Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_12_2020

The people of Adventure Village

- Making the most of life

Secretary of the Adventure Village CDC, Theresa Fung-Ke-Fung (right) sits with a village resident under a shady tree after a day of chores. Fung-KeFung says that the CDC aims to empower the young people of the village so that they can become gainfully employed (Carl Croker photo)

6 th December, 2020

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See Inside Sunday, December 06, 2020

No. 106205

APNU+AFC spent over G$1.2 trillion ‘unproductively’ 03 PAGE

Seawall beautification taking shape The first photo shows ongoing work at the Georgetown Seawall bandstand to transform it into a major tourist attraction. The second is an artist’s impression of what it is expected to look like upon completion.

Women’s rights activist 23 survives 17 years of abuse PAGE

Psychologist and women’s rights activist, Bibi Ahamad

COVID-19 ‘breaks up’ wedding industry 13 PAGE

Sharon Edwards cheats death 02 PAGE

–– after given 14 days to live

Cancer survivor: Sharon Edwards

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Sharon Edwards cheats death –– after given 14 days to live

By Jeune Vankeric FORTY years ago, the Angel of Life was in the corner of Sharon Ed-

wards, 59, who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at Kings County Hospital in New York, United States of

America, and was given 14 days to live.

Not wanting to go down without a fight, Edwards opted for round-

Colleagues of Edwards at her side after she was given 14 days to live

the-clock radiation and chemotherapy treatment for 35 days and, miraculously, she managed to overpower death.

It was during September 2014, after completing her lunch, Edwards experienced a sharp pain in her abdomen. She had assumed it was flatus (gas).

But the pain persisted, causing her to seek advice from a medical doctor assigned at the Georgetown Prison, where she was employed.

Medications were prescribed but the condition worsened, and as a result, a referral was given for her to undergo an ultrasound examination at a private health institution.

“They diagnosed the condition as ‘gall stones’.

March 2015, I underwent a surgery to remove some stones. About two weeks later, the pain was gone, but on the third week, the pain became unbearable.

I returned to the doctor.

He said it was the healing process. The pain continued for months. I could not eat. I lost weight rapidly. Prior to the illness, I had planned to travel to New York in October that

year but I cancelled it. I had applied for my annual leave and was in my third week when I decided to tell my fellow colleague and friend that I was not going to travel with her.

But she could not accept it and, instead, bought my airline ticket and together we travelled to United States on October 27, 2015,” Edwards recalled.

Edwards had planned on spending just two weeks in the foreign land as her leave would have concluded and shortly thereafter she would have been going into retirement.

PAIN WORSENED “But three days after arriving in New York, the pain started. It got worse.

My friend took me to Kings County Hospital where, after an examination, the doctors observed inflammation and an abscess on the colon, which they suspected was cancer.

A colon colostomy was recommended. Colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal

Cancer survivor: Sharon Edwards wall to bypass a damaged part of the colon.

“I was told that the condition was a serious one which allows me to live for 14 days. I was scheduled to return to Guyana on December 24.

I remained hospitalised.

A surgical procedure was imposed, which allowed me to travel to Guyana and be back in New York in two weeks. By January 26, 2016, I returned to New York and I did my first major surgery in February. By then, the cancer had spread to the bladder and kidneys. I was sutured up after that discovery. I was told that the organs could not be removed.

Though warned about the likely outcome of death after being exposed to rapid radiations and chemotherapy See page 3

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Coalition gov’t spent over G$1.2 trillion ‘unproductively’ –– over $4.2B in advances not reconciled says Dr. Singh

AN assessment of Guyana’s financial assets has shown that the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration spent over G$1.2 trillion unproductively and abused the country’s Contingency Fund, by withdrawing large sums of money and not reconciling over $4.2 billion.

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, has said that the state of public finances was nothing short of ‘disastrous.’

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Finance, Minister Singh said excessive taxes imposed on the private sector and citizens were exorbitant; the then government collected revenues totaling $992 billion between the period 2015 and 2019.

Despite this huge revenue collection, the coalition utilised these funds in an “unproductive manner” through what he described as wasteful and inefficient government expenditure, with total government spending amounting to G$1.2 trillion.

After accounting for grants

received, the aggregate fiscal deficit of the central government amounted to G$130 billion over the five-year period.

On the subject of external debt, Minister Singh said the previous administration had accrued new external debt of US$400 million during their five years in office.

On domestic financing, the minister said when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) demitted office in 2015, they left a net deposit at the Central Bank of G$16 billion. And, after five years of economic ‘mismanagement’ by the previous government, the new government is now burdened with a net overdraft of G$93 billion at the Central Bank.

He added that if this overdraft is counted as domestic debt, this would result in an effective breach of the domestic debt ceiling. The debt ceiling is a limit on how much debt the government can have.

In addition to this, the new government is also saddled with the G$30 billion National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) bond, of which G$17 billion has been drawn down. Minister Singh

also said G$12 billion is owed to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), while G$7 billion is owed to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Dr. Singh was also critical of transactions conducted by the coalition which are being viewed as illicit because they were all conducted after the successful passage of a No-Confidence Motion against the coalition, in December, 2018.

The passage of this motion ‘stripped’ the former government of their substantial authority and reduced them to a ‘caretaker’ administration.

A slew of legal challenges following the passage of the motion and the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, however, afforded the former administration to conduct transactions until August 2, 2020, when the new PPP/C government was sworn in.

“Much to our astonishment and during the latter part of 2019…after the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) ruling in June 2019…. no less than G$4.2 billion dollars was drawn from the Contingency Fund to meet a variety of expenditure that had not been budgeted for,”

said Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Dr. Singh said former President David Granger had acknowledged that his government was in caretaker mode, but, nevertheless, ‘dipped’ into the Contingency Fund to draw $4.2 billion from July 2019 to as late as December 2019.

“Ironically, the government had boasted the previous year that they had not used the Contingency Fund in two years, 2017 and 2018,…and it appeared to have been a matter of great pride to them…yet in the second half of 2019 when they were clearly in caretaker mode, they appeared to have no reservations about turning to the Contingency Fund and drawing down no less than G$4.2 billion,” said the Senior Minister.

A contingency fund is defined as cash or other assets reserved to address unforeseen circumstances or losses in a business. The role of the Contingency Fund is to improve the holder’s financial stability by developing a safety net that the firm can use to fill emergency needs.

The country’s financial situation when Dr Irfaan Ali was sworn into office as President on August 2, 2020, was found to be in a disastrous state, Dr. Singh lamented.

But, President Ali has already committed to getting the economy back on track, starting with the implementation of measures and projects included in the $329.5 billion 2020 budget.

This budget includes a $25,000 cash transfer to every household; a $15,000 cash grant and a $4,000 uniform voucher for schoolchildren; $800 million for the Amerindian Development Fund; $5 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); a two-week, tax-free bonus for members of the Joint Services; and $150 million for frontline workers, among many other benefits.

President Ali had also said that the government, after re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, has managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese at a time when the nation is faced with the effects of COVID-19, and the recently concluded protracted electoral process. The

Sharon Edwards cheats death ...

From page 2

treatment, I opted to take it -- round-the-clock treatment—24 hours a day for 35 days.

The doctors told me there will be a lifestyle change; as I have to have two colostomy bags for body waste… at one stage, I was so weak my friends and family were planning to bury me. But I fought the battle mentally.

I was not willing to give up hope,” she said.

Sharon recounted that it was on September 12, 2016 that she was being prepared to do an eighthour major surgery when

the doctors explained the procedures and the lifestyle changes that would occur.

MARVELOUS “But as I was ushered into the theatre, in my mind, I was declaring a miracle.

I was given the anesthetic for a lengthy surgery, but what the doctors had noticed earlier for the scans was not there when they entered by abdominal cavity. The cancer had been reduced to a little ball, which they just scooped out. In less than two hours,

the surgery was completed.

But because of the amount of anesthetic in my body, I was placed in the ICU where I was monitored. When I was revived, the doctors said, ‘Ms. Edwards, this is marvelous.’ We cannot understand what happen,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Shortly afterwards, Edwards suffered a relapse and had to be re-admitted to the ICU. “I had to be isolated as my systems were shutting down. But I purposed in my heart to survive. Its four years now. I have had my last

check up three weeks ago.

The doctor report revealed that all is well,” the survivor said.

Today, she has some useful advice for persons battling with cancer: “You can survive it. You can overcome anything. I know the pain is not easy. I have had sleepless nights but remain positive.

Surround yourself with positive people and most importantly, embrace the support of friends and family.”

The New Amsterdam-born Edwards is thankful to her sisters, colleagues from the Guyana

Prison Service and her friends in the diaspora who went above and beyond to ensure she walks on the road to recovery.

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh conduits of relief include revised tax measures and sweeping incentives.

The broad objectives of those measures, which feature in government’s emergency budget, are to stimulate economic activity; get persons back to work; increase Guyana’s productive capacity; reduce the cost of doing business; improve efficiency; and facilitate growth and development of businesses.

4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Over 20 companies interested in local ‘telecoms’ sector

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANA’S recently liberalised telecommunications sector has so far attracted more than 20 foreign and local companies, which are looking to invest in various aspects of the sector.

For many years, Guyana was criticised for being behind when it comes to technological advancement but the government’s liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, in October, has released a 30-year ‘grip’ on the country and opened the “flood gates” for investments to flow in this area.

The Government of Guyana had issued Commencement Orders, fully bringing into force the Telecommunications Act 2016 and the Public Utilities Commission Act 2016.

The orders, which were issued within two months of the government assuming office, are historic, as they align Guyana’s telecommunications regime to those found in other countries the world over, including most Caribbean countries.

Since this historic move, the government has received more than 20 Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from companies which are interested in servicing the telecommunications sector.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, said the response has been encouraging. And, while

Sunday, December 6, 09:30hrs - 11:00hrs

expressions have not come from large mobile service providers, the Prime Minister told this publication that there are several investors who are interested in offering cable and internet-related services.

“I think it is safe to say that there are more than 20 expressions of interest from businesses which are interested in different aspects pertaining to the telecommunication sector,” said the Prime Minister in an invited comment.

Equally important as the increased interest by new investors is the move by local service providers to improve their services and even reduce rates.

“The rates are dropping and right away the Guyanese people started to reap the benefits of liberalisation by paying less for phone calls and internet connectivity,” said the Prime Minister.

Digicel had slashed data plans by 50 per cent, while the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) had promised 5G service while E-Networks committed to increasing 5G coverage.

The recent liberalisation ended a 30-year anti-competitive telecommunications monopoly that has left Guyanese weary, frustrated and lagging behind in the telecommunications arena.

In 1990, the then People’s National Congress (PNC) government had signed an “exclusive agreement” with Atlantic Tele Network, leading to the creation of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company(GTT).

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips It was reported that the first exclusive licence was for 20 years with an option of automatic renewal for an additional 15 years in 2010.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Call us survivors, not victims!

By Rehana Ahamad

WE often associate the word victim with somebody who is perhaps helpless and fragile. As a matter of fact, online dictionaries explain the word to mean, “a person who is tricked or duped.”

“She fell victim to his charms,” one might say.

When we think of a survivor, however, we often think of a strong person; a person with the ability to endure and overcome. “She is a born survivor,” is an often-used phrase.

One woman who has been insulted and abused for more than six years takes offence to the term, “domestic abuse victims.” “I am not a victim,” she says, “I am a survivor.”

In order to maintain her peace of mind and safety, the survivor interviewed for this piece requested anonymity, so throughout this story we will refer to her as “Ann.” Ann and her abuser grew up together; as a matter of fact, they met when he was 10 and she was nine.

Their families rented apartments in the same yard; they played together, they laughed together, and they constantly looked out for each other.

As the countryside aunties would say, “dem bin like matee.” Everyone around them knew it, but even though the crush was mutual, they were kids and continued to be just that. Ann lived with her parents and siblings, while her “crush” came from a broken family.

His parents were not around and he lived with a relative. Throughout the story, we’ll call the “crush,” “Brian.” Ann and Brian’s friendship continued for years, but grew even stronger when her parents decided to part ways.

“It came as a surprise to everybody. We didn’t expect it, and I guess he was really feeling sorry for me and we started to get closer.”

Ann believes it was a case of “broken people attracting broken people.”

“He was a school dropout. He did start working

and so, while I was still in school. In dem days he used to follow me to school and we started to really [get] close.”

Eventually, the childhood crush turned into strong feelings. The two teenagers had grown to love each other, but their families weren’t in favour of a relationship.

“My mother didn’t like him and he aunty didn’t like me,” Ann recalled.

When she was 17, the two made a bold decision to “run away.” Equipped with just a few pieces of clothing and a few essentials, the two moved into a relative’s house.

Despite having very little, Ann said she and Brian were in love and treated each other well.

“Things were really good with us at that time.

We cared for each other,” she reminisced. Eventually, poverty began to cause many problems for the couple. At one point, Brian was unemployed, while Ann had become pregnant.

“Both of [us] were worried and angry about everything. At that time, I didn’t know much about contraceptives and so, so I ended up getting pregnant,” Ann related.

She said things began to get much worse after the baby was revealed to have been malnourished and underdeveloped.

“They said if the baby born, it would be disabled and so,” Ann said. The complicated pregnancy didn’t last. Ann lost the baby. “It was a very hard thing, and a very hard time for us,” she recalled.

Eventually, Ann got pregnant again.

They were more finan-

cially prepared and despite the “regular ups and downs,” life for Brian and Ann was good. However, it wouldn’t be long before things got ugly.

PREGNANT AND ABUSED “I was about seven months pregnant and we were in the room arguing.

Honestly, me ain’t even remember what the argument was about, but he was on the bed and I was standing up next to the bed; next thing I know, this boy stand on the bed and give me one hard kick to my chest,” Ann recalled shakily.

“I never expected something like this. Like I couldn’t even react; I leff shocked,” Ann said.

In the years that followed, Ann’s “shock” turned into a norm – a regular affair – daily insults and regular slaps, kicks and “cuffs.”

“He was working and he started to go out a lot. He never used to be a drunkard or anything, but he started to go out and sport and come home whenever he felt like and so. I couldn’t say anything,” Ann said.

The young woman recalled that any time she objected to her husband’s lifestyle, her punishment would come in the form of heightened abuse. Apart from the physical abuse, Ann said she also suffered years of emotional trauma as well.

“After my baby was born, I gained some weight and he used to always be telling me that I look ugly and making me feel bad about myself…cussing me about my stretch marks and so. He used to always tell me that he is the only man who would ever want me

and at that time, I used to believe,” Ann related.

“At one time, I didn’t even go to the clinic to get my son vaccinated, because my skin was always black and blue,” Ann recalled.

The day she finally mustered courage to cover up her bruises and go to the clinic, was the day a nurse decided to scold her for her “carelessness and neglect.”

“She started shouting at me for not taking the child to get the vaccines and like I was going through so much that day, I just break down and start to cry,” Ann told this newspaper.

Even though Ann’s situation had worsened, she was too embarrassed to seek help.

“I ran away. My mother warned me and said that one day I gon gotto run back to her, so I didn’t want to let her know. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction,” Ann explained.

It took a few years before the battered and bruised young woman reached her breaking point. It wasn’t due to her abuse; it was because her son had also become his father’s target.

“He would come home, sometimes drunk and when something bothering him, he would play like he play-fighting with the child and he would hit this child hard.”

The young mother then recalled the incident that changed her life forever.

“It was when he pulled a knife and put it to my child neck. That was it for me. That was when I really mek up my mind that this can’t go on,” Ann told this newspaper.

She said the incident stemmed from a conversation she had with her husband, when she signalled her intention to leave the relationship.

“I know he had a hard life, and we had a hard life together too, and I really care for him, so I didn’t just want to leave him just like that, so I started to give him hints and so.”

On the day of the incident, Ann said she told her abuser directly that she had reached a breaking point

and was no longer prepared to stay in an abusive relationship.

“When I tell he, he laughed and walked into the kitchen. I wasn’t really worried. Next thing I know, he grabbed my child and put a knife to the child neck.

He asked me where I think I going, and if I really feel I could leave,” an emotional Ann reflected.

THE ESCAPE PLAN It wasn’t long after that when Ann started to craft her “get out” plan.

She had a good job and started to save money to ensure that she had the means of taking care of herself and her son.

“That was when I finally started to reach out to people, and a lady I knew offered me a place. I am a person, I don’t like asking for help, so I made sure I had money and so to pay a rent,” Ann noted.

After all was in place, the young mother made her move.

“A morning before he left for work, I just give he a kiss and tell he that I love he. When he gone, I call the canter right away and I throw all my stuff in some garbage bags. I didn’t take any of the things that we buy together.

I just took my things; the things that I bought with my money,” Ann said.

