Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_11_2021

SATURDAY 6th November, 2021

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Razak tops Guyana at CSEC –– QC, SVN and Region Two students share top 10 spots for CSEC No.106537

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QC’s La Sháe Patoir: 18 grade ones

QC’s Sarena Razak: 19 grade ones, two grade twos, one grade three

SVN’s Faraz Yassin: 17 grade ones, one grade two

SVN’s Savitrie Mahadeo: 16 grade ones, one grade two

QC’s Zaynab Shaffie: 18 grade ones, two grade twos

QC’s Roshini Samaroo: 17 grade ones

SVN’s Karuna Lall: 16 SVN’s Ronaldo Khemchan: 16 grade grade ones, three grade twos ones, three grade twos

Dr. Singh: Cheap, 13 Suspect reportedly reliable electricity confesses 10 on horizon with AFHP to killing Dr Roach PAGE

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SVN’s Roushinie Lall: 16 grade ones, four grade twos

Exciting theme park planned 08 for Linden PAGE

Abram Zuil’s Anaradha Basdeo: 17 grade ones, two grade twos

Kelly Sankar of Anna Regina Secondary: 16 grade ones and four grade twos

‘Neutral’ gets death sentence for killing British godbrother 04 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

Investment opportunities for climate-prosperous economies — would be created through achievement of Climate Vulnerable Fund, says President

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, said that the achievement of a Climate Vulnerable Fund (CVF) would not only be beneficial to vulnerable countries, but will also create investment opportunities for climate-prosperous economies around the world.

The Guyanese Head of State made this statement while delivering remarks at the “We Mean Business” Pavilion at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) alongside US billionaire, Marc Benioff, after endorsing the DhakaGlasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use as part of the CVF. At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) 26 event, President Ali emphasised that there are tens of millions of people who are being unfairly hurt by climate

change they did not cause.

This, he said, is undoubtedly tragic and should not be the case.

“These people should instead, be looking towards a future of resilience and climate prosperity.”

The President said that he hopes the world will recognise that achieving the vision of a CVF will not only benefit the vulnerable countries but “will also create trillions of dollars in investment opportunities for businesses who wish to invest in the building blocks of the new climate-prosperous economies”.

He noted that these investments can be done in areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and an array of other low-carbon industrial and employment opportunities that fall in line with a far-reaching and com-

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, speaking at the “We Mean Business” Pavilion at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC), alongside US billionaire, Marc Benioff (Office of the President photo) prehensive vision.

“The CVF is doing more than just calling for this ambition to be achieved; its mem-

bers are setting out practical steps to get to a future, not defined by climate vulnerability, but as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and current chair of the CVF puts it— a future of climate resilience followed by climate prosperity.”

It is against this backdrop, the President said he supports the commitment from companies and businessmen such as Benioff who have offered support.

IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE SECTOR The Head of State told the forum that while the DhakaGlasgow Declaration calls for many things, one of its pillars is a call for the world to work together with knowledge and input from the private sector.

“And yes, the private sector is a partner in this to support the development and implementation of Climate Prosperity Plans (CPPs) to realise a collective economic opportunity for countries and businesses.”

The President said that the declaration also calls for a 2020-2024 Climate Finance Delivery Plan, totalling US$100B annually, in support of climate action by developing countries with a 50-50 split of funds between adaptation and mitigation.

“The UK Presidency of the COP26 can, and should, ensure that this Delivery Plan is independent - and that monitoring efforts incorporated are done by expertise in the developing countries and not just donors. This is an important point – the monitoring and the transpar-

ency process must involve expertise from developing countries. We are already seeing double accounting in how we are accounting for the US$100B.” President Ali added that the declaration also supports a major reduction in the share of climate finance provided as loans.

“These simply worsen debt burdens and lead to a perverse outcome and consequently they prevent investment in greater climate action….Together we can make climate action a story of aspiration and opportunity.

We can take that step today.”

TRANSPARENT PROCESS President Ali lobbied for there to be a transparent accounting process, especially as it relates to the US$100B pledge.

“I have heard various figures in relation to the $100 Billion pledge and how much has actually been met, but in my own assessment what we are seeing is a lot of reorganisation of existing finances, not new finances.

Existing loans that were aimed at helping developing countries are now converted as being part of the $100 billion pledge.”

He explained that if this reorganisation is done, a school, for example, that might have a small solar panel to provide light for a classroom, could be classified as part of the pledge.

“We have to guard against such accounting, and we have to commit to a transparent process when we talk about

the financing. This is important. What is also important for us, developing countries and vulnerable countries, is to understand that climate change is not an isolated problem. Climate change is linked to issues of food security. It is linked to issues of livelihood options and vulnerability from at-risk communities. So, our climate plan must lead to a prosperity agenda that is broad in nature that addresses fundamental needs of all the people of the developing world whether it is for health, education, food security or other services.”

President Ali also updated the forum on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its expanded update that was launched for consultation last week.

“We are decarbonising our domestic energy mix, creating low carbon jobs and economic opportunities, and investing in protecting against climate change that has already happened. At the core of our vision is maintaining our rainforest – which as part of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield, is almost as big as England and Scotland combined.”

He added that these forest stores many gigatonnes of carbon, “help to provide the world with freshwater, and harbours amazing biodiversity – including four per cent of all known plant species, more bird species than the entire United States and nearly three per cent of all animal species.” (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

QC, SVN and Region Two students share top 10 spots for CSEC

Guyana’s CSEC student with the most Grade Ones, Sarena Razak

La Sháe Patoir

Zaynab Shaffie

Roshini Samaroo

Anaradha Basdeo

Faraz Yassin

Savitrie Mahadeo Ones were announced by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Friday morning during a ceremony held at the National Centre for Education and Research Development (NCERD).

A few of the top performers were present at the ceremony and while speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, they shared their thoughts on their performances, their preparation methods and what motivated them to aim so high.

Describing herself as a consistent high achiever, QC’s Razak said although she was surprised by her results, it came as no surprise to those who know her.

She said she had decided to write her 22 subjects for her own self-satisfaction.

“I am not somebody who usually performs at a mediocre level. I don’t do the regular amount of subjects. I’ve always been on top in that regard, so this was expected of me by those around me and was a self-expectation. This was just for my satisfaction. I do this for me. I wanted this experience in as many fields as possible,” she expressed.

Explaining that studying

Ronaldo Khemchan is something she enjoys, she said that she would not advise other students to do a high number of subjects just because they feel pressured to be competitive, but to only go for it if they feel it is something they want for themselves.

“You have to do this for yourself. If you feel like [sic] it’s a competition to you, then you are not doing it for you. If you are attempting this then do it for you,” she counselled.

Basking in the joy of her achievement, Razak shared that she was overjoyed to learn that she had attained the most Grade Ones for Guyana, as her results were better than she had expected.

“I felt really excited. I was expecting a lot more Grade Twos than Grade Ones. I wasn’t expecting this good a performance.

So, I was surprised,” she shared.

Though she hasn’t fully decided on her future career, Razak does know that she wants to do something in the area of engineering.

Also present at Friday’s ceremony was Basdeo, who is also the student with the most Grade Ones for Re-

Karuna Lall gion Two. Basdeo, who did a number of CSEC subjects in both the science and business fields, shared that she chose to write her 19 subjects as she wanted to have an academic background that covered a wide range of areas.

“I want to have knowledge of all the areas and widen my horizons and be as knowledgeable as I can. I love doing science subjects, especially chemistry and physics, but I also like accounts and business,” she said.

She said like most of the students, she was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the closure of school, but she pushed to do her best and is overjoyed to see that it earned her a place among some of the

Roushinie Lall country’s best performers.

Sankar, from the Anna Regina Secondary, called the preparation for the exam an “intense” period.

“It was a rough path.

Kelly Sankar

By Tamica Garnett STUDENTS from Queen’s College (QC) in Georgetown, Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) in Region Three, and the Anna Regina and Abram Zuil Secondary Schools in Region Two, have attained the most Grade Ones at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination (CSEC).

Heading the list is QC’s Sarena Razak who has 19 Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and one Grade Three.

She is followed by her schoolmates La Sháe Patoir, who has 18 Grade Ones, Zaynab Shaffie, who has 18 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, and Roshni Samaroo, who has 17 Grade Ones.

The fifth spot was earned

by Abram Zuil’s Anaradha Basdeo with 17 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos.

The next five students with the most Grade Ones are all from the SVN secondary school. These students are Faraz Yassin, with 17 Grade Ones and a Grade Two; Savitri Mahadeo with 16 Grade Ones and a Grade Two; Ronaldo Khemchan and Karuna Lall, both of whom attained 16 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos; and Roushnie Lall who has 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

Rounding off the list of top 10 performers is Anna Regina’s Kelly Sankar, who also attained 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

This year’s performance would mark yet another consecutive year that students from these schools dominate with the most Grade Ones.

The results of the students with the most Grade

Lots of sleepless nights; a lot of studying and a lot of preparation, but you could always make it through,” the aspiring gynaecologist shared.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

‘Neutral’ gets death sentence for killing British godbrother

Saturday, 6 November 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs

“TO God be the glory,” were the words of Aaron Hing, after he was convicted and handed the death sentence for the brutal murder of his teenage godbrother, Dominic Bernard, whose lifeless body was found in a shallow grave at Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Hing, called “Neutral” was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court on Friday. He had pleaded not guilty to the capital offence of murder, which had alleged that he killed Bernard on October 14, 2015, at Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

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

Hing, in his address to the court, said “To God be

a coward and you are a murderer. If you are prepared to do the crime, you should be able to do the time.”

Hing’s attorney asked the judge for sentencing to be deferred to facilitate a probation report. However, the judge told the attorney that the report would not assist his client in the sentencing.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Kisson told Hing, “You are unfit to dwell among other human beings.”

He later imposed the death Aaron Hing sentence onto him. the glory.”

Initially, Hing had opted During the hearing, spe- to plead guilty to the crime cial prosecutor Latchmie and told the court that it was Rahamat called on the teen’s his co-accused, Staymon mother, Linda Bernard, to George, called “Sherwin”, read a victim impact state- who killed Bernard. Howment, via zoom, from the ever, Justice Kissoon had United Kingdom. refused to take the guilty plea “What a lowlife coward since Hing’s claims had conyou are. You throw my boy tradicted the prosecution’s into the grave you dug and facts. As such, Hing was you buried him. You are a tried before a jury. father…my son’s life was Recently, George pleaded taken in a heinous way. You guilty and was sentenced are a fool and a liar who will by Justice Kissoon to life never know freedom again. imprisonment with the possiYou are a murderer,” the bility of parole after serving grieving mother said to Hing. 35 years.

