems to be a bit more in our culture. The day things change in our cricket system where more importance is given to skills rather than who a person knows, only then will things improve,” he was quoted as saying by Pakistani journalist Saj Sadiq.

Notably, Pakistan skipper Babar also had a fallout with the selectors after a

“We will continue the work which we began last year in England, to further develop our Test team into a force to be reckoned within world cricket.

“We welcome the good news of a rise to sixth in the ICC Test rankings. However, this is just the beginning of our journey and we know we have

Seales, Marquino Mindley, Anderson Philip, Nial Smith and Keon Harding, along with leg-spinning all-rounder Keron Cottoy and batsmen Paul Palmer and Kavem Hodge.

Left-hander Kieran Powell, who has not played for West Indies in nearly three years

few of his recommended players weren’t picked for the Zimbabwe series. Highlighting this, Malik claimed that the captain should have command over the selection, and his decision should be the final.

“In the recent squad there were many players who Babar wanted to pick, but they weren’t selected.

Everyone has their opinions but the final decision on selection should be that of the captain because it’s he who will fight it out on the ground he with his team”, the 39-year-old opined.

(CricTracker)

RAFAEL Nadal secured his place in the Italian Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win over American Reilly Opelka.

At 2-1 down in the first set Nadal had to save four break points, but he then broke his big-hitting rival in the next game before going on to claim the set.

One break of serve was also enough for the 34-yearold Spaniard in the second set as he secured victory in Rome.

Nadal will play world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, in the semi- final.

Djokovic was on court twice on Saturday as he came from a set down to

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and recently questioned his repeated omission from the international squad, has also been included.

Director of cricket Jimmy Adams said the opportunity to have a large group together augured well for preparation.

“The pandemic has made it necessary to assemble larger squads during the pre-tour phase to allow our preparation to be facilitated within one bio-secure bubble,” said the former West Indies captain.

“This has turned into a positive for us by creating a much-needed level of focus and intensity leading into tours while also allowing for players to make a case for selection if they perform well in the warmup games.

“Given the lack of regional four-day cricket so far this year, these camps have taken on even greater importance in our Test match preparations.”

In addition to training, the camp will comprise two ‘Best vs Best’ inter-squad matches, in order to provide

match practice for the squad.

All players arriving in St Lucia will be required to produce two negative COVID-19 PCR tests, and will then be tested throughout the remainder of the camp.

West Indies take on the Proteas in the first Test June 10-14 and in the second June 18-22.

SQUAD - Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Keron Cottoy, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Jahmar Hamilton, Kavem Hodge, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Preston McSween, M a r q u i n o M i n d l e y, Shayne Moseley, Paul Palmer, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Nial Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jomel Warrican.

beat Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in their rain-affected quarter-final before playing Sonego after Nadal’s match.

Against Tsitsipas, the Serb trailed 6-4 2-1 when the match was suspended because of rain on Friday, but he broke serve twice when it resumed on Saturday to force a decider.

ken.

He was then 3-0 up in the tie-break but lost 7-5 as an inspired Sonego levelled after a second set which lasted 91 minutes.

However, Djokovic reasserted himself in the third before eventually prevailing to set up a sixth Italian Open final against Nadal.

“Rome is such an important tournament for me. To be in the final again is so important for me,” said Nadal.

“In terms of preparation for [the French Open at] Roland Garros, I consider the job done. Tomorrow is not at all preparation. It’s a final, an important one, and I want to be competitive.”

Great Britain’s Salisbury into first Masters final Britain’s Joe Salisbury reached his first Masters final after two victories in one day with doubles partner Rajeev Ram. Last year’s Australian Open champions beat fourth seeds Marcel Granollers of Spain and Argentine Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 10-2 in a match held over from Friday because of rain.

They then won 6-4 6-4 against El Salvador’s Marcelo Arevalo and Dutchman Matwe Middelkoop.

Salisbury and American Ram will face Croatian’s Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in today’ss final.

(BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal

He then twice recovered from a break down in a seesaw final set to win 4-6 7-5 7-5 and reach the last four.

Sonego had also been in action on Saturday as he beat Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-4 6-3 to set up the semi-final with Djokovic.

Nevertheless, the pair produced an enthralling match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.

Djokovic had served for the match at 6-5 up in the second set against 26-yearold Sonego only to be bro-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 16, 2021

35

... praises parents for continued support

By Rawle Toney CHELSEA Edghill has racked up an impressive resumé in the sport of table tennis and is currently one of Guyana’s most successful sportswomen across all disciplines.

However, the 24-year-old, who returned home last week after spending the last two years playing professionally in Portugal with Lusitania de Lourosa, opened-up about her journey from Guyana to the city of Lourosa in Santa Maria da Feira, and cited William Shakespeare’s phase from his play The Merchant of Venice: “All that glitters is not gold”.

While acknowledging the support from the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Continental Group of Companies, Edghill pointed to her parents, Godfrey and Deidre Edghill, as her main support-base.According to Edghill, scores of letters for sponsorship, along with her portfolio, had been sent to some of the country’s biggest corporations, but she is yet to be even invited to a meeting; leaving her career over the years, to the tune of millions,

GUYANESE Badminton siblings, Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani, recently moved from Under-19 level to senior players, as the pair continue to make their mark internationally.

Their rise came after playing in only 3 International Open tournaments since 2019. To date they were still good enough to be ranked in the top 50 in the Pan American Circuit and in the top 300 in the World.

There are over 189 countries with thousands of players who play badminton.