The move was successful, but Ann was still not safe. Brian showed up to her place of employment where he threatened to kill himself if she didn’t return.

“Even though I care for him and so, I couldn’t go back. After the things that he did to my child and so, I couldn’t put my child back into that situation,” Ann asserted.

To get him to leave, Ann

pursued legal action and took out a restraining order against her abuser.

She is still a little fearful, but Ann says that she is happy and determined to raise her son to be better than who his father was.

MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE Ann’s advice to women like herself is to maintain independence.

“When an abusive man buying everything and got to provide everything for you, he would use that to control you. The first thing to do is understand that you don’t deserve whatever he is making you think you deserve. You deserve better, and you have to give yourself better, so try to get a job and streamline yourself,” Ann encouraged.

She also advised women to confide in people, “family, friends, strangers…anybody. People are going to help.”

CALL US SURVIVORS! Reflecting on her journey, Ann said she has always been annoyed by the fact that survivors of domestic abuse are referred to as “victims.”

“We are not victims,” she said, “I have never seen myself as being fragile, or weak. I am a strong woman. I survived an abusive man. I SURVIVED that, so I want them to call us survivors, not victims!” Ann demanded.

Ann told her story just as Guyana and the rest of the world observe 16 Days of Activism in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

6

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Visionary leadership GUYNANESE wake up every day these days to an inspiring, motivating and encouraging socioeconomic agenda from their government. Government policies today implement a beautiful balance between taking care of the social concerns of citizens, while rolling out a visionary, futuristic economic framework. It’s a dynamic leadership agenda of intelligence, good conscience and good governance, and utmost care for the welfare of Guyanese of every stripe.

This last week, President Irfaan Ali outlined a solid, progressive, forward-thinking policy framework in three crucial areas. This good news cycle this week showcases how engaged the government is in unfolding a future for Guyana that truly embodies the legendary potential of the Guyanese nation to be one of the best societies in the 21st Century global village.

Every Guyanese would be walking tall these days, not only because the President Ali Government erased the damaging and myopic policies of the Coalition, but now everybody is benefiting from the State embarking on a rapid, urgent, immediate relief package for every citizen, and simultaneously opening new ground-breaking opportunities.

The three new initiatives this past week demonstrate how committed President Ali is to Guyana becoming the best country it could be.

The President gave a futuristic, open, confident speech at the launching of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, an international business organisation to foster cooperation between Guyana and Canada. President Ali also announced the wonderful news that he has invited every past president to hold a confab with him this month. And in both his addresses at the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association and the Chamber of Commerce, the President emphasised increasing Guyana’s trade links with the Caribbean and North

America.

Guyana could only benefit from a Chamber of Commerce networking business and investment concerns in Canada with their local counterparts. Canadian-Guyanese business tycoons offer a lot to their homeland, ranging from international connections to access to training and world-class know-how. Canada today leads the world as a global technology hub, and the ‘tech’ start-up scene in Toronto is second to none.

In fact, a lot of American start-up gurus now play big in Ontario. One can look forward to the day when Guyana and Canada would develop a Free Trade Agreement, and when Canadian-Guyanese would play a big role in transferring knowledge and expertise in the innovation start-up sector, the entertainment sector, where world-class movies and documentaries could be produced in Guyana, and even the establishment of a strong national research and development industry. In all these areas, Canada excels on the world stage.

Canada could become the conduit through which Guyana learns how to play big on the global stage. This new business organisation could become the highway for a transfer of knowledge and experience and technologies.

In his address at the launch, President Ali underlined the importance that Government places on Guyana’s human capital as the most important resource the country embodies.

Developing the Guyanese human capital pool is, in fact, the single most important factor in achieving the Guyana Dream of propelling forward to the nation’s potential.

Canada could make this happen fast, especially given Government’s agreement with the University of the West Indies to train 20,000 Guyanese, and with the hundreds of new experts the oil-and-gas industry is making happen, with talented locals travelling to Canada for training, and returning to take up

key roles in Guyana.

But President Ali went even beyond this brilliant development of establishing a Canada-Guyana corridor, with the announcement that he will meet with all Past Presidents to hold a conversation on how they could play a role in shaping the new Guyanese future.

This move mirrors the initiative of Nelson Mandela to form a global organisation of outstanding past heads of state, called The Elders.

Today, the Elders is a distinguished wisdom group of influential former heads of state, and this group oversees the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, the 17 goals that target the year 2030 as the time when humanity would achieve full global human rights.

The Elders serve as a kind of wisdom pool for global humanity. How amazing that the youthful President Ali sees merit in the idea that he could tap into the experience, ideas, knowledge, and human capital of Guyana’s top citizens, its past top leaders! His including Brigadier David Granger in the pool, a man who himself has exceptional personal achievements, President Ali shows his magnanimous, open, genuine approach to governing: Every Guyanese matters. Were these past presidents to form a national advisory, visionary, consultancy kind of body to lend their elder statesman status to the task of advancing to the future, the country would become a shining example to the world of national unity, respect for the wisdom of elders, and an inspiration to all Guyanese that truly Guyana could be one nation, working towards one destiny.

These internal happenings pave the way for the internationalist approach of the Government since taking office. President Ali said that Guyanese business tycoons must look to the Caribbean and North America to expand business operations; not focus on dominating local markets only.

Indeed, head of the Government’s In-

President Ali’s approval rating at 72 per cent

IT is just over four months since President Irfaan Ali was sworn in on August 2. A poll being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) reveals very high ratings for Ali and his government on their performance.

They are among the highest ratings for a President since surveys were conducted going back to the 1980s, when the country was reeling from mass poverty and near starvation-like conditions.

The latest poll conducted from November 8 to coincide with first 100 days in office, through now, shows that Guyanese of all ethnicities are very satisfied with the performance of the Aliled administration. Respondents express a lot of confidence in the administration to rebuild the wrecked economy inherited from the APNU-led coalition.

It is generally felt that if what took place

over the last 17 weeks is a harbinger of what is to come, the country is expected to make significant progress over the rest of the PPP five-year tenure resulting from the last election.

The ongoing poll is being conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram, who has been doing field research in Guyana going back to the 1980s.

Guyanese were asked a number of questions relating to current issues. The survey interviewed 600 respondents (41 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 18 per cent Mixed, 10 per cent Amerindians, and one per cent others) to reflect the demographic composition of the population.

Polling data and interviews with respondents suggest that there is optimism in the future of the country under this administration. Not only are the government the President doing well in their approval ratings, but people’s lives are also improving through government initiatives, grants, and prompt responses to complaints.

vestment, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop has already outlined plans to open free trade zones along the borders with Brazil and Suriname. This would tap into historical cross-border trade that has already been going on. In the investment meetings held with visiting Middle Eastern wealth managers, and with ongoing major cooperation with the US, Canada, Britain and the EU through the ABCE group, Government is well set to establish Guyana into a network of global trading partners.

People in every country in this world want to feel confidence in their Government, that policies and programmes and projects would propel them to a future of peace and prosperity. Isn’t it amazing to look at this country today, and see that Guyana is blessed with such a direction; that the State is establishing a path to the future that inspires, motivates, and encourages citizens to dream big and aim high, and know that Guyana is rising to be a global success story?

This country is so peaceful, with no threatening natural disaster. There’s no internal strife. There’s an exemplary showcase of ethnic, religious and cultural togetherness, of a society that is a mecca of tolerance and multiculturalism. People are starting to flock the shores of this land, from Venezuela, Haiti, the Caribbean. And Guyanese welcome them and care for them and show them humane compassion.

It is heartening to see that the State is establishing the way for the Guyanese character to rise and play a role on the global stage. With the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, with the past Presidents playing the role of elder statesmen, with an expansionist outlook for Guyana to play big in the Caribbean and North America, Guyanese can look up, stand tall, and be thankful for the future now unfolding.

― Nandlall most popular minister, poll finds

People condemn the attempt to rig the outcome of the March 2020 elections and feel that GECOM must be cleansed of attempted riggers. They are supportive of prosecuting those involved in rigging. They want GECOM to be reformed and cleansed to prevent future rigging.

Respondents also overwhelmingly condemn the racial violence in West Berbice and those political figures behind it.

The Ali government has seized the opportunity right after being sworn in, grounding with the people and addressing their basic needs. The President quickly set the direction of the new government. He has accomplished most of his 100 day promises. People are very supportive of the President’s decision to take government to the people and of interacting with communities.

Ministers are grounding with the people, something that was missing among most ministers under the coalition and the public applauds

this initiative.

Respondents describe the government’s performance as superior to the preceding coalition.

Many who did not vote for the PPP welcome the change in government that took place on August 2, because of the progress being made since then and they also condemn those previous ministers and bureaucrats who attempted to steal the elections. They praise the U.S. involvement to protect the outcome of the elections, and they overwhelmingly approve of the visit to Guyana by the American Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

They support closer relations with America, saying it will bring development and progress to the country. Some even say Guyana should enter into an alliance with America.

They also express support for the reopening TURN TO PAGE 7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

7

The carnage on the roads is disconcerting Dear Editor,

RECENTLY, there has been a massive increase in traffic accidents which has resulted in a substantial upsurge in fatality on our highways. The nation has not been able to come to grips with the fact that since the turn of the century, traffic fatalities have been on a constant increase every year. For example, statistics released by the Traffic Department revealed that fatalities on Guyana’s roadways have increased by some 42 per cent during the period January 1, 2020 to September 14, 2020, compared to an increase of 37 per cent during the same period in 2019.

Data obtained from the police show that motorcyclists are the victims for a large number of traffic deaths and that the killings on our highways occur mostly on weekends. On an annual average, there has been 117 traffic accidents that have resulted in 133 deaths between 2005 and 2018, which means that there has been at least one traffic death for every traffic accident. The World Health Organisation estimates that in terms of traffic deaths, Guyana ranks 94th in the world with 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 population.

The influx of approximately 10,000 modern, computerised vehicles annually into Guyana has placed severe strain on the country’s roads, which in turn has led to a steep rise in traffic infractions and deaths. Governments -- past

and present-- have been unable to cope with the rapid increase of vehicles and have failed to institute safeguards on the highways to curb the horrific numbers of road accidents, some of which have led to deaths and permanent disability.

Most traffic accidents are caused by inebriated and reckless drivers who normally leave the scene of accidents so as to avoid breathalyzer tests, charges of causing death by motor vehicles and the suspension of their drivers’ licences. Legislation to punish errant drivers and motor cyclists by imposing and mandating the use of safety devices such as seat belts and safety helmets is already in place, but in many cases, they are not being enforced by the police.

Carnage on the roads in Guyana has reached crisis proportions and it seems that there is no end in sight. Almost every day, someone is killed or maimed in a traffic accident. If this trend continues, there is no telling what will happen. Road fatalities continue to devastate the country and its people. It has become a major problem and is wreaking havoc on the lives of those who have to cope with the pain and the loss of loved ones.

In recent times, mostly youths have been the victims, struck down in some cases by inexperienced drivers and in others, by drunk and speeding drivers. Most drivers do not show even the slightest remorse for their roles in the mayhem as their vehicles have become killing

machines.

The mayhem on our roads continues unabated and there seems to be no comprehensive strategy to combat it and ease the suffering.

Hardly a day passes without heartbreaking messages being conveyed to families about the death of their loved ones. It may sound repetitive, but there are too many reckless and drunk drivers on our roads.

How much more can people take before a solution is found? Nothing seems to guarantee safety on the roads today. Very few drivers obey the rules and speed limits, and they seem not to care for their own lives, much less the lives of others. How many more will have to die before the slaughter on the roads ends. What kind of society we have become? It seems that the police have given up on saving lives on our roads as traffic fatalities have become an epidemic in the country.

Plans must be developed to deal with what is arguably one of the most unsettling problems facing the nation. The carnage on the roads is disconcerting. Meaningful intervention is urgently needed to make the roads safer, end the fatalities and the pain and suffering of the people.

Drivers, young and old, male and female, should be properly trained to accept the responsibility which comes with being behind the wheel of a vehicle. They need to know that the road system comprises four elements:

President Ali’s approval ... of GuySuCo, praising the PPP for honouring a manifesto promise that would create jobs and lead to greater circulation of money, while also boosting economic growth. But on Exxon, they would have liked for the oil contract to be re-visited.

They welcome the oil exploration and investment, but feel that Guyana deserves more than two per cent royalty. They blame the APNU-led coalition for what they describe as a blunder in the contract negotiation. The nation overwhelmingly feels that the nation has been deprived of a fair amount of royalty. They say it was a poor deal. “We didn’t bargain for right amount,” aptly described the national view.

Asked to identify the most serious problems facing the government, uppermost in people’s minds are crime, COVID and the economy (cost of living and joblessness) followed by race relations, the infrastructure, agriculture, health and political instability, among others. They feel that government needs to do more on the crime front.

A large majority of respondents are thankful that the coalition is gone, describing it as a burden on the backs of the working class and poor, taxing people on almost everything, and lack of accountability. They praise the government for being very active in the fight against COVID and on health care. Almost everyone praises the PPP for the $25K COVID grant per household.

The ministers are saluted for being out front on issues pertaining to housing, education, the infrastructure, information, forestry, mining, oil, gas, agriculture, local government, and other matters that are critical to an improved lifestyle, growth, and job creation. People feel their lives are getting better since the change in administration. They support the re-opening of sugar estates to boost the economy and to create jobs.

The President has a very high approval rating (72 per cent), bettering that of his government (69 per cent). The poll has a margin of error of four per cent. The President has one of the lowest disapproval ratings in history, bettering predecessors by far – an indication of how supportive people are of the President at this time. The Opposition Leader Joe Harmon, trails in ratings.

All of the ministers have been praised for their activism and performance. Almost everyone describes Attorney General Anil Nandlall as “The Best” or “Most Outstanding” minister. Some other ministers also came in for special praise for interacting with the public: Collin Croal, Zulfikar Mustapha, Susan Rodrigues, Nigel Dharamlall, Deodat Indar, Vickram Bharrat, Vindya Persaud, Joe Hamilton, Frank Anthony and Bishop Edghill, among others.

The Ministry of Information also came in for kudos for public disclosure of government undertakings and for the professional manner in which state media are managed.

Respondents say Attorney General Nandlall and Timothy Jonas are deserving of Silk (Senior Counsel) status. They were outstanding during the legal battle against the electoral fraud and in explaining the election legalese lingo to the public.

Overall, people say they are impressed with how much President Ali has learned and accomplished in his first four months in office. But they advise that he does not ease up on his performance, as much work remains to be done.

APPROVAL RATING OF GOVERNMENT

approve 69

Disapp 19

No Rating 12

The poll has a margin of error of 4%.

APPROVAL RATING OF PRESIDENT ALI

approve Disapp 72 18

No Rating 10

approve Disapp 40 51

No Rating 09

Yes 59

Not Sup 12

No Resp 15

DO YOU APPROVE OF THE BUDGET?

Yes 81

No 11

Not Sure 08

ARE YOU BETTER OFF TODAY THEN YOU WERE UNDER THE COALITION?

Yes 62 Yes 71 Yes

No 24

No Resp 14

DO YOU SUPPORT THE RE-OPENING OF CLOSED SUGAR ESTATES?

No 20

Not Sure 09

DO YOU APPROVE OF GOVT’S HANDLING OF COVID?

No

Not Sure

TURN FROM PAGE 6

12

06

ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THE $25K GRANT TO HOUSEHOLD?

No 02

Not Sure 04

No 22

Not Sure 19

DO YOU THINK LGES WILL BE FREE AND FAIR IF RIGGING ACCUSED REMAIN IN THEIR POSITIONS?

SUPPORT FOR SENIOR COUNSEL FOR NANDLALL & JONAS

Support 73

Yes 94

Yours sincerely, Leyland Roopnarine

DO YOU THINK THE ELECTION OFFICERS BEFORE THE COURT FOR, OR WHO WERE INVOLVED IN ELECTORAL FRAUD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM GECOM?

APPROVAL RATING OF OPP LEADER JOE HARMON

82

(i) the roads (ii) vehicles and (iii) drivers and pedestrians. They interact with each other and sometimes with other external elements such as animals and the weather; therefore it is important for drivers to understand the nature of this interaction and the likelihood and severity of risks associated with them, if the rules are not followed.

Some have argued that drivers are not the only ones to blame for the traffic fatalities.

Unfortunately, this is true because many of our roads and highways suffer from poor-quality pavement surface, narrow lanes, poor signage and lane demarcation, illegal lane changes and the proper street lighting required for night-driving.