Meanwhile, the teen’s Meanwhile, Hing’s father, Andrew Bernard told ‘ c h i l d m o t h e r ’ , K r y s t o l Hing, “You are a liar, you are Thomas; her mother, Sin-

Dead: Dominic Bernard fine Henry, also known as “Coreen,” and his friend, Jahmil Sinclair, who were granted $300,000 bail each after being charged as an accessory in relation to Bernard’s murder, are expected to stand trial soon.

The teenager reportedly arrived in Guyana on the evening of October 14, 2015.

George, who is said to be a close friend of Hing, was the driver who transported Hing to the airport to collect Bernard. The teen was scheduled to fly back to England on November 5, 2015.

After collecting the teen from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, they stopped at a location on Sheriff Street where they ate and drank a few beers. Bernard was never seen again.

His parents came to Guyana, after he failed to arrive home.

On January 8, 2016, the badly decomposed body was found in a shallow grave in the backlands of Nurney Village. A DNA sample taken from the body was tested against Dominic’s father, and they matched.

The police later issued an arrest warrant for Hing and George after they disappeared when investigators attempted to contact them.

Hing was arrested while hiding out at a city hotel, while George was nabbed at a house in Tucville, Georgetown.

It is alleged that those charged with accessory hid Bernard’s personal belongings, including his camera.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination for 5 to 11-year-olds to commence soon

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) will be collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) for the roll out of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged five to 11-years-old.

This comes after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for this age group.

This latest decision was disclosed by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Friday, when she was questioned about this issue during a press conference held for the announcement of this year’s Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) results.

The minister noted that the MoE is currently working out a roll out schedule for the vaccination campaign since the MoH has given the green light for this age group of learners to be inoculated given the cleared for use by both the FDA and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the US. “Guyana has been very clear that once that happened, we are also going to make that vaccine available to our children and that has happened so I can say now that the vaccine will be made available to five to 11 year olds,” Minister Manickchand said.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand She clarified that the only role that the MoE would be playing is in facilitating schools as vaccination sites and organ-

izing the scheduling and advertising of the vaccination dates.

“The MoE only role is to layout a schedule and

make spaces available and get the message out to our parents and students. So, we are working in collaboration with the MoH. We can’t put shots in arms, we do not have that training or skill. We will put out the schedule and informing these schools that you will be at this location on this day, and then the MoH comes there. The same thing we do with the high schools and we are almost ready with that schedule,” she explained.

Starting in September, the MoE had collaborated with the MoH to inoculate students between the ages of 12 to 18 years old with the same Pfizer vaccine,

after it was given approval in the US for use in that age group.

According to the minister, approximately 34 per cent of Guyanese between 12 to 18 years have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, while approximately 28 per cent are fully vaccinated.

This new age range will see most of the learners in the primary and nursery schools now being eligible for vaccination. According to the minister there are approximately 84,000 pupils in the primary school system and 27,000 children in the nursery school system.

Draft electoral laws released for feedback

MORE than a year after Guyana’s six-monthlong elections debacle, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has moved one step closer to delivering on its promise to reform Guyana’s electoral laws.

The reformation is to mainly to ensure that there are no avenues for the hijacking of an election, and that any attempt to do so would be met with clearly outlined legal consequences.

The draft amendments to the Representation of the People’s Act (RoPA) and its regulations were released Online on Friday.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the objective of the amendments to the electoral laws is to examine the process, from registration to the declaration of the results, so that every stage of it is unambiguous and transparent. “This significant step in the electoral reform process is necessary to ensure Local Government and General and Regional Elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner,” the statement

reads.

Just last week President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that the amendments would be released this week, following extensive work conducted

by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall and his team of legal experts.

Going forward, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira has been assigned the responsibility of leading and coordinating the consultation process with national stakeholders.

In addition to being posted Online, hard copies of the 200-page proposed amendments will be circulated to various political parties and civil society organisations. “The ministry will also collect and coordinate feedback from individuals and organisations, and compile these for the government’s review,” the press release said.

The statement outlined, too, that members of the public, inclusive of national stakeholders, will have six weeks, from the date of the publication of the draft amendments, to review, comment, and

propose additional changes. “Another set of draft amendments will be added shortly to the consultation process, with regards to the registration of voters under the National Registration Act,” the Governance Ministry said.

Added to that, following consultations, the government intends to conduct another set of reviews, in an effort to finalise a compendium of Bills and Regulations which will then be tabled in the National Assembly.

“The public and national stakeholders are encouraged to peruse these amendments, and submit their views to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance on its Facebook page, via email, at ministergt.mpag@gmail. com, or by mail to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, 105 New Garden St, Queenstown, within six weeks,” the statement noted.

It went on to explain that the government’s commitments towards the amended election laws was made in response to “repeated attempts to hi-

jack the will of the people to choose their government in the five-monthlong process following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections”.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General-Secretary and Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at a news conference recently, also emphasised the need for electoral reform, stating that, “the idea is to make [the laws] more transparent, and to define responsibilities in the Act [so] that [they] are unambiguous, and... to put in place a set of penalties for people who may try to steal the elections... Any right-thinking person will support that.”

The March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections were plagued with a number of dramatic events, which lasted for six months, after which President Ali was sworn in on August 2, 2020.

As a result of the debacle, several constitutional officers were fired from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and currently, the former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, along with his Deputy, Roxanne

Myers, and the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo are facing charges relating to electoral fraud.

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

The Changing Face of Guyana GUYANA is undergoing some transformational changes which, in a matter of a few years, could change the face of the country. This is due to the several mega-projects that are currently underway and the many others that are soon to come on stream. The oil and gas sector is already a game changer in terms of its impact on the local economy but there are several other growth triggers of which housing development is a major contributor. The PPP/C administration, both current and past, has done an excellent job in

terms of providing a roof over the heads of Guyanese, especially for low income families. Tens of thousands of families are now the proud owners of their own homes, which for many was a distant dream under the previous PNC administration.

The private sector has now come on board. Several private-sector led housing projects have already been constructed, catering mainly for middle and high income earners. These are gated communities with amenities comparable to that of the more developed economies.

This is particularly attractive

to foreigners and Guyanese who are desirous of returning home to live and work.

Among the several new housing projects currently being developed is the Gorchum Housing Scheme Development project, which only recently was a large swathe of land covered with thick vegetation. This area will now be transformed into a housing scheme catering for about 700 house lots and, according to the project summary, the proposed housing scheme will cater for green spaces, gated and open communities, residential areas and commercial zones.

In addition to that project, another mega-housing project is earmarked for construction in the Mahaicony area. The project is estimated to be US$1.4 billion to be constructed in a plot of land encompassing roughly 1,000 acres of land. That ocean-front megaproject is intended to include 75-unit luxury housing complex, a club house, restaurant and leisure facilities and two championship PGA-standard golf courses.

Housing is more than the construction of homes. It is also about the creation of new development hubs and a new complex of services and

business. It sooner develops a life on its own much bigger than the individuals who live in those communities.

As the economy gets stronger and stronger, the disposable income of Guyanese will also get stronger which will provide Guyanese with new opportunities to enjoy some of the amenities and luxuries often associated with North America and other developed economies. But there is much more to enjoy in Guyana that are not available in the North and these include the simplicity of life and that unique blend of modernity and nature.

Guyana is rated as one of the best tourist destinations in the world but it is also a place where many people who would have worked their entire life in the developed North can return to a life of comfort and serenity. This is especially so for Guyanese whom there is no place like ‘home’. The housing schemes developed by private investors with amenities that compares favourably with those of the North could provide that opportunity so many overseas Guyanese were waiting for.

The use of fireworks is evil and runs counter to the spirit of Diwali

Dear Editor, PERMIT me a space to vent my frustration about the indiscriminate and illegal use of fireworks to celebrate the auspicious festival of light, Diwali, a celebration of good over evil, a celebration of light over darkness.

Editor, the science is clear. Animals have far advanced hearing capacity than humans. Humans can hear sounds that fall between the range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz while that of a dog is somewhat between 40 Hz to 60 kHz. The hearing range of cats extends from 48 Hz to 85 kHz, giving it one of the broadest hearing ranges among mammals. Bats sound sensitivity ranges from less than 100 Hz to 200 KHz. What this simply translates to is that, as humans, we have one of the lowest hearing ranges on the sound spectrum

and last night’s explosion was loud to us. We can only imagine what those scared animal were hearing.

Editor, what transpired on Diwali night is nothing short of a national tragedy.

Imagine, as humans, we were forced to endure hours of loud, war-like explosions emanating from these “bombs”.

Animals, with their more advanced hearing, were thrown into a state of panic.

Many animals attempted to flee the explosions and ended up on the road, the outcome, tragic. Many more tried hiding in their homes, panicking, with elevated respiration and heartbeat; trembling and inconsolable.

Some, in their attempt to escape the barrage of explosions, attempted to scale fences and jumped out of windows, only to end up with injuries and death. Some

even died of heart failure due to panic attacks. Wild animals were not spared of this horrendous ordeal. Birds and bats met a tragic end in their bid to seek shelter from this apocalyptic bombing in the name of celebration.

The human folks also had to endure the wrath of these explosions. The elderly, the sick, babies and persons suffering from post-traumatic syndromes suffered while a few had their “fun”.

Historically, Diwali is intended to celebrate light over darkness. Many Hindus consider Diwali to be a fresh start, similar to the Lunar New Year in January. Many people clean, renovate and decorate their homes in anticipation of blessing from the Devine Mother Lakshmi.

Diwali is also a time to settle debts and make peace with family, friends and neigh-

bours.

Editor, the laws of Guyana are clear when it comes to the importation, sale, possession and use of pyrotechnics. It is a banned product.

Then why are we still seeing the wanton sale, possession and use of same? Fireworks were being sold in full view of the public and the relevant authorities simply didn’t care.

Editor, there is no known benefits when it comes to the use of fireworks to celebrate.

On the contrary there are multitudes of disadvantages using them. Let me highlight a few.

- Illegal use of fireworks can be dangerous to you and to others and is a public nuisance.

- People who use fireworks carelessly, or without knowing what they’re doing can be killed or maimed.

They can also kill or maim

others.

- Fireworks can burn down houses, cause fires, frighten children and adults, and terrify pets and wildlife.

- Noise from fireworks can cause distress, especially as fireworks can sound like gunfire. The noise can also cause tinnitus and deafness, or aggravate a nervous condition.

- People who suffer from asthma can experience discomfort and epileptics can experience seizures following fireworks displays.

- Money spent on purchasing fireworks can be more meaningfully used to purchase a household item, feed the homeless or stray or it can be saved.

Christmas is around the corner and I can only imagine what awaits us if this asininity goes unchecked. I am hereby making a desper-

ate plea to all right-thinking Guyanese to immediately stop the use of loud explosives as a form of celebration.

Parents, do not encourage your children with the use of fireworks. Religious leaders, use your authority to encourage your followers to be considerate during their celebrations. To the police, I know your hands are filled but I beg of you not to turn a blind eye to this scourge.