“I consider our Guyanese players have a great chance in the future (when tournaments re-open after the pandemic) to go a long way,” said Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) president Gokarn Ramdhani.

“At the moment as Student/Athletes they are competing against the professionals and can still compete at an extremely high standard,” he concluded.

to be bankrolled by her parents; something she says cannot continue.

“As I get older, I begin to understand how money works, so I would say that it’s unfair

more support from the government, the association and corporate Guyana.

Edghill also believes that there should be more dialogue with the players, the table ten-

“Yes, some players are paid for playing for teams, but those players are heavily-funded before they get there. They had the help of their government and they had the help of their sponsors and private

want you will not hesitate, because then they’ll know what you’re coming with. They know that you’re very welltrained, so they will know that if they need you, they need to pay you.”

MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF SPORT The multiple National award-winning player met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr on Friday, and told reporters, “It was good to see that he’s listening and that he’s open to suggestions.

“I would say that the meeting was enlightening.

To be able to share not just the plight of myself but other athletes who go through the same thing or something even worse. I think now he has a better understanding of what is happening and what needs to be done for us athletes.”

Edghill, Guyana’s highest-ranked international player, was brutally honest in her opinion that in Guyana “we don’t have the facilities to produce top athletes, we don’t have the population of table tennis players and at this time I would say that we do not have programmes in place to produce top-class players.”

She noted that table tennis players’ best shot at advancing their talent at this moment is to head overseas or have as much international exposure as possible.

CHRIS Silverwood will miss the ODI series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan as part of England’s rest-and-rotation policy.

Silverwood, the England coach, was one of few ever-presents on England’s tours of Sri Lanka and India and accepts he will find it hard to switch off. But he also acknowledged the need for fallow periods amid England’s relentlessly busy schedule and said that without such breaks, he “won’t be providing the level of service” players deserve.

England’s assistant coaches, Paul Collingwood and Graham Thorpe, will each take charge of an ODI series in his absence.

“It is important we keep our personnel as fresh as possible,” Silverwood said. “It’s not fair on the players if I am operating at less than 100 percent and it is not fair on myself either. I won’t be providing the level of service that I need.

“You saw during the winter what we tried to do that with our players to the best of our ability. It’s equally as important we do that with the staff.

It’s important we look after each other.”

The fact that Silverwood will be available for all England’s Tests and T20Is might be interpreted, by some, as a reflection of the diminishing importance of ODI cricket. But it is more to do with where we are in the current international cycle, with two T20 World Cups scheduled within the next 18 months and the next 50-over World Cup not until 2023.

“I’m not going to deny it: it’s not easy for me to switch off,” Silverwood said. “I am wholly on-board with what we are doing. I am very embedded in it now. I do find it hard to switch off but I’ll do my best.

“I’ll be passing the reins on for the ODI series. Thorpey will do one and Colly will do the other and I’ll use it as my break to refresh and get ready for what is ahead of us.

“My missus has already booked us a little getaway up in Norfolk somewhere. I have got to do that otherwise I won’t switch off.”

Whatever Silverwood’s reservations about the break, he is confident in his deputies, acknowledging that both had “a lot more” experience of playing international cricket than him.

“I said right from the start I was going to step back at times and promote them forward to give them leadership opportunities,” Silverwood said. “This is a great opportunity for us to do that.

“I think it will be a great experience for them. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t trust them 100 percent. If you look at the wealth of experience that the two of them have, it’s a massive bonus for me to have them next to me wherever we go.

“They have had success all round the world. As players, they played a lot more international cricket than me so you surround yourself with the things that maybe you don’t have and build a team that way.

They’re a huge asset to us.”

England are expected to name their Test squad for the series against New Zealand on Tuesday. Ashley Giles, the managing director of England men’s cricket, has previously suggested England will use the series as an opportunity to “look at some new faces”, with Ollie Robinson, Craig Overton and James Bracey among those expected to feature.

(Cricinfo)

ingful income from the sport.

“Table tennis isn’t like football and basketball,” Edghill firmly said, while reasoning that “the money in those two sports are vastly different from what is in table tennis. Playing professionally in table tennis means that you’re doing it full-time and you can play for a team.”

Chelsea Edghill

to have my parents continue to fund my career. At this point I’m no longer a junior, I’m an adult and I’m capable of earning but at the same time, I don’t represent myself, I represent Guyana,” Edghill said.

The 2018 Caribbean U-21 Champion who also holds a BSc in Chemistry, having graduated in 2019 from Lindenwood University in the USA, said there needs to be

entities,” the former Bishops’ High School student said.

She stated further, “Coming from Guyana and treading on new waters, I wasn’t heavily-funded, I’m funded by my parents and that can only go so far.

“The reason for needing this extra help is to be able to get to the level whereby these teams that are seeing you and Chelsea Edghill in action for Guyana

nis association in Guyana and the major companies, with the hope that they (corporate Guyana) can truly understand the need for sponsoring athletes.

TENNIS IS NOT THE SAME AS OTHER SPORTS Though playing professionally, Edghill was quick to point out the level someone needs to attain to make a mean-

Priyanna and Narayan Narayan

Raynauth Jeffrey finished first in the second stage

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Briton John finished first in the morning leg (Guyana Cycling News photo)

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England head coach Chris Siverwood Leicester goalkeeper-captain Kasper Schmeichel (R) and club captain Wes Morgan lift the FA Cup after beating Chelsea at Wembley SEE PAGE

Edghill pleads for corporate, government ‘support’ for athletes 35

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| SUNDAY CHRONICLE, MAY 16, 2021