Law-enforcement officials have apparently done all they can so far, but they have not been able to reduce the spate of accidents and fatalities on the roads. While those in authority talk about curbing traffic fatalities, lives are still being lost daily on our roads. The roads have been and continue to be the country’s death chamber. How many more lives can we afford to lose in this manner? Traffic accidents have become the new pandemic in Guyana. However, it is not beyond us to end the human slaughter on the roads. Our society is a small one and should be manageable.

Yes 23 Yes 80

No 62

Not Sure 15

SHOULD GECOM BE REFORMED BEFORE NEXT LGES?

No 12

Not Sure 08

DO YOU SUPPORT U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN 2020 ELECTIONS TO SECURE THE RIGHT WINNER?

Yes 86

No 09

Not Sure 05

DO YOU APPROVE OF U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO’S TRIP TO GUYANA?

Yes 84

No 11

Not Sure 05

DO YOU THINK EXXON’S OIL CONTRACT SHOULD BE RE-VISITED FOR MORE THAN 2% ROYALTY?

Yes 91

No 04

Not Sure 05

DO YOU APPROVE OF THE GRANTING OF LICENCE TO EXXON FOR PAYARA DEVELOPMENT?

Yes 31

No 46

Not Sure 23

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Seawall vendors call for uniformity

… as beautification project takes shape

By Rehana Ahamad WHILE the majority of vendors at the Kitty Seawall are pleased with the ongoing efforts to beautify and upgrade the area, they are also fearful that its materialisation would have a negative impact on their livelihoods.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle recently, stallholders called for the location to be regularised in a manner which enables comfortable and convenient vending.

Carl Melville, the previously homeless man who made it his duty to clean the shores of the seawall daily, is now running a refreshments stall at the location. He is ecstatic to see the ongoing works and is pleased to be in the midst of it all, lending a helping hand to workers during his spare time.

“This [will] be setting a new standard out here, and it will be good [for] tourists and people coming to Guyana,” Melville said.

While the “seawall caretaker” is happy with the improvements, he is also concerned about his new business and the administration’s plans for vendors. He has recommendations that he hopes the government will take into consideration.

“I would glad if they could organise everybody and put everybody in one spot, and give all of we rules,” Melville suggested.

Similar sentiments were shared by the other stallholders, who spoke with this newspaper, including beverage vendor Manda Benn.

“We’re vendors out here and we’ve already invested a lot to set up our businesses, so I would be really glad if they could find an area out here to accommodate us,” she said.

Benn declared that she would love vending at the seawall to be regularised and properly maintained.

“Maybe if it’s a structure that they would want to build,

beautified Seawall.

“Based on the pictures that we saw on Facebook and so, I am really excited about all of it...is just that I want to make sure that vendors are allocated a spot. I don’t mind paying the fee, either,” Foo said.

She is hopeful that once restored, the new environment would be attractive enough to “bring in more business.”

Eman Nurse has been the Seawall’s infamous “hotdog man” for almost 30 years.

Maylene Foo and her husband are hopeful that the beautification would “bring in more business.”

“Seawall Caretaker”, Carl Melville

An artist’s impression of what the Kitty Seawall is expected to look like after ongoing restorative works have been completed A COUNTRY or probably if they give us an location usually results in once vending is regularised, Questioned about long- the maintenance fees could option to build we own thing. much unnecessary lawlessterm sustainability, Nurse also go towards employing That way we won’t be having ness. to fetch all our things every “When they beautify, in said that he is completely in one person to supervise the day, so it would even be eas- order to see the beauty, they favour of vendors paying a area, so as to ensure that all ier for us too,” Benn related. will have to regularise we, the small maintenance fee. vendors are compliant with “Taxes are what build the rules she hopes would be Meanwhile, Eman Nurse, vendors…right now, it’s just who has been running the chaotic…cussing, fighting… a country, and I see a small set out. infamous hotdog truck in the these things have to come to fee a form of taxation, and “And I feel too that perI believe that would help us sons selling out here who vicinity of the Band Stand, an end,” Nurse posited. for more than 30 years, said The businessman also to keep things in order out don’t do the right thing and he is ecstatic about the ongo- lamented the fact that the here,” Nurse said. follow the rules should pay a Several other vendors penalty or be asked to move ing works. operations of some busi“This has been promised nesses have created hubs are also in agreement with or something,” Candacy for years…20 odd years,” for the deadly COVID-19 the institution of a mainte- opined. nance fee. Candacy, who Nurse specified. disease.

Maylene Foo, who runs sells eatables on the seawall ‘Simon’s Grill’ with her husThe stallholder noted that tarmac, is also hopeful that band, is looking forward to a the lack of uniformity at the TAXES BUILD

$5M REHABILITATION Meanwhile, on Friday last, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill visited the Kitty Seawall to inspect ongoing works being executed on the Band Stand.

It was highlighted that the rehabilitation works on the structure are part of a shortterm $5M contract which commenced two weeks ago.

“It is a soft-touch project,” Edghill said. He estimates a completion date of December 15, 2020. Edghill also highlighted the need for “order” as it relates to vending in the area.

“I am not pleased at all with the encumbrance and the wanton disregard for law and order with people who are vending...things have to be done in an order…we want to encourage economic activity, but we cannot encourage lawlessness at the same time,” the Public Works Minister noted.

The project to upgrade and beautify the Kitty Seawall is being executed by the Office of First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works as well as with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

Mrs. Ali on Friday last issued a progress report via a post on her official Facebook Page.

“I am delighted to share with you that rehabilitative works have commenced at the Kingston Seawall, which is one of the areas See page 9

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

The Science of COVID-19

COVID-19 and Pregnancy (Part II)

By Dr. Narine Singh IN Part I last week, we covered the latest research into COVID-19 and pregnancy, as well as looked at mother to child transmission and the need for remote appointments if necessary. In case you missed it, here is the link: https:// guyanachronicle.com/2020/11/29/covid19-and-pregnancy-part-i/.

LABOUR AND DELIVERY If you are healthy as you approach the end of pregnancy, some aspects of your labour and delivery might proceed as usual. But be prepared to be flexible.

Whether you deliver your baby vaginally or via cesarean will depend on a lot of factors, and not just whether you have COVID-19.

If you are scheduled for labour induction or a C-section, you might be screened for COVID-19 symptoms 24 to 48 hours before your arrival at the hospital. You might be screened again before entering the labour and delivery unit. If you have symptoms or the virus that causes COVID-19, your induction or C-section might be rescheduled.

To protect the health of you and your baby, the hospital might limit the number of people you can have in the room during labour and delivery. Visits after delivery might be affected too.

Also, during your hospitalisation, if you have COVID-19, or are waiting for test results due to symptoms, it’s recommended during hospitalisation after childbirth that you wear a cloth face mask and have clean hands when caring for your newborn.

Keeping your newborn’s crib by your bed while you are in the hospital is fine, but it’s also recommended that you maintain a reasonable distance from your

baby when possible. When these steps are taken, the risk of a newborn becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus is low.

Research suggests that only about 2-5 percent of infants born to women with COVID-19 near the time of delivery test positive for the virus in the days after birth. However, if you are severely ill with COVID-19, you might need to be temporarily separated from your newborn.

POSTPARTUM GUIDANCE It’s recommended that postpartum care after childbirth be an ongoing process. Talk to your health care provider about virtual visit options for checking in after delivery, as well as your need for an office visit.

During this stressful time, you might have more anxiety about your health and the health of your family. Pay attention to your mental health. Reach out to family and friends for support while taking precautions to reduce your risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus.

If you experience severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and lack of joy in life shortly after childbirth, you might have postpartum depression.

Contact your health care provider if you think you might be depressed, especially if your symptoms don’t fade on their own, you have trouble caring for your baby or completing daily tasks, or you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

BREAST-FEEDING It isn’t yet known if the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through breast milk.

Limited research has shown no evidence of the virus in the breast milk of women with COVID-19. But experts

caution that more research needs to be done before they can definitively say there’s no risk.

The bigger concern is whether an infected mother can transmit the virus to the baby through respiratory droplets during breast-feeding. If you have COVID-19 or are a symptomatic person under investigation for having the virus, take steps to avoid spreading the virus to your baby.

This includes: * wearing a face mask * washing your hands thoroughly before touching your baby (be sure to get under your nails and into the webbing of your fingers) * washing your hands thoroughly before handling a breast pump or bottle * considering having someone who is well give the baby a bottle of expressed breast milk WHAT YOU CAN DO A vaccine to prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus is still not available in Guyana at this time.

T o r e d u c e y o u r r i s k o f i n f e ction, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises pregnant women to do the same things as the general public to avoid infection, such as avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms and keep about six feet of distance between yourself and others beyond your household. Wear a cloth face mask in public and at work. Limit contact with others as much as possible.

Instead, consider sharing moments with friends and family via photos, videos or videoconferencing. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. And skip the baby wipes -- they don’t disinfect.

Above all, focus on taking care of

Dr. Narine Singh Chief Medical Officer

yourself and your baby. Contact your health care provider to discuss any concerns. If you’re having trouble managing stress or anxiety, talk to your health care provider or a mental health counsellor about coping strategies.

SAFE MEDICAL TREATMENTS Treatment for COVID-19 is similar to the treatment of other respiratory illnesses. Whether you’re pregnant or not, doctors advise: * taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher * staying well hydrated with water or low-sugar drinks * rest If Tylenol doesn’t bring down your fever, you have difficulty breathing, or you start vomiting, call your doctor for further guidance or call the COVID-19 Hotline immediately.

Like swollen ankles and constipation, worry is a constant companion when you’re pregnant. But it’s important to keep perspective. This new coronavirus is serious business, but, pregnant or not, you’re not a sitting duck.

While much still needs to be learned about the virus, the little research that’s out shows that pregnant women with COVID-19 are no more likely than others to have severe disease. And the virus is not likely to be passed along to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth, according to limited data we have so far.

As the saying goes, it pays to be prepared, not scared. Simple steps like thorough hand washing and limiting your time in crowds can go a long way in protecting you and your baby.

This article is submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme. For questions, email ministersecretaryhealth@gmail.com.

Seawall vendors ...

From page 8

targeted for major upgrade under my National Beautification Project,” the post read.

“A beautifully designed promenade will be developed along the front of the tarmac and a section of the seawall, while the Police Bandstand will benefit from restorative works.

Just recently, all lanterns along the tarmac were checked and those that were not working were replaced,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Ali also used the same medium to encourage all Guyanese to “treat this and other areas with care.”

“Do not dispose of your waste improperly.

Do not destroy or deface the infrastructure. All of this belongs to all of us. Let us value the contributions that have been made and cherish it so future generations can have something to enjoy,” the First Lady added.

Ongoing works on the Seawall Band Stand

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Understanding Energy

Guyana’s drilling success rate an anomaly among frontier areas IT’S no secret that Guyana has enjoyed unusual success with its series of oil finds on the Stabroek Block.

Overall success rates for the companies in the Stabroek Block have hovered around 90 percent. But on the heels of recent non-commercial finds at other blocks surrounding the Stabroek it is worth taking a step back to examine just how unusual this discovery rate is.

The Tanager-1 well provides the perfect example of the risks that companies take to develop a region. The Tanager well, located in the Kaieteur Block, is one of several offshore wells that are being evaluated for further potential.

Tullow is taking time to analyze results from its two wells - Jethro and Joe – in the Orinduik Block, as is Repsol with the Carapa well in the Kanuku Block. If these companies decide not to continue exploration in the areas surrounding these wells, the money spent on drilling will not be recovered. This is the risk an oil company takes when it decides to explore a frontier, or new, area.

Although the non-commercial nature of the Tanager well seems to be unusual in Guyana’s brief history of high success, it is the norm across other new frontier

regions. The average success rate for this type of exploratory well is between just 10 percent and 20 percent on a global level, according to Offshore Magazine.

These success rates are even lower in deepwater areas and a 2015 study in West Africa noted that only 7 percent of offshore exploration wells resulted in commercial finds. Success rate for wildcat wells, which are considered the riskiest type of wells, are often even lower. Wildcats (like Liza 1) are wells drilled in new frontier regions, like Guyana, without a history of production.

Unsuccessful wells are common worldwide even in well-developed, mature oil fields that have a long history of production. In Trinidad and Tobago, which has been a major oil producer for decades, companies have had a string of eight dry wells over the past few years.

While oil companies can research offshore areas and predict where oil might be based on similar geological features found in successful wells, it is not possible to know with certainty if a well will actually contain oil until it is drilled.

Significant amounts of commercially viable oil are simply not a common occurrence geologically. A successful

find means that an enormous series of variables had to be perfect. The right conditions had to be there to form the oil in the first place, then the highly pressurized liquid had to be trapped underground, uncontaminated and unreleased for hundreds of millions of years while continents shifted around it. And the well targeting that reservoir has to operate in three dimensions since it’s not enough to know where to drill—companies also have to know how deep to drill with precision to hit the right layer of rock. So even in blocks where success has been historically high, there is a possibility that every new drilling site could be a dry well.

Oil drilling success rates are measured by how profitable a well is. When a company decides to begin drilling in a specific area, it risks the tens of millions it costs to drill that well. On average, wildcat wells cost between $50 million and $200 million, with deepwater drilling on the higher end of costs. And in most cases, a well is likely to be non-commercial, meaning the money spent are sunk costs for the company pursuing exploration and development.

In the case of a dry well, a company

has lost the money invested. In the case of a non-commercial well, where there is not enough oil to profitably extract, a company must decide whether it wants to continue exploration efforts nearby or transition to a new location. Non-commercial wells can become commercial, but only if more lucrative wells are discovered nearby. However, exploration in these undetermined areas make drilling even riskier for companies because another non-commercial well will result in even higher sunk costs.

It’s critical to remember that under our contract with Exxon, costs can only be recovered if oil is found, developed and produced. Even then, they can only be recovered over several years at an amount that is limited by the production contract. Costs are carefully monitored during this time and audited by the government at regular intervals to ensure that the money spent by a company is legitimate. If approved, companies can recover these costs but only from oil production itself.

Under production sharing agreements like Guyana’s, the government is insulated from some of the most significant risks in the industry.

Work starts on Budget 2021 – Dr. Singh says medium, long-term plans will be clearly outlined

WORK has started on the preparation of Budget 2021, which, according to Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, will clearly outline the government’s medium and long-term plans for Guyana.

A circular instructing ministries to prepare individual budgets will soon be dispatched, Dr. Singh said during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“It is going to be the first budget of this government’s term of office, so it is going to outline our medium and long-term vision. It’s going to include a number of the important initiatives that we see as critical to realising the modern Guyana that will be unfolding over the course of the next few years,” the minister said.

Guyana went more than eight months without a National Budget because of a

protracted electoral process, which ended on August 2, 2020.

The prolonged process had restricted the country from having a budget and, by extension, a clear plan for 2020. This was something the government worked on rectifying in just about 21 days after being sworn in.

Crafting a National Budget usually takes 179 days, however, extraordinary circumstances forced the government to condense the process, and present one in 21 days. A $329.5 billion Emergency Budget was cleared by the National Assembly on September 25, 2020.

The government has since been working to accomplish its plans outlined in this budget.

Speaking about what has been achieved so far, Dr. Singh said: “Quite a lot of progress has been made in implementing; most of the policy measures have been

implemented. You’ve seen like the VAT on electricity and water and so on; those things have already been implemented.

“The president has given all of us a mandate that has been very clear; that he would like all of the projects in the Budget to be executed in a timely manner. With the mandate that has been given to me and the rest of my colleagues in the Cabinet, I’ve been working with the various sectors to ensure they proceed with execution as quickly as possible; as rapidly as possible.”

President Irfaan Ali had committed to getting the economy back on track, starting with the implementation of measures and projects included in the emergency budget.

This Budget includes a $25,000 cash transfer to every household; a $15,000 cash grant and a $4,000 uniform voucher for schoolchildren; $800 million for the Amerindian Development Fund; $5 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guy-

SuCo); a two-week, tax-free bonus for members of the Joint Services; and $150 million for frontline workers, among many other benefits.

President Ali had also said that the government, after re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, has managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese at a time when the nation is faced with the effects of COVID-19, and the recently concluded protracted electoral process. The conduits of relief include revised tax measures and sweeping incentives.

The broad objectives of those measures which feature in government’s emergency budget are to stimulate economic activity; get persons back to work; increase Guyana’s productive capacity; reduce the cost of doing business; improve efficiency; and facilitate growth and development of businesses.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Politics & Society Forum

Are we witnessing the incoming tide of camaraderie or conquest?

FEW individuals will disagree with the confirmation that Guyana was off-the-cuff when the country was informed by multinational corporations of its large deposits of oil and gas in 2015.

We know now that corporate muscle was used to strong-arm the inexperienced Guyanese negotiating team to sign a series of lopsided oil contracts.