As a nation we are judged by the way we treat animals, the elderly, the homeless and children. Let us use the tragedy that occurred on Diwali night to reflect on the true meaning of Diwali.

Yours respectfully, Anurama Ramgobin Executive Member Tails of Hope-Animal Rescue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

It is necessary to pursue an energy strategy that looks at every possible option Dear Editor,

I WRITE in response to the Stabroek News editorial “No to gas” published online November 1, 2021. I share many of the sentiments expressed on corruption and identify strongly with the statement that “Guyana deserves an opportunity to extract and monetise its oil sensibly”. But I find the analysis and premise for “no to gas” lacking in a few key areas.

Firstly, achieving decarbonisation and meeting both the spirit and the

letter of the Paris Climate Agreement requires a fundamental restructuring of the global oil-based economy that will not occur overnight. That is why it is necessary to pursue an energy strategy that looks at every possible option to get us there with existing fuel sources. Guyana has abundant oil, natural gas, and hydropower potential.

The editorial correctly identified a key issue with heavy fuel oil; the primary fuel currently used in electricity generation. Replacing heavy fuel oil with natural gas achieves two

things; it immediately lowers emissions, is a cleanerburning fuel, and provides an insurance policy from intermittency of wind and hydropower. If there are changes to the climate that affect the rate of water flows, rain and wind patterns, Guyana will have a backup plan. It’s already clear that the climate will continue to change, even if we stop pumping oil tomorrow.

Secondly, if the energy crisis in Europe is any forbearer of what we can expect the energy transition to look like, we are in for a

rough ride. Even closer to home, United States President, Joe Biden, after banning new oil and gas leasing on government land in the United States, recently called on OPEC to pump more oil so Americans can avoid paying higher prices at the gas pumps.

Meanwhile, much of the European Union depends on their adversarial neighbour Russia to supply natural gas for the coming winter, an unenviable position. Guyana should not abandon energy independence, energy abundance and the chance to usher in the

lowest electricity rates in our lifetimes for a symbolic gesture.

Finally, the argument that Guyana forgoing gasto-shore and favouring reinjection is the “ambitious move” needed at COP26 falls on deaf ears. India, the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, committed to net zero emissions by 2070, and China, the largest emitter, has made no new commitments. How could one then conclude that Guyana, a mere fraction of a percentage of global emissions, whose forests also act as one of the world’s

largest and best-preserved absorbers of carbon, will make any dent at all by forsaking gas?

The editorial cites the promise of “fair and just compensation for ecosystem services”. I call this a faint hope at best and a recipe for dependency at worst.

Countries like the UK and Norway show no signs of stopping their own oil and gas production, no matter what they call on other countries to do. Perhaps that is the lead we should be following.

Yours sincerely, Donald Singh

Dear Editor, AT some point in time, the opposition should stop trying to blame the government for everything and start utilising some amount of logic and honesty to its dwindling number of supporters. It is my view that one clear character trait that cloaks many of those who form part of the oppostition is dishonesty. They simply cannot be trusted and the 2020 General and Regional Election saga was a clear demonstration of such.

Their continued attempts to blame our country’s duly elected government, which is headed by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ai, for the increases in food prices is despicable, but then again, we are speaking about a group of people who have demonstrated that they will go to all lengths to remain relevant in the public domain.

Guyana, like many other countries in the Caribbean and globally, has seen a significant increase in the cost of food and products that are imported.

It is no secret that COVID-19 has had a crippling impact on the global economy.

Almost two years have passed since the first reported case of

the dreaded virus and there seems to be no end in sight.

Two of the most noticeable impacts the pandemic has had on the world’s population is restrictions that were placed on travel and cross-border trade.

Due to the nature of the virus and how it is spread, countries were forced to close their borders which, in turn, stopped trade. Although many countries have lifted most of their restrictions, there is still a global backlog of cargo that has affected food prices and food availability.

Freight costs have also moved from US$4,000 per container to US$20,000 per container. Only recently, an article was published in the T&T Guardian which pointed to the fact that the twin island republic could soon see further rises in food prices.

Trinidad is not the only country in the Caribbean that has experienced this. Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname have also seen challenges in this regard.

According to the Caribbean COVID-19 Food Security & Livelihoods Impact Survey that was published in November 2020, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the pandemic had impacted food security so much that 38 per cent of

respondents reported skipping meals or eating less than usual, eight per cent reported going one whole day without eating, while 19 per cent of households had no food.

The opposition has and continues to play a dirty game when it comes to the pandemic and ways it has negatively impacted Guyana’s economy and the cost of food prices but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Guyanese are in a far better place now than where they were between March and July 2020. The opposition was too busy fighting to hold on to office that they neglected the people, offering no relief all while spending millions of tax-payers dollars to create an illusion of being a caring government.

I am utterly disgusted, to say the least, that they can now fix their lips to criticise what the government is doing for the people when they themselves did nothing for the people of this country in the midst of the pandemic.

COVID-19 has inevitably shifted the paradigm of trade and Caribbean countries are now left with the most far-reaching global crisis in history.

It has long been the case that between 80 and 90 per cent of all food consumed in the region originates from

foreign countries. I commend our President and Agriculture Minister for the work they have been doing at the level of CARICOM to reduce the regional import bill and barriers to trade, among member states. The ordinary citizen might not

be able to see how important achieving those two things would be to Guyana and the region as a whole but developing sectors like the agriculture sector remain paramount to reducing the regional food import bill. I com-

mend our leaders for taking the bold steps needed to lead CARICOM’s agriculture agenda and, as a people, we must continue to support them in this regard.

Yours sincerely, Francis Benn

Gov’t’s efforts to bring relief to the ordinary man during the pandamic worthy of praise

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

Exciting theme park planned for Linden –– LMTC seeking funding from gov’t, private sector

WITH the aim of creating a safe space for Lindeners to unwind and relax after a hard day’s work, the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) is moving along with the construction of a theme park on Republic Avenue.

The town’s mayor, Waneka Arindell, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, said that a ‘soft’ opening of the park had begun in 2019 with the cleaning, clearing, backfilling and setting of the area to accommodate infrastructure. However, works on the area have been delayed until now, due to the lack of funding.

According to Mayor Arin-

dell, the Council has received some support from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) and Linden’s Tourism Ambassador, Leon Labastide, to execute the first stage of the project, which will cost some $13M. The mayor noted that the Council will be undertaking the construction of the theme park in a phased approach, as funding is made available.

Sharing the envisioned plan for the Park, the mayor said a designated play area will be set up for children, along with a tourist attraction and lounge area for persons to relax and savour the beauty of the town.

“We want to input a tree

house, and also create a social area where parents can look on at their children… Even before COVID-19, there was no place for young people to come and enjoy in the afternoon; even for children to go in the afternoons and have a chance to relax after a hard day’s work,” the mayor said.

Additionally, by the end of the month, an ‘I Love Linden’ sign will be erected at the park as an attraction for tourists.

“We started to talk about a tourism investment with an ‘I Love Linden’ sign that will truly boost tourism, and see persons being able to come in the afternoons and weekends,” the Mayoress said.

Once fully completed, she

A section of the proposed theme park (Photos courtesy LMTC)

An artist’s impression of what the Linden Theme Park will look like once completed anticipates that the park will international and local. to invest in and support the become a tourism hub, and a Nevertheless, a layout project, which aims to boost popular spot in the town, since has been created for the park. the town’s tourism sector and it is in close proximity to the “Through the Office of the overall economy. town’s river-front, which is a Mayor, we have been able to “We’ve reached out sight to behold, especially at create the layout of the site. to Banks DIH; we will be sunset.

With the design completed, reaching out to those major “We believe that this site we have reached out to the entities to lend us their supwill attract people not just to government, and the public port, and we are calling on the mined-out areas, but also and private sectors to join any businessperson that can to spend some time along the with us as we create the first lend some support, in terms river-front,” she said. open space in Linden,” she of what we have to do. We She noted that while the said. continue the call; if there is a Council would have loved to Additionally, the mayor part that your organisation move faster, the regional body has issued a call for both can play in working with us, depends on support from busi- local and international or- feel free to make contact,” nesses and organisations, both ganisations and businesses she emphasised.

Man deported from the US for drug trafficking back in court UNITED States deportee Avery Cummings, who was allegedly caught with “creep weed” and “hash”, which is a potent form of cannabis, on Friday appeared in the Diamond/ Grove Magistrates’ Court on two counts of drug trafficking.

He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and pleaded not guilty to the charges and was re-

manded to prison.

Cummings, who is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Lyndon Amsterdam, will make his second court appearance on January 3, 2022.

According to reports from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), ranks acting on information received went to Cummings’ Swam and Sam Ville, Soesdyke-Linden

Highway home and conducted a search.

During that search, they discovered several parcels of the foreign strain of cannabis, called ‘creep weed’, which amounted to 5.3 kilograms, along with several Ziploc bags containing cannabis and cannabis seeds amounting to 3.68 grams.

The ranks also found 3.5 grams of hashish, called ‘hash’, which is a by-product of the dried cannabis plant.

He was arrested and

Decomposed body of psychiatric patient found in home

Avery Cummings taken to CANU headquarters, where he was later charged.

According to CANU, Cummings was deported to Guyana from the USA in 2009, after being convicted for trafficking narcotics.

THE decomposed body of Conrad Wilson, 64, of Golden Fleece Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was found in his home on Thursday, police have confirmed.

According to police headquarters, on Thursday at around 18:40 hours, Horlad Mitchell of Paradise Village, WCB, reported to the police that about 17:00 hours on that day, he received information that a funny scent was emanating from his cousin’s residence.

As a result, he immediately made checks and saw Wilson lying motionless on

his back on the floor in his house.

Enquiries disclosed that the deceased, who is a patient at the Psychiatric Clinic, New Amsterdam, lived alone and it is unclear when he was last seen alive.

The body was examined for marks of violence, but due to its decomposed state, none was seen.

It was escorted to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty and is presently at the Bailey’s Funeral Home awaiting post mortem.

The building in which Conrad Wilson was found

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

CAPE top performers attribute success to discipline, hard work

DANIEL Roopchand, a Queen’s College student, is among the top performers at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), having secured 10 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Other top performers include Queen’s College’s Samuel Haynes with nine Grade Ones; St. Stanislaus College’s Abdul Subhan, who secured eight Grade Ones, and last year’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) performer, Bhedesh Persaud, who secured eight Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Education Minister, Priya Manickchand announced this year’s results at the National Centre of Educational Resources Development (NCERD) on Friday.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle shortly after the announcement, 18-yearold Roopchand, who hails from suburban Kitty, disclosed that despite the many challenges that were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a determined spirit and disciplined attitude, he was able to emerge successful.

Speaking about his preparations, the teen said, “It was like a double-edge

(Photos by Delano Williams)

By Naomi Parris

Daniel Roopchand sword, because, on the one end, it was a bit stressful with me being at home; there were a lot of distractions and domestic responsibilities.”