Why this unfortunate situation occurred will be discussed in upcoming columns. For now, I am using the above to draw attention to a related event that might catch Guyana unprepared and unguarded again if prudent steps are not pursued. I refer to the influx of foreign nationals in the country with the most recent arrest of about thirty Haitians who were using Guyana as a transit base to go elsewhere, presumably to French Guiana.

My intention here is not to single out Haitians. They happen to be in the news.

There are thousands of Venezuelans, Brazilians, and other nationals who are in Guyana not entirely for fatuous reasons. I do, however, support any initiative to treat them fairly.

If anything at all, Guyana should be the first country to apply sensitive immigration policies to foreign nationals. We have been on the move for a long time and other countries have put up with us in ways that have not segued into their own immigration policies. Canada comes readily to mind.

That said, I am convinced that revenues emerging from oil and gas will transform Guyana from poor to a petroleum state. Guyana will experience infrastructural and

sectoral development. The sitting administration will be forced to seek help beyond the shores of Guyana to meet the demands of development. In the process of “Investment and Development” Guyana will attract individuals from across the globe and might no longer be a nation of six but sixteen races. We might return to the coveted migration status of being an importer rather than an exporter of people. Do you remember the influx of nurses from various Caribbean islands to be trained at the New Amsterdam Hospital? The looming question is, how would Guyana handle the influx of so many people?

The PPP/C administration has currently revamped the re-immigration policy. This move is forward looking, since Guyana has been a sending country of migration, producing resource-oriented branch of overseas communities that can be tapped into for the development of the country. We expect the return migration of Guyanese nationals as well as the arrival of more individuals who have not been associated with Guyanese migration. I am referring to Americans and nationals from the surrounding Caribbean and Latin American countries.

The latter will be looking for better livelihood opportunities brought about by the local content policy aspects of the oil and gas sector.

In this mix and medley of migration, it is a fair bet, I reckon, to say that the management of in-migration to Guyana will not be a smooth sailing expedition. Like the oil and gas industry, the in-migration

of foreign nationals and its associated challenges of different cultural values and the like will certainly be a new wave of experience for Guyana. Yet, this novel experience on a large scale should not be a stumbling block to achieve mandated goals if we allow ourselves to be reminded that we are one Guyanese who were dropped off by different ships at different time-periods in different parts of Guyana. The difference in the modern period is that we, including the new incoming groups, are being dropped off in Guyana by different planes.

From a standpoint of policy, immigration should not be a double entendre but ought to be driven by liberal pro-active social integration programmes. Access to social services and political and economic rights should not be a head-scratching perplexity. We do not favour gated but integrated communities that will reflect the image of Guyana and its people. We do not support privilege for some and predicament for others. Efforts and attempts should be aimed at the merging and integrating of the “new migrant community” with the existing host community to bring awareness, reduce fears, stereotypes, and etcetera.

I endorse a convergence of immigration policy that emphasises the importance of historical legacy, the value of political and economic institutions, and the sensitivity of cultural diversity. Guyana’s immigration policy should be geared towards nation-building and national economic development rather than be conflated

with protecting national security and fulfilling narrow political aims.

The above brings us to a relevant concern. I urge the Government to

develop a partnership with stakeholders to devise matrices on how in-migration will be monitored and assessed – beyond the existing ones - so that by

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine the end of the day we will reach a point of compromise which does not feel like a circus but one that is on the route of progress.

If some of the above policies are practised, we can avoid the innuendo of in-migration to Guyana as being perceived as the incoming tide of conquest (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Civil society group wants ‘national consensus’ on electoral reform

By Vishani Ragobeer

NEWLY formed civil society group, Electoral Reform Guyana (ERG), will be engaging Guyanese in an attempt to arrive at a national consensus, as part of efforts

to drive electoral reform in Guyana.

At a virtual launch on Saturday afternoon, the growing group of concerned Guyanese, in the civil society group, gathered to share their thoughts on why electoral

reform is necessary, and what could possibly be done.

Well-known economist, who has written about electoral reform, Desmond Thomas, highlighted that it was clear that Guyana’s political environment is “distressed”.

ERG Coordinator, Lawrence Lachmansingh

ERG Co-coordinator Kerry Anne Cort-Kansinally

ERG Implementation Lead, Desmond Thomas

Though acknowledging that political systems may be inherently adversarial, he contended that it did not mean that constructive results cannot be forthcoming.

But that was not necessarily the case in Guyana; the country has been seemingly characterised by a ‘winner-takes-all’ system, which seems to isolate segments of the population.

Electoral reform, Thomas posited, will help to improve Guyana’s political system and ultimately contribute to national development. And Thomas, who is an implementation lead within the ERG, intends on helping to centre citizens in the electoral reform process.

“Guyanese need no reminding about the traumatic 2020 elections. One only has to examine the damage done to social and political relations, for example, to appreciate the negative impacts on our national development that have been associated now with the 2020 elections,” ERG Coordinator, Lawrence Lachmansingh said at the launch, as well.

Even though this year’s elections were particularly

strange after being protracted for five months, Lachmansingh, a conflict and resolution specialist, reminded that many of Guyana’s post-Independence elections were also contested.

He highlighted that there were many questions about the current political system and the role stakeholders play in maintaining the status quo, or, as he said- “sustaining the problem”. He said, however, that the ERG does not have the answers to these questions.

“We are not coming with a pre-packaged diagnosis of Guyana’s electoral illness, and we don’t have a prescription for Guyana’s needed electoral medicine,” Lachmansingh said.

He, instead, reminded of Article 13 of the constitution, which states: “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision

making that directly affect their well-being.”

And so, the aim of the ERG is to forge partnerships and engage with stakeholders; the emphasis will be on engaging at the ‘grassroot’ level. When that buy-in is achieved, the national consensus will be taken to the political leaders who have the ability to make legislative change.

Co-coordinator, Kerry Anne Cort-Kansinally affirmed, “It’s important that we have that national ownership of the change we want to see.”

That national ownership, she contended, could only come if people are educated on the electoral process and if the social dialogue with them informs the legislative proposals.

Thomas also indicated that electoral reform is no guarantee that many of Guyana’s issues, which are seemingly exacerbated at elections’ time, will be alleviated.

Instead, this process of dialogue and engagement is seen as an important contribution to the journey of healing and reconciliation.

Six GPL units to boost capacity for Christmas season –– four more placed ‘in reserve’

THE Guyana Power and light Inc. (GPL) has announced the arrival of six 1.6 Megawatt (MW) Caterpillar Units which were purchased to boost generating capacity for the holiday season.

Three of the units will be installed at GPL’s Sophia, Georgetown location, while the other three will be installed at GPL’s Onverwagt (West Berbice) location.

A statement from GPL noted that an additional four units, with a total capacity of 6.4MW, have been placed on stand-by by the supplier in case there is a failure of any of the six units purchased by GPL. Three of these reserved units will be

placed at GPL’s Canefield (East Berbice) location and one at GPL’s Anna Regina (Essequibo Coast) location.

“The arrival of these units is in keeping with our company’s commitment to boost generation capacity and provide customers in the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) with reliable electricity,” GPL noted.

The six power modules and associated transformers were procured at a cost of $475,422,029 and $80,886,430 respectively.

“GPL wishes to reassure customers that our Company will spare no effort in ensuring that all customers have access to a reliable service of the highest quality.”

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

COVID-19 ‘breaks up’ wedding industry

By Jared Liddell THE COVID-19 pandemic has decimated several industries, resulting in many persons being displaced from their jobs and leaving business owners with millions of dollars in losses.

The wedding industry, in particular, is among the industries hit the hardest, since public gatherings were halted and weddings can only have a limited number of people.

Globally, the wedding industry grosses over US$300 billion yearly; this takes into consideration dress makers, caterers, banquet halls, and even interior decorators.

With the national COVID-19 guidelines prohibiting large gatherings since the beginning of the pandemic here in March, several persons have had to reduce the magnitude of their big day or postpone it all together.

The guidelines specifically restrict persons from attending a banquet hall or a reception but noted that if there is a religious event, no more than ten persons shall attend.

The Sunday Chronicle reached out to several businesses in the wedding industry to find out how they have managed to survive.

The owners of the Impeccable Banquet Hall, Clive and Vanessa Sampson, described the period as “devastating.” Since the pandemic, they have been unable to book any weddings and approximately 60 of their employees have been displaced.

“COVID has devastated us; from March to now, we have not done anything at all. In the meantime, you still have salaries to pay, so you’re paying out money but nothing is coming in.

We are going in our pockets to maintain overalls when you take into consideration electricity and all of that,” said Mr. Sampson.

The new wedding season has commenced and the Impeccable Banquet Hall managed to get a few bookings but several persons have since cancelled and had to be refunded.

The Sampsons explained that while they received permission to host and facilitate events on the ground floor of the building, the national COVID-19 task force refused to grant them permission to host any events on the top floor, which is the main attraction of the

business.

“They had given us permission to open up downstairs, which we are grateful for. We asked the COVID taskforce to come and look at our place to grant us approval for upstairs. We told them the [air conditioning units] would not be in use, the windows would be opened and we would set up seating arrangements in a way that would provide for social distancing, but we got a big ‘no’. But we are trying, we are trying to rehire persons and so on but it’s hard,” Mr Sampson related.

He believes that the task force and the Ministry of Health should facilitate conversations with persons in the wedding industry in an effort to come up with sustainable solutions.

Meanwhile, Amanda’s Bridal, which supplies wedding materials, is also suffering as a result of the pandemic.

The company’s Operations Manager, Elisa Singh, stated that purchasing in the wedding section has seen a steep decline, and does not seem to be picking up even though the second wedding season of the year has begun.

“On a scale from 0-10, in purchasing, we are like at a four, and at this point in the year, we would have already seen a surge in persons buying wedding dresses, suits, shoes and so on because a lot of weddings happen between the June to August, and coming down to November - December would have been the second wedding season, but we haven’t seen anything like that,” Singh explained.

She further stated that while the business saw some persons purchasing wedding dresses at the beginning of the year, many made the difficult decision of postponing their wedding and returning their dresses, causing the company to issue hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds.

“And during this time, normally there are even persons coming in when we have our sales and purchase their dress one time for next year, but so far, we aren’t seeing any of the normal activity because nobody knows what next year would bring,” said Singh.

WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN Co-founder of RED entertainment, Kristina King, stated that while her company has worked to

The Impeccable Banquet Hall adapt to the new mode of operations, the first eight months of the pandemic negatively impacted her business.

King said that the pandemic took the event-planning and entertainment company by surprise and turned her world upside down.

“Eight months ago, the silence from our email and social media inboxes was deafening, to say the least.

Months passed by and we didn’t receive our usual influx of quotation requests for weddings and other special occasion events.

And the events that were previously booked, were postponed, reduced in guest count, or cancelled,” King stated.

She said, however, that although the pandemic has posed some level of threat, the company was fortunate enough to come up with several innovative techniques and solutions.

“Even though COVID-19 has posed numerous challenges, it has also stimulated our ability to adapt and create new and exciting ideas and operating systems that will benefit our company and those that hire us for years to come,” King said.

The company has been working to ensure that it creates several other avenues to provide for the cost of paying employees.

King said the impact of COVID forced the company to put event-planning and entertainment on the back burner and move to offer marketing services.

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

PREVENTING CERVICAL CANCER – PART 1 DR. SHIVANI Samlall, MBBS is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a sub-specialty in Gynecology Oncology, with over 10 years of practice.

Dr Samlall can be contacted at drshivanisamlall26@gmail.com

IN my upcoming series of articles, I hope to bring awareness to Cervical Cancer, its impact on women’s health, and how we can prevent this disease.

My first question: Knowing how deadly Coronavirus is, would you vaccinate your kids?

My second question: If you have the option to prevent your daughter from developing Cervical Cancer, would you do it?

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, there was high expectation of a vaccine that can prevent the disease. However, while the novel coronavirus is recent, Cervical Cancer has been around for centuries. While vaccines are now being tested for the novel coronavirus, the vaccines against Cervical Cancer have been around for years, extensively studied in many clinical trials, and have been established to be safe and highly effective against Cervical Cancer.

Cervical Cancer is caused

by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most frequent sexually transmitted infection, and although it is not a pandemic, it is the most common cause of cancer mortality in women in Guyana (based on statistics from World Health Organisation (WHO) Mortality and Morbidity report of Guyana 2002-2012), the fourth most common type of cancer in the world and Guyana’s second most frequently occurring cancer in women after Breast Cancer.

What is unfortunate is that despite these numbers, the level of awareness of Cervical Cancer remains low. It is therefore no surprise that prevention of this disease is considered a public health failure. In comparison, because of the increased awareness of COVID-19, we can expect a significant decline in the numbers of coronavirus disease once the vaccines are proven to be safe and effective. Similarly, if a higher level of awareness is

afforded to Cervical Cancer, we can eliminate this disease, or at worst reduce both the morbidity and mortality.

Given that Cervical Cancer is 100 per cent preventable through vaccination, and recognising the burden of this deadly disease, the WHO has launched a global strategy with the goal of eliminating Cervical Cancer in the next 100 years, termed the 90/70/90 Target. They have identified three pillars to achieve this, which includes: 1. Prevention through vaccination – 90 per cent of girls should be fully vaccinated by age 15 2. Screening and treatment of precancerous lesions – 70 per cent of women should be screened by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45 3. Treatment and palliative care – 90 per cent of women with Cervical Cancer should receive treatment.

ACHIEVING THE WHO

90-70-90 TARGET Projections from the WHO have shown that we will be able to reduce the median Cervical Cancer incidence rate by 10 per cent by 2030, and by 2120, 70 million cases could be averted.

This is a drastic reduction! Additionally, an estimated 62 million Cervical Cancer deaths could be averted by 2120. In the meantime, implementing the strategy will start saving lives today.

THE AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS STORY Australia, now in her 14th year of the HPV vaccination programme, has implemented one of the earliest and most successful programmes.

They have already been able to demonstrate, through research, to show evidence of significant decline of HPV infections and precancerous lesions in young women following

Women’s Health with Dr Samlall vaccination.

THE GUYANA SITUATION HPV vaccination was piloted in 2012, for girls aged 13, using Gardasil vaccine which targets the prevention of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18; which together, are responsible for at least 70 per cent of cancers.

In October 2017, the Ministry of Health relaunched the vaccination programme, this time to include girls aged 9-13. In 2019, the vaccines were also made available to boys and were extended to age 16.

You may ask why boys?

And the simple answer is because the virus that cause Cervical Cancer is sexually transmitted.

OVERALL BENEFIT Cervical Cancer prevention will not only substantially reduce the number of cancer cases; it will also improve the lives of people

Dr. Shivani Samlall

affected by the disease.

According to the WHO, eliminating this disease would result in both positive economic and societal outcomes.

This means that women will be healthier; will still be able to work and thus contribute to the economy and still be part of their families.

Achieving this target, will require participation from all stakeholders, mainly the Government through policies and funding, the private sector and civil society through advocacy. There will be a need for a robust monitoring system, including a functional population-based cancer registry which is essential to keep track of the progress and to make course corrections.

Eliminating Cervical Cancer is possible within the lifetime of today’s youngest girls, but the clock is already ticking, and all activities should start now, with each one of us. Remember every intervention counts!

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

COVID-19 recovery in Caribbean – but working-hour losses expected will be gradual to remain high, says ILO WHILE partial reopening of Caribbean economies is showing some immediate signs of socio-economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced output, export and fiscal space continue to take a massive toll on regional labour markets, according to a recently released report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Estimates produced in September 2020 (not necessarily robust following the fourth quarter (Q4) developments in Caribbean and tourism originating countries), suggest a gradual recovery for the Caribbean labour market during the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, although losses remained high.

Despite a reduction between the second and third quarter of 2020, work hour losses were expected to remain high at 12.8 per cent (in line with the global average of 12.1 per cent). This is, however, substantially lower than the combined average of 25.6 per cent for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Similarly, 1.87 million full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs were expected to be lost in the Caribbean since the beginning of the pandemic (against a total of 345 million FTE jobs worldwide and 60 million for the LAC region).

Recovery can be imputed to the partial reopening of the tourism sector starting from June 2020, which provided immediate relief in certain countries. This reflected an increase in hours worked and - most likely - the number of people employed.

If the experience of past shocks is to be repeated, those who may benefit first from the recovery are longer tenured workers who lost employment when the crisis kicked in Survey and administrative data for the first quarter (Q1) and second quarter (Q2) of 2020 suggest that - depending on the country - both unemployment and the proportion of people out of the active labour force have increased. While differences by gender are not necessarily consistent across all sources, youth have most likely been impacted disproportionately relative to the rest of the working population (surveys from Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia confirm a spike in their unemployment rate).

In any case, evidence suggests a polarization of the impact: some workers bore the biggest burden, while others maintained employment or at least a reasonable degree of labour market attachment. Self-employment seems to have not played the traditional role of buffering the impacts of the crisis. Additionally, there is not enough evidence to conclude whether informal employment provided a cushion.

As expected, at risk industries such as retail, trade, manufacturing, accommodation and food were the most impacted.

“Despite limited, available evidence is important to have a clear idea of the number of people affected as well as the mo-

from job search and educational offer.

dality through which they were impacted.

A reduction in the number of hours worked accompanied by a limited reduction in income has substantially different implications than, say, being dismissed and not being able to find any alternative employment opportunity due to plunging labour demand,” said Diego Rei, Employment and Labour Market Policies Specialist of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.

LABOUR MARKET RECOVERY MEASURES Across the region, government responses were usually quick and structured to provide mostly emergency or temporary relief.

These included income support measures, financial assistance to economic units – at times accompanied by employment retention conditions- and range of other measures. Interestingly, in several countries, workers in the informal economy were able to benefit from special concessions or ad hoc designed disbursement modality facilitating access to available financial support. The report provides a systematic inventory of the policy measures implemented across the region categorizing them into three major categories: support measures to individuals, households and the self-employed, government support to businesses and other measures with direct labour market impact. It takes an indepth look into dimension of special interest.

An analysis of occupational safety and health (OSH) highlights how the latter was generally maintained via systematic publication and verification of guidelines jointly agreed upon by employers’ workers and governments while challenges remain linked to the transformation of households into workplaces.

By assessing labour market policies, the report looks at how countries designed and implemented measures aimed at assisting the new batch of unemployed as well as the general population at looking for jobs or maintaining and enhancing human capital. While highlighting the obstacles to shifting trainings to online modalities, it concludes that there were almost no cases where skills-enhancing measures

were combined with income or enterprise support transfers and that upgrade in the assistance to job seekers mostly consisted in enhancing on-line tools available to them with little change in the type of services provided.

A section on legal matters examines how countries amended labour legislation and ensured user-friendly clarifications became available to the public on matters such as working time, wages, temporary layoff and flexible modalities of work.

Findings also highlight how social dialogue has been an integral part of most coordinated policy responses, but some gaps have emerged. On the one hand, workers’ and employers’ organizations effectively addressed the challenges of the pandemic by engaging with ministries of labour and ministries of health to identify challenges and craft responses to protect workers and keep businesses afloat. At the policy level, tripartite stakeholders were universally involved in the discussion on stimulus or response packages but at the industry level the scenario was different.

While, for instance, in the tourism sector tripartism was widespread, other essential industries (specifically agriculture and entertainment) saw much less occurrence.

More changes must be made on both ends for productive outcomes.

Steps towards longer-term recovery are seen in several countries. Some have begun to explore a wider variety of policies to move beyond providing financial relief and towards equipping businesses to better navigate the difficulties, adapt or enter into new sectors, as a means of making the private sector more resilient. However, challenges do exist. The report argues that financial help has rarely integrated strategic components to address the need to have comprehensive social protection systems that will be ready to support shocks. Similarly, the financing of policies targeted at bolstering (labour) productivity is still mostly vague and seldom reflect a time horizon beyond the yearly budgetary one.

By the same token the flow of job seekers between different support measures remains vastly unorganized with different entities providing different assistance without necessarily exploiting complementarities and maintaining any sort of financial assistance separated

CLOSING LABOUR POLICY GAPS The ILO recommends that countries continue to provide emergency relief, but preventing long-term employment should be prioritized.

This can be achieved by providing adequate support to vulnerable groups (especially youth) and allowing employers to co-determine skilling and employability needs while moving skilling/reskilling online. In particular, employment services can step up to embrace a coordinating role amongst government actors providing relief and reinsertion assistance in order to facilitate a structured flow of beneficiaries between different programmes.

In addition, recent regional developments and the operating procedures to dispatch relief funds suggest that countries could seize this opportunity to transform temporary income replacement programmes into a comprehensive resilient system of unemployment insurance.

The ILO also advises that it is essential to have medium- to longer-term policies in place to support entrepreneurship and modernization. These policies make it easier for potential entrepreneurs to adapt in response to market changes post-COVID-19 by changing products, services and business models with the full participation of Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs).

Labour legislation can strengthen by pre-emptively putting laws and regulations in place to make practical guidance available. Existing laws might be amended or new laws can be adopted, which would set out principles that must be upheld even during emergencies, provide for special protection for employers and workers, and which would lay out necessary flexibilities.

The ILO continues to assert social dialogue as an essential underpinning for finding effective joint policy solutions between governments, employers’ and workers’ organization. The participation of social partners is essential at all stages of the policy response, including initial needs assessment, formulation of measures, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation that allow for the scaling of measures to address policy performance and emergency situations.

“This report provides Caribbean policymakers with the most recent insights on how the pandemic is impacting governments, employers and workers across this region. It also offers tangible options to develop and put stronger measures in place for long-term labour market solutions.

The ILO Caribbean Office looks forward to continuing to work with our constituents to secure a better future of work for the region based on our ongoing analysis and recommendations for a sustainable crisis recovery,” said Dennis Zulu, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Best-performing Guyanese law student admitted to the Bar –– aims to become International Legal and Trade Lawyer

By Jared Liddell

A MOTHER of one, Deborah Barrow-Graham, was admitted to the Bar last Monday, after completing her studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School, where she graduated as the best-performing Guyanese student.

Her petition was present-

ed by prominent attorney, Nigel Hughes, a managing partner of Hughes, Fields and Stoby. And, she was admitted to the Bar by the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George. Barrow-Graham’s admission was conducted in the presence of her mother, son and husband.

In reflecting on her journey to ‘success,’ Bar-

row-Graham said that she was the lone Guyanese student to be listed on the Principal’s Roll of Honour.

She told the Sunday Chronicle that she was both ecstatic and surprised after hearing that her hard work had landed her a spot as not just the top Guyanese student, but also a place on the honour roll.

Best-graduating Guyanese Law Student, Deborah Barrow-Graham, shares a moment with Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, after being admitted to the Bar on Monday last “I was shocked because she was initially not interestof the COVID we had to ed in litigation so she delayed do our exams online; we her journey to law school had a 24 hour exam and my and, instead took the “scenic computer crashed during route,” pursuing post-gradthe exam and I took it to a uate studies in related fields computer technician and the before attending law school. guy could not recover the She further said that alinformation so I did not have though studying abroad came the notes. with its own challenges, the “But it was a good thing comfort of home was very I was working hard before close to her, in the form of but of course I still panicked her son, who accompanied and I shed two tears and so her throughout the journey. but then I had to pick up Caring for her son and myself because the exam had spending quality time with already started. I had to get him increased her ability to myself together and say well concentrate and remain calm. you studied so just perform,” “Having my son with me said the new attorney. helped me out so much because Barrow-Graham said that I was not alone; I had a piece

of my family there with me. It helped me to keep balanced so I was not just consumed with work, I made time to study and I made time for him and I think that gave me a strategic advantage in being successful with my programme,” said Barrow-Graham.

In addition to physical support, she received support from her family and friends, in Guyana, who utilised online platforms to share their sentiments.

Barrow-Graham utilised the moral support as encouragement to complete law school and create an opportunity to be like one of her role models, Justice George. The Chief Justice’s style of delivering and writing rulings is one which she hopes to one day emulate.

Justice George, in admitting Barrow-Graham to the Bar, advised her to always aspire for excellence, to “keep raising the bar and most importantly to share her knowledge with others.”

In addition to her Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, Barrow-Graham is the holder of a history degree (distinction), law degree (distinction), and Masters in International Trade Policy (distinction).

She said her ultimate goal is to become an International Legal and Trade Lawyer.

Technician dressed in army clothing arrested with cannabis

A 24-year-old technician of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was arrested Saturday after he was found driving a heavily tinted vehicle and was dressed in a green army jersey and camouflage long pants with cannabis in his pockets.

He was identified as Isaiah Hinds. Reports indicate that a police sergeant and three other ranks were on duty at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge

when they observed a black, tinted Toyota Belta motorcar, PMM 5501, approaching the bridge from a western direction and the driver acting in a suspicious manner.

As a result, the police signalled the car to pull over and the driver complied. The police then noticed that the driver began taking off the army clothing.

Police then carried out a search of the car in the driver’s presence and found two ziploc plastic bags contain-

The army clothing that was seized

Arrested: Isaiah Hinds ing cannabis in the pockets of the camouflage pants.

Hinds was told of the offences committed and under caution, he said the cannabis was for his personal use and that his cousin had given him the army clothing.

He was arrested and escorted to the La Grange Police Station where the cannabis and army clothing, along with the car, were lodged as investigations continue.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Some 1,000 CDCs to be established nationwide

By Richard Bhainie

WITH 175 Community Development Councils (CDCs) already up and running, the government is seeking to establish a minimum of 1,000 CDCs across Guyana.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that the government is working to strengthen relations with communities through the establishment of CDCs nationwide.

Community Development Councils are community interest groups, constituted of individuals from within the particular community who are elected by members of the community to serve in leadership capacities.

The councils focus on a broad gamut of issues that affects the community, including but not limited to, social issues, psycho socio support, issues amongst youth, community infrastructure and will identify issues affecting members within the community and liaison with the government.

“For us, the Community Development Councils will create an environment where government can become closer to people, and also the issues of people can be addressed by the government in a direct way,” Dharamlall said.

The minister explained that due to the uniqueness of each community, government cannot identify specific issues affecting them all. As such, part of

the councils’ mandate will be to advise the government on issues the communities are facing to foster development within the community.

“We will also use the relationship with CDC as a means of understanding better, what are the issues in the different villages. We would not be able to make investments in the villages until we understand the issues,” Dharamlall said.

The councils will also be able to function based on a preemptive approach rather than a reactive approach, where they may be able to foresee issues, and it can be dealt with in a timely manner.

“We believe by using that type of approach, many of the issues that affect people on a daily basis, we will get them to be resolved in a much better way and in a much more effective way,” Dharamlall said.

PROVIDE SUPPORT The government’s role in the initiative will be to facilitate the establishment of the councils and to monitor them, while providing strong support.

“These are self-serving, independent councils that we support. The government will play the facilitative role, we would provide as much support as possible and the support will be both tangible and intangible, in terms of resources, training, other capacity development,” Dharamlall said.

Dharamlall explained that the communities will be at the helm of the initiative and there will be wide inclusivity to cater for everyone

Farmers to be compensated for inferior paddy

FARMERS nationwide, who were experiencing severe difficulties in preparation for the first rice crop of 2021, will be compensated.

This is according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who noted that farmers complained bitterly about the prominently produced variety - GRDB 10; they claim it is not germinating properly or in some cases, not at all.

The minister, during a press conference on Friday, said: “Farmers have [complained] from as far as from Essequibo and I’ve already given instructions to ensure that we compensate those farmers [and] ensure that we replace those seeds.”

The minister urged farmers to make use of other varieties, including the recently launched GRDB 16, which is expected to be the highest yielding variety in the country.

“The other varieties, however, have not received any complaints. GRDB 10 is a high yielding variety; that is why most farmers are trying to get this variety.

“I also want to encourage farmers to look at the new variety that we would have launched a few weeks back, is the GRDB 16 that has the potential to be the highest yielding variety in our country….On the pilot project that we would have conducted, farmers would have received between 55 to 65 bags per acre for that variety and I want to encourage farmers to use that variety.”

In the meantime, the Ministry has advised that farmers, who have been experiencing difficulties with the GRDB 10, to soak the seeds for 18-24 hours and press in small pieces (to allow good air circulation), for 36 to 54 hours.

from each demographic.

“It goes beyond any political stereotype, any racial stereotype or gender stereotype, so basically it is very inclusive and the communities themselves determine who the executives of the council are,” he said.

The minister explained that the initiative is not a new one; however, it has been dormant for the last five years and the ministry is now looking to revamp it.

“When I went through the contents of Ministry and the Community Development

Department, we were unable to find any documentation to verify that groups were actually established and to validate the work that they actually did,” Dharamlall explained.

He added: “What we are doing now is basically restarting this process and to make it as open and as transparent as possible.”

Dharamlall explained that the initiative is one that creates the opportunity for people across the country to serve in leadership roles, and he is urging all to come on board.

“It will also serve as a

training ground for people who want to elevate into different positions of leadership, positions in the national and regional level… what we would like is the full participation of different types of people,” he said.

So far, councils have been established mainly on the coastal plain, in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. However, Dharamlall explained that the initiative will be taken to the hinterland region in the coming year, once the budgetary allocations are made.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall

18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Seabob harvest equivalent to U.S.$50M annually – FAO rep –– 45 per cent of women hired in processing facilities OVER 9,000 metric tonnes of seabob was exported by Guyana in 2018, valued at just over G$7 billion, while the current annual harvest is approximately 20,000 tonnes, worth an estimated U.S.$50M. This is according to Gillian Smith, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) to Guyana.

This makes the seabob Guyana’s most important seafood export. Approximately 87 licensed trawlers and 305 artisanal fyke net (fish trap) vessels do harvesting, as well as processing facilities.

Guyana is the world’s largest producer of the Atlantic seabob, a commercially important shrimp that is caught from the Atlantic coast of the U.S., all the way down to Brazil.

In Guyana, seabob is fished by both industrial trawlers and by artisanal fishers. Most of the industrial catch is processed into frozen, peeled shrimp to supply both local and international markets.

A fishing vessel retrieves seabob, as both industrial trawlers and artisanal fishermen contribute to supplying local and international markets.

One of the many women at the Corriverton Market selling seabob

Smith noted that the three largest processing facilities employ some 1,600 individuals, 45 per cent of whom are women. It is anticipated that local demand may rise due to more persons coming to work in the emerging oil-and-gas sector.

Smith noted that a recent stock assessment of Guyana’s seabob population revealed that it is healthy, but fully exploited.

“The continued success of the seabob industry is therefore dependent on strong management of the natural resources stock for sustainability, minimisation of waste and detrimental practices, maintaining competitiveness in the global marketplace, and close collaboration and partnership by the key stakeholders.

The success of each stakeholder is heavily dependent on sustainable practices by everyone in the industry,” she noted.

The industry, Smith said, has already built a reputation for collaborative management, including the recent MSC certification process of commercial fishers.

Building on this, the FAO rep noted that the FISH4ACP (Fish and Aquaculture) was recently launched to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Atlantic seabob fisheries in Guyana, thereby strengthening the value chain.

This is done, she said “by working closely with all stakeholders to understand the interlinkages of the entire industry (from input supplies, fishing, processing and packaging, marketing, distribution, export, and sales), it possible to identify and address issues and opportunities that can improve the incomes and livelihoods of all stakeholders.”

The FISH4ACP, Smith explained, is an initiative

of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), working with selected countries in those regions to improve important fishing industries.

It is implemented by the FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

“In Guyana, our work with the seabob value chain started in November 2020, with a value-chain assessment. The results of this step will be of tremendous importance. We are working closely with the Fisheries Department, the University of Guyana, and other stakeholders to gather information on the main environmental, economic, and social challenges of the seabob fishery. The results of this assessment will lead to more sustainable practices in the fishery,” Smith emphasised.

FISH4ACP, she said, is particularly focusing on maximising the productivity of small-scale fishers and enhancing the potential of women and youth to contribute to efficiency in the sector. The programme will also assist efforts to reduce bycatching of endangered species, such as the electric ray.

This project will be implemented over five years and success stories will be featured throughout the life of the project.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

36 new cases of COVID-19 THERE have been 36 additional persons infected with the virus, COVID-19, taking the number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 5,637, according to the Ministry of Health.

Information provided by the Health Ministry, through its daily COVID-19 dashboard, indicated that these 36 new cases came from 414 tests. As per this dashboard, the death toll has remained at 151. The last recorded fatalities were a 31-year-old woman from Linden and a six-day-old

baby from West Demerara, reported on November 30.

So far, 4,733 infected persons have recovered; many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, exhibiting no symptoms. However, five patients are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The new cases were distributed across Region One (five cases), Region Two (two

cases), Region Three (one case), Region Four (ten cases), Region Six (nine cases), Region Seven (two cases), Region Eight (one case) and Region 10 (six cases).

There are 37 persons in institutional quarantine, 53 in institutional isolation and 695 in home isolation.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Nine) are in force from December 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after

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an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per these current measures however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes.

Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important.

The current curfew is 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

The involvement of children in street masquerade is exploitation

By Tamica Garnett

HEAD of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene, has made it clear that children who participate in street masquerade dancing are being exploited and so she is urging members of the public not to give them money.