On the other hand, he said, “We were home. I had a stable Internet connection, and I had a huge library of information.”

Roopchand, who has a passion for mathematics and the sciences, told this publication that his goal is to acquire a presidential scholarship to offset the cost of pursuing a higher education.

He explained that his younger sibling is ill, and his parents are currently working to pay off medical expenses, which, he said, was one of his biggest motivators to achieving the goal he set himself.

He hopes to pursue a ca-

Samuel Haynes reer in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), or something along the lines of engineering.

Haynes, in his comments to this publication, recalled that preparing for this year’s CAPE examination was no walk in the park, but he was determined to not let the stresses that were brought on by the pandemic deter him from the goals he was hoping to achieve.

The young Buxtonian stated that with the support of his parents, family, friends and religious leaders, he was able to remain focused and grounded throughout his studies.

“At CAPE, I took upon myself to put in a little extra and really focus on my preparation. There were long nights of studying, but I had an excel-

Abdul Subhan lent support system,” Haynes said, adding: “My parents would help me; my teachers, my lesson teachers, persons from my church would pray for me, so I had a pretty good base.”

Haynes disclosed that he hopes to pursue a career in orthodontics, and will soon commence studies, which will lead him to the career path he has chosen for himself.

Meanwhile, Subhan, who also emerged as one of the country’s top performers, noted that preparing for his examinations was not an easy task. However, like his fellow students, he refused to let the challenges get the best of him.

“For me, it was taxing, since I would have been doing some subjects [for] which

Bhedesh Persaud resources weren’t available; so, much studying had to be Online.”

Sharing some advice with students who are currently studying for CAPE, the 19-year-old said, “One should have a balance between extracurricular activities and academics, because it would help you to be a more rounded individual, and help you to understand all the concepts and so forth.”

The Guyana Chronicle also spoke with Persaud, who has managed to perform excellently two years in a row.

The all-round achiever noted that preparing for CAPE was a lot different compared to CSEC. He said he was able to quickly adjust to the more rigorous content, which saw him

studying for longer periods.

“The preparation process, for me, was more rigorous than CSEC was. We had to put in more hours of studying, and CAPE calls for critical thinking, so I was more detail oriented when it came to CAPE,” he said.

Persaud said he is not yet finished with his academics, as he is currently preparing for his second year of CAPE. The 18-year-old told this publication that he intends to challenge himself even more.

Other top performers at this year’s CAPE examinations are Queen’s College’s Jorrel DeSantos, who secured eight Grade Ones; St. Rose’s High’s Alex Abraham, who secured seven Grade Ones and three Grade Twos; and Queen’s College’s Yu Qing Zhou and Alicialall Harilall, who both secured eight Grade Ones.

For this year’s CAPE Unit One, Atishta Seenarine of the Saraswati Vidya Nakitan, a private school located in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), secured nine Grade Ones, while fellow student Shivnarine Chaitram secured seven Grade Ones, one Grade Two, and one Grade Three. There’s also Queen’s College’s Tatayana Pearson, who secured six Grade Ones and one Grade Two.

Improvements recorded in Biology, History at CSEC

GUYANA’S performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) 2021 examinations has seen improvements in science-related subjects as well as in Caribbean History, according to Chief Education Officer (CEO) Dr. Marcel Hutson.

Providing an analysis of the preliminary results announced on Friday, the CEO said that Guyana’s overall pass rate at the general and technical proficiencies stood at 66.36 per cent, with a total of 9,808 candidates having registered to sit the examinations.

“Improved performance was evident in four subjects and remained constant in six subjects. Outstanding performances were noted in eight subjects, where 90 per cent and over gained acceptable grades one to three,” Hutson said at the announcement ceremony.

Some of the subjects with outstanding performances, according to Hutson, were Agricultural Science (Double

Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson Award) with a pass rate of 93.14 per cent; Information Technology with 92.59 per cent passes; Physical Education and Sports with 99.28 per cent passes and Theatre Arts which secured a 100 per cent pass rate.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Even though Guyanese students have made significant strides in topping the examinations administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), there is still room for improvement, as

Guyana’s performance in key subject areas such as English and Mathematics has declined.

“Grades one to three passes in English A declined from 77.76 per cent in 2020 to 67.72 per cent in 2021. However, the 2021 pass rate in English A was constant when compared to 2019 with a pass rate of 68 per cent,” Hutson noted.

English B, the CEO outlined, recorded a pass rate of 53.45 per cent in 2021, while Mathematics moved from a pass rate of 43 per cent in 2019 and 48.36 per cent in 2020 to 31.6 per cent in 2021. “Additional Mathematics recorded a pass rate of 58.87 per cent in 2021,” Hutson added.

Meanwhile, performances have declined in all the sciences except for Human and Social Biology, which showed increased performances in 2021, securing a pass rate of 73.24 per cent as against the 59.17 per cent passes recorded in 2020.

“Biology moved from 83.47 per cent in 2020 to 75.39 per cent in 2021. Chemistry recorded a pass rate of 60.94

per cent in 2021 as against the 71.6 per cent passes gained in 2020. Physics moved from a pass rate of 80.63 per cent in 2020 to 61.99 per cent in 2021.

Integrated Science recorded a pass rate of 68.58 per cent in 2021 as against 79.75 per cent in 2020,” Hutson outlined in his report.

This year, pass rates for the CSEC Business subjects, including Office Administration and Electronic Documentation Preparation and Management (EDPM) recorded a decline.

“Principles of Accounts moved from 79.28 per cent in 2020 to 71.57 per cent in 2021.

Economics recorded a pass rate of 66.88 per cent in 2021 as against 72.07 per cent in 2020. Office Administration’s pass rate showed a decline from 87 per cent in 2020 to 79.62 per cent in 2021.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCES Meanwhile, subjects that fall within the spectrum of Humanities and Expressive Arts have, for the most part,

remained constant, with improved performances being recorded in Caribbean History, which had a pass rate of 70.73 per cent in 2021 as against 64.49 per cent in 2020. However, this was not the case for Geography, which suffered a decline from 76.26 per cent in 2020 to 60.57 per cent in 2021.

Hutson said that Religious Education maintained a pass rate of 89.08 per cent, while Social Studies stood at 52.27 per cent passes in 2021.

Impressively, the 2021 performances in Theatre Arts recorded a full pass rate of 100 per cent, with visual arts taking a slight step back from 78.81 per cent in 2020 to 77.89 per cent in 2021. The same subject recorded a 71 per cent pass rate in 2019, As for the Technical and Vocational Education cluster of subjects, those recorded pass rates of over 75 per cent. More specifically, Textiles, Clothing and Fashion recorded an improved performance of 93.11 per cent in 2021 as against 86.95 per cent in 2020. Food

Nutrition and Health dropped back from 92.38 per cent in 2020 to 85.53 per cent in 2021.

Family and Resource Management, according to Hutson, also moved from 86.37 per cent in 2020 to 75.81 per cent in 2021.

“Industrial Technology – Electrical recorded a pass rate of 90.12 per cent in 2021 and Industrial Technology – Building recorded a pass rate of 96.87 per cent in 2021,” the Chief Education Officer noted.

As it relates to the modern language subjects, French recorded a pass rate of 61.63 per cent in 2021 as against 77.61 per cent in 2020. And, Portuguese recorded a constant pass rate of 78.41 per cent in 2021, while Spanish moved from 66.62 per cent in 2020 to 56.27 per cent in 2021.

CEO Hutson gave a reminder that the students who sat these examinations were preparing to do so at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, which saw the closure of schools for almost an entire year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

SIDS lacking support, not ambition to fight climate crisis — says President Ali, endorses Dhaka-Glasgow declaration at global climate conference

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has endorsed the Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration this week at a high-level side event at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) 26.

The Guyanese President stated that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal countries like Guyana, lack support and not ambition in their fight against climate change.

During his address to the Climate Vulnerable Fund (CVF), he underscored that SIDS and low-lying coastal countries are victims fighting to exist during the climate crisis.

“Many of us are already punching above our weight in response to the climate crisis. We are contributing the least to climate change, yet, we are making impactful contributions to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change through the ecosystem and climate services which our forests provide and through the de-carbonisation of our economies.”

The Head of State em-

phasised that these vulnerable countries are not lacking in ambition but is constrained by their ability to realise those ambitions. He said that this is even more evident by the adoption of the Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration, which shows SIDS and low-lying coastal countries’ unambiguous manifestation of their commitment to realising those ambitions.

“The Glasgow-Dhaka Declaration is a proclamation of our commitment to being impactful in ending the climate crisis. I welcome it and endorse it.”

The ‘Declaration’ focuses on climate mitigation strategies, adaptation plans and financing for the world’s most vulnerable nations.

President Ali noted, however, that given the present barriers obstructing and constraining these countries from fully achieving their commitments and ambitions, more needs to be done at the global level.

“If these barriers persist, then they will derail our actionable timeline in

achieving not only ours, but the global climate change targets. This is why we have called for all the measures which are incorporated in the ‘Declaration’, including the Climate Emergency Pact and helping with climate prosperity plans to be implemented.”

GUYANA’S FORESTS: A GLOBAL ASSET The President pointed out that Guyana, especially, has experience of climate prosperity plans that date back to 2009 when it was among the first, as a developing country, to formulate a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

In a little over a decade, Guyana has been able to launch the consultative process aimed at expanding that strategy that will articulate the country’s vision to 2030.

In playing its part in fighting climate change, President Ali emphasised that Guyana will decarbonise its economy and will invest in a range of low carbon opportunities and jobs while maintaining

its standing forest, which is almost as big as England and Scotland combined.

On Tuesday, more than 100 countries, including Guyana, representing 85 per cent of the globe’s forested land, pledged to end or reduce deforestation by 2030.

President Ali told the CVF that the country’s expansive forest is a global asset. It stores more than 20 gigatonnes of carbon, preserve priceless biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods for its people. As a result, the government will continue to adopt an inclusive approach to the sustainable management of its forests, biodiversity and freshwater supplies.

“We will slash emissions further by transitioning towards cleaner sources of energy. Yes, we are vulnerable,

President, Dr Irfaan Ali but we are not helpless or without hope. We are taking decisive action to ramp up and realise these ambitions.

But without the critical

support – financial and technological – our best and noblest of ambitions will all flounder.” (Office of the President)

Suspect reportedly confesses to killing Dr Roach –– was arrested while attempting to flee jurisdiction CRIME Chief, Senior Superintend Wendel Blanhum, has confirmed that Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin, 25, is currently in police custody for the murder of Dr Colin Roach, whose body was found in his Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown office on Tuesday.

Police said that the Best Village, West Coast Demerara resident was arrested at the “back track” route in Berbice on Friday morning while attempting to flee to Suriname.

The police are also hunt-

Arrested: Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin

ing for a woman who assisted Franklin in his attempt to flee the jurisdiction. He previously worked as a bartender and a taxi driver.