Greene, during an interview with this newspaper, pleaded with the general public to play their part in helping to alleviate the situation.

“It’s the same thing that I say about the children begging on the streets; you’re part of the problem when you continue to give money; you become part of the solution if you don’t. Tell them [the adults] ‘I don’t mind you dancing in the sun, but the child should not be out here.’

So say, ‘I wouldn’t be able to give because you have the child there.’ We have to discourage them involving the children,” Greene emphasised.

Among the many Guyanese traditions during the Christmas season, is various groups of masqueraders taking to the streets to perform; they often solicit money from passersby during the activity.

Masquerading is a creative expression that reminds us of our history; it is one of the very few traditions to survive the cultural erasure that occurred during enslavement of our African ancestors.

Greene said while there is nothing against the activity itself, persons need to abstain from involving the children.

“It shouldn’t involve children, it’s for the adults and they do their thing; they shouldn’t have the children.

For me, its exposure of the children, it is exploitation of the children and definitely something I would advise against.”

Though the groups are often given permission to perform their activities on the pavements and sidewalks, it has become and increasing custom for them to take the performances to the middle of the roadways, often obstructing traffic as a means of further extorting money out of drivers, at times refusing to let drivers pass unless they make a contribution.

Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, stressed that while the performers are often given permission to carry out the activity due to its cultural nature, they are not allowed to go into the roadways and block the traffic “They do go to the Min-

Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, is calling on masqueraders to carry out their activities on the parapets and not to obstruct traffic istry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and they would give them permission to masquerade, but the permission does not give them authority to impede the traffic and obstruct the traffic. But they use that as a means of soliciting money, because they block the vehicle to stop and give them money.

You would find at traffic lights, they would use the opportunity because they would realise the vehicles have to stop there, so

my advice to them is not to do that,” Ashram explained.

The Traffic Chief cautioned that the masqueraders were also endangering themselves.

“Doing that they are endangering their self too.

They must do it off the road peacefully, and if persons want to contribute to them, they will do it. My advice to them is even if they get permission, they must not impede the traffic, they must

not dance in and out of the traffic. They should not be at any intersection, they should go to parks and market areas and so on to carry out their trade,” Ashram said.

Ashram also urged the masqueraders not to involve children in the activity.

“They should not take underage children with them. It should be responsible persons who could act on their own,” he said.

Hicken, team address concerns of Enmore residents

DEPUTY Commissioner (ag) ‘Operations’, Clifton Hicken and senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday addressed the many concerns of residents at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The “Face the Community Meeting” was held at the Enmore Hope West Primary School, and was chaired by Divisional Dep-

openly share their problems, promising that recommendations and actions will be taken.

Some of the issues raised by the residents include: Sale of narcotics; youths liming in the community; traffic congestion near private workshops and supermarkets; noise nuisance; inaction by some police ranks when reports are made; and openly burning garbage.

Deputy Commissioner (ag) ‘Operations’, Clifton Hicken addressing residents at Saturday’s community meeting in Enmore uty Commander, Deputy Superintendent T. Brown.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram, and senior officers of the division.

The Regional Commander, in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the police and community partnership. He emphasised the need for the Force to build bridges and gain the trust of the public.

Deputy Commissioner (ag) Hicken also spoke briefly, and urged the residents to

Mr. Hicken, in response, stressed the need for police/corporate responsibility, and encouraged residents to work along with the police to make the community a better place.

He recommended the following: Police and stakeholders form youth groups to assist with the upbringing of the youths; need to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines; collaboration between police and the NDC; address issues in illegal rum shops and pollution; increase raids on drug houses, along with the need to form a group chat to alert each other of suspicious characters and activities.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Pandemic hits well-being, livelihoods of LGBTQ+ Guyanese

… regional study shows

By Vishani Ragobeer THE well-being and livelihoods of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Guyanese have been adversely affected due to the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Caribbean

study conducted earlier this year.

Caribbean LGBTQ+ survey was done by members of the University of the West Indies (UWI), working alongside LGBTQ+ bodies in Guyana, Grenada, St. Lucia and Barbados, through support from the United Nations Develop-

Speeding driver dies in LBI accident A 22-year-old driver lost his life Friday night, after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a utility pole on the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is Anthony Patterdin of Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Police said the fatal accident occurred about 22:30h. Reports indicated that Patterdin was driving motorcar, PMM1003, at a fast rate of speed east along the northern side of the road, when he lost control, collided with a utility pole on the southern side of the road and ended up in a nearby trench.

Dead: Anthony Patterdin Patterdin was the lone occupant of the vehicle at the time; he was trapped inside the car and paramedics had a difficult time in removing him.

He was eventually taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted a patient in a serious condition. Subsequently, about 01:30h Saturday, Patterdin succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the said institution.

His body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

Baby girl with missing limb found floating in Crane canal A BABY GIRL, age unknown, was found floating in a canal at Crane Squatting Area, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of the female toddler.

The body, which measures twelve inches in length, was discovered naked, floating with the face upwards and the left hand missing.

Ranks took the body to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where the toddler was officially pronounced dead.

The body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting an autopsy as investigations continue.

ment Programme (UNDP).

For Guyana, there were 265 respondents.

The study was published in June and showed that 45 per cent of the respondents reported that they lost their job or had their businesses closed, while another significant portion of respondents (26.5 per cent) had either reduced working hours or were temporarily laid off. This illustrated that the livelihoods of approximately 72 per cent of the respondents were adversely affected by the pandemic.

In a recent interview, Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson, explained that the livelihoods of many LGBTQ+ persons were adversely affected because many of them work in the informal sector of the economy.

These jobs include sex work, domestic work, night life and entertainment. And Simpson highlighted that the stay-athome orders and the curfew measures impacted those.

“People were saying

very clearly they didn’t have enough money to buy food or to get potable water, and because of how their livelihoods were affected, they were having difficulties paying rent,” the SASOD’s Managing Director lamented.

While there were individuals who were able to engage their regular clients through social networking technologies and who were able to provide home-based services, street-based sex work, in particular, was impacted.

Cognisant of how easily the pandemic disrupted sex work, Simpson shared that SASOD is developing job-readiness and entrepreneurship training programmes to encourage its constituents to get jobs within the formal economy. This, he explained, could supplement whatever earnings are garnered from sex work.

In an attempt to provide some redress too, SASOD developed its own support mechanisms for the vulnerable population.

This included the distribution of food hampers and cleaning supplies.

The National AIDS

Programme Secretariat (NAPS) was also responsive, distributing multimonth dispensation of drugs to reduce the burden of frequent travel costs.

WELL- BEING According to the study, only 14.6 per cent of the respondents were able to access counselling services; 7.3 per cent were able to access help for reporting harassment and discrimination; and only three per cent were able to access legal and paralegal services.

However, it is important to note that just over half of the respondents indicated that they needed these services and more.

What was worrying, however, was that many persons’ mental health had been impacted too. When compared to the three other Caribbean countries studied, it was discerned that Guyanese LGTBQ+ persons were struggling to deal with the fallout from the loss of their income and the overall impact of the pandemic.

Family violence also contributed significantly

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Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson to the adverse impact on the well-being of these individuals. It is important to note that many persons are affected by homophobia within their own family spaces. Eight-six respondents stated that they experienced some form of violence and abuse-whether physical, sexual, emotional and/ or verbal.

Simpson explained that the stay-at-home and curfew measures also resulted in increased interactions with family members, who may have been homophobic, resulting in violence.

Cognisant of these challenges, Simpson related that SASOD made its counselling services free of cost and easily accessible through many virtual platforms.

Legal services were also pivoted and reprogrammed to address these critical needs emerging in the pandemic.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Mazaruni prisoners ‘busted’ with ganja, cellphones

A 40-year-old inmate of the Mazaruni Prison was arrested on Friday last,

after he was found with a number of contraband items.

Prison officers conducted a search after they received information that the

The contraband items found at the Mazaruni Prison inmate was smuggling the contraband inside the penitentiary. The prison warders, upon confronting the inmate, later learnt that the items had to be dug up from the ground. When this was done, they discovered a white plastic bag.

A search revealed five parcels wrapped with transparent plastic, which contained a quantity of cannabis weighing 584 grammes, six cellphones without SIM cards and three packs of Bristol cigarettes.

The inmate then revealed that he received the package from another prisoner but when this prisoner was confronted, he denied any knowledge

of the package and its contents.

They were both arrested and taken to the Bartica Police station as investigations continue.

Subsequently, a raid was conducted at the Mazaruni Prison on Sat-

urday by ranks of the Bartica Police Station where several contraband items were found; two cellular phones, one Digicel SIM card, two grams of cannabis and a quantity of improvised weapons and other prohibited items.

Two arrested as investigations continue into rape of girl, 7 TWO suspects are in police custody and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) has intervened after a seven-year-old girl was snatched from her bedroom in the wee hours of Friday and raped by an 18-year-old boy in Region Seven.

This was confirmed by Division Commander, Superintendent Dion Moore, who noted that when the investigations are completed, a file will be submitted for legal advice.

Reports indicate that the child’s mother retired to bed just around 22:00h Friday with her youngest child, while the seven year-old and her brother, went to sleep in a separate room.

In another section of the media, the mother related that she was awoken at around 3:00h and noticed her son in her bed and upon checking on her daughter, she discovered her missing.

The mother of three said neighbours formed a search party since the area was bushy.

However, the mother expressed her dissatisfaction at the actions of the police who were contacted to help the family in the search. She was told by the ranks that a missing person’s report will have to be filed after 24 hours before their intervention.

Subsequently, two police officers arrived at the location to take the mother to the police station to file the report, but she refused to leave the search for her daughter.

The child was later found naked by relatives in a bushy area leading to a creek. The mother wrapped her daughter in a towel and travelled to the police station in an attempt to get the matter sorted out as soon as possible, so she can then transport the child to seek medical attention.

However, because of the delay in taking the statement at the police station, the mother took the sevenyear-old to the hospital where she was admitted in a stable condition.

Residents of the community had related that the suspect was a known character in the community and was involved in theft at multiple homes in the district.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Women’s rights activist survives 17 years of abuse –– laments stigma, calls for community support

By Vishani Ragobeer IT’s 02:00 hours. The average person might be asleep, sound asleep, actually. But Shanti (not real name) is crouched behind her wardrobe frantically sending a ‘Please call me’ toll-free text to a known women’s rights activist.

Since the pandemic has caused her abuser- her husband- to be at home more often, this is perhaps the only time she can reach out for help, without him knowing.

Bibi Ahamad, a psychologist and women’s rights activist, sees the message and returns the call instantly. As a survivor of domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) herself, Ahamad knows all too well how vulnerable women like Shanti are.

“They (women in abusive relationships) do this because while the abuser is sleeping, that’s the only time they can communicate. Some of them would go in the washroom area or behind the wardrobe,” Ahamad told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview.

For more than 20 years, Ahamad has been an advocate for vulnerable groups, such as women and children. But, during that time, for 17 years, she was also abused physically, sexually, verbally and emotionally.

No one knew about what she was enduring, save for her abuser and her now 15-year-old daughter.

“Being in an abusive situation, it tells on you psychologically more than you would realise at the time of the abuse,” Ahamad said, explaining that even though she was helping vulnerable women, she felt trapped in her situation at the time.

Ahamad attempted to rid herself of her abuser, when he almost killed her, and though she reported him to the police, the thought of the stigma her daughter would face if her father was imprisoned prevented her from completing the process. Though the physical abuse stopped after she gradually let him return to the household, the abuse did not stop. Subsequently, she spoke to her daughter about what actions she was going to take, and Ahamad removed the abuser from the home.

“The physical scars, they would heal but the emotional scars… they don’t go away that easily,” she said while almost un-

Psychologist and women’s rights activist, Bibi Ahamad consciously brushing her hand along the ‘black and blue’ marks.

After removing her abuser, the long but necessary healing process began for her and for her daughter.

Counselling and having a solid support system were crucial along the road to recovery. At first, she blamed herself for “putting up” with the man for so long, and then for also letting him back into her home.

But now, she doesn’t.

She understands that each situation vulnerable women are faced with has its own “complexities”.

COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic is one occurrence which complicates the circumstances vulnerable women are faced with.

So far, for this year alone, a total of 17 women have been killed by their spouses, leaving 43 children motherless, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said recently.

Recently, women’s rights activist, Danuta Radzik explained that for this year, there were a number of challenges stemming from the COVID-19 which led to an increase in domestic violence cases.

She stated that the stay-athome guidelines constrict women and children to homes where their abusers are; here, there may be increased tension due to a loss or reduction of livelihoods, for example.

Also, social services offered by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Help and Shelter, the Ministry of Human Services and other agencies may not be operating at full capacity. This reduced the amount of help that can be offered to vulnerable groups.

Ahamad is part of The Caribbean Voice (TCV), a NGO, which provides aid to vulnerable groups like women and children, and also mental health support services.

“Because of COVID-19, we had to switch from direct intervention measures to those by phone or by any online methods,” Ahamad related. Since organisations like the TCV and others are not necessarily able to meet with many abused women during this time, novel approaches to providing help, such as online or telephone counselling, have been utilised.

Moreover, Ahamad related that fewer women are able to leave the abusive household because there are fewer support systems for them at this time- whether financial or family and friends. Thus far, TCV has been able to provide supplies for 25 women in abusive situations, but Ahamad lamented that there are dozens of women still to receive any help.

What the pandemic has done is exacerbate violence that is rooted in gender inequality, gender discrimination and a social system of patriarchy. Radzik emphasised that domestic violence and gender-based violence are not just a man getting drunk and beating his wife, or him beating his wife because she is not a ‘good’ housewife. While these are issues which should be addressed with much alacrity, she clarified that those occurrences are symptoms of a system which oppresses women and women’s rights.

Ahamad, too, acknowledged that there are systemic issues. And much more community support is needed to help address domestic violence and gender-based violence.

“Just like many other social issues, gender-based violence and domestic violence are taboo issues.

There is a stigma that goes with it because people are judgmental,” she lamented.

Instead, she encouraged persons to stop stigmatising women as she called on community organisations, such as faith-based organisations, to play a greater role in helping to root out the violence and abuse.

“Victims out there, know that you are not to blame. Reach out to me anytime, if you don’t have credit in your phone, send me a ‘call me’ and I’ll get back to you.” Her number is: +592 621 6111

Help can be accessed by contacting any of these numbers

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‘Gobsmacked’: Australia could end 20-year Test drought ... Injury to David Warner could lead to Australia picking a right-handed opening partnership for the first time since Michael Slater and Greg Blewett

WITH David Warner considered a slim chance of regaining fitness for the start of the Vodafone Test Series against India, Australia seem poised to break with 20 years of tradition by employing a pair of right-handed openers.

Due to the need for concussion and now COVID-19 substitutes as like-for-like replacements under revised playing conditions, Australia last month named specialist openers Joe Burns and Will Pucovski alongside Warner in their 17-man squad for the Vodafone Series.

It’s also likely they’ll now need to draft in an additional opener to the current Test squad as a potential back-up.

Burns (who has played 21 Tests) and uncapped Pucovski walk out together to face India’s newball attack, they will become the first right-handed opening combination Australia has fielded since March 2000.

That was when Michael Slater and Greg Blewett fashioned their 22nd (and final) first-wicket union before Blewett was replaced in the starting XI by left-hander Matthew Hayden.

“Someone messaged me on Sunday when Warner got injured, and they said, ‘guess who the last ones were?’ and I could not believe it,” Blewett told cricket.com.au today.

“I was gobsmacked.

right-handers who have opened in more than one Test innings during the past 20 years – Slater, Burns, Shane Watson, Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Finch – and none of them batted together at the top of the order.

And among the 10 most successful opening combinations Australia has fielded in Tests, only one – Geoff Marsh and David Boon, who combined for 1 871 runs at an average of 46.78 per innings at a period in the late 1980s ruled by West Indies fast bowlers – paired right-handers.

Blewett said in his experience – 46 Tests and 232 firstclass games, largely as an opener – the left hand-right hand

Michael Slater (right) and Greg Blewett opened together at the turn of the century (Getty)

Left-hander Marcus Harris is the other specialist opener in the Australia-A squad that will play two games against the Indians in Sydney from next week, and he is second-highest runs scorer among openers in the first phase of Marsh Sheffield Shield matches ahead of WA’s Sam Whiteman (another leftie).

Yet another left-hander, Nic Maddinson, is also in the Australia-A squad and has experience as an opener but has more recently been batting in the middle-order for his adopted state, Victoria.

And while Shaun Marsh has previously opened in Tests and is in outstanding form in the Shield arena, he acknowledges that – at age 37 - his international days have passed.