The Guyana Police Force, in a statement, said that acting on intelligence received on Friday at about 05:45 hours, investigators from the Major Crimes Unit, CID Headquarters and ranks from Region Six conducted an operation in Berbice where the prime suspect was promptly arrested and taken into custody.

The 25-year-old reportedly told investigators that he was the person who inflicted the fatal injuries with a metal object that resulted in the damage to Dr. Roach’s face and skull after a drunken session on Tuesday night at the doctor’s office.

He allegedly hit the doctor to the face and head multiple times.

Police investigators, on Thursday, recovered Dr. Roach’s Audi Q5 Sport Utility Vehicle with registration PXX 4000 at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, which

Dead: Colin Roach was stolen after he was killed.

The 49-year-old physician was one of two doctors authorised to conduct medical examinations in Guyana for US immigrant visas.

He also had a stint at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Many say he was an excellent doctor.

At his International Medical Clinic on Duke Street, Kingston, Dr. Roach’s body was found in his office by his employees. His face was severely damaged.

Franklin was reportedly identified as the prime suspect after CCTV video recordings from nearby buildings identified him leaving the doctor’s office on Tuesday night.

An autopsy done on Friday on Dr Roach’s body found that he died from multiple blunt trauma to the head.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

UNICEF donates 100 water tanks to CDC

11

–– will be distributed to flood-affected households

THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday handed over 100 water tanks to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to be used to support its response to emergencies.

According to a release, the tanks, each with a capacity to hold 450 gallons of water, were procured with support from the United States Government through the US Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (USBPRM).

The water tanks will be distributed to households affected by flooding, as well as support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring availability of water for infection prevention and control in key areas, the release noted.

UNICEF Representative Nicolas Pron and US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch handed over the tanks to CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig at the CDC Headquarters.

“UNICEF is pleased to deliver these water tanks to the CDC; these will ensure that children and their families affected by flooding

have access to water. Clean and safe water is essential for children’s health, survival and development,” Pron said. The UNICEF Representative added that the CDC is a valued partner in UNICEF’s Emergency and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in Guyana. He also thanked the US Government for its valuable support and partnership in responding to emergencies, and ensuring that no child is left behind.

“The United States Government continues to support the commendable efforts of the Government of Guyana for COVID-19 and other emergency responses. These water tanks will increase the accessibility and availability of water in the areas where people are in need,” said Ambassador Lynch. The ambassador added that the US government is proud to partner with UNICEF and the CDC to address the humanitarian needs of Guyanese and migrants.

In welcoming the donation, Lieutenant Colonel Craig said, “The significance of this contribution must not be downplayed, as it will not only ensure ade-

quate and improved water access for the households, but it will greatly improve their standards for sanitation and hygiene, thereby helping to reduce these households’ risks to contracting infectious diseases, especially COVID-19, which continues to affect global populations at alarming rates.”

“The CDC commends, and must acknowledge UNICEF and the US Government for their roles and partnership in this initiative, which is most definitely not a mere donation, but a tangible contribution towards our national and international goals for disaster resilience and sustainable development,” he added.

The donation of the water tanks complements emergency support provided by UNICEF to the Government of Guyana.

In July, UNICEF provided over two million water purification tablets to the CDC as part of the flood response, and, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has partnered with national authorities on the response to the crisis, the release concluded.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; UNICEF Representative Nicolas Pron; and CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig with one of the water tanks (UNICEF photos)

UNICEF Representative Nicolas Pron formally handing over the water tanks on Friday to CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig in the presence of US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

US$10M in subsidies available for core homes, home improvement

THROUGH the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Ministry of Housing and Water has reopened applications for Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidies under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

The call for applications was announced during a press briefing on Friday, at the Ministry’s sub-office, 237 Camp Street, Georgetown.

The budget for the two

aspects of the project is US$10M: US$5M for the home improvement subsidies and US$5M for core home support.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, said “the interventions that are being made are intended to target the poor and the vulnerable. This is timely as it is also part of the means of reducing the incidence of the housing instability that challenges many of our communities.”

He further stated that inadequate housing is also

From left: Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; CEO of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves; and CH&PA Deputy-Director of Community Development, Donell Bess-Bascom linked to homelessness, school drop-outs. Minister 118 La Parfait Harmonie persons who possess ownabuse, setbacks in educaRodrigues shared similar residents, leaving room for ership of the said property. tional development and sentiments, as she stated an additional 1,764 eligible The application forms that the ministry is not applicants to now benefit. are available free of cost at only focusing on the disT h r o u g h t h e C o r e the CH&PA Headquarters, tribution of house lots, but Home Support initiative, 41 Brickdam and United also promoting homeown- 250 core homes are ex- Nations Place, Stabroek, ership, as government re- pected to be built. One Georgetown; sub-office mains committed to devel- hundred applications have 237 Camp Street, Georgeoping sustainable low-in- so far been approved and town (next to St. Marcome housing solutions. contracts recently signed garet’s Primary School); The home improve- for construction of 50 of Regional Housing Offices ment subsidies will be these homes. at Vreed-en-Hoop, Region a $500,000 grant in the The core homes will Three and all local authorform of construction ma- be no less than 400 square ities within the project terials for repairs to walls, feet single-family homes boundaries. floors, electrical works and with concrete blocks for The programme previsanitation improvements outer walls and floors, basic ously encompassed comand other non-cosmet- doors, windows, electrical munities from Georgetown ic improvements that are wiring and water connec- to Grove on the East Bank consistent with the pro- tions, among others. The of Demerara, up to La gramme’s objectives. homes are designed to meet Bonne Intention on the CH&PA Chief Exec- basic standards that a fam- East Coast of Demerara utive Officer, Sherwyn ily can move into and af- and Westminster, OndernGreaves, noted that some fordably expand over time. eeming, Recht-Door-Zee, 2,000 Home Improvement Applications are open Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Subsidies have been ear- from November 5, 2021 Harmonie Phase II on the marked under the pro- to February 7, 2022. All West Bank of Demerara. gramme. During the first beneficiaries must be inThe ministry recently tranche of the programme, dividuals in vulnerable expanded the boundary 236 subsidies have been households, living in struc- to include an additional approved for 118 residents tures considered to not be 19 communities on the in Sophia, Georgetown and habitable. These are also East Coast of Demerara.

An Artist’s Impression of the Core Home Exterior

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

Cheap, reliable electricity on horizon with AFHP–– says Dr. Singh

HAD the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project progressed as initially planned, cheaper and more reliable power would have already been enjoyed today, said Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Appearing on a televised programme hosted by Travis Bruce on Friday evening, Minister Singh said that even though the merits of the project had long been established, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) spared no effort to kill the project.

Dr. Singh, in attempting to rationalise the Coalition’s grievances against the project, concluded that it might have been a situation which can be described by the saying of “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

“There is no other reason but to obstruct and frustrate this project… because they [the former Coalition Government] believed that it [the benefits of the project] will somehow redound to the credit of the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic,” Dr. Singh surmised.

He went further to lament the fact that although tanking the ground-breaking project, the then David Granger-led government did nothing to propose an alternative of any sort. But even so, the APNU+AFC went ahead to make a global pledge that by 2025, Guyana will be using 100 per cent renewable energy.

Former President and current Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo recently criticised the former government for making international pledges without putting any realistic systems in place to achieve them.

With the Amaila Falls Hydropower project out of the way, the then government failed to institute other initiatives which could help enable Guyana to deliver on its pledge.

As a result of the “unrealistic” and “unachievable” pledge, President Dr. Irfaan Ali was forced to return to the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, to admit to Guyana’s error, and recommit to 75 per cent renewable energy.

This, according to Minister Singh, will be achieved not only by way of the Amaila Falls project, but will see the establishment of several smaller-scale hydros and solar power projects. Moreover, with Guyana now an oil and natural gas producer, the government is gearing up to realise a landmark US$900 million gas-to-shore project, which will convert gas into power to be supplied to the national grid.

Dr. Singh said that his government is cognisant of the fact that expensive and unreliable power is not only a bugbear within homes and communities, but also a hindrance to investments as well.

As it is, the Irfaan Ali Cabinet has granted its ‘no-objection’ for the Office of the Prime Minister to engage the China Railway Group Limited to construct the Amaila Falls Hydropower Station (AFHP) based on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.

Under this model, the company will supply electricity to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc.

Abusive husband sentenced to life for murdering wife TWO years after the brutal murder of Omwattie Gill, called “Anjalie” at Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, her husband, was, on Friday, sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years for the gruesome crime.

Gavin Gill, a 33-year-old taxi driver and formerly of Whim Village, Corentyne, was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence of murder.

Last month, Gill had admitted that on March 30, 2019, in the county of Berbice, he murdered his wife.

Dead: Omwattie Gill

He had told the court, “I love my wife,” before explaining that the whole ordeal feels like a “nightmare” and he wishes to wake up to see his wife.

The State was represented by prosecutor Abigail Gibbs, while Gill was represented by attorney-at-law, Surihya Sabsook.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Omawattie was frequently abused by her husband, and moved out of the family home two weeks prior to her death.

With her then sevenmonth-old daughter, Omwattie moved to her mother’s residence at Williamsburg.

This move angered the man and he began threatening Omwattie and her mother.

At the time, Omwattie had a restraining order to keep Gavin at least 100 feet away from herself, her mother and child.

According to reports, on the day in question, at approximately 08:30 hours, the mother of one was making her way to work when she was ambushed and attacked

by Gill.

She was first hit by a

Gavin Gill white Toyota motorcar – HC 4924 – driven by her husband and was flung several feet away due to the impact. Gill then exited the vehicle and began stabbing the woman.

In his bid to end her life, the man continued the attack by holding on to her hair.

He also chopped her several times on the neck and about her body as she lay motionless on a bridge.

Moments after, a police patrol responded and apprehended the man at the scene.

Omwattie was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital bleeding profusely from the wounds she received on the neck. She succumbed shortly after.

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project at a cost not exceeding tensive technical and finan- ana-Norway partnership US$0.07737 per KWH. cial studies of the project, within the Low Carbon DeThe AFHP was first including an Environmental velopment Strategy (LCDS) identified in 1976 by the and Social Impact Assess- to help finance equity in the Canadian company “Mo- ment (ESIA). project. nenco’ during an extenThe then PPP/C GovWhen the APNU+AFC sive survey of hydroelectric ernment had also mobilised assumed office in 2015, power potential in Guyana. international investor in- it retained a Norwegian Various studies have since terest in the project, and a company to conduct a furjustified and strongly sup- major private international ther assessment; even that ported construction of the investor (the Blackstone gave value to the AFHP, AFHP. Recognising the Group) had expressed seri- but could not save it from suitability and attractive- ous interest in undertaking being killed. ness of the project, the pre- it. Additionally, the then The government has 2015 PPP/C Government government had earmarked expressed hope to have had advanced preparation US$80 million earned by the power plant up and of AFHP by conducting ex- Guyana under the Guy- running by 2025.

Appeal Court to rule on 25-year sentence, manslaughter conviction THE Court of Appeal is expected to hand down, soon, its judgement in the case of Travis Dougal, who is challenging his conviction and 25year sentence for killing a miner during the furtherance of an armed robbery in 2014.

On Friday, during a brief hearing, Chancellor (Ag) of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, reserved their judgement in the case. A date will soon be set.

In 2017, McDougal was tried before Justice Navindra Singh and a jury for the August 18, 2014 murder of Ashok Ragghu.

However, the jury found McDougal guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter and he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the crime.

McDougal later moved to the Court of Appeal with the aid of his attorney, Nigel Hughes, and associates, claiming that his conviction cannot stand. He is asking that his sentence be set aside since it was unfair, too severe, and excessive.

McDougal was convicted of shooting the Kitty businessman and injuring his wife, Shyrazadi, at around 13:30 hours at the traffic lights at the junction of Regent Street and Vlissengen Road, in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens.

The convict’s accomplice grabbed a haversack containing $4M, but Shyrazadi held on to it even as she was shot in the thigh.

Ragghu was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

In July 2015, Mc-

Travis McDougal Dougal was committed to stand trial for murder along with pork-knocker, Jermaine Otto, who was one of the prisoners who perished in the deadly Camp Street Prison fire which erupted following riots in March 2016.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, had testified that the cause of death of Ragghu was a perforated lung due to a gunshot.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

Experts issue a warning at COP26 –– soil care and health must be part of the global climate change agenda

THE importance of soil health for climate change mitigation, resilience and agrifood system sustainability took centre stage during a debate among representatives from international organisations at the global Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), taking place in Glasgow, Scotland.

Experts at the event underscored the need to include soil care in global discussions on how humanity should combat climate change, stressing that, as a matter of urgency, countries must translate scientific consensus into action.

The Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH)—created in September during the UN Food Systems Summit—was introduced at the debate by Kelly Witkowski, Manager of the Climate Change and Natural Resources Programme of the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA).

The Coalition is an amalgamation of multiple private and public sector actors for the purpose of improving soil health at the global level, by addressing critical implementation, monitoring, policies and public and private investment barriers that

restrict farmers’ attempts to adopt healthy soil practices.

Witkowski remarked that, “Eighty per cent of carbon is stored in our soils, which presents both a problem and an opportunity. We usually place more focus on trees, but we must give greater visibility to soils, which are the source of 25 per cent of biodiversity”.

“We must work with farmers in the field to find out about the obstacles that they face, understand their needs and facilitate their training. The coalition is seeking to translate the advances made by science and research into action,” she added.

Decorated scientist, Rattan Lal, who is considered to be the leading soil science authority, participated in the event by videoconference. Lal heads the Carbon Management and Sequestration Centre (CMASC) at the Ohio State University, which is spearheading the Living Soils of the Americas programme alongside IICA. The programme serves as a bridge between science, the public policy arena and development work on soil health restoration in the western hemisphere.

Lal maintained that soil has been the source of life and prosperity for all civilisations throughout history and explained that soil health is a determining factor for at least seven of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted by UN Member States with a view to 2030.

HEALTHY SOIL ESSENTIAL According to Lal, without healthy soils, we will not be able to ensure zero poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and proper management of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).

Furthermore, he argued that, “Life essentially depends on soil health. Today, more than 40 per cent of the Earth’s surface is degraded and 840 million people are suffering from food insecurity.

We must restore the health of our soils through healthy, carbon-negative agricultural practices”.

Lal, who is an IICA Goodwill Ambassador, called for the establishment of a long-term agenda aimed at restoring the health of soils, with one of its key objectives being to empower small famers to adopt good agricultural practices.

“We can achieve this. The time to act is now,” he concluded.

Minister of Agriculture of Chile, María Emilia Undurraga, in a video message from Santiago, commented that soil health directly affects the well-being of societies.

“A healthy agriculture sector will only be possible if we have living soils. Chile is promoting a new paradigm to tackle climate change, by generating actions and policies that facilitate sustainable production. We are committed to this path,” said Undurraga”.

Manuel Otero, Director General of ICA, who participated in the event by videoconference from San Jose, Costa Rica, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health, based on the conviction that it contributes to the quality of life, not only of rural communities, but also of urban populations.

He explained that, “Through its joint programme with The Ohio State University, IICA is aiming to boost soil productivity and increase ecosystem services. We are already implementing a series of science-based actions in Chile, Mexico, Grenada, Colombia and Uruguay, relying on the participation of important private sector entities, such as Bayer, PepsiCo and Syngenta.”

CLOSE CONNECTION He confirmed that IICA abides by the One Health concept and stressed the importance of raising awareness at the global level about the close con-

At the debate, Kelly Witkowski, Manager of IICA’s Climate Change, National Resources and Management of Production Risks, provides a detailed overview of the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (IICA Photo) nection between human well-being and proper ecosystem functioning.

“Up until just a few years ago, our sole concern was how to improve productivity. This was our obsession, given the need to feed a growing world population.

However, we have now understood that we must balance improved productivity with soil care and biodiversity,” said Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director-General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

For Restrepo, the key is to improve research and innovation and to recognise that the problem is the collective responsibility of public and private actors. “We cannot”—he said— “ask farmers to shoulder all the responsibility for soil health; they need incentives and training.”

On the other hand, Joao Campari, Global Leader of Food Practice at the international environmental organisation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), feels that we should bear in mind that soil is not only a tool to maximise production, but also a living ecosystem.

He pointed out that, “Soil is one of the largest ecosystems on the planet, surpassed only by the oceans. Ninety-five per cent of our food production hinges on soil health. Soil degradation reduces not just the quantity, but the quality of food.”

The need to raise awareness about the importance of this issue was also emphasised by Mexican diplomat, Miriam Medel, a representative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

In her view, “Soil conservation is important for climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as for food security, biodiversity protection, job creation and people’s ability to generate income to support themselves.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

Arakaka Village gets reliable power supply

PERSONS residing in Arakaka Village, in Region One (Barima-Waini), can now look forward to reliable and improved power supply with the addition of a $15 million generator grid.

On Wednesday last, while spearheading the government’s ongoing flood relief in Arakaka Village, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned the generator grid, and noted the government’s continued efforts to modernise the country, a release said.

“This investment shows the government’s commitment to modernise our country. Although Region One is a far-flung region from Georgetown, the capital, the government has been mak-

ing tremendous investments here. $15 million was allocated for that grid, so the people in Arakaka can now have reliable and regular electricity. This will also help us to boost our agriculture sector, too, because we are looking at the feasibility of building agro-processing facilities in these parts of the country.

With the establishment of such a system, agro-processing facilities will be able to operate effectively,” Minister Mustapha said.

Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley stated that the grid has an output capacity of 250 kilo-Volt-Amperes (kVA) that will provide stable electricity to the entire village.

“The development that is taking place on the coast-

land; no different is the development that is taking place here in the hinterland.

Through the RDC’s budgetary allocation for 2020, we are seeing the community of Arakaka benefiting from the establishment of an electricity grid and a ‘gen-set’. The grid is already up, awaiting connection to the homes of each resident, which we are foreseeing would be done before Christmas,” Ashley said.

He explained that the regional officials are currently working to determine the number of hours per day that the generator will be operable.

Arakaka is located along the left bank of the Barima River, and is home to over 500 residents.

The generator that forms part of the grid system that was commissioned last Wednesday

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (left) with other regional and Ministry of Agriculture officials while commissioning the generator grid in Arakaka

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 6, 2021

Fight over woman leaves one dead

PAUL Braithwaite, 28, of Lot 6 Barnwell North, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is now dead after a knife clash between himself and his friend at Pepper Hill, Mocha on Thursday night, over an argument about a female they both knew.

His 31-year-old friend has since been arrested and is in police custody.

According to Police Headquarters, the victim and the suspect are known to each other and were friends up until September 2020 when

they had a misunderstanding over a woman and would periodically get into heated arguments.

On Thursday at about 23:20 hours, police said that they were both socialising at Arcadia Street Mocha, EBD, when they encountered each other and a heated argument erupted which resulted in both of them brandishing knives and stabbing each other several times about their bodies.

As Braithwaite was fleeing the scene, he fell onto the western side of the road where he laid

motionless.

The suspect then ran to the Mocha Police Outpost and reported the incident and he was told of the offense committed, cautioned and arrested.

Based on his injuries, he was escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was seen by a doctor on duty, treated and sent away.

A party of police responded to the said report and upon arrival, they found the victim with several suspected stab wounds about his body.

Ex-soldier gets three years for $58M gold and money heist

Dead: Paul Braithwaite Braithwaite was then escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival and subsequently transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral home awaiting post-mortem examination as investigations continue.

Bartica man killed at Puruni Landing

Dead: Andre Collison called DJ Chappy ANDRE Collison called DJ Chappy, 38, of Bartica, Region Seven, was killed around 01:30 hours on Friday morning at Puruni Landing, Middle Mazaruni, police said.

Police Headquarters said that about 01:00 hour, the victim left his room in search of food and went to the “Two Blessed Sisters Restaurant” and made an order and while waiting to collect the order, the suspect went into the establishment and an argument later ensued about monies owed.

The argument became heated and the suspect drew a knife from his pants waist and stabbed the victim to his abdomen and thereafter made good his escape.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Puruni Health post where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

He was later pronounced dead by a doctor on duty and was escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital Mortuary for storage.

Police said the suspect is currently on the run.

FORMER Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, Keyon King, was, on Friday, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the multimillion-dollar gold and money heist which occurred at Wallison Enterprise, on Gordon Street, Kitty.

King, 32, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He had pleaded guilty to the crime last month.

King had admitted that on August 5, while being armed with guns, and in the company of others, he robbed Wallison Enterprise of $38 million in local currency, and $20 million worth of raw gold, property of Francis Santos Lumes.

He had also confessed to three other charges, for allegedly relieving, at gunpoint, Fernanda Carmichael of a cell-phone worth $350,000; Francis Santos Lumes of gold jewellery and cash amounting to $224,000; and William Batista DaSilva of a cell-phone valued $60,000.

On August 10, King was charged jointly with two of Wallison’s security officers, Delroy Jackson, called “Bug”, 36, of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara; and Peon Lee, called Former Guyana Defence “Nino Brown”, 35, of Force (GDF) Mocha, East Bank De- Sergeant, Keyon King merara.

Jackson and Lee had pleaded not guilty to the crime during their first arraignment and are currently on remand.

Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, had told reporters that the police are searching for others who it is suspected were involved in the robbery.

He had said that the plan was hatched by Lee, who, at the time, was the company’s Chief of Security. Jackson, a security officer on duty at the time the robbery was executed, reportedly confessed that it should have gone down on Wednesday, August 4, but because the owner’s family was there, it was done the following day instead.