Men’s team coach Justin Langer said last week he wasn’t “holding (his) breath” that Warner would recover from a groin injury in time for the first Test at Adelaide Oval from December 17, which would indicate righthanders Burns and Pucovski could become Australia’s 245th Test opening combination.

But should 31-year-old

“You’d like to think they’ve always picked the best possible openers available at the time, and they just happen to be mainly left-handers.”

“So I think it’s just got to be coincidence.”

Even so, it’s a stark disparity given Australia have deployed 33 opening combinations in Test cricket over the interceding two decades and never have they sent out a pair of right-handers to face the first over.

They range from one-off pairings such as Warner and Glenn Maxwell (in the fourth innings of the 2013 Delhi Test), to the Langer-Hayden bromance that lasted 113 innings and remains the most productive in Australia’s Test history.

Of those 33 opening partnerships, 18 have brought together two left-handers in various permutations including Marsh, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Chris Rogers, Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Ed Cowan, Chris Rogers, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja and Harris.

There have been only five

combination felt most effective but he added contrasting game styles were just as important when settling on an enduring first-wicket pair.

“If you look at Hayden and Langer, Haydos was predominantly a front-foot player who liked hitting the ball back down the ground whereas Lang’s strength was probably square of the wicket, so the lengths for bowlers had to change a fair bit,” he said.

“But if you’ve got a rightand left-hander with different games as well, that’s your ideal because then you’ve got bowlers having to constantly change their line as well as their length.

“I would also say there are probably more right-arm fast bowlers going around in world cricket and they create more rough for left-handed batsmen, so I’ve also felt that left-handed batsmen have had it tougher than right-handers.

“Especially in Test match cricket, and to some degree Shield cricket as pitches deteriorate over the course or four or five days, so it’s remarkable they’ve dominated as openers

for all that time.

“But if you’re looking for a reason why it’s been 20 years …

I haven’t got one.”

Finch today backed up Blewett’s prognosis, claiming that despite cricket history and folklore suggesting selectors prefer left-handed openers, the secret to successful partnerships against the new ball is a difference in individual approach rather than which side of the bat each opener stands.

“It definitely has its advantages at times,” said Finch,

whose ODI opening partnership with Warner is verging on the second-most successful for Australia in that format behind Gilchrist and Hayden.

“With Davey and me, in particular, we’re such different styles of players and so whether we were left-handers or right-handers, I don’t think it would make a huge amount of difference.

“As an example, if you look at Langer and Hayden as an opening combination, they played so differently that you

had to bowl totally differently to each of them anyway.”

Australia’s Test openers this century: Matthew Hayden, David Warner, Justin Langer, Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Joe Burns, Phillip Hughes, Ed Cowan, Phil Jaques, Michael Slater, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Bancroft, Michael Hussey, Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, Greg Blewett, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn Maxwell.

(Cricket.com.au)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

King Kohli eclipses Tendulkar as fastest to 12 000 ODI runs

ANOTHER day, another ODI record was smashed by India captain Virat Kohli.

When he reached 23 last Wednesday in the third Dettol ODI at Manuka Oval, Kohli became the fastest batsmen to 12 000 runs, reaching the milestone in his 242nd innings.

Kohli eclipsed India legend Sachin Tendulkar to take the record after the ‘Little Master’ got to 12 000 runs in 300 innings.

The right-hander is the fastest batsmen to 8 000, 9 000, 10 000 and 11 000 ODI runs, and the way he’s going, he’s probably going to be the fastest to 13 000, 14 000 and beyond.

Boasting an overall ODI batting average of 60 and an average of 68 batting second, with 26 centuries, it is no wonder he is widely regarded as the greatest one-day player ever.

Australia captain Aaron Finch joined forces with Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) While he got an up-close look at Kohli’s game, Finch

said he was unable to locate a weakness ahead of the Dettol ODI Series.

“If you look at his record it’s second to none,” said Finch. “It really is remarkable.

“I think what we have

to keep in mind is that we have to keep looking to get him out.

“When you go away from that and you look to contain players you can miss a trick there.

“There are not too many

chinks in his armour.

“He’s probably the best one-day player of all-time so it’s about sticking to our plans and being really committed in that regard.”

PLAYERS WITH 12 000 OR MORE ODI RUNS Sachin Tenulkar (India) M: 463 | Runs: 18,426 | Ave: 44.83 | HS 200* | 100s: 49 | 50s: 96 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) M: 404| Runs: 14,234| Ave: 41.98| HS 169 | 100s: 25| 50s: 93 Ricky Ponting (Australia) M: 375 | Runs: 13,704| Ave: 42.03| HS 164 | 100s: 30 | 50s: 82 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) M: 445 | Runs: 13,430 | Ave: 32.36 | HS 189 | 100s: 28 | 50s: 68 Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) M: 448 | Runs: 12,650| Ave: 33.37 | HS 144 | 100s: 19 | 50s: 77 Virat Kohli (India) M: 251 | Runs: 12,040 | Ave: 59.31 | HS 183 | 100s: 43 | 50s: 60.

Late wickets shake Windies A after hard grind in the field

MOUNT MAUNGANUI (CMC) - West Indies-A lost the wickets of Brandon King and their captain Rovman Powell in the space of four balls inside the final halfhour to undermine their fight for survival in the first four-day ‘Test’ against New Zealand-A yesterday.

The Jamaica Scorpions pair of King and Powell were dismissed for 22 and a thirdball duck respectively, to pacer Scott Kuggelejin and Windies A reached 57 for three in their second innings before rain brought an early close on the third day of the match at the Bay Oval in New Zealand, with the visitors still trailing by 195.

When stumps were drawn, Nicholas Pooran was not out on 25 and fellow lefthander Kyle Mayers was not out on three, and West Indies-A will be hoping that the pair, two members of Kieron Pollard’s recent Twenty20 International squad, can bat well into the final day today to save their skins.

This followed another hard grind for Windies-A bowlers, after the New Zealanders resumed from their overnight total of 321 for three.

The Caribbean side dis-

covered the depth of the Black Caps reserves’ batting with wicketkeeper/batsman Dylan Cleaver scoring 85, Nathan Smith making 76, Joe Carter gathering 35 and Doug Bracewell adding 29 before the hosts were dismissed for 574 in their first innings about 15 minutes after tea, for a lead of 252.

loosely at a delivery from the home team’s captain and pacer, Jacob Duffy, in the second over.

Pooran came to the crease and put on 47 with King for the second wicket to steady the innings for the visitors before Kuggelejin struck twice in his second over.

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr was the pick of West Indies-A bowlers with 108-3

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr was the pick of West Indies-A bowlers with three for 108 from 24 overs and left-arm spinner Fabian Allen supported with three for 146 from 44.5 overs.

Windies-A suffered an early setback, when left-handed opener Shayne Moseley was caught behind for five, driving

King essayed a back-foot drive, but he got a thick edge and was caught at gully, and Powell chased after a short, rising ball outside the offstump, top-edged and was caught behind, leaving Pooran and Mayers to bat through until rain stopped play.

Earlier in the day, Romario Shepherd gave West Indies-A

early success, when he bowled Cole McConchie for eight inside the first half-hour.

For just over an hour, the grind continued for Windies-A before Mayers had Carter caught at gully about half-hour before lunch.

There was no further success for the Caribbean side before lunch and New Zealand-A reached 404 for five.

Between lunch and tea, West Indies-A leaked runs, but three wickets – two to Walsh – eased their burden.

Allen had Doug Bracewell caught at long-off from a lofted drive in the fourth over after the interval, but Windies-A met resistance, when Nathan Smith joined Cleaver and they put on 106 at a rapid clip for the seventh wicket.

Walsh, however, struck twice in the final half-hour before tea, holding a low return catch to dismiss Cleaver, and on the stroke of tea, he had Kuggelejin caught at slip for 13 from a top-edged cut – and the New Zealanders reached 558 for eight at the break.

After tea, Allen had Smith caught at short fine-leg from a miscued slog/sweep, and he brought the innings to a close, when he bowled Ish Sodhi for six.

Postponed Tokyo Olympics to cost extra US$2.4 billion

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) - The coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will cost at least an extra US$2.4 billion, organisers said yesterday, with the unprecedented postponement and a raft of pandemic health measures ballooning an already outsized budget.

The extra costs come as officials work to build enthusiasm for the first Games postponed in peacetime, insisting the massive event can go ahead next year even if the pandemic is not under control.

But more spending, on top of the previous budget of about US$13 billion, could further harden public opinion in Japan, where polls this year showed a majority of people think the Games should be postponed again or cancelled altogether.

sion to delay the Games has thrown up a plethora of extra costs, from rebooking venues and transport to retaining the huge organising committee staff.

And with organisers committed to hosting the Games even if the pandemic remains a threat, extensive safety measures will be needed.

Tokyo 2020 this week released a 54-page plan they said would make it possible to hold the Games, including restrictions on athletes touching and fans cheering, and an infection control centre in the Olympic Village.

Organisers have tried to scale back elements of the Games, offering fewer free tickets, scrapping athlete welcome ceremonies and making savings on mascots, banners

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto

“Whether it’s seen as too much or that we have done well to contain the costs, I think it depends on how you look at it,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto told reporters.

“We have done all we can to earn the public’s understanding,” he added.

Tokyo 2020 said an additional US$1.5 billion would be needed for operational costs related to the delay, with another US$900 million in spending on coronavirus countermeasures.

The dollar figures are calculated at an exchange rate of 107 yen, and the total is around US$2.56 billion at today’s rate. The costs look set to rise further, with Tokyo 2020 saying it would also release an additional US$250 million in “contingency” funds.

COST-CUTTING EFFORTS The new spending swells a budget that was set last year at around US$13 billion, and will add to disquiet about the cost of the Games after an audit report last year argued the national government was spending significantly more than originally planned.

The extra costs will be split between Tokyo, the organising committee and the national government.

The International Olympic Committee will not be chipping in, but has agreed to waive its sponsor royalty fee for the first time, organisers said.

The unprecedented deci-

and meals – but so far they have cut just US$280 million in spending.

And on Thursday they said 18 per cent of Olympic tickets sold in Japan will be refunded, with domestic fans demanding their money back on about 810 000 of the 4.45 million tickets sold in the country.

Half-full or half-empty Organisers hope to now resell those tickets as demand for seats at the Games was high before the pandemic.

But enthusiasm has since waned, with a poll in July revealing that just one in four persons wanted to see the event held in 2021, and most backing either further delay or cancellation.

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said the spending plan was carefully considered and he hoped people would accept it.

“If you have a drink, you could say your glass is halffull or half empty. It depends on how you look at it,” he told reporters.

“There’s a rationale behind this plan. I hope the Japanese people will understand it.”

Tokyo 2020’s final price tag has been hotly disputed, with an audit report last year estimating the national government spent nearly 10 times its original budget between 2013 and 2018.

Organisers countered that the estimate included items not directly related to the Games.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

37

Bolt voted greatest male athlete of last 75 years … Fraser-Pryce third among women LEADERS of the world renowned athletics magazine, Athletics Weekly, have selected Usain Bolt as the greatest athlete of the past 75 years.

They placed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce third among the women.

field athletes between then and present day.

A whopping 55.3 per cent of the votes went to Usain Bolt as the top male athlete.

Bolt won eight Olympic gold medals between 2008 and 2012 and became the first athlete to

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt

The magazine that was first published in 1945, is celebrating its Diamond anniversary and for its December issue, to mark the occasion it asked its more than 100 000 readers to vote for the top male and female track and

win gold medals in the 100m and 200m for three consecutive Olympic Games.

Bolt also won 11 World Championship gold medals.

The Jamaican also holds the world records in the 100m and 200m that were set at the

2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Coming in second with 17.1 per cent of the votes was the outstanding Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie while Czechoslovakia’s Emil Zatopek was third with 14.5 per cent of the votes.

Fraser-Pryce has won two Olympic 100m gold medals, four 100m world titles and a 200m title but according to the voters that was not good enough to finish ahead of Ethiopia’s long-distance queen, Tirunesh Dibaba, who garnered 31.1 per cent of the votes for greatest female track athlete.

Dibaba won world titles in the 5 000m and 10 000m double in 2007 as well as winning the 10 000m title in both 2007 and 2013 and the 2017 10 000m silver.

Between 2005 and 2012, she won 12 successive races over 25 laps.

Dutch super athlete Fanny Blankers-Koen picked up 25.7 per cent of the vote while the Pocket Rocket won the hearts of 18.9 per cent of the voters. (Sportsmax)

Relentless Atletico top La Liga after seventh win in a row

MADRID (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid overcame a rusty first-half display to beat Real Valladolid 2-0 at home on Saturday with goals from Thomas Lemar and Marcos Llorente sending them clear at the top of La Liga.

French midfielder Lemar struck his first goal since April 2019 to break the deadlock in the 56th minute, appearing at the back post to guide in a cross from Kieran Trippier and complete a sweeping counter-attack.

Substitute Llorente sealed the victory in the 72nd minute, latching on to a header from Trippier and showing remarkable pace and power to race past a defender and confidently dispatch his shot into the bottom corner.

A seventh straight league

victory took Atletico top of the table on 26 points after 10 games, two ahead of second-placed Real Sociedad who have played 11. Their next league match is away to city rivals and champions Real Madrid.

“We were not precise in the first half and we were sluggish whenever we got close to their goal, but Lemar and Llorente gave us more peace of mind after the break and we got the first goal,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

“After that, it was a different game.”

Atletico went into the game after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to a weakened Bayern Munich which left them needing to avoid defeat away to RB Salzburg to qualify for the

knockout stages of the Champions League.

With Wednesday’s crunch trip to Austria on his mind, Simeone heavily rotated his squad, starting without captain Koke, record signing Joao Felix and Spain international Llorente.

He was able to recall Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan had missed the last four games due to testing positive for COVID-19, but Atletico lacked sparkle in attack for most of the first half, while Valladolid were solid in defence and created several chances to go ahead but failed to take them.

Llorente was brought on immediately after the interval and Atletico promptly found more direction in attack, while Simeone intro.

South Africa, England ODI series to go ahead CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) The One-Day International series between South Africa and England will start in Paarl today after the hosts’ squad returned a full set of negative results in their latest round of coronavirus testing, officials have confirmed.

The series due to start on Friday had been thrown into doubt after a South African player tested positive in the team’s bio-secure hotel environment during mandatory testing, with the first match at Newlands postponed an hour before its start.

England expressed concern over the strength of the bio-secure environment after the positive result, while a South African team investigation has not yet shown how the unnamed player caught the virus.

“The entire Proteas team has returned negative results from the COVID-19 tests that were conducted yesterday evening in Cape Town ahead of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series,” Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed in a statement.

The latest positive test was the third for South Africa either before or during the six-match white-ball tour by England that is supplying much-needed revenue for the embattled CSA. Team doctor Shuaib Manjra admitted they were at a loss to explain how the player contracted the virus in the bio-secure hotel that is shared by South Africa and England.

“We have spoken to the player, looked at security cameras and other information, and we have not been able to date to identify where that source was. But clearly it is cause for concern,” Manjra said in a statement on Friday.

He denied any player had left the team hotel without authorisation.

“I can categorically state that no player is able to leave the hotel environment. The security will not allow the player to leave, unless he is doing so in an assigned, official vehicle.”

After today’s opening match in Paarl, there will be further games at Newlands in Cape Town tomorrow and Wednesday.

GOA in Keevin Allicock’s corner ahead of Olympic qualifiers … World 19 ranked Bantamweight boxer added to Olympic Solidarity Scholarship

By Rawle Toney W O RT H U S $ 5 0 0 p e r month, Keevin Allicock, touted as one of Guyana’s Olympic medal hopefuls, will be the beneficiary of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Olympic Solidarity Scholarship.

Allicock’s scholarship will run until August 31, 2021, after the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics. In fact, the GOA’s support started in September of this year.

According to GOA treasurer Garfield Wiltshire, an issue between amateur boxing’s governing body AIBA (International Boxing Association) and the International Olympic Committee caused Allicock’s scholarship to be put on hold.

Table tennis players Chelsea Edghill and Shemar Britton, along with triple jumper Troy Doris, badminton player Narayan Ramdhani and athletes Winston George, Aliyah Abrams, Andrea Foster, Brenessa Thompson and Kadecia Baird were the previous beneficiaries of the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship.

But, Wiltshire told reporters that Baird, due to “issues with her reporting” was removed from the funding and replaced with Allicock.

President of GOA, Kalam Juman-Yassin said Allicock “is a person worthy

to be on that scholarship; he is our top and most promising Olympic hopeful and I am certain that with this added impetus, it will drive him on to do even better. Keevin can now afford to train full-time and I want him to be able to concentrate and put the maximum he can do to be able to qualify.”