At the time of the robbery, DaSilva, a 45-year-old goldsmith, and Carmicheal, a 20-year-old cashier, were at the business when the bandits entered at 10:05 hours.

It is alleged that they had come in a white car, which they parked on the northern side of the building before entering the compound through the main gate.

They were reportedly granted access into the building by a security guard, after they indicated their intent to sell gold.

Once in the establishment’s waiting area, they reportedly told the cashier that the small package they were carrying contained the gold they’d come to sell, and after they would have gained her confidence, they whipped out their firearms, and, at gunpoint, ushered her into an inner office where the goldsmith and another man were conducting some business.

Holding both men at gunpoint, the bandits reportedly ordered the goldsmith to open the two metal safes in the office, before handcuffing them, and, confiscating their cell-phones. They later made good their escape with the $38 million in cash and 60 ounces of raw gold valued at $20 million.

By the time the cashier raised the alarm, and the security guard on duty realised what had transpired, the bandits were long gone. The entire incident was caught on CCTV cameras located inside the business premises.

Police made a major breakthrough in the investigation following the discovery of a total of $18M buried at King’s residence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

West Indies on their way home! … as they were humiliated at the ICC World Cup THE young Sri Lanka cricket team pulverised the West Indies uninspiring ‘pensioner’ bowling line-up for a mammoth 189 runs and then reduced the defending champions to 169 for eight at the end of their allotted 20 overs. The match was certainly a reflection of the future as the youths’ performance in the match was indeed outstanding.

Batting first in the match, Charith Asalanka, 24 years old, and Pathum Nissanka, 23, put on a valuable and threatening 91 off a mere 61 balls for the second wicket. Asalanka 68 and Nissanka 51 were further supported by their young skipper Dasun Shanaka who promoted himself in the batting order and slammed 24 runs off only 14 deliveries.

Sri Lanka’s score was very challenging for the West Indies batting line-up which was very strong on paper.

The West Indies, in reply, lost the self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle for a single and in the same over Evin Lewis was dismissed for eight runs. Nicholas Pooran hit a classy 46 runs off 34 deliveries. However, he lost the dependable Roston Chase for nine runs. Shmiron Hetmyer was in tremendous form as he stroked

the ball to all parts of the ground.

As young Hetmyer was playing a magnificent innings the veterans/pensioners Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo and Jason Holder went back to the pavilion cheaply.

Hetmyer magnificent 81 not out was indeed heartening as he continues to embarrass Roger Harper and the West Indies selectors.

Significantly, it was the Caribbean champion wicketkeeper/batter Pooran and the West Indies master stroke-player Hetmyer, the only two batsmen in the team who scored runs and brought some respectability to the defending champions.

With the humiliation the West Indies team are certainly on their way home.

While the Roger Harper-selected team playing in the ICC was taking a licking, the WI selectors were again at their insular selection policy.

The selectors announced the West Indies team to play in the two Test matches in Sri Lanka.

Again the selectors did not include the likes of Hetmyer, Pooran and Romario Shepherd.

Pooran is clearly the best wicketkeeper/batter in the Caribbean, while Hetymer is the best stroke-player and the leading batter in the West Indies. Shepherd is a master all-rounder, a gen-

uine utility player who deserves to be selected in any West Indies team.

Rahkeem Cornwall is not physically fit to be selected. Jeremy Solozano is going for a special outing, while Kyle Mayers is a highly questionable selection. The Caribbean cricket fans are again forced to endure the selection of a poor team.

While we do not have a choice but to support our West Indies team, we must accept our responsibility and our democratic ‘right’ to criticise bad selection.

Sri Lanka are not Bangladesh, They have a stronger batting line-up and they have genuine quick bowlers and clever spinners. The problem with this selected West Indies team is that it lacks a single world-class batter and a single world-class bowler.

The inclusion of our world-class all-rounder Jason Holder is because of pressure. Pressure! Pressure! The likes of Phil Simmons and Roger Harper are bad news. They are failures and it is time for them to follow Gayle, Bravo, Russell and Rampaul.

Neil Kumar.

TOTAL DISGRACE!

THE defending champions West Indies were booted out of the 2021T20 World Cup by Sri Lanka today Thursday 2021-11-04, and in the process completed one of the most disgraceful performance by a defending champion in T20 World Cup that I can recall.

The knowledgeable selectors saw it “fit and proper” to send the oldest team to the tournament including “senior citizens” whom they had to bend the rules to accommodate and, in the process, excluded fit and younger players who had justified selection by performance.

It was a foregone conclusion from Day 1, when they were humiliated by England after being bowled out for 55 runs (the lowest score in T20 World Cup matches) that the folly of the selectors was way above levels imagined by any sane individual.

Gayle was given fitness exemption to gain selection despite the fact, that everyone except the bright selectors knew, that he was way past his best. He scored 30 runs in 4 matches at an average of 7.50. Rampaul, who enjoyed the same facilities got 2 wickets at 48 runs apiece and had to be hidden when called upon as the strike bowler to deliver.

Collectively, Gayle, Pollard, Russell, Bravo and Simmons scored 118 runs in 4 matches consuming 163 balls with the following averages; Gayle - 7.5 Pollard – 11.5 Russell – 1.75 Bravo – 4.0

Simmons – 4.75 These are the ‘Champions’ whose ages range between 42 and 33, whom WI selectors believed would have regained the T20 World Cup they last won in 2016.

Significantly, the chief selector ‘X FACTOR’ selection Oshane Thomas was not even selected for any of the 4 matches played and Jason Holder, who had to be drafted in due to injury of Mc Coy immediately had a positive impact with WI winning that match.

Ironically, after excluding the in-form Chase for the first 2 matches which they lost, he was included in the lone match they won and contributed a valuable 30 plus runs which saved us from more embarrassment.

Anyone following cricket know that T20 cricket now is played different from four years ago, and it is obvious that neither the coach nor selectors were looking at the tournaments hence they were clueless as to the realities. If my conclusion is flawed then they have serious challenges.

The days of 60 and 70 runs in the power plays are either over or few and far. Most bowlers adopt to the playing conditions and bowl change ups and force you to play proper cricket in the middle overs, with aggressive running between the wickets, keeping wickets intact, minimising dot balls and then accelerating in the last 5 overs or so.

Many bowlers have successfully adopted strategies for restricting big hitting with such opportunities mostly available when a bowler misses their

length or bowl the wrong line.

The West Indies were found woefully wanting and their big hitting could not save them in 2021.

Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russell looked sheepish in their dismissals with every indication of the bowlers working them out and outfoxing them.

Hetmyer after being like a yoyo in the team was able to hit a majestic 81 which could have won the match today had Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russell scored 8 runs each. Hetmyer and Pooran scored 100 and 99 runs respectively with both facing 72 balls each averaging 25.0 and 24.75 respectively. Lewis scored 76 runs averaging 19.00.

The coach seemed more interested in ensuring all the Trinidadians play in all the matches and if one is to analyse what the Chief selector said about the selection and what actually happened relative to team selection, they were either in different worlds or the coach is dictating who he wants in the team.

Either which way they should do the decent thing and resign forthwith. They should not be allowed to do rubbish, defend their rubbish with arrogance and aloofness and then when the “sh..t hit the fan” they are allowed to spew more rubbish causing West Indies cricket fans more aggravation.

Do like Bravo and do us a favour, RESIGN NOW and take Pollard with you.

It has been a TOTAL DISGRACE. Yours truly Eric Whaul.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

India outclass Scotland ICC Men’s T20 World Cup .…

(ESPNCRICINFO) - India outclassed Scotland and in doing so also bolstered their hopes of staying alive in the 2021 T20 World Cup. It was a night to remember for birthday boy Virat Kohli. Everything went according to his plan. First, he won the toss. Then he watched as Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami bowled the opposition out for 85. KL Rahul whacked 50 of those runs all by himself and ensured victory with 13.3 overs and eight wickets to spare.

THE EARLY INTENT It was always unlikely that India would lose to Scotland, but they still had to play well because there was another very important box to tick: net run rate.

That's why Jasprit Bum-

Ravindra Jadeja was at his incisive and miserly best (AFP/Getty Images)

rah began with a slew of yorkers in the first over.

That's why Varun Chakravarthy followed him, hoping to leverage his mystery spin

for wickets against a set of batters who had never faced him before.

India were simple with their plans and ruthless with

their execution. The quicks bowled quick and at the stumps. The spinners bowled tight and spun it a mile. The batters went out and gave it a superb whack.

India are now in third place - above Afghanistan - with the best net run rate (1.619) in Group 2. Now, if Afghanistan beat New Zealand on Sunday, India will be through to the semi-finals.

THE PROBLEM FACING JADEJA Nearly all of Jadeja's focus in T20 cricket is in restricting the batter. But when there is a little turn

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on offer, he starts to take on greater responsibilities. That was the case yesterday as he produced his best figures in T20 internationals.

As soon as he gets one ball to turn, Jadeja becomes every bit as dangerous as a mystery spinner. Because he has so much control over his craft, he can turn one ball a mile like the one that went right through Richie Berrington, while ensuring another just skids on straight like the one that pinned Matthew Cross in front.

That one over - the seventh which produced two wickets - set India on their

way to the victory they absolutely needed.

THE MISMATCH Scotland only ever tried to attack 46 of the balls they faced. And for all that trouble, they made only 65 runs on top of losing five wickets.

India, within the first four overs, attacked 15 balls and scored 45 runs from them. Zero wickets.

That's how much of a mismatch this was. Rahul and Rohit Sharma hit eight fours and two sixes in the first 24 balls of the chase and killed the game off in a ridiculous hurry.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 6, 2021)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

West Indies looking to lessen dot balls ahead of Australia clash

Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer defends during his top score of 81 not out against Sri Lanka

(CMC) – Shimron Hetmyer yesterday conceded West Indies’ lack of strike rotation remained their Achilles heel, admitting efforts to rectify the glaring issue had yet to pay dividends.

West Indies were dumped from the Twenty20 World Cup following a 20run defeat to Sri Lanka here Thursday, and face Australia in their final game today hoping to end an otherwise dismal tournament on a high.

The Caribbean side’s continued challenge in rotating strike was again evident in Thursday’s loss, giving up 52 dot balls in comparison to Sri Lanka’s 30.

In their first game against England when they were turned over for a near historic low of 55, West Indies conceded 59 dot deliveries in just 14.2 overs.

“I think for most teams who play T20s, (they) try to limit the dot-ball percentage,” Hetmyer told reporters.

“I think that’s something that we’ve been working on from the Caribbean with those 15 T20 games that we had. And even now, we’re still working on just basically batting as less dot-balls as we possibly can.

“Because everyone knows the West Indies team is a boundary-hitting team, if we could basically mix boundary hitting with getting singles and doubles and stuff, that’s something that would benefit us.”

He continued: “So far

it’s been a little up and down for us. It’s either a lot or basically none. So it’s something that we have been working on day in, day out in practice and stuff. And so far I think in practice everyone’s buying into it, which is a good start.

“So it’s just for us to continue to buy in and to work on it more and more as we go along.”

Hetmyer was the shining light for West Indies despite their defeat to Sri Lanka, hitting a superb unbeaten 81 off 54 deliveries in a failed pursuit of 190.

He arrived at the crease at 47 for three in the sixth over to carry the run chase, striking eight fours and four sixes and putting Sri Lanka under pressure towards the end, ultimately narrowing the margin of defeat.

“I was just trying to give the team and give myself a chance, really, because I knew that at the time the spinners were the only one that really posed a danger for any one of the batters at the crease,” the 24-year-old said.

“So with pace on the ball, it would have been much easier. At the time I was thinking the best thing to do was to try as much as possible – to get at least 24 runs off any one of the spinners – and then when the seamers come on, just try to capitalise as much as possible, at least try to get at least ten plus an over, each over that they bowled.

“But losing wickets

didn’t really help the case.”

With several stars in the twilight of the careers, the likes of Hetmyer, fellow left-hander Nicholas Pooran and Evin Lewis are expected to take up the mantle in coming years.

But Hetmyer said he was unfazed by the responsibilities ahead, with his focus remaining solely on run-scoring.

“I think it’s really for us to not think about it (responsibility) too much and just for us to go out and be our best,” he stressed.

“I think when you go out there and you have that in mind, you’re not really focused on actually playing the game and hitting the ball, I would say.

“It’s for you as a player to know your strengths and know your weaknesses, go out and execute as much as you possibly can and try to just remember the good things that you would have done and keep doing that.”

West Indies lie fifth in Group 1 on two points from their victory over winless Bangladesh last week, having lost three of their four games in the tournament.

They are only above Bangladesh, with leaders England on eight points, and South Africa and Australia both on six, both also battling for the two available semi-final spots.

Sri Lanka are fourth on four points from their full complement of matches.

SQUADS: AUSTRALIA – Aaron Finch (captain), Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar WEST INDIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Jason Holder, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr

Guyanese swimmers acclimatising well in Peru

EIGHT of the nine Guyanese swimmers who will represent Guyana at the Junior South American Swimming Championships have arrived in Peru and showing good signs in their early days of training.

According to a release from the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), the swimmers and two coaches along with chaperone arrived safely on Wednesday evening.

The release indicated they had their first interactive session on Thursday and sessions continued yesterday morning as they prepare for competitive action from November 8.

It was further revealed that the swimmers who still have to attend online school sessions are balancing that aspect as well.

Among the names selected are Olympian Aleka Persaud and the promising Leon Seaton Jr while Elliot Gonsalves, Patrice Mahaica, Daniel Claxton, Ariel Rodrigues, Amber De-

goeas, Shareffah Lewis, and Nathan Jackson, complete the team.

They are joined by coaches Sean Baksh and Shyka Gonsalves while Loren Mahaica will act as chaperone.

GASA secretary, Yalema Phillips, will join at a later date to “expand her portfolio by attending the Administrative Congress, offered by CONSANAT, the South American governing swim body.”

Three members of the team – Jackson, Lewis, Degoeas – have voluntarily self-funded their trip, and Jackson will leave next week for Peru.

Jackson and Phillips are expected to arrive on Saturday.

GASA also expressed thanks to the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for their support.

Football Federation to roll out nationwide vaccination drive today

The GFF will hope more players take the COVID-19 vaccination ahead of the busy year-end tournaments

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will start the rollout of its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today, ahead of a planned trio of year-end men’s and women’s football tournaments, to protect the wider community as competitive senior football returns to the field.

GFF will host three tournaments over the Christmas and New Year holiday season – GFF-Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup, the GFF Women’s Super 16 Cup, and the GFF Futsal Championship Cup. All participants, including players, coaches, staff, match officials and fans, will be required to show proof of vaccination to access the competitions.

Today, players, officials and fans will be able to attend Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre vaccination sites at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence on the East Bank and the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition Centre in Linden.

The vaccination sessions will run from 09:00hrs until 15:00hrs today, with repeat clinics next Saturday, November 13.

The vaccination drive will also be expanded to the seven remaining GFF regional associations next weekend with details to be announced shortly.

“We respectfully urge all members of our community to get vaccinated as soon as possible to ensure the swiftest return to play possible for senior football across Guyana,” said GFF president Wayne Forde expressed in a release yesterday.

“We are proud to be able to partner with the Government of Guyana and our pilot regional associations, East Bank Demerara Football Association and Upper Demerara Football Association, to kick-start and facilitate this vital endeavour.”

“We have made it mandatory for all participants in our year-end football bonanza to show proof of vaccination as we believe this is the most effective way to safeguard the well-being of the wider community and to support the global effort to combat and overcome the pandemic,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

NSC serves up $1M support to table tennis team for Senior Pan Am Championships

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) recently presented the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) with $1M, which will go towards Guyana’s participation at the Pan American Senior Table Tennis Championships.

The GTTA will be sending a six-member team to the event that is set for Lima, Peru, from November 13 to 19.

According to GTTA, Guyana’s men’s and women’s teams have gained qualification to the Pan American championships as a result of the team’s performance, ranking and participation in key events regionally.

The GTTA will make an announcement on the squad in the coming days.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, said, “The NSC’s support stems from a request for support from the GTTA and the Commission voted to extend a hand relating to assisting with a grant of $1M.” Ninvalle pointed out that the NSC will continue to assist the country’s sports associations and athletes in their quest for development.

“With the restart of competitions occurring globally in the sport and with world-ranking becoming a major factor in determining qualification for key events, given the COVID-19 pandemic, Godfrey Munroe, president of the GTTA, pointed out “it has become critical that our associ-

ation is able to have our players participate in key competitions and training camps as a means of having our players continue to gain the requisite exposure and preparation in view of positioning them to gain world-ranking points.

“Munroe said that this will “maximise our chances of qualification and success at key international competitions and games while improving our trajectory at key and major international competitions.”

Further the Pan American championships will be used to select the teams for the World Table Tennis championships in Chengdu, China, in March of 2022, the teams for the Pan American Cup among

other key competitions, in addition to obtaining world-ranking points being key in selecting participating teams for the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Munroe highlighted.

The GTT president stressed that will change the tennis landscape, mostly because of COVID-19, “It has therefore become absolutely critical and imperative that Guyana attend these championships in order to have team gain the necessary ranking points, in order to stay ahead of key teams regionally, so as to be able to gain qualification spots for Commonwealth Games, World championships and maintain our trajectory.”

Dozens of golfers to play GFF gives green light to MACORP Golf special transfer window tournament today

Teams will have a chance to boost their roster before the year-end tournaments start Last weekend’s Guyana Open champion Avinda Kishore (right) has registered to play today

DOZENS of golfers, including several international participants, who competed in last weekend’s GTT Guyana Open Golf Championship, are scheduled to take part in today’s Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) 18-hole golf Tournament.

The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will host the prestigious competition for the 14th time.

According to information from the club, up to yesterday afternoon, some 57 golfers had already registered for the event, including the overall winners of last week’s event,

Avinda Kishore and Shanella London.

At the tournament's official launching, earlier in the week, at the company’s head office in Providence, East Bank Demerara, CEO Guillermo Escarraga lauded the pristine conditions of the course and said that the event was going to be a "very exciting” one.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Patanjilee Persaud, called the alliance strong and applauded MACORP for always showing “good corporate social responsibility”.

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee has given the green light to a special five-day transfer window, starting on Monday, November 8, to enable the movement of players between clubs in the run-up to the senior men’s and women’s year-end football bonanza.

The decision follows a meeting with the 10 Elite League clubs to address challenges ahead of the safe and fair return of play, the Federation said yesterday afternoon.

The transfer window will close at midnight on Friday, November 12.

“We want to make sure all our clubs and players have equal opportunity to

prepare in the best possible way for the upcoming year-end tournaments,” said GFF president Wayne Forde in a release yesterday.

“We encourage clubs and players to make the best use of this special transfer window, and we hope that any resulting transfer activity will build excitement among fans as we prepare for this yearend festival of football.”

The GFF will host three tournaments over the Christmas and New Year holiday season – GFF-Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup, GFF Women’s Super 16 Cup and GFF Futsal Championship Cup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 6, 2021

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying …

West Indies women to open against Papua New Guinea THE West Indies Women will open their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying campaign on November 21 against Papua New Guinea at the Sunrise Cricket Club in Harare, Zimbabwe in the first of their four Group A fixtures.

The ICC revealed the fixtures for the two-week qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, where West Indies Women will play three other Group A opponents - Sri Lanka, Ireland and the Netherlands – in the first phase of the Qualifier on November 23, 27 and 29 respectively.

West Indies will initially focus on winning their Group A matches to be one of the top three teams to reach the Super6 phase of the tournament from December 1 to 5.

The Super6 pits the top three teams from Group A against the top three teams from Group B consisting of Pakistan, Bangladesh,

Thailand, Zimbabwe and the USA. Group points will carry over into the Super6 phase with the six teams vying to finish in the top three to qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3.

Head coach Courtney Walsh emphasised the importance of winning in both the group stage and Super6: “It is important that we try to win all our group stage matches and also in the Super6 as only three teams have the chance to qualify.

“If we do this, we are guaranteed one of the three spots up for grabs. I know it’s going to be very testing mentally and physically for the team as the games are so close to each other but we knew that beforehand and we’ve been preparing as such. I believe we have the right team combination to win as many as we can and qualify for New Zealand 2022.”

The top three qualifiers, as well as the fourth- and fifth-placed teams in the Super6 phase, will also secure places in the next ICC Women's Championship, which is expanding to feature ten teams and will determine automatic qualifiers for the next edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup. The West Indies Women are currently in Pakistan for a threematch ODI series as part of their final preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. The West Indies Women will depart Pakistan on November 15 for Zimbabwe.

All ICC Women’s World Cup matches will start at 09:30hrs local time (15:30hrs Eastern Caribbean/14:30hrs Jamaica).

FULL SQUAD: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Sheneta

Hayley Matthews and Anisa Mohammed get together for a chat, West Indies vs South Africa, 1st women's T20I, North Sound, August 31, 2021

Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman, Rashada

Williams.

Travelling Reserves: Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Karishma Ramharack.

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GTTA president Godfrey Munroe (left) receives his association’s support from Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle

Guyanese swimmers acclimatising well in Peru

NSC serves up $1M support to table tennis team for Senior Pan Am Championships

West Indies looking to lessen dot balls ahead of Australia clash

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Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer defends during his top score of 81 not out against Sri Lanka

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying …

Much is expected of Olympian Aleka Persaud

West Indies women to open against Papua New Guinea

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021