“My focus now is going to be 100% and more, and

by God’s grace definitely will are going to bring this Olympic medal, we are going to qualify and we are going to fly the flag high again because that’s my dream,” Allicock said, with his coach Sebert Blake in attendance yesterday, while thanking GOA for their support.

Meanwhile, Steve Ninvalle, president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), said with GOA’s support, “Keevin will now be able to focus entirely on boxing, and this is something we have been hoping for for some time. We don’t have persons who can box and only box and this scholarship paves the way for him to be 100% focussed on boxing.”

According to Ninvalle, there is an even greater possibility that Guyana will not only see Allicock qualify for the Olympics, but bring an Olympic medal back to Guyana.

Guyana and the Carib-

bean’s bantamweight champion, Allicock, moved up to #19 in the world in the latest International Boxing Association (AIBA) rankings.

The ranking made him the only Guyanese named on the AIBA listing.

Allicock, 21, won silver at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games in The Bahamas.

In the quarter-final of the Pan Am qualifiers in Nicaragua, Allicock lost by walkover to his Dominican Republic opponent, after the fight supervisor deemed his vest colour inappropriate for competition.

It was not only after a protest filed by Ninvalle to the sport’s governing body, that Allicock was able to qualify for the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru.

Allicock, along with Desmond Amsterdam, Collin Lewis and Dennis Thomas, will be heading to represent Guyana at the AIBA Olympic qualifiers, some time in May, 2021.

Meanwhile, looking ahead, Allicock said he’s staying focussed to qualify for the Olympics next year, where he’s also hoping to join Michael Parris.

Parris, at the 1980 Olympics, won bronze in the bantamweight division. It stands as Guyana’s only medal at the Olympic Games.

Duplantis, Rojas named world athletes-of-the-year

(REUTERS) - Swedish pole vaulter Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis was named the male athleteof-the-year, while Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas won the women’s title at athletics’ annual awards ceremony yesterday.

Duplantis, a world silver medallist in Doha last year, set a world record by clearing 6.17m in Torun, Poland, in February and then bettered that by one centimetre in Glasgow the same month.

He also produced the highest-ever outdoor pole vault jump when he cleared 6.15 metres to win gold at the Rome Diamond League meeting in September. The 21-year-old won all 16 of his meetings this year to register a perfect season.

“It was a really strange season, for me and everybody, but I was able

to put it together and get some pretty good results,” said Duplantis, who is the youngest athlete to win the award.

“I just wanted to go out there and show the world what I was capable of and put my name out there with some big performances.

I was able to do that and had some good heights, especially during the indoor season.”

Uganda’s Joshua Chept e g e i , A m e r i c a n Ry a n Crouser (shot put), German Johannes Vetter (javelin) and Norwegian Karsten Warholm (400m hurdles) were the other male finalists at the virtual ceremony.

Rojas set the South American indoor triple-jump record when she bounded 15.03m in Metz, France and then broke the 16-year-old world indoor triple-jump record when

she leapt 15.43 metres at the Madrid World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting.

“I honestly didn’t expect this, I really cannot believe it,” said Rojas. “It is such a joy and I’m filled with happiness.

“This victory means a lot to me and to all of those who work with me every day... Being the best athlete of the year is an additional inspiration for me for 2021.

Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (10,000m), Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey (5000m), Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir (half marathon) and Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah (100m/200m) were the other female finalists.

Kenya’s sub-two-hour marathon man Eliud Kipchoge and American 400m hurdles world record-holder Dalilah Muhammad were the 2019 winners.

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

Dr.Tulsi Dyal Singh, AM Khan, Gift Centre behind RHTYSC upcoming events ... John Lewis Styles, Fitness Express others on board

Jamie McDonald of Fitness Express hands over donation to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

THE ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) last Tuesday continued to attract support from a number of prominent corporate entities countrywide.

The donations were received by Club Secretary/ CEO and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) president Hilbert Foster and vice-president Mark Papannah during a visit to Georgetown.

Among the teams re-

ceiving were Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Under-21 and First Division and Metro Females who will be hosting a series of charity projects under their annual Christmas Outreach programme.

Overseas-based honorary member Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh

Mr A. M. Khan makes his contribution to Hilbert Foster

contributed $100 000 worth of Christmas toys while assistance was also received from Mr A. M. Khan of A. M. Khan Hardware Store located at LBI, Mr Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance Broker, Ms Dione Lewis of The Gift Centre, John Lewis of John Lewis Styles and Jamie McDonald of Fitness Express.

Foster expressed gratitude to the donors and stated that they are all longtime supporters of Guy-

ana’s leading youth and sports organisation. Mr McDonald noted that for the year, his business had closed off all donations to organisations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but RHTYSC is one organisation that deserves to be assisted.

Mr AM Khan hailed the club and its 10 cricket teams for their outstanding contributions to society, especially making

Mr Andrew Lewis of The Gift Centre hands over donation to Hilbert Foster

a positive difference in the lives of the elderly and less fortunate. He committed to continuing the support as long as he enjoys good health in the future.

The 2020 Christmas Programme of the ten teams would officially start on Monday 7th of December with the distribution of hampers to less fortunate families.

A total of one thousand food hampers valued at $4 000 each will be

distributed across Berbice to less fortunate families.

The families were identified by a Special Committee of the club, who visited different communities.

The teams would also share out 5 000 Christmas toys to children drawn from less fortunate and single parent households.

The club would donate toys to religious places of worship across the county and they would share them out to children in their areas.

Kwakwani residents, GFF team up to ‘bring football back to life’ in the community

IN a profound demonstration of community eagerness, members of the Kwakwani community last Sunday responded to a call from president of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, and on the spot selected members for an Ad Hoc Committee to be responsible for resuscitating football in that area.

The action came following GFF president’s historic visit to the mining community at the request of long-time football coach Jimmy Mc-

GFF president Wayne Forde (seated 3rd right) takes time out for a photo following the meeting with members of the Kwakwani Community last Sunday night at the Workers Club

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Sunday, December 06, 2020 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Lawrence Rowe-214 (Sabina Park, 1972)

(2) Glen Turner-259 (Bourda, 1972) TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Which WI player has scored most Test runs against NZ in the WI to date?

(2) Which NZ batsman has registered most runs in WI/NZ Tests in the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Lean, who has been making the rounds in the community to keep the game alive by working with the youths.

Those persons volunteering to serve on the Kwakwani Ad Hoc Football Committee are Stephon Profitt, Dion Ross, Dean Gordon, Harlan Bethune, Winslow McCurdy, Hubert Williams, Dereck Daniels, Anne Gordon, Royston Hetemyer, Carl Pitt and Jimmy McLean.

The specially-arranged town hall meeting between Forde and members of the community, held at the Workers Club under the theme: “Bringing football

back to life,” witnessed an interactive session with residents, who freely aired their concerns on how the game can be revived as well as reminiscing on what used to be.

They noted that the community is blessed with talented players, not only in football but also in other sport disciplines.

Among the concerns raised by the residents were the need for an organisational structure to be put in place to facilitate proper planning leading to holistic development of the game; the need for lights at the community

ground as residents work mostly 12-hour shifts, and for the ground to be fenced.

Coaching assistance for Jimmy McLean, who has been the torchbearer - holding the kids together and keeping them focussed - was also highlighted, as well as the need for leaders of the community to step-up for the sake of the youths, equipment assistance and for the game to be placed back in the schools.

In response, the GFF boss committed the GFF to working closely with the community to ensure that the game is played like never before, noting that for the realisation of

the proposed goals, maximum support would be needed from community members.

Forde’s proposal included the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for one year; training of coaches and referees; organising of competitions in conjunction with the Ad Hoc Committee; and the commencement of player registration. It was in response to the formation of the Ad Hoc Committee that saw the spontaneous reaction of the attendees to select the volunteers.

Whilst thanking members for rising to the occasion and giving of their time, Forde informed that GFF would officially communicate with members and guide them accordingly in this new endeavour. The committee will meet this week to elect a Chairperson and Secretary.

Accompanying Forde at the meeting were Upper Demerara Football Association president Terrence Mitchell under whose Association Kwakwani falls, GFF Youth Development Officer Brian Joseph, GFF Director of Coaching Wilson Toledo and GFF Referees Technical Instructor/Assessor Abdullah Hamid.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE December 6, 2020

39

All-local South American 10K pushed to December 13 … Initial event damped by COVID-19 Task Force

By Rawle Toney WHAT should have been held today, the South American 10K, organised by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), will now be held next Sunday December 13.

President of AAG, Aubrey Hutson, told Chronicle Sport that all systems will be in place for the staging of the road race next Sunday, after approval was not granted in time by the Ministry of Health and Guyana’s National COVID-19 Task Force.

This year’s South American 10K will only feature local athletes, since international travel regulations, as per COVID-19 protocols, would’ve prevented the usual plethora of overseas athletes travelling to Guyana to compete.

Hutson said the shifting of the dates will not be an issue for AAG since it understands that every requirement must be met to safeguard the health of athletes and officials.

The AAG, with the hosting of its recent Cross Country races in Linden and Berbice, became the first sport association to stage an event after the Government of Guyana lifted the ban on non-contact sports in November.

Meanwhile, it was noted that approximately 52 athletes have so far registered for the event, which will

see the winner pocketing $150 000.

Last year, Kenyan runners Alex Ekesa and Veronica Jepkosgei were able to march through a large field of lo-

clocked 32 minutes and 43 seconds to finish ahead of Guyana’s Winston Missigher, who took 32 minutes and 57 seconds.

Trinidadians Matthew

top five.

However, in the absence of the aforementioned overseas athletes, Missigher will come face-to-face with his usual rivals Cleve-

FLASHBACK! Kenyan Alex Ekesa led the pack on the Rupert Craig Highway during the 2019 South American 10K (Photo Credit: Emmerson Campbell)

cal and several international athletes to win the male and female divisions of the Guyana leg in the South American 10K Road Race. Ekesa

Hagley and Shirvan Baboolal finished third and fourth respectively, while Junior Ashton of St Vincent and the Grenadines rounded off the

land Forde and Cleveland Thomas. Forde had the better of Missigher in the 2018 South American 10K while Thomas was third.

Partnership with Associations/Federations premised on advancing interest of Guyanese athletes - Sport Ministry

Consequent upon the previous statement by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, where the Ministry advised that approval and/ or no objection for the hosting/organising of sports events, while inherently beneficial, was not strictly required by the respective sports associations/ federations, athletes have confidentially expressed their discontent and worry with the way the respective sports associations/federations have sought to discharge their responsibilities in this regard.

In a release yesterday, the Ministry said that the country’s sportsmen and women have confidentially expressed to the Ministry

that it had become a common practice that if they were interested in participating in or chose to participate in an organised sports event which did not receive the approval/ no objection from the respective sports associations/ federations, then they were threatened with or risked being disallowed from participating in any organised sports event, deliberately selected for international duties and disciplined by the association/federation.

“This is not a practice that can continue in the Republic of Guyana. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on behalf of the Government of Guyana has ultimate responsibility to, among other things,

advance sports in Guyana and the interests of Guyanese sportsmen/sportswomen,” the Minstry said.

Mindful of the international organisation of sport and the importance of improving Guyana’s standing on the international sports stage, the Ministry has embarked upon a direction to establish a genuine partnership with the sports associations/federations.That partnership is, however, fundamentally premised on the appreciation of a shared objective to advance sports in Guyana and the interests of Guyanese sportsmen/ sportswomen.

Sports associations/federations will continue to benefit from that partnership

with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport once that fundamental objective remains paramount.

The threat to exclude, the disciplining of sportsmen/sportswomen, and/or the exclusion of sportsmen/ sportswomen for their inclination to participate in or the participation in an organised sports event which did not receive the approval/no objection from the respective sports association/federation could never advance that fundamental objective.

The said that it is their mandate to protect Guyanese sportsmen/sportswomen from exploitation and advance their interests and the Ministry takes its mandate seriously.

Blackwood hails Joseph commitment in century stand HAMILTON, New Zealand, (CMC) – Jermaine Blackwood has showered praise on tail-ender Alzarri Joseph whose maiden Test half-century inspired the century stand which helped West Indies stave off a three-day defeat in the opening Test at Seddon Park on Saturday.

The pair came together when captain Jason Holder perished for eight in the final session at 89 for six and proceeded to defy New Zealand’s five-pronged seam attack with a 107-run, unbroken seventh wicket partnership which propelled West Indies to 196 without further loss at the close taken at 7:07 pm (2:07 am Saturday, Eastern Caribbean time).

shot] selection as much as possible.”

The day proved a testing one for West Indies batsmen with the Black Caps seamers finding swing in conditions which were sometimes overcast.

Tim Southee picked up four wickets in the first innings while Kyle Jamieson and left-armer Neil Wagner finished with two apiece as West Indies were rolled over for 138 in their first innings, after resuming the day on 49 without loss.

Following on by a massive 381 runs, West Indies slumped to 27 for four before tea after Wagner snatched two more wickets to wipe out the top order, but Blackwood and Joseph

Alzarri Joseph (left) and Jermaine Blackwood leave the field at the close of day three following their century stand

Blackwood top-scored with an attacking unbeaten 80 off 98 balls while Joseph, though solid in defence, proved equally adventurous in an unbeaten 59 off 73 deliveries.

“When Alzarri came to the crease I was just telling him to play his natural game and try to bat as long as possible,” Blackwood told reporters afterwards.

Alzarri Joseph (left) and Jermaine Blackwood leave the field at the close of day three following their century stand.

“When he came in [he said] ‘I’m going to stay here with you’. I batted two balls and hit them in the air and after that I said ‘no, I’m going to stay here with Alzarri and bat’ because he takes pride in his batting and also in his fielding so it’s good to see that he came out and batted the way he did.

“I’m also pretty proud of myself as well [with] the way I [went] about things today. I mixed it today with a bit of aggressiveness and then tried to get a good [a

came together in their defiant stand to frustrate the hosts.

“You can commend the New Zealand bowlers for the way they bowled the new ball as well but if I’m going to mark our batsman hard I think some of us got out a bit too easy – me as well – in the first innings,” Blackwood assessed.

“Some of the players they know that, so I guess they’re going to come back and work on that in the next Test.”

Blackwood, who made 23 in the first innings, said there were not many adjustments required in technique despite the volatile weather.

“It’s not many changes [to make] to be honest. If you can take a page out of Kane Williamson’s book, I think he played the ball very late when the sun was hot or when [it was overcast] so I guess our batters know that,” he explained.

“I guess for sure next Test you’re going to see a better effort from the batting unit going forward.”

Kiwis wrap up record win despite Blackwood ton WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand wrapped up a record innings and 134-run victory over West Indies before lunch on the fourth day of the first Test in Hamilton today after finally breaking a rearguard action from Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph.

The victory margin was the largest

by New Zealand over West Indies, surpassing the innings and 105-run win at Wellington’s Basin Reserve in 1999, and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the twomatch series.

New Zealand had been cruising to

victory inside three days, and were close to the rare feat of dismissing a side twice in one day, before Blackwood and Joseph came together at 89-6 and shared a 155-run partnership.

Blackwood completed his second Test century today but fell for 104 shortly after Joseph was caught in the deep for 86 and Neil Wagner finished off the innings at 247 when he bowled Shannon Gabriel for a duck.

“We were fortunate to get off to a good start and to be able hold that position,” New Zealand captain Kane

Duplantis, Rojas named world athletes-of-the-year SEE PAGE 37

Williamson said.

“Coming into today we knew the West Indies batted deep and they showed that. It was great the guys stuck with it.”

The hosts had scored 519 for seven declared on the back of man-of-thematch Williamson’s career-best 251 and dismissed the tourists for 138 in their first innings midway through the third day.

Williamson had little hesitation imposing the follow-on and his bowlers again ripped through the West Indies batting, leaving them teetering before

Blackwood and Joseph counter attacked in the final session.

Blackwood resumed on 80 today and survived a dropped catch by Ross Taylor on 89 before he brought up his second test century with a single off Kyle Jamieson.

Joseph was within sight of his maiden Test century but he holed out to substitute fielder Mitchell Santner at deep point, which effectively ended the tourists’ resistance.

The second Test starts at the Basin Reserve on Dec. 11.

GOA in Keevin Allicock’s corner ahead of Olympic qualifiers … World 19 ranked Bantamweight boxer added to Olympic Solidarity Scholarship TURN TO PAGE 37

Swedish Pole vaulter Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis (left) and Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas (Getty Images)

SEE PAGE 39

Jermaine Blackwood’s defiant century wasn’t enough for the West Indies to avoid an innings defeat to New Zealand

Keevin Allicock (third from right), flanked by GOA and GBA executives, receives his GOA Olympic Solidarity Scholarship from GOA’s Tricia Fiedtkou

All-local South American 10K pushed to December 13